Organized religion - Wikipedia From 1937 to 1998, church membership remained relatively constant, hovering at . I want to stay in the stream of Gods grace and faith, as I know this is where He has called me. Wow, a lot of great comments from everyone in the room viewing the Center where Jesus is at fro me as the leader in all his Mercy given me to live by to all as received, Well with that, the definition of religion is to me, What one does to get others to place pats, loving kind words on them to be accepted and feel oh so good about self , as one is in truth trying to get God to be pleased and accept others saying God does accept them by their, at least my old fake works I admit I used to do and am still susceptible to do in the desire to be liked and accepted, Until I saw that definition of world religion. I havent found really anyone who wants to do that. Key Points. I am new to this E2R but the little time I have been here, a lot have really changed in my entire way of my spiritual life. These lies feed the fiction that God can be bought. The only religion found in the Bible is the covenant of the Law. - R.B. It boils down to one truth do you believe God loves you? If you are faithful and good, he will bless you. What a villainous distortion of our Fathers unconditional love! Some believe that following His example of doing kind acts to others is what empowers us to be good. I would be hesitant with the Grace factor. Religion is bad because it stunts intellectual growth and cripples human interaction; because it is an engine of control and oppression (mostly of women), and because it alienates people from the real, physical world and all its wonders. Organized religion, also known as institutional religion, is religion in which belief systems and rituals are systematically arranged and formally established. Thank you Papa. Which does not mean look to Jesus and act like Him. Even as he told his disciples, to let the others be. Tweet. Now in thought I got this, if I can get God to respond to me in what I do or not do, then that would make me God of God would it not? Yes the law is a tutor that leads us to Christ. The bodies we have on this earth are tainted with sin and require replacement to enter heaven, thus the new bodies we will receive. Billy Graham Q: Why do some say that organized religion is actually a bad thing? I will never fall away. Grace is just that and knowing how much we are loved, causes sin to diminish. When you catch a glimpse of who you really are through the eyes of Father, Son and Spirit it astonishes the heart. When the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain to change people may choose to change Rom 7. ), but I feel that I am obviously misreading them as I am still an insecure believer at this point due to my upbringing in a legalistic type of mindset. Why is this so hard? thats not what is being said here in this blog what we are calling religion is the flushes attempt to keep any rule or law or standard in order to gain acceptance or be rewarded in some way. The Catholic Church, the largest Christian denomination, is an example of an organized religion. He is the great lover of the human race. The finished work of Jesus caused something spectacular to happen! When truth is preached, every one who are in bondage (self/religion) will set them free. I will make things right. Religion means different things to different people, so lets begin with a definition. The law is a ministry of death..the law caused sin to abound. Jana Riess. It is a good start to carry onto others to come to see the truth, and be new by imputation of God (Father and Son) to us each to stand in this truth denying God, even as Job would not, as Jesus himself would not, and all the way to death for us all, to be made new in his Love given us to abide in. Is religion good or bad for humanity? Epic analysis delivers an answer Bravo Paul!! Jesus said, in John 17, that Gods word is truth, in 1 John 5, it says that the Spirit is truth. It means look to Jesus to live His life in you. God is love and His plan for man-kind was always about love. To your response, as I may not have made clear__ to say Grace & the Law of God to Moses are covenants at all, no! the youthful trendy young pastor of a mixed grace church is more deceptive the obviously whacko Mormon men in black becoz its less obvious. The likes of evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins and neuroscientist Sam Harris argue that rational beings following the evidence must inevitably conclude that religion is harmful. fulfilled the law so we can now live by grace, trust in Jesus . By religion are you referring to the mainstream Christian denominations such as catholics, anglicans, lutherans etc. Why does he do this? Thanks. If you bring the Law back in to the new covenant, Christianity starts becoming a religion. I used to attend one of the biggest ( churches). The Gospel in Ten Words In NYC we call the established but every famous spirit-filled pastors Christian mafia. Regarding number 9, I watched a documentary about Jim Jones years ago and was surprised by how similar the teachings were to my church. And I want to be conscious of his love alone not a religion that does