Can You Connect to God Without Religion?
Is there a difference between God and Religion? There is definitely a difference between God and religion. God is someone I have a relationship with. My view on God can be altered by many factors in my life. It can be affected by my relationship with my own father or even by my culture and the people I spend time with.
I see religion is a set of beliefs that have guidelines for behavior associated with them. There are many religions with many differing beliefs and rules. I don’t think God needs religion. He wants to have a relationship with me. It is so easy for me to get confused and think that my relationship with him has rules of engagement. I love knowing that God cares about me and that my relationship with him does not need a lot of order and structure. I want to participate in religion or church to celebrate his holiness, but it’s not a condition of knowing God. Do you believe you can you connect to God without religion?
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Stephen–
First, I don’t see that anyone is suggesting that all religions or religious organizations are doing the Lord’s work. And as the days grow short to the Lord’s return, more and more people will deceive and be deceived by people acting in the name of some religion. However, there are many Christian organizations, some working under the auspices of a particular denomination (such as the Southern Baptist Convention) that are absolutely doing the Lord’s work and being cautious with the dollars given to them. Groups such as Wycliffe, Samaritans Purse, World Missionary Press, World Help, Food For the Hungry, and hundreds more make every effort to use their income wisely and to the best affect to spread the love of God and the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Bible speaks to a believer being cautious and wise as to their giving.
Based on your statements, do you disagree with the first five chapters of Acts which talk much about individuals giving generously and sacrificially to the church so that all might have their needs met?
Based on your statements, are you discarding much of the Epistles of Paul and Peter because they are “religious leaders” telling Christians what they should do?
The purpose of a Christian church is for believers to come together to fellowship together, pray together, and study the word together. Preachers and teachers are specific God-given gifts to the body to do what? To preach and teach the word to edify and build up the body. Are you tossing out that portion of scripture also?
It sounds as if you’ve been hurt by some church or organization. If so, then take God’s word to heart–forgive those who sin against you. If you continue to rant against those religious organizations and/or churches that happen to be hypocritical, you may just find yourself spending all eternity with them. Why not pray for the false teachers and religious organizations to get right with God? That’s what God has commanded you do.
No, I don’t have to justify myself, only religious people do that. They twist scripture to justify themselves. You’re own words condemn you so there’s no need to “prove” anything.
As for “facts”, a simple search of cra charities site will confirm what I said about what your religious organization does with the money you take in. The “organization” also states that it’s in the “buisness” of planting “churches”. A fine example of organized religion at it’s best. “Oh, but we’re not religious, you don’t have to go to “church”, but don’t throw the baby out with the bath water. Find a good “church” to go to and have a stranger read a book to you and pontificate what said book is saying. Allow the stranger to tell you what God wants for your life. Don’t forget to tithe’s God’s annointed so that he may do God’s work”
Too funny, oh well, c’est la vie.
For anyonne reading this who is searching for Truth, go to Jesus in prayer and wait on Him. Be honest with Him, you can’t fool Him so be honest with yourself. Stay far away from religious organizations. Thought can be prayer. Jesus is real and doesn’t need callible man to teach you. Jesus Christ will each you Himself. He speaks in many differen’t ways, dreams, visions, circumstances, concience anb He may audibly speak to you. Be patient, have faith and wait on Jesus Christ. Don’t play church with the bulk of self professing christians, it’s the blind leading the blind. They all tote the same religious line.
Aw, come on Stephen–don’t hold back–tell us what you really think.
Oh, and if you’re just going to make question-begging epithets, you might want to have some justification, evidence, or proof of your statements. Otherwise you’ll just come off sounding foolish.
Another article from a religious organization trying to play the “we’re not religious” card. And then you got the likes of “Tom” responding like rank and file spokesperson for “evangelical” belief’s as if he knows anything. All you’re doing Tom is representing what most non believers and true knowers can’t stand. You and all of this nonsense stinks of religion. Just a bunch of useless dribble from a religious organization that collects 30 million a year by means of religious extortion and then spends 2/3 of that, or 20 million dollars, on wages.
What about you Tom, you on the “power to change” mammon list?
Elkay, quit being a hypocrite, you are part of a worldly religious organization so quit pretending not to be religious.
