Christians Only: Is ALL religion false?

[LoveNeverFails]

Can there be Christianity without "religion"? Is "religious Christianity" false Christianity?



For purposes of this discussion only, I am going to stick with that definition:

"any system of practice and observance intended to make people more acceptable to God".

The claim is that there is NO system or observance or ritual that can make people more acceptable to God.

The claim is: No one is capable of making themselves more acceptable to God, there is NOTHING any human being can do to make themselves more acceptable to God.
(Technically, if you live by a strict moral code every moment of your life from day 1 and never do an evil thing or think an evil thought, you'll make it into heaven free and clear. But it's already too late for you and me to meet that criterion.)




Period. End of story. We can't do good works to attain or "maintain" our salvation, which was and is a free gift.

"Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Gal. 3:3)

“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3).

We have to depend on God for everything including the ability to live a life of godliness and to do HIS good works as opposed to OUR good works, for it is only the holy spirit and Christ living in us which can motivate and empower us in the right direction.

Everything else is ...well, filthy rags. So of what use are rituals, ceremonies, priests, go-betweens, formal confession, lighting candles, prayer beads, etc., and how are we to avoid legalism while engaging in communal worship?

Christians only, please let me hear your thoughts.

It's all about balance, isn't it? God forbid that we sin all the more that grace may abound...:cover:

I myself don't currently attend a church, although I am looking, and do attend my parent's church when we visit them about once a month or so. I personally don't believe in all the rituals you have listed here....lighting candles, prayer beads, confessing to a priest...although I think that God honors the heart intent of the many people who do so. They are simply ignorant (I don't mean that derogatorally) of the broader truth that it has nothing to do with our works...it's all about what Jesus did to clear a path to the Father through Him through His atoning work on the cross!

IMO it's all about developing and maintaining that relationship with Him. If we seek truth in God with a pure heart and act upon what that still small voice says...then hopefully we bear good fruit. :yes:

 

[Reverend Rick]

The flaw with this discussion is, that we are dependant on a dictionary's definition of religion.

The next flaw is, we are dependant on a bible that has been translated and comprised of someone else's decision of what texts are relevant and what are left out.

Add this to the frustration of choosing a church that we agree with and finding people of like mind to worship with, it is a small wonder we still remain religious.

Having a church dictate to us is relying on the church and not God for our salvation.

I do not trust anyone else (mortal) for my salvation.

Some churches say drinking is a sin and then have communion with grape juice.

I can make it simple. Christians believe Jesus is the son of God. No one goes to the father without the Son. Salvation is a gift that we freely choose to accept. We are saved by grace, but upon fruit inspection, we should have works. Works are a by-product of faith. Works are not a requirement to get to heaven, but it would be impossible to be a true Christian and not have done works.

We are not to judge one another and to do so would condemn us to the same judgement.

Just because many churches try to control folks and tell them how to act or think, is not an excuse to shun religion. It all boils down to one thing. Is you name written in the lambs book of life?

 

[Angelfire]

The flaw with this discussion is, that we are dependant on a dictionary's definition of religion.

The next flaw is, we are dependant on a bible that has been translated and comprised of someone else's decision of what texts are relevant and what are left out.

Add this to the frustration of choosing a church that we agree with and finding people of like mind to worship with, it is a small wonder we still remain religious.

Having a church dictate to us is relying on the church and not God for our salvation.

I do not trust anyone else (mortal) for my salvation.

Some churches say drinking is a sin and then have communion with grape juice.

I can make it simple. Christians believe Jesus is the son of God. No one goes to the father without the Son. Salvation is a gift that we freely choose to accept. We are saved by grace, but upon fruit inspection, we should have works. Works are a by-product of faith. Works are not a requirement to get to heaven, but it would be impossible to be a true Christian and not have done works.

We are not to judge one another and to do so would condemn us to the same judgement.

Just because many churches try to control folks and tell them how to act or think, is not an excuse to shun religion. It all boils down to one thing. Is you name written in the lambs book of life?

Our calling as Christians is to love the Lord our God with all our heart and our neighbor as ourself. Its pretty hard to be into petty sins when our entire focus is on loving God every moment of every day. Once this starts to become a habit we find that good works are a by product without any intent on our part.




peace

 

[doppelganger]

The central tenet of my approach to "Christianity" is that all religion is as "true" as one thinks it is. If you believe yourself subject to religious dogmas and laws, then you are. If you do not, then you are free.

 

[LoveNeverFails]

The central tenet of my approach to "Christianity" is that all religion is as "true" as one thinks it is. If you believe yourself subject to religious dogmas and laws, then you are. If you do not, then you are free.

I see what you are saying, but some things just are, whether or not we believe in their existance as literal, or how we percieve them. Of course one can set their own rules and go one doing whatever one wants, and in that sense yes, in this life you are "free" to do what you want outside of religion. But that does not change the validity of certain spiritual and supernatural truths that exist as fact, whether or not we believe them, or how we percieve them. Karma still plays itself out for everyone, even if one doesn't believe in it. God still exists, whether or not one believes in Him.

 

[Diogenes]

I think the definition of religion was answered for in the very beginning of this thread. One dictionary definition is, "way of life". I look at what Jesus did as being truly unique in Judaism, and that was to bring forth forgiveness of sins as a way of life. He did not really draw a line between the clean and the unclean. The adulterous woman he saved would have been seen in her culture as a hardened criminal is looked upon today. He would dine with the hardened criminals, the devout Jews, and even the Pharasees. To me, the notion of the Celestial Wedding is that we have all been called to feast with God-and He is pursuing us with His invite. If Jesus started a new religion, it's central tenant, I feel, hinges on the unique quality of His style of forgiveness.