| What Is Religion |
WHAT IS RELIGION? RELIGION, WHAT IS IT?
by LC
I feel it important to answer the question "What is religion?" as it is important to know the
difference between religion and spirituality. Certainly I do not want to ever imply that
"breaking down the walls of religion" is a statement made in trying to deny the existence
of Spirit, for that is not this web site's intention. In fact, it is my hope to point to God's
very existence right in "your midst" (in you!).
Religion would tell us otherwise, and I most specifically speak about traditional christian
theology, though other harmful religions also exist. Webster's dictionary would define
religion as, "the service and worship of God or the supernatural." Since ancient tribal
times, religion in general evolved out of man trying to explain events of which he knew
little about. If a volcano erupted, it was attributed to an angry god, for example. Religion
always uses the term god to instantly imply that deity exists outside of mankind. In that
sense, religion is a man-made attempt to reach a far away, external deity. This is not
unlike the tower built in Babel (Read the Book of Genesis) to try and somehow climb up
to where God supposedly exists. Man always seems to see God as up, far and away
from himself; an old man with a white beard, perhaps sitting on a throne in a cloud. He
sees god as someone who must be climbed up to; and if one is good enough he may
enjoy god's blessing. By believing in a god that is external, we also create the beliefs
that this same god may also be vengeful. "Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord" is a
very popular bible verse these days for it uses fear to hold captive believers.
Religion always builds walls of separation to divide man from Spirit. It is an attempt in
placing God somewhere outside of mankind. Religion typically tells us we are separate
from this fearful god they create and of course we need to do something about it. It is no
surprise then that religion also claims to have the cure for our ailment.
Harmful religion is most easily identified when it uses fear, guilt and condemnation in the
name of their god to gain converts. Jesus spoke of this to the religious leaders of his
day when he told them they would "compass land and sea to make one convert; and by
doing so make that person two-fold the child of hell!" Unfortunately today, religious false
prophets have caused many to fear the Jesus they create as being a vengeful god who
brings condemnation, guilt and fear to the common people. I call this doctrine the "Jesus
Religion." What most today call "christianity" was never Jesus' true message. Truly, a
religion was created in Jesus' name after his ministry, while Jesus' true message only
attacked religion and the religious leaders who led the common people astray! In fact,
most churches today follow the Epistles of Paul and his letters while not understanding
the spiritual significance of Jesus' parables! Truly, these are the churches Paul built!
I believe the truth to be within all, witnessing to the fact that we are not separate from
Spirit. Simply look within yourself and know that you and Spirit...God are one, and not
separate as the religious snakes would have us believe. Everything that exists has to
exist within the Divine Spirit, who is the life-giving power by which all things are sustained.
Spirit is Life, is it not? You can have a relationship with Spirit by listening within yourself,
for the true you is spirit. The Holy of Holies is within your being. God is not a book, nor
is God found within a building, church program, etc. God is within all of us, patiently
awaiting for us to believe we can connect as one. Jesus' true message simply
proclaimed is, "The kingdom of God is within you."
by LC
I feel it important to answer the question "What is religion?" as it is important to know the
difference between religion and spirituality. Certainly I do not want to ever imply that
"breaking down the walls of religion" is a statement made in trying to deny the existence
of Spirit, for that is not this web site's intention. In fact, it is my hope to point to God's
very existence right in "your midst" (in you!).
Religion would tell us otherwise, and I most specifically speak about traditional christian
theology, though other harmful religions also exist. Webster's dictionary would define
religion as, "the service and worship of God or the supernatural." Since ancient tribal
times, religion in general evolved out of man trying to explain events of which he knew
little about. If a volcano erupted, it was attributed to an angry god, for example. Religion
always uses the term god to instantly imply that deity exists outside of mankind. In that
sense, religion is a man-made attempt to reach a far away, external deity. This is not
unlike the tower built in Babel (Read the Book of Genesis) to try and somehow climb up
to where God supposedly exists. Man always seems to see God as up, far and away
from himself; an old man with a white beard, perhaps sitting on a throne in a cloud. He
sees god as someone who must be climbed up to; and if one is good enough he may
enjoy god's blessing. By believing in a god that is external, we also create the beliefs
that this same god may also be vengeful. "Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord" is a
very popular bible verse these days for it uses fear to hold captive believers.
Religion always builds walls of separation to divide man from Spirit. It is an attempt in
placing God somewhere outside of mankind. Religion typically tells us we are separate
from this fearful god they create and of course we need to do something about it. It is no
surprise then that religion also claims to have the cure for our ailment.
Harmful religion is most easily identified when it uses fear, guilt and condemnation in the
name of their god to gain converts. Jesus spoke of this to the religious leaders of his
day when he told them they would "compass land and sea to make one convert; and by
doing so make that person two-fold the child of hell!" Unfortunately today, religious false
prophets have caused many to fear the Jesus they create as being a vengeful god who
brings condemnation, guilt and fear to the common people. I call this doctrine the "Jesus
Religion." What most today call "christianity" was never Jesus' true message. Truly, a
religion was created in Jesus' name after his ministry, while Jesus' true message only
attacked religion and the religious leaders who led the common people astray! In fact,
most churches today follow the Epistles of Paul and his letters while not understanding
the spiritual significance of Jesus' parables! Truly, these are the churches Paul built!
I believe the truth to be within all, witnessing to the fact that we are not separate from
Spirit. Simply look within yourself and know that you and Spirit...God are one, and not
separate as the religious snakes would have us believe. Everything that exists has to
exist within the Divine Spirit, who is the life-giving power by which all things are sustained.
Spirit is Life, is it not? You can have a relationship with Spirit by listening within yourself,
for the true you is spirit. The Holy of Holies is within your being. God is not a book, nor
is God found within a building, church program, etc. God is within all of us, patiently
awaiting for us to believe we can connect as one. Jesus' true message simply
proclaimed is, "The kingdom of God is within you."
| Content copyright 2002-2009 Jesus Religion .com |
"Most people live
outwardly and
believe their
physical body to be
who they are. By
doing so, everything
that happens to a
person externally is
then wrongly used
to create a false
identity. Yet, this
outwardly created
identity is not the
person at all."
-LC
outwardly and
believe their
physical body to be
who they are. By
doing so, everything
that happens to a
person externally is
then wrongly used
to create a false
identity. Yet, this
outwardly created
identity is not the
person at all."
-LC