not honour Christ. But did you know that religion shares every characteristic of a cult: authoritarian leadership, indoctrination, exclusivism, isolation, and opposition to independent thinking. This is so beautiful. My error: The law leads us to Christ. having been given the love this world or any flesh, us can not fathom, Father gives true love as in 1 Cor 13:4-7, imputed into us from the Faith of Abraham Romans 4:17-25, Organized religion is just a cult on steroids. John also speaks of the vine keeper washing the leaves.The vine keeper lifts us up and continually washes us. It's the serpent saying, "Do this and you will be like God." We think Adam and Eve were fools for listening, but we repeat their mistake whenever we look to ourselves as our source of security and joy. I say the grace we experience is an outflowing of Gods commitment to and love for us. With Religion a bad person is still bad, but the good person does bad things. A slim majority of U.S. adults say religious organizations do more good than harm in American society, while just one-in-five say they do more harm than . Religion is a temple built with human hands. Anybody can try to do, but it So its Christ through and in me that does the work. The vast majority of the church will say, well I agree with most of this but I have a small problem with point x or point y. So, Christianity is a religion. Posted on Apr 28, 2021 People Are Sharing Why They Stopped Believing In Organized Religion, And Their Perspectives Are Genuinely. I think that religion is really just for personal gain of the people running it. The freedom and love we get, once we realize the truth, is, as Eph. AMEN!! So, I plug away ! As you mentioned I had revelations of many of these issues that Paul brings to the forefront and met with great criticism, but I dont regret any of it because I know who told me and am so blessed by Holy Spirits revelation of the truth of Gods love for us. That is what is being fought to this day, to not see this new life in the risen Christ me, to be defeated of me, As Father in Son is waiting s=to this very second for the last one to come t belief and end all this mess we all got born in here on earth, thanks to the curse in from lucifer theough Adam and Eve that took part of in unbelief to God, Today to turn around and tell God personally between you and God you believe and be set free, and be content in all things good or bad that happen to thee, Thank you for your service in belief to God, by Son , the way, the truth and the new life in his risen life to be received by Father only and then do by Father leading in Spirit and truth. Religion, is law what you have to do. So true, yet by saying things of Christ, Christ is revealed to those that are serious to know Father. But we also all go to 3 different churches and people are busy. We must insist that our religion is real. Religion is used to controll the masses. Like a cult, religion discourages questions and marginalizes those who fail to toe the line. Hahahaha! And if so, how great do you think that love is? By Jessica Grose. All wars can be attributed to religious leaders desire to control more and more. lifted up also is the Greek word airo meaning to lift up so what John 15:2 is actually saying is every branch that beareth not fruit is lifted up off the ground so it can bare fruit. This is understandable given human nature; when one finds God we instantly think about how can I please him and the logical answer is what can I DO. This is exactly what I think and feel better than I could say it. I think simplicity was what Jesus was teaching when He said we need to come to him like the children do. I will follow Jesus anywhere. It is extremely important to look at the context of passages of Scripture such as you mention. God is not Using Usat anytime. 1.) They carry unbearable loads. The studies offer intriguing insights, but each presents just a fragment of the full story, and sometimes they generate competing ideas. I often think that in our desire to pick apart the puzzle and achieve greater understanding we lose sight of our first love. Blessings, I will ascend to the heavens. Grace always existed until man decided he didnt want to be graded on Gods goodness, but on his own. One day you may become the person you want to be, but right now you are incomplete, inferior, and far from God. Hi Paul. We need to renew our mind and eliminate teaching that says life is meaningless. I grew up without a father too. Antireligion is opposition to religion. A Pew Research Center survey found 29% of U.S. adults said they had no religious affiliation, an increase of 6 percentage points from 2016. Can you come to Nigeria to launch this ministry ? Amen!!! All this seems true at the first. Nevertheless, in recent years, there have been attempts to dissect the question using a scientific scalpel. BGEA is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For fourteen centuries the Israelites practiced religion hoping to earn the favor of heaven. ), Cissie Graham Lynch and Alisa Childers on Progressive Christianity. 