25 replies to this topic

[Beckys_Mom]

B Jenkins, on 12 February 2013 - 04:50 PM, said:

What about when Jesus called Peter the Rock and charged him to care for his flock?

That didn't mean go off and start a new religion in his name

[B Jenkins]

Beckys_Mom, on 12 February 2013 - 04:50 PM, said:

That didn't mean go off and start a new religion in his name

What did it mean then? Or when he charged his disciples to spread the gospel?

[Beckys_Mom]

J. K., on 12 February 2013 - 04:22 PM, said:

I will admit that I don't understand the hang-up people have about the word 'religion'.  To me, a religion is a belief system, a set of Biblically-based facts about a method for communicating with God.  It's the way that denominations and movements have 'added' to the Gospel that bothers me, such as the Southern Baptists' emphasis of evangelism over discipleship, or the charismatics' emphasis on the Holy Spirit.  When the method receives more attention than the Savior, that's where I see the error.

People can get hung up on the word - Religion, because of the trouble followers have caused in the name of it.. Even when you look at how much christians themselves cannot agree, that is why Christianity is so split over and over..  Jesus was bound to have known that troubles can come from followers of a certain faith, he himself didn't think much of religious leaders..   It all can and has ( at one time or another ) gotten way out of hand    I could never wish to belong to that mess again ..  If the entire world was all christians, we would still have the conflicts  ( trust me, I am from N.Ireland I know this first hand ) ...so many will disagree and fight over it...  

South Park made an episode about  atheism doing the same..  If the entire world were atheist, they would have conflicts..  I am pretty sure it would go that way.......... On that note, I think when Jesus said  ( Sermon on the Mount ) pray to the father in private, do not stand out in the streets, in temples/ churches to be seen,those that do that are hypocrites, do it in private, and the father will reward you..  I seriously do not believe he wanted a religion in his name..  Go forth and spread the word, means to do just that, not make up a religion

[B Jenkins]

Beckys_Mom, on 12 February 2013 - 04:58 PM, said:

  

South Park made an episode about  atheism doing the same..  If the entire world were atheist, they would have conflicts..  I am pretty sure it would go that way.......... On that note, I think when Jesus said  ( Sermon on the Mount ) pray to the father in private, do not stand out in the streets, in temples/ churches to be seen,those that do that are hypocrites, do it in private, and the father will reward you..  I seriously do not believe he wanted a religion in his name..  Go forth and spread the word, means to do just that, not make up a religion

See Matthew 28:19.

[Beckys_Mom]

B Jenkins, on 12 February 2013 - 04:52 PM, said:

What did it mean then? Or when he charged his disciples to spread the gospel?

Spreading the gospel does not mean  go and see if you can invent a new religion in my name...There is no reason for someone like him  to want that...  Anyone can spread a few words about god, but you don't need a religion invented for doing so .. Read the Sermon On The Mount  that's another sign ..

[Paranoid Android]

²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
~ Hebrews 10:24-25

One thing that Organised Religion offers is a place for people to meet up together.  If you walk into a random town and you want to follow verse 25 and continue meeting up with other Christians, the easiest way to do this would be to find a church, for whatever else happens you know you will find Christians there.  For this reason, I believe that Jesus wanted churches to exist, though I agree the divisions between the groups are regrettable.  Especially among protestants though is a growing idea that Christianity is not confined solely to the denomination to which one attends.  A Baptist and an Anglican may have several differences in some beliefs but the essential doctrines are the same and therefore both would be considered Christian.

The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, several years ago in his inaugural speech after being elected, stated that his vision was to see "10% of the population of Sydney in Bible-believing churches".  This caused some small controversy because he said "Bible-believing churches" as opposed to "Anglican churches".  The Archbishop was acknowledging that Jesus doesn't care about earthly labels, and it is a sentiment I echo.

[euroninja]

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
~ Hebrews 10:24-25

The Day must be approaching. You see Christians encourging one another throughout the world through the medium of the internet. It's not by mistake because the Holy Spirit is making Itself felt more and more.

[Amalthe]

I think it is important to discern religion and faith. Religion is not invention of God, but invention of Lucifer, who wanted to have system of secret beliefs that would be revealed gradually as a person progresses through hierarchy. On other hand Jesus had never reason to hide his message to people. Lucifer wanted to put a mediator between divinity and human, while Jesus wanted to bridge the gap. Religion establish positions of power where those who are more indoctrinated have certain powers over "regular" believers, like confession/penance of sins to clergy. On other hand Jesus established a confession to God or to person who was wronged by your actions as standard.

However, for followers