What the cuss is wrong with you people? You really think Jesus is impressed with your pop psychology and your worldly ways? You best work out your own salvation and quit trying to usurp the role of The Holy Spirit. That goes for all of you co-dependant teachers and those who are looking for mere humans as mentors.
Truth must be told, you are correct in stating that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit
(1 Corinthians 6:19), but that’s only true when a person is “born again” by the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23).
Jesus Christ is the “living word of God”(John 1:1), and all those who do not accept and receive Him as the “only begotten son of God” cannot be temples of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Regions founders are racist, they are criminal minded set of people, they are the real problem of the world today, First if all religion believe that there is only one God who live in heaven then why contradicting them self’s with different religion thereby becomes enemies of God, the fact is that religion was invented by greedy men and to enslave mankind not to know God in reality and in truth, to me they represent devils because only devils are threat to mankind and a deceiver to mankind not to know God in reality,their preaching are based on lie and deceit. Example according to Christians they preach of God so love the world and at the same time collecting money from people both the poor and the rich in the name of paying tithe and offering to God, is that not hypocrites of their religion? who and who did Jesus collected money from during his time? Even Jesus never even mention to pay tithe to God rather he said to give what belong to Cesar to Cesar and to God to God,he even told a rich man to sell all his property and dash the money to the poor. How can you pay tithe or offering to a unseen God who have everything and the giver of everything both life,riches,etc . Islam is the worst set of region where their preachers told them to kill any one who did not belief in their religion for God,is that not madness? how can God told you kill people? why did God gives mankind freewill? in fact all religions are big fraud to humanity and huge criminal set of people by enslaving peoples mindset. God don’t live in a temple,church,mosque,etc God live in the mind of every body,Human body represent the church,mosque,temple of GOD simple and his word and spirit can never depart from the God’s temple which is Human body. Religious books are man made not God made that tell you all you need to know, Remember God is spirit and no one have seen God so i wonder when some criminal set of people lies that God told them this or that i wonder where they see God, the truth is that people have refuse to listen to their inner spirit which is the spirit of God in us because their mind have been corrupt by religion.
to tom thank you for responding to Sam I totally agree with what you said to him there are some good churches out there thank you again– sharon
Hi Karen,
Do u have an email where i can reach you at? would love to talk to u more about earth and why we are here and if it’s a test and punishment etc. I don’t agree with the guy who said all is perfect in life or earth. that’s clearly a lie
Sam—
Thanks for adding your thoughts to this discussion. I think you have legitimate concerns and doubts about much of what we call organized religion.
It might surprise you that God himself hates religion. You see, man’s religion are all about “doing” things they think will please God, while all the while they’re really just pleasing themselves and appeasing their prideful notions that they actually CAN do anything to please God. Any church that’s focusing on money, influence, or prideful gain is a church that’s living outside the will of God; and a church that will one day stand before God in judgment.
What God really wants is a personal relationship with us. He had one with Adam and Eve before Adam disobeyed him. The Bible story centers on God’s purpose to restore that original relationship—a relationship that can only be experienced through faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
Where do you stand with the Lord Jesus Christ Sam? That’s the number one priority. Then, I encourage you not to “throw the baby out with the bathwater.” There are many very good, Bible-believing, God-fearing churches out there that are seeking after God and not after the things of the world. They’re getting harder to find, but I encourage you to search for one.
The more I am associated with religious people, the more I feel a need to stay away from it. Having been brought up to go to church every Sunday, I was very close to the church and its community. But now all grown up, looking at all this religious people fighting over money, power, influence etc, I wonder if the world would be better without religion. There is a God. But have we manipulated God’s existence for personal benefit?
Abul—
Please clarify what the purpose of your post is. Your first post indicates you do not believe in God, while the second one denounces him as a failure. Those two things are contradictory.
Do you have any spiritual beliefs; and if so, what are they?
God’s motive behind the creation of mankind miserably failed.He clearly failed the game with Satan.The great Satan reins all over mankind .
