The Problem With Religion
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What's Wrong With Religion?
In polls conducted by the Gallup Poll and The Barna Research Group, between 40 and 43 percent of Americans claim to attend a church or synagogue on a weekly basis. This number has hovered in the 40% range since the beginning of the 90s, and research suggests it has been consistent a good deal longer than that.
However, studies also suggest that Americans misrepresent this number in polls dramatically, and that the actual number that attend is approximately 20%. This very dramatic difference is the perfect illustration of what is wrong with religion.
Joseph Prince: Therefore There is Now No Condemnation in Christ.
Joseph Prince: Will the Real Christianity Please Stand Up?
Why the Misrepresentation?
Why would anyone lie about church or synagogue attendance? Fear? Guilt? Shame? All of the above? This is truly tragic. In a country where freedom is bandied about so freely, freedom of religion is the one area where we are least free.
This should come as no surprise to most Christians, although Christians are as guilty as any, if not more so, of oppressive religious tactics. It astounds me that we Christians, so named because we proclaim to follow the teachings of Christ, have learned little in the 2000 years since Jesus walked the earth.
The very fact that millions of Americans feel guilty enough about not going to church to lie to a complete stranger in a poll is more of an indictment of the church than the people who are lying.
Joseph Prince: The Law Does Not Lead to Holiness.
The Point is Lost.
When Jesus taught, "They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger," He wasn't describing some oppressive military or political regime, He was talking about the religious leaders of the day. See Matt. 23:4.
He went on to proclaim the infamous eight woes to the Pharisees, for, in short, exalting form over function. There was such a preoccupation with the letter of the law, that there was little concern for the spirit of the law. This obsession with the law is the very reason people need liberation.
Paul writes, "Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and death." Romans 8:1-2. Yet, our insistence on trying to earn righteousness keeps us enslaved.
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The Problem With Religion.
The problem with religion is this determination to establish rules and regulation for achieving what can never be achieved through rules and regulations. Jesus never once criticized a sinner. But, he frequently criticized religious leaders for the burdens they imposed on the people. Religiousness promotes ritual and rules over justice, mercy and faithfulness. See Matt. 23:23.
When we become more concerned with a church's paint color than a church's people, woe to us. When we worry more about the finances of the congregation than its faithfulness, woe to us. When greed replaces God, woe to us.
In short, the problem with religion is religion. We can talk about freedom, and preach about freedom, and write about freedom, but until we grasp what it means to be free from the law of sin and death, we will never really be free.
Religion in America at the Turn of the Millenium.
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Comments
I think people do lie out of guilt and/or shame, however, it's not restricted to religion, all polls and surveys carry the same misinterpretations. Why do some lie is anybody's guess, I like to tell it like it is.
Thanks, luvnlyf. I couldn't agree more. It sounds like we know the same God.
chantelg4, that's true. The information I was referencing compared the lying on the church surveys with lying on the "did you vote" surveys. People lied on all of them. Guilt is a terrible thing.
What a great hub. An eye opener.Religious traditions sometimes set us a great distance away from the truth of Christ teachings.
Thanks, cristina. We try so hard to make it hard when it's not supposed to be that way at all.
Great hub, Peter. I found the map of the U.S. especially interesting.
You've hit the nail on the head. So many reject Christ because of the mentality that they must become a part of organized religion. A deep study of the seven churches of Revelation helped me understand that I needed to be a part of the body of Christ and not focus on joining a "church". Only God can judge me....a saying I heard in AA...also helped me understand that the "rules" of Christianity..such as hair length or make-up use....were of man, not God. When you fall in love with the ONE who loves you unconditionally....and allow Him to guide you....religion is no longer your goal...pleasing HIM, is.
Thanks WeddingConsultant. I thought that was interesting, too. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
You've hit the nail on the head as well, debra. I think that's exactly why so many reject religion. We are in the midst of a 7 churches study as well, and it's amazing that 2000 years after Jesus warned of those things, it's still exactly as it was. Humanity hasn't changed very much, and it's in large part due to "religion".
Your research about how people feel guilty enough to lie about attending church is very interesting. Good hub and thanks for sharing.
Thank you, sweetiepie. You are too sweet. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
This hub made me thnk of the quote " the only problem with organized religion is that it gets in the way of knowing God"--not sure who said it-- maybe Jung--but whoever it was, I agree. Great stuff Peter M. Thanks.
