Friday, 07 October 2011
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God versus Religion: Following Whose Rules?
By Werner GroblerGod paints the most beautiful pictures, but man spoils it with religion.
As a diver I have no choice but to believe in a higher power. The smallest details are visible to man and so perfectly engineered. I don't care what your denomination is, but the fact that it couldn't just have happened is eminent.If you look at today's Christians, they have no objection to quickly go to the shop on a Sunday and buy something. This is against what we were taught as kids. Now even the Christian bookstores are open on a Sunday. Then how is it possible that we as Christians support these shops?
I do think of myself as a sort of Free-thinker, but there are some things that you just can't imagine proving with science. Religion is only rules set by man to keep them in line for what they need them to do.
I think that people should start living their lives according to what makes them happy and stop living by the man made rules of the Bible. God only wants us to love Him and love each other. For in those two rules all the rules are gathered.
Do you agree that religion puts a damper on faith in God? Whose rules are we supposed to follow if not the ones set by religion and the Bible?
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Comments (24)
Religion is so cumbersome. And actually, one can follow the "rule" of loving others as yourself and not involve God in it at all. It'd just be humanistic morality. That's what I would probably do if I had been brought up in a secular home. As it is, though, I'm told God knows a whole lot more than us humans, especially what's good for us and what's not, so we should follow His rules. But sometimes I seriously question the value of His rules...they seem to lack common sense and logic. From a human perspective.
I'm Catholic, but I follow the message of God moreso than church doctrine and rules.
It was religion that told of God and the gods. if religion is dropped, then surely all that it told of is to be dropped too?
Whether there is truth in religion or not, the rules to follow are your own conscience.
Wow! My answer is for those who may read your post who, perhaps like yourself, have not had much or any experience with the Holy Spirit.
“I think that people should start living their lives according to what makes them happy…”
What makes us happy, or what makes our bodies happy, is not always what helps us to love God and others. The body seeks to please itself. Our spirits seek for joy. If our spirits overcome our bodies through Christ, we will be joint-heirs with Him forever and be eternally “happy.”
“… and stop living by the man made rules of the Bible.”
For those whose hearts and minds are truly turned towards God, the Holy Spirit will testify to them of truth as they read the Bible. When we receive a witness concerning Biblical doctrines or “rules,” we are then accountable to God for living them the best we can. We know then that they are not man-made rules, but the teachings of God, and we trust Him that their purpose is to sanctify us.
“God ONLY (emphasis added) wants us to love Him and love each other. For in those two rules all the rules are gathered.”
While it is certainly true that we must love God and others as ourselves, how would you know to do this if the Bible had not taught it? And if you accept that from the Bible, how can you disregard every other instruction and commandment without asking God if it is also His will?
“Do you agree that religion puts a damper on faith in God?”
False religion puts a damper on faith in God. True religion, as in the church and pattern and teachings that Christ set up during His earthly life for His saints, creates an environment in which faith and joy sprout and grow up to perfection in Him.
Faith is a principle of action. It is found and built by following Christ with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. True faith includes love of God, and Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments.”
“Whose rules are we supposed to follow if not the ones set by religion and the Bible?”
Indeed, if the rules in the Bible are “man-made,” where can we look for truth? There are crumbs of truth everywhere and God will give to those who ask it of Him. But why should He give anything more to those who reject His word in the Bible, which is our primary witness of Jesus Christ and His teachings, as born witness to by myself and by millions upon millions who have received the witness of the Holy Spirit concerning its truths?
"If you look at today's Christians, they have no objection to quickly go to the shop on a Sunday and buy something. This is against what we were taught as kids. Now even the Christian bookstores are open on a Sunday. Then how is it possible that we as Christians support these shops?"
I agree with you on this one. Mark 7:9 "And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition."
I believe in God and the word of God. I'm proud of my faith and that's all that matters to me.
I want to comment on the following quote: "I think that people should start living their lives according to what makes them happy and stop living by the man made rules of the Bible."
What makes us happy is not necessarily God's way. God's "rules" and His plan for us will, ultimately, make us happier, but in the here-and-now, right-at-this-moment, sin will likely make you happier... (at least for a moment). Because of the fall, we are automatically inclined towards sin.
I think it's very dangerous to say "live for what makes you happy" and completely disregard what God's Word says. If you read the Bible, you will notice that it was written for a specific purpose (to reveal God and His plan for us). There are rules in there for a reason - God ultimately knows what is best for us and what will make us happy (long-term) - what will bring us true JOY!
I guess I'm sort of repeating what @lomal@xanga said, but I think it's important for you to understand that the Bible is a gift from God, so that we may understand Him and His will. To reiterate what lomal said about it - when you read the Bible, God (via the Holy Spirit) will illuminate for you the words on the page - they will no longer be just words, but they will be "LIFE". Through reading the Scriptures, God begins to mold your heart and change your soul to be inclined to Him - you will follow His ways and realize your freedom from sin and destruction (this is a process of sanctification - God revealing to us how He intends for us to live and then empowering us to live it out, through grace). The Bible is very important as it reveals to us MANY things: God's character, God's intention for us, and evidence of God's power and holiness.