Let us suppose that there is a God.What is He doing?In whose hand the administration of the world? In His hand? In the hand of Satan or in the hand of Obama/Bush.
thank you for the article good one and good comments on this thread too God bless you all who comment on this
Ah well I suppose we agree to disagree, don’t matter. I wish you a happy satisfying life and I hope you find fulfilment through your religion, no hard feelings that we think different mate. we are not going to get anywhere are we. Gonna take the wife and boy out for a pub lunch. Peace be with you. May god bless you and your family, stay outta trouble buddy.
Danny–
I see while I was posting that you responded further.
I would have to again ask the question . . . unless we have some solid basis on which to understand where we came from, why we’re here, and where we’ll end up, isn’t one person’s beliefs or as you refer to it “common sense” just as possible as anyone else?
Danny—
Thanks for your response.
You speak of the “creator.” Wouldn’t it make sense that the Creator would want us to know not only Him, but also what he expects of us? Wouldn’t it make sense that he would give us a written record of Himself so that we’d know who He is, why we’re here, and where we’re going? Otherwise, everyone would have their own opinion of a “creator” if they even believed their was one.
Furthermore, if everyone should just use what they believe in their heart and mind as a basis for what is right or wrong, good or bad, how should we understand that some people believe in their heart and mind that it is OK to kill an unborn baby in the womb, be cruel to animals, or hurt someone who is different than they are? The Bible says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked.” (Jeremiah 17:9). Is it not possible that two people can believe in their heart and mind two totally opposite things to be true? If so, then at least one of their hearts and minds is lying to them and can’t be trusted. If mankind doesn’t have an absolute standard by which to judge right and wrong, good and evil, how can we ever really know whose standard is correct?
Some people consider they ARE using their ability to reason when they degrade or hurt a homosexual. So unless we have a perfect standard by which to gauge, what would make those people any less “right” than we who believe those things are wrong?
Let’s examine the homosexual issue here a little further. It is a common misconception that because the Bible condemns homosexual activity that God is arbitrarily condemning homosexuals in some greater degree than others. This isn’t so. God’s standard for being “good” is 100% perfection in thought, word, and deed. That’s because in order to have a relationship with a perfect God, one must be perfect. Unfortunately, no one IS perfect. Because of our sin natures, we all, by God’s standard of perfection, fall far short. The word “sin” literally means “to miss the mark.” Therefore, any sin is equally bad as far as breaking God’s absolute moral standard is concerned. Everyone lies; most people have stolen something; no one has kept God first and foremost in their lives; most have shown hatred for someone and, based on Jesus’ description of murder, have murdered that person in their heart. Homosexuality is simply another of the long list of sins against God’s perfect standard that will ultimately condemn those who practice it, just as all liars will have their part in the Lake of Fire. (Revelation 21:8). But Jesus also showed by his example and by his words that hating anyone for their sins is wrong in the sight of God. All people are made by God and loved by God. But as the perfect judge of the universe, he can’t simply ignore the sinful activity; he must judge it. But because God doesn’t want anyone to perish or suffer eternally, he sent his Son Jesus, perfect in every way, to die on the cross to pay for the sins of the world. He then rose the third day to prove he had the power over life and death and the sin in our lives. By placing one’s faith and trust in Jesus Christ, they will be forgiven of their sins and given the ability to see the changes made in their lives that will make them abhor sinful activities.
So back to the beginning—according to the God of the Bible, he is the absolute morals-giver. According to his own words, we cannot trust our hearts because there is an underlying wickedness that even we don’t really know or understand (although you can see it played out via murders, rapes, etc.) And without the Bible (which is totally different than “religious” books such as the Koran or Book of Mormon which are simply man’s ideas about God) we would have no basis for knowing right from wrong, good or bad.
Does that make sense?
Your second question mate about the afterlife, I ment to say don’t wish away the privelage of this life for something else. There is nothing normal about all of this. The creator gave us this to enjoy and we are thinking after it. Yes I believe an afterlife I came from nothing will return to nothing and Why not say I’ll come from nothing again. Common sense right? Don’t need a man made book to tell me. Don’t believe so much in a heaven as portrayed in religious texts, maybe a greater level of existence of some sort.