Thanks, robie2. They are/were wise indeed.
Peter,
This is an excellent and thoughtful post regarding the state of true "religion" in the lives of many.
An actually sad commentary.... really. But personally , IMHO - religion must require more integrity out of an individual from the place of personal commitment - before people are truly willing to give it all to God and walk in His ways steadily.
tDMg
LdsNana-AskMormon
So true, Nana. I couldn't agree more. Thank you for your thoughtful comment.
Nice hub Peter. Although, IMHO - not that I am very humble, LOL the problem with religion is preaching it and living it are two entirely different things :)
If all the people who claimed to go to church gave freely and lived according to the rules their particular religion laid down, the world would be a better place. No wars, no poverty... But religion has been used to enslave the masses for too long, and it's hard to break out of the cycle. I'm trying though LOL
I agree with you...about 99%, with one little exception. It is, in part, trying to live by these "rules their particular religion laid down" that gets people into trouble. Religion and/or religious organizations have no business laying down rules. If they would get that, the world would be a better place.
That's exactly what Jesus meant when he said, "They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders..."
This is a good hub. Traditions aren't always good and right. "This is how Grandpa did it and it's good enough for me." is one that I hear a lot where I live.
I disagree sort of on the rules. Rules must be made to keep order. I know that too many rules are usually put in place by most pastors. Jesus did indeed walk the earth among the heathen and sinners, but He never once justified sin. he always reproved sinners and forgave them, charging them to,"Go and sin no more."
Of course we all fall short on, "Sin no more." We are tried in the fire and purified as fine silver is purified. It seems I am going off-topic just a little so I'll cut it short here.
No need to cut things short, I agree about the need for order. However, I don't think Jesus was all that critical of rules like keeping your shirt tucked in, or driving 55 m/p/h. It's the imposition of the idea that you become righteous by following certain rules that causes problems.
Thanks, SirDent. I appreciate you reading.
I know that all those rules are put there for a purpose, but I agree that most of the time they get in the way of us knowing God. We get so focused on the rituals that we forget the essence of those rituals.
Another problem that I've experienced with religion is that it teaches through fear and not love. "If you don't go to church, God will throw you in hell." "If you don't have a church wedding, you won't get God's blessings." Sheesh! I don't believe God is so petty that he would make rules and watch every single one of us then go, "Aha! Susan isn't going to have a church wedding, I'm going to make sure her life is a living hell." *pun intended* :-p
And this "we are all sinners" and "we are not worthy" bit just lowers my self-esteem and feeling of self-worth even more. And then I start to hate myself for not being "good enough", and of course, I take it out on others and make them feel like they're not "good enough" either. So really, it doesn't produce "Christ-like" behavior at all. I would rather focus on the affirmations "I am special." and "I am worthy to be loved." Haven't they ever heard of the Law of Attraction? :-)
Thank you Susan. The original purpose, in my humble estimation was to demonstrate our inability to abide by all those rules so we would appreciate God's grace all the more.
Excellent hub Peter. I agree totally with your conclusion that we as Christians must first be apprentices of Christ. And in order to truly love Christ, we have to love what he loved most, the Church! People are the Church, not rules or orthodoxy. Great work. I always enjoy your work. BTW, Is papahood getting closer?
Thanks, Rob. I agree. I wish more Christians thought like you. I appreciate you reading.
there are many religons in the world but what we really need is salvation
I agree with you 100% commentonthis7. Thank you for reading.
Hi Peter, it's 3:45 in the wee hours of the morning and as I am reading your hub, it got me into thinking. LOL Indeed it is a sad thing to face the reality that the problem with religion is religion. And inside the churches, we would actually experience discrimination and condemnation. So it is a challenge for those who believe in God to start making a difference...not to be preachy, but to live a life that reflects God's love. If we could walk our talk, then certainly the world would start becoming a better place
--michelle
Thanks, ripplemaker. I agree. I'm always happy to have provoked thought.
luvnlyf says:
2 years ago
Awesome hub--just a few weeks ago I was thinking the same thing and un-irie about how some in the Body love to put rules on people Yeshua set free. The God I know loved and enjoyed life and people when He walked the earth and was still without sin...that's the role model we need to follow.