Recently, there has been a particular Youtube video that has appeared on my facebook a great number of times. The video is called, "Why I Hate Religion, but Love Jesus." Personally I find such a statement very contradictory, but they are not coming from an accurate understanding of the word "religion." I do not say this to be arrogant (as many may accuse me of due to the previous statement, and no it's not called "judging" either). Instead, I simply saying that I have done some reading and spent time in conversations with people to the point that I have come to the conclusion that the vast majority of Christians that I know (particularly those of the South) do not understand the word and therefore use it incorrectly...and even in a derogatory way. For those interested in seeing what I'm talking about, here is the link to the video on Youtube ===>
I am sure that there are many reasons why one might have this conception of reality. One might be upbringing; we all know that family has a major influence in the way we think and the way we act. Another might be false accusations and/or teaching that one has received from his or her own church. A third reason might be one's inability to approach the holy text in a proper and professional manner as to be able to view the scriptures accurately and critically. The last possible reason that comes to mind is that it is merely the lashing out of a small immature child trapped inside the body a young adult who was hurt or offended by "religion" and simply wants to rant about it while maintaining the status of Christian (not that I think this is the case with this young man here...but it could be true).
I would have to say that I definitely interpret the actions of Jesus just a little bit differently than the man in the video that I have linked above. Like so many I have met, this guy claims that Jesus came to destroy religion. Now...did I miss the scripture that says that??? Granted, I fail in my dedication to reading the Bible, but wasn't it in the book of James (pretty close to the end) where it is taught that true religion is taking care of the widow and the orphan? Religion in it's raw essence means "faith lived out", not "rules and salvation requirements for life." In fact, if you go to Dictionary.com (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/religion) and look up the word you will find the following definitions for the word "religion."
They are as follows:
Religion- noun
I get what the man is saying, and he is so right! However, the misuse of the word religion as has been displayed here and the overzealous perspective of disgust and hatred of "religion" is something that I would argue to be unchristian and can promote others to act out in sin and cause unwarranted prejudice and disunity. Instead of ranting and making a bunch of statements that "sound good" to people, lets address the real issue here! Pride, hypocrisy, thievery, manipulation...all these issues of sin that happen in church, both the "religious" ones and the "nonreligious" ones! There are somethings worth fighting about...this isn't one of them. Come on Church...grow up.
I am sure that there are many reasons why one might have this conception of reality. One might be upbringing; we all know that family has a major influence in the way we think and the way we act. Another might be false accusations and/or teaching that one has received from his or her own church. A third reason might be one's inability to approach the holy text in a proper and professional manner as to be able to view the scriptures accurately and critically. The last possible reason that comes to mind is that it is merely the lashing out of a small immature child trapped inside the body a young adult who was hurt or offended by "religion" and simply wants to rant about it while maintaining the status of Christian (not that I think this is the case with this young man here...but it could be true).
I would have to say that I definitely interpret the actions of Jesus just a little bit differently than the man in the video that I have linked above. Like so many I have met, this guy claims that Jesus came to destroy religion. Now...did I miss the scripture that says that??? Granted, I fail in my dedication to reading the Bible, but wasn't it in the book of James (pretty close to the end) where it is taught that true religion is taking care of the widow and the orphan? Religion in it's raw essence means "faith lived out", not "rules and salvation requirements for life." In fact, if you go to Dictionary.com (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/religion) and look up the word you will find the following definitions for the word "religion."
They are as follows:
Religion- noun
1.
2.
a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generallyagreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christianreligion; the Buddhist religion.
3.
the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefsand practices: a world council of religions.
4.
the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5.
6.
something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point ormatter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fightingprejudice.
I get what the man is saying, and he is so right! However, the misuse of the word religion as has been displayed here and the overzealous perspective of disgust and hatred of "religion" is something that I would argue to be unchristian and can promote others to act out in sin and cause unwarranted prejudice and disunity. Instead of ranting and making a bunch of statements that "sound good" to people, lets address the real issue here! Pride, hypocrisy, thievery, manipulation...all these issues of sin that happen in church, both the "religious" ones and the "nonreligious" ones! There are somethings worth fighting about...this isn't one of them. Come on Church...grow up.
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