Thanks for the questions Tom . I believe absolutely you should use heart and mind instead of a book. i reckon the book is just a book written in the worst time in the Middle East. But use what the creator has given you the ability to reason, would you think it’s right to go hurt or degrade a homosexual, religious texts seem to condemn them. The creator wouldn’t of let it exist if he didn’t want it in the universe,just let them be. If I was not a married man I’d give every homosexual man a handshake and say thank you for giving me more of a chance with women, it’s none of our business their sexuality id rather hang out with them than religious bigots . I wish them all the happiness in the world not because of a book that tells me it’s right or wrong but because I feel it’s right. Yes some people have not the ability of good but like before you need evil for the balance. Sorry it’s a bit long buddy I’ll get to the other questions later peace be with you.
Danny—
Thank you for your comments and your point of view.
May I ask:
1) You suggest one should use their “heart and mind and not a book.” Are you suggesting we should go by what our heart tells us is right rather than reading something like the Bible, the Koran, or the Book of Mormon?
2) You also say that God has given us the privilege of an afterlife—how would we know about an afterlife without specifically being told of it?
3) Finally, what would be the consequences of doing “wrong” things rather than “right” things as far as eternity is concerned?
I look forward to your response.
I believe in a creator yes religion no. People need to understand this life is perfect in every way. Without suffering you would not know wellbeing, without wellbeing you won’t know suffering. You need evil to know how good overpowers evil actions. Also stop doing good deeds just for a promise of a better place after death. Do it if you generally feel it not because of your own selfish desire. Use your heart and mind not a book. Trust the creation enjoy the experience it’s the greatest honour bestowed on you don’t wish away the privilege God has given you for an afterlife. live life, breath it, you are free to do as you wish but be aware every action has its consequences.
good comments on this thread bless all who commented on this
Hi to the person who wrote this
I feel exactly the same way,and I’m glad to find out I’m not the only one! :)
Halo630—
It sounds like you have an unusual situation, but you ask some good and important questions.
To start, no, you are not a sinner because of your curiosity. If we start with the idea that God is infinite, then we quickly realize that we’ll never know everything there is to know about him and therefore will always be curious and have questions. Questions are good things. By asking questions, we come to understand by having our questions answered, we grow in our faith.
Am I understanding you correctly that your family professes to be Christian? Do you consider yourself to be a Christian? If so, what do you know about what it means to be a Christian? Is it that you cannot discuss your questions with your family, or is it that they are not Christians?
It’s so hard for me to really know what I believe. . .obviously there’s no one I know that can turn night into day so there must be a higher power of some sort. Unfortunately I can’t express my feeling inside my home because if it’s not their way I’m wrong.I just have a lot of questions and as a Christian what I’ve been raised to believe is I’m not to question God’s work.. So am I a sinner for my curiosity? Or thinking there is an afterlife…religion has restrictions and limitations.I pray to someone that I wake up the next morning but who or what? I hate being confused because I still believe in blessings but do I lose them from a lack of faith?
Hi Alec—
You wrote that you “feel the need to connect with god.” Where do you think that feeling comes from?
I think you’re not far from the truth when you say you think all religions were invented because of a need. However, would you agree that due to the law of contradiction, and due to the fact that nearly all of man’s religions contradict each other, either they are all wrong or only one can be right?
Keep in mind that if there is a God, then there naturally would be some sort of religion that goes along with him, because the religion part would be how we interact with him, what he expects of us, etc.
I don’t have a religion. I think all the belief systems were invented by different races and tribes because they felt insecure and needed to turn to a supernatural being. I still feel the need to connect with god but I have no faith in any religion.The truth is Iam not convinced god exists.
Norma, a lot of what you say is unfortunately true about routines and regulation but those are not good reasons for not “participating in church”. The very same Jesus who suffered pain, sin, abandonment and judgment on the Cross so that your sins might be forgiven is the very same Jesus who heads up, who leads, who is present in His Church, is the Savior of His Church. See Eph 5:23. You have been blessed with skills and talent and when you do not engage and do your part in building up the Church, you are preventing the Church from growing up in all things into Him, who is the head, Christ”. See Eph 4:15-16. This is why Heb 10:25 commands us to “assemble together” in order to increase in love and good works, edifying one another. Finally, the Church is referred to as “His wife” and it is His Church that Christ is coming for a second time to be joined with forever and you definitely want to be part of Her. See Rev 19:7-8. Your feelings are certainly important but your obedience is more important so please engage in grace.
Norma–
Thanks for you comments, and I’m glad to hear that you desire to worship the Lord from your heart.
Your post indicates that your feelings seem to play an important part in your worship and how close you are to God. But may I caution you that we are to live by faith and not by sight, feelings, or emotional trappings.
While enjoying God’s creation and praising him for it is important, actively participating in the Body of Christ is not only important, it is commanded. Paul wrote in Hebrews 10:24-25, “and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
Over and over again in scripture we’re told to encourage and exhort one another and bear one another’s burdens. It is not possible to do that effectively without regularly attending and participating in a local church. Here’s an article that discusses our responsibility to a local body of believers: https://www.gci.org/church/ministry/1another
I hope you will take this to heart Norma. You have been given at least one spiritual gift that is to be used to edify other Christians. A failure to use that gift will be in direct disobedience to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Again, thanks for your comments.
I see nature and feel the presence of God, I think of Jesus on the cross forgiving me of all my sins. So yes, I considered myself a christian but do not participate in church, I do not want to feel obligated, I want to be willing to attend. That is when I feel HIM even more. I do not like the routines, I feel that is like any organization with regulations and way to do things, all have to be on time. It depresses me. I rather be climbing a mountain or a walk on the beach and feel His Power, while I listen to christian music. I am not going deny that there is powerful anointing of the Spirit of God when there is worship and singing, that is my favorite moment, so I go when I need to sing with others.
Alma–
It seems from your statements that you are seeking the truth and that you have some belief in Jesus Christ. Those things are good, but may I give you a word of caution:
The truth is not about religion but in a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Yes, religions tend to separate humanity; but Jesus Christ came to bring all peoples together as God intended us to be. Those who not only believe in Jesus but place all their trust in him for righteousness before a Holy God will one day stand in complete unity before God and live with him forever. Those who do not will not only wander in the darkness of this world but will be shut off from God forever at their death.
The problem with simply visiting various churches and religious meetings is that these things cause confusion. And while there are a variety of modern English translations of the Bible, they do not contradict each other (unless a heretical translation such the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ New World Translation is read.)
You asked if it was normal to believe what your heart tells you to believe. Well, it’s normal for a person to trust what their heart tells them, but the Word of God tells us that, “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9) If we have not been born again spiritually by the Spirit of God (see John 3:3ff) then we can’t trust our hearts/feelings. Even when we’ve come to saving faith in Christ, we still need the Bible and to be under the teaching of a Spirit-filled man of God (I.e., the pastor of a church.) We need that accountability so that we don’t just wander off in a direction of our own choosing.
So I encourage you to make sure of your relationship with Jesus Christ; then find a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching church and become a part of that fellowship for accountability, discipleship, and spiritual growth.
I also like to learn from different religions. I notice they all perty much say the same verses and so on, but expressed differently; also written differently. I grew having no religion but will always read from the books. Indeed i believe there is God and Jesus. They play a big role in all religions. Yet religion seem to seperate us humans. That i know of Jesus preached everywhere he went, anytime, and never mentioned a religion or stayed only at one place at all times. But yet religions tell me im doing wrong in going to different churches and reading different bibbles. I do go to different churches not only to learn more about God and Jesus but to understand why churches exist or preach the way they do. I also never seem to fit in or feel confortable. I beleive what my heart tells me to beleive. Is this normal.
I love God. I love knowing and serving God using his given talents to me. Only I am not claiming any religion ever since I graduated high school.I was baptized as a Roman Catholic but never felt I should be. I love reading the bible as it is friendly to read. I am having freedom whenever I am with my own personal relationship with God. I am attending church and listening to the priest sermons, I am attending Christian gathering and listen to the pastor’s sermon. All I thought these are not merely sermons for me it is a good share to everyone and I feel good listening to those because it is so positive to bring along with on my journey. I respect all religions but never think that my faith will be more strengthen by means of that. I pray everyday and keeping a diary about him.
God forgives our sins to realize his love, that we can change it for good and get a better life without committing it again.