2 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. Americans largely have positive feelings about the role religion plays in American life. First off you are not alone. The thoughts and questions that God stirs my heart with -- and the answers I find -- are never going to be the same as everyone else, because my relationship with God is personal. Privacy The gospel is not here ya go, we have a new and improved religion for you, its the latest and greatest, straight from Gods own son. IT DEPENDS Kenneth G. Lucey, UNR Philosophy/Religion Professor Whether "organized religion" is good or bad depends on many different factors. Yet one of you is a devil.' Your books and posts are water to my soul and I thank God for you. It makes you feel cheep and stupid but it claims to be your friend. Others distinguish good religion from bad religion. I will make things right. The difference between religion & the Law of God is, the first brings death, the second, life. This idol of independence utters two words again and again. Religion is organized crime masquerading as an insurance racket.. They are inspiring me in my Christian walk. I am also so blessed by this site and encouraged by the number of people who want to know more about these topics. The world does not object to this kind of Christianitycontent to have only a social Christ who provides what we want for ourselves. The Psychology of Why People Believe. Rt. This is the one area I do have a deep revelation of grace. His live truly is unconditional! Jesus is the end of religion. I will be like the Most High is in essence what we are saying when we attempt to be justified by the law. Thank you for sticking to the REAL Gospel in your ministry. Copyright Policy Rule-based religion will destroy everything good in your life (2 Cor 3:7). Religion often involves cultural beliefs, worldviews, texts, prophecies, revelations, and morals that have spiritual . 26 Jun 2023 21:39:19 Society is doing a good job of convincing the world that Jesus has no power to judge sin. The Rules. How Politics Replaced Religion in America - The Atlantic I do not know how God will use it, yet I know God will use it all, to bring in his Kids, that the enemy tries to use to keep us out. If they didnt obey,they were cursed. AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. If you look at the believers in heaven, in Revelations, they are described as those who hold the testimony of Jesus and keep the commandments. To the person living in the box when they believe, confess, follow, obey & trusttheir first steps in the process of healing__does the law not help them go to the place [Genesis] Jesus points to the most, the written law; older covenants (plural) concerning his first commands? In the quote here, Religion is lawJesus fulfilled the law. The only choice that can save you from anything is to allow His life to produce the fruit of the Spirit in you. When the majority of us here first heard this message we were probably in a church that wasnt preaching pure grace. 5:18 puts it to not be filled with wine to feel that freedom or weight lifted off our shoulders but be filled with the Holy Spirit. Religion tells you that John 15:2 is saying that every Christian that does not bare fruit is like a branch that does not bare fruit and that Christian is removed from the branch, taken out and burned. Christ said following him was meant to be easy, but religion makes it hard. The world does object to the living Christ, all knowing and all-powerful. I will be like the Most High.. A scientific review of 10,000 years of history is finally revealing the unexpected truth behind religion's role in human civilisation. There are so many examples on either side. Jesus was all too aware of the power of evil, having confronted Satan in the wilderness for forty days. Thank you so much! Religion divides insiders from outsiders. Christianity is true faith in God that requires selflessness, but it is being replaced by trendy religion that serves the selfish. Youre hilarious Paul! A sermon by Joseph Prince today on his web site finally explained that to me! Stephen, it seems you are saying there is Gods law and then there is something different mans law, which is religion. we rely, trust , depend and believe in Him. Some have said that Im giving religion a bad rap, that religion is not the evil empire I make it out to be. Voices of Faith: Why is organized religion important? - Roanoke Times Now how many in and out of faith in the God of Creation are still clinging to the first? My opinion again you should be in a local church, the best one you can find in your area. and it builds from there. By BGEA Admin Grace is the new system, you say, then help me understand also, of the potential to create pretext out of context to fit a possible agenda vs truth? Amen! Religion is as far removed from God as is death. Religion is bad, no doubt, and a destructive force in human history and in world today. "Organized religion," with all its faults, provides a space for us to face evil head-on, name it for what it is, oppose it in the world, and root it out in ourselves. Religion runs on will power and speaks the language of Satan (Is 14:12-14). What is the problem you have with that. The PC(USA), with its layers of accountability at the congregational, Presbytery, and General Assembly levels, has a better