It is not simply "man-made rules" (it is the WORD of God - it is "God-breathed and useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness" - 2 Timothy 3:16)
Please consider asking God to reveal Himself to you through His Word (and then read it). It is SO MUCH more than "rules". :)
As far as the question - "religion" can get in the way, but to copy lomal "TRUE religion" is beautiful. I believe that Christianity is both a religion and a relationship (with emphasis on relationship - with God). (The definition of religion is simply: <li>The belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, esp. a personal God or gods.<li>Details of belief as taught or discussed. Therefore, Christianity is both - religion and relationship). Some, take it too far and become legalistic - like the Pharisees that Jesus was always getting on about being "so religious"...
I like the rest of lomal's explanation for this question, so please re-read and think about it. :)
Anything that is based on fear, hate, or manipulation is not from God (i.e.Westboro Baptist church & FLDS Church in TX). God loves & forgives. He gives us guidelines in the Bible to help us live a good life. God knows we're going to fail & make mistakes. As long as repent from our mistakes & learn from them, we are on the right track spiritually. Having a good relationship with God also helps.
As far as religion goes, some people need religion b/c they get a lot out of it. It gives them direction peace. Some people don't need religion to give them direction & peace...they find it on their own. Don't judge others just b/c they choose to belong to a certain religious organization.
@lomal@xanga - " “God ONLY (emphasis added) wants us to love Him and love each other. For in those two rules all the rules are gathered.”
While it is certainly true that we must love God and others as ourselves, how would you know to do this if the Bible had not taught it? And if you accept that from the Bible, how can you disregard every other instruction and commandment without asking God if it is also His will?"
My parents taught me; For 11 years before I ever seen or heard of a Bible.
I don't have too much to say to this post other than I personally think too many people focus on these so called "rules" of being a Christian rather than their RELATIONSHIP with Jesus. Yes, there are commandments by God that we are to follow, but if our heart isn't with Jesus then how can we follow those commandments? I've noticed even in myself that if my heart isn't where it needs to be with Christ then I can't follow or do what God wants of me.
"I think that people should start living their lives according to what
makes them happy and stop living by the man made rules of the Bible."
Sounds like a man-made rule to me. The obsession with happiness is definitely a western civilization thing in the past 50 years or so.
You can't know God apart from the Bible. Sorry. You may know he exists, but you can't know his attributes. The Gospel is revealed. No matter how many sunsets you look at, or how emotional the beautiful things in life make you, you can't know that God is triune, that he sent his son to die for sinners, that he is risen, and that he is continually gathering his bride from every nation, tribe, and tongue and will return to judge the world.
If you can't trust the rest of the Bible, how can you trust that God just wants us to love each other is true?
how many of you know that the Hebrew word for "religion" actually means "fear of the Lord"?
We have a particular nature that makes us human. And spirituality is part of that nature.
Those things that we do, think and believe that nurture our human nature also nurture our happiness. So for religion to be beneficial to our human nature it must nurture our spirituality.
@lomal@xanga - We know to love each other through common sense.. you don't need religion to tell you something. That's like saying moral people are only that way because the Bible told them so & that if they're non-believers they aren't moral.. even if they ARE.
All I'm going to say is this - follow your moral compass & you'll live a fufilled life. You don't need to read a book essentially written by man (you can say all you want that God dictated to man & he simply copied it down.. but seriously? Man isn't perfect so who's to say that things were written & KEPT written as they were supposed to? No one knows that.) to decide for you what's right, wrong, or what you 'must' do to be happy.
Developing a relationship with god is first, the rules help you understand him. Its how people misconstrue his word that becomes twisted. Religion, IMHO, is a guideline in your path to god. You get forks in the road, get lost, but you have to pay attention to find your way there. Coasting along will only get you so far. Like any relationship, there is work involved.
@rusty0505@xanga - That's interesting I didn't know that, thanks. Do you know what 'fear of the Lord' means?
@Chibi_Son_Gokou@xanga - You'd be surprised, I think, to discover that the two are not mutually exclusive. If you ever have questions about what the Church teaches on something and how it connects with what God has revealed to us in Scripture, please feel free to message me at any time. God bless you!
@god_stories@xanga - yes, i do. do you?
@rusty0505@xanga - It's an honest question...I didn't ask to bait you, but to genuinely hear your thoughts. You seemed to have an interest in the topic and from my prayerful study its not a no brainer.
If you'd like me to go first you can read the thoughts I've had on it, and if you're game I'd be interested to hear your perspective.
@god_stories@xanga - message me, if you'd like
There's nothing "man made" about the rules in the bible, they are God's instructions to us in order to understand what God wants from us. How would the world even know to love God and love others if not for God's Word? Also, it makes some people "happy" to kill, murder, steal, lie, etc.
@Star_x_Love@xanga - Right on.