He only taught to spread LOVE, do good deeds to others and knowing and doing what is right. The world is just so good to live in if his simple teachings can only be attained by each and everyone of us.
Thank you and God bless.
Taboo, your acknowledgment that all human beings are sinners is a fundamental issue that must be addressed in “reaching” for God. As our sins are against an infinite, holy God who cannot even look upon sin, atonement must be made in order for us to have fellowship with God. Because sin touches even our best acts, we are incapable of making a sufficient sacrifice. We have no gift valuable enough, no work righteous enough to atone for our own sins.
Christianity is based on the fact that by receiving the wrath of the Father on the cross, Christ was able to make atonement for His people. Christ carried, or bore, the punishment for the sins due sinful human beings. He atoned for them by accepting the just punishment due for those sins. Jesus thus satisfied the demands of God’s holy justice and when He received God’s wrath for us, His sacrifice, and this alone, made it possible for us to be in a right relationship with holy God.
Religion dosent make you good person or family. Its a judgement that people make. A homeless non religous person can be the best person you know. (If people could get past the judgement to know them)
Good people are good people you find good and bad in all people or all races and religion.
No one can question the fact that someone created all there is. Everything must be created without a creator nothing would be. But one thing is for certain all religion speak on the same thing doing right by others and so forth. So if you pray to the creator of life and live by what you know is right and wrong isn’t that reaching “GOD” creator of all life.
The creator of life made it to where we all can talk to him remember your inner voice that speaks to you just cause you don’t have a religion don’t mean you can’t reach “GOD” the creator of all life.
Jerry–
What do you mean that you do “not believe in one faith”? Do you mean you think there are more than one ways to be forgiven by God, or do you mean you do not have faith in any one thing?
to Jerry– have you ever committed your life to God and attended a good church, if you haven’t gave your life to God say this I repent of my sins and I turn now to you God and I commit my life to you God now come into my life. I know you were born as a Lutheran but doing that is good but there is a personal relationship we have to have I was born into a Christian family but I needed to have my own personal relationship with God even if we don’t feel God near HE is near all the time I am praying for you– sharon
I was baptized as a baby as a Lutheran, I attended catechism for a few years as a teenager. I felt like I was blessed. Even when I returned from Viet Nam alive. I could feel God in my heart, but it has been along time since I have felt that. I do not believe in one faith, I believe in God, that has never changed. I believe that a person can believe and have faith as long as there is nothing but love for another person. Islam does not seem to be that way; there are conditions. What happen to me, to have lost that faith?
irish…thank you for your post….its true that jesus never intended that his followers would contend with people but simply share the truth in his love for everyone. as he mentioned, we are not responsable for any results but simply staying with the gospel as jesus has given it to us which is, in a nutshell, john 3.16….for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, so that whoever would believe in him would never perish but have everlasting life. you see, only jesus is the perfect sacrifice for the sins of humanity and without him and his precious blood, there can be no forgiveness for us. this is not about religion but rather about the one true God sending his one true son, to bring us the one true salvation. i pray you would open your heart to that truth today!
Hi George, you ask a good question: “Let the name of God be “GOD” and believe in that ultimate super power and don’t harm or hurt others and always do good.By doing this,can’t we reach the god?” So how have you done with that in your life? Have you been able to live without doing harm to others and always doing good? When I am honest with myself I have to admit that even though I have good intentions I still hurt others by acting selfishly, and I am unable to always do good. If I include my thoughts there is even a darker reality to me than most people see.
How do we deal with that darkness in our hearts, thoughts and actions? Do you know of anyone who has been able to exorcise that completely from their life? So if our reaching God is dependent on that standard that you have set–“believe in that ultimate super power and don’t harm or hurt others and always do good”–yet none of us has been able to attain that, how is it possible to reach God?
Hi!I am George,from India.My doubt is,Can’t we reach god without religion?.Let me explain,we know the history in Bible,Islam,etc where we can find some set of beliefs to reach the god.For example,in Bible we should believe Jesus is our saviour,god,etc.My question is why we should believe?.Clearly speaking,why naming the god like Jehova or Jesus or Allah.Let the name of God be “GOD” and believe in that ultimate super power and don’t harm or hurt others and always do good.By doing this,can’t we reach the god?