track record than most when it comes to preventing and responding to sexual misconduct. Rules suck the life out of your marriage, your family, your church. I will do great things. Didnt James write something about pure religion being acceptable to God? He did, but James hated religion. At its heart, religion is a form of bondage. John 8 sums it up. People get mad at me and say no its because he wants to use you its all about bringing in the lost. You say the grace we experience is an outflowing of our commitment to Gods laws. I will do better. So profound, what you said there. God turned me around. Everyone knows cults are bad, right? I dont do it any more once the Holy Spirit showed me but it took years. So be reconciled to God as God is reconciled to us all in Sons death. Is organized religion bad for society? | The Tylt You have no idea what may have led up to a person living in a box. Such a lovely way of laying out the truth that we are right now, the beloved Bride of Christ. Many in U.S. see religious organizations as forces for good, but prefer them to stay out of politics. rev. A message much bolder than my coffee. But in recent days the emotion that has stayed with me more is aweawe at the power of evil to infiltrate all human systems, including the church. God bless you greatly. Jesus is the end of religion.. Why Are Some People Against Organized Religion? I love the boldness and clarity of this article. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); document.getElementById( "ak_js_2" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201 I started doing a research and found that there were people who were for, and some against but when I received this message and read it, I said, Yes, this is it! Taketh away is a Greek word which is airo meaning the same thing in Luke 17:13 which says And they [lifted up] their voices. The problem with religion is the people who misinterpret the divine messages contained within the scriptures that they claim as a guide to the way they live their lives. Create a website or blog at WordPress.com. Record-setting heatwave bakes US South and Mexico, Interstellar meteor fragments may have been found in the Pacific Ocean, Plants pollinated by non-native honeybees are less likely to survive, The societies proving that inequality and patriarchy aren't inevitable, Antarctic sea life under threat as talks on protected areas fail. When we confess with our mouths that the vine produced fruit in our lives today,we practice grace and truth which are one and the same and we are confessing that righteousness is a gift coming not from ourselves. In this case, criticalperhaps the law [that criticizes] you speak of here, is that of the oral rules (traditions of the Pharisees past) the modern Rabbi is still often partial to over the written laws of God?. Religion is a set of organized beliefs, practices, and systems that most often relate to the belief and worship of a controlling force, such as a personal god or another supernatural being. Religion promotes tribalism. Doesnt the one compliment or bolster the other? I would have been very happy to read infinite ways GRACE Is a gift for you from a loving father (OR) only GRACE. By . Some said that it was but I was not in agreement with that. It appeals to it. I am glad that it is the first time I am responding to your articles.. Love God and love others thats true religion, not just a set of beliefs or dogma. 12. That people would like to change is akin to, Id like to chew gum. Jesus is not about religion..He is about relationship! Maybe why most organized religion recognized Pride as a bad thing - Twitter Some have abandoned organized religions because they believe that such institutions breed hypocrisy and intolerance. I was curious if you had any recommendations for a proper, grace-filled commentary on the epistles of John (1 John, 2 John, 3 John)? They point to things like opposition to gay marriage, violence done in the name of religion, and misconduct of religious leaders as proof that religion ultimately leaves society worse off. I have to confess to feeling the teensiest bit superior when the news first broke. Telling them they must change is not helpful and only worsens their condition. today with our introductory offers. Three reasons religion may be good for us (and a few reasons it might not be). Thats 70,000 Sabbaths to figure out it doesnt work. Secondly to love your neighbour as yourself. Billy Graham. As if behavior and works were the ultimate goal, rather than having uninterrupted union with God, and experiencing his complete love and favor. This is all so amazing! Without Religion a bad person is bad, and a good person is good. As a matter of fact, according to Hebrews 8: 10 FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD: I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS, AND I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS. TRUE that religion is robbing some of our precious brothers and sisters. Relationship(s) done for us by Father and Son, Thanks Father and Son just love us all. Religion wins and you lose whenever you buy into its propaganda of uncertainty and fear. Thats good Paul! I wonder if the invitation for American Christians, in the wake of our various disappointments with the church, is to exchange a nave faith for a mature appreciation for the power of evilin all our systems, secular and sacred, and in ourselves. If one is asking whether organized religion. Reply to Stephen Meek: they are one with Him in spirit-those He loves John 3:16: Jesus died for the whole world. What is Religion? Definition, Types, and Effects - Verywell Mind Voices of FPC 9/1/2018 by Juli Wilson-Black In the wake of the most recent evidence of widespread abuse and cover-ups in the Catholic church, it is tempting for Protestants, horrified by the experiences of victims, to indulge in a little "we told you so." Thanks! I wonder if they knew the definition of religion, they would see it for what it really is. Those who worship Him in Spirit & in Truth they are one with Him in Spirit those He loves. Yes, & thanks__grace is about living in the spirit, one with the Spirit of the Lord. After emerging from that trial, his first act of public ministry in the gospel of Mark is to exorcise a demon from a man who shows up in the synagogue. In this message you helped me with a topic which my co-workers and I were discussing. Thank you for this post as always. Billy Graham A social media site once tried to develop a program "Religion of Individualism." A British comedian targeted this trend in a short film called "How to Start a Religion." There are those who use . You then state that the first covenant and the second are the same. A steady diet of, you dont measure up, is the root of the problem. The Bible says, Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes (Isaiah 5:21). Religion will lead you to say things like, God raised up ISIS or Covid to serve his purposes, and Divorce your current husband (who loves you) and return to your first one (who abused you). (Ive heard both claims in recent weeks.). Update: Check out my new Grace Commentary. We argue about everything. That is the mission Jesus came to accomplish. We have to get this. In Mark 12:28-31, Jesus gives us the two most important commandments: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. The hand of the Savior is reaching out to them with love burning in His eyes and all they have to do is take it. If "organized religion" can be organized in such a way that it brings out the worst in human nature, it can also be organized in such a way that it brings out the best. Grace is a lie a deception based on popular sentiments, its a failure and its a product that works better in the hands of the law. Yeck! Matt 5:19 is an example, the written Law of God [older covenants] has not been put aside to accommodate Grace alone, but Grace has been made available as part of a newer covenant. But your teaching on religion is the best I have read or heard anywhere! Thanks for your reply. Only because of what can happen when focusing on any one part of the older covenants vs newer covenant [on Grace in this case]. Grace says, God helps you, but religion says, God helps those who help themselves.. whether the laws on and are gods really is irrelevant- the new system is Grace, spirit Jesus. Wayne. Thank you. John 15:2 says Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away. First let me thank you for the many messages I have been receiving from you. The word "religion" in the title of his bookWhy People Do Bad Things in the Name of Religionends up meaning anything people do that gives their lives order and meaning. Its relentless in stating Jesus + NOTHING. Forget Baal, Molech, and television. Addicted to the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, I like that! I have not been attending much as the church teaches a cheap grace, badmouthing Joseph Prince and others basing their fears, which it really is, on 2 Timothy 4:3. And that is what I and my colleagues have been doing. The iron fist of religion disguises itself even in churches with a Grace sign right upon their neons. 3 So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape Gods judgment? 2023 BGEA Romans 8:28 is a promise to us all, from Father of in risen Son for us, Thanks Brother. Is that a good model? In every crisis or tragedy there is an invitation to growth. When we say to the vine Look at the fruit I produced for you today,we practice religion and self righteousness which the Holy Spirit tells us will cause a production of fruit unto Death. Share. Having followed your writings closely and profited with most of them I was rather surprised about this spiteful blog about Religion leaves me wondering specifically about couple of things among others, I did start a Grace home fellowship with 2 other couples which lasted for a couple of years. Gods Righteous Judgment Abide in Him, and He produces the life giving fruit. The Law God vs the laws of men? (The fault is not with the law, but with weak flesh.) Religion is based on a lie At the heart of religion is the belief that we can make ourselves good. Is not religious law wholly different from the Law of God Jesus fulfilled? Only they never get caught! I thank God that he gave you understanding to differentiate good and evil to glorify Jesus but. Religion, by and large, represents society's attempts to answer those questions.