Hi, I grew up as a Roman Catholic, my parents are bothh a believer of Catholic faith but doesn’t really goes to church. Sometimes, family and friends invites us to attend to their church (Christian). Now, I live in a multicultural city and have a lot of acquaintences from different cultures/beliefs (Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus, etc.)
I have a 6 yr old son and he is baptised as a Catholic. and attends a Catholic School.
Anyway, I just want to share my point of view about religion. Lately, because of using facebook too much. I ran into a lot of accounts that claims they are the real religion. For example, there is man who claims he is a Christians, but almost all his post is about Catholics wrong-doings. ANother man who is Catholic has an account and claims that he is a defendant of the Catholic Church, and most of his post are about why should we have to hate Muslims, and other religions. ETC. I actually commented on some of their post and questioned them, why do they need to speak against other religion. Why don’t they just preach what they believe in. ANd my point is, the continous war that is happening nowadays is nor really new at all, these wars have actually started from the early days, fighting about who is tight or who is wrong about what they believe. And I believe that religion is what makes people hate each other. As long as there’s religion, we can not really achieve the PEACE on earth. As I mentioned earlier that I commented on thowse people and tried to express what I think that why dont they just accept everyone’s faith/beliefs without judging them. I am not saying them to stop to preach, but I mean, preach what you think is right but you have to respect other people.
Do you get what I mean? Oh! I’m just tired of these people…
Hank, no offense taken and you are blessed to have an interest in God and want to have part in Christianity . . . so if you sincerely feel this way, you will make the effort to know the one and only true God as He has revealed Himself in Scripture. Otherwise you are in danger of worshiping something other than the Creator, Sustainer and Savior of this world in His Triune form. Jesus cautioned us that “The time is coming when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship Him that way.” (John 4:23) In other words, God is seeking people who worship Him as He truly is and for who He truly is because He rejects all other forms of worship . . . and the only way to ensure you are truly worshiping Him is to truly know the God of the Bible as He has chosen to reveal Himself therein. It is a beautiful journey to take and loaded with rewards that will carry you through life’s ups and downs!
If you have never come into a relationship with God the Father by accepting and trusting His Son Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord as revealed in Scripture, you can turn your life over to Him and trust Him to teach you about true and spiritual worship. We have trusted mentors who are freely available to help you along this path and they can be reached by clicking on the “Talk to a Mentor” button near the top right of this page.
Hank, may God bless you today with exactly what you need today and thank you for visiting this site.
I don’t mean to offend anyone but alot of us are taught at a early age that a certain faith or religion has the answers to happiness but what i have learned that people lie all the time for example that fat red clothed jolly guy we call santa claus what a fraud back to my point i think we are all blessed to be apart of a little thing called life athough some of us are more fortunate than others in this world.Sorry i was trying to keep this short but what i think us as human beings need to realize is that God already gave us life and a mind and instead of trying to figure out what he’s thinking let’s all enjoy his gift of life and when God is good and ready God himself or herself will tell us the truth.I don’t know or understand to much of the bible and I consider myself a Christian so I guess I just want to be apart of this whole faith/religion deal and another thing a lot of people preach but don’t even practice their beliefs what’s that all about here’s my punchline God created us for a reason we should be greatful God is everything and everywhere so breathe his beautiful air and drink his precious water if we haven’t polluted it yet.Hug your loved ones or pets or whatever and be grateful God loves us all good bad fat skinny Jew,Christian,Muslim and so on.
I don’t mean to offend anyone but we are all taught at a early age that a certain faith or religion has the answers to happiness but what i have learned that people lie all the time for example that fat red clothed jolly guy we call santa claus what a fraud back to my point i think we are all blessed to be apart of a little thing called life athough some of us are more fortunate than others in this world.Sorry i was trying to keep this short but what i think us as human beings need to realize is that God already gave us life and a mind and instead of trying to figure out what he’s thinking let’s all enjoy his gift of life and when God is good and ready God himself or herself will tell us the truth.I don’t know or understand to much of the bible and I consider myself a Christian so I guess I just want to be apart of this whole faith/religion deal and another thing a lot of people preach but don’t even practice their beliefs what’s that all about here’s my punchline God created us for a reason we should be greatful God is everything and everywhere so breathe his beautiful air and drink his precious water if we haven’t polluted it yet.Hug your loved ones or pets or whatever and be grateful God loves us all good bad fat skinny Jew,Christian,Muslim and so on.
Robert, it may be in your best interests that you “follow no religion” because as the article says, “religion is a set of beliefs that have guidelines for behavior associated with them.” A set of beliefs cannot help me with my biggest problems and those are the sins I commit and how they separate me from the Holy God who created and sustains this universe.
Obviously I cannot “un-do” my sins and only Holy God can forgive me. That is why Eph 2:4f tells us that “When we were dead in our sins, God made us alive together with Christ that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. (For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.)”
When Jesus came into the world, He also incredibly established a New Covenant “Abba” relationship between God the Father and us and it is this relationship that defines Christianity as being not just another set of “religious beliefs”.
From the Father’s side, “Abba” implies many things:
• His mercy, compassion and love for me;
• His personal interest in me and consistent concern for my good;
• His willingness to provide for my needs and to protect me; and,
• His use of His perfect knowledge, judgment and wisdom in guiding and caring for me.
On my side, my calling God “Abba” signifies:
• An implicit willingness to love, honor and respect My Father;
• An awareness of My dependence on God;
• My sense of confidence in my Father’s judgment and trust in His integrity; and,
• Ready obedience to my Father’s desires and will, with corresponding acceptance of my Father’s right and responsibility to discipline me for my own good.
Robert, you are right about this ills of organized religion but God’s most glorious work is the work He is doing with His new creation, the Church of Jesus Christ. Today multiplied flaws and defects embarrass the Church, but the time will come when she will be “a radiant Church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless” (Ephesians 5:25).
If you have never come into a relationship with God the Father by accepting and trusting His Son Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord, you can turn your life over to Him and trust Him to bring about what He knows is best for you. If you would like to know more about this, we have trusted mentors who are freely available to help and they can be reached by clicking on the “Talk to a Mentor” button near the top right of this page.
May God bless you today with exactly what you need today.
I may be naïve, but I follow no religion, I simply believe in God the entity. I also believe in humanity and science, and see no contradiction in either. God gave us ” us “, and the ability to think and learn, to create, to have ideas, to learn. If anything, I do have a distaste for organised religion because it seems to have an inherent divisiveness, setting one against the other and being claimed by some as a weapon, or worse, an excuse for carrying out horrendous crime. I have not had a good life, I have failed. I have lost all but the love of my family, but that is not God’s fault, it is purely mine. One thing though, in losing everything ( and I mean that ) God never deserted me.
Hey Elkay, every generation thought there’s was the one where Jesus would return. But you are right, It’s FAITH not about what church you belong to or if you are baptized or not.
Seon, being part of a loving family is wonderful in many aspects but one thing to keep in mind is that the truest definition of “Christians” as being followers, disciples, of Jesus Christ, is found at Acts 11:26. Being a member of a church of any denomination or an adherent of any religion does not make one a Christian. Christ-followers are the people Paul speaks of at 2 Cor 11:2, “I promised you as a pure bride to one husband—Christ.”
It is a big deal to be part of the pure bride to Christ because Rev 19 includes these words: “The Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns. Let us be glad and rejoice, and let us give honor to Him. For the time has come for the wedding feast of the Lamb, and His bride has prepared herself. She has been given the finest of pure white linen to wear.” For the fine linen represents the good deeds of God’s holy people. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding feast of the Lamb.” And he added, “These are true words that come from God.” (NLT)
These are indeed true words and on the roads I travel is a big sign that says, “Jesus is coming again. Get right with God.” As Derek Prince said, “When Christ comes again, you want to be fully clothed in white linen, not in a bikini!” I pray for the Bride’s invitation-blessing to everyone who reads this post. Amen.
I’m with Kenneth (surprise surprise) I always had a tough time with organized religion but found a way to keep that relationship with God. But yes, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Bahais etc can be loving families. I have meet amazing families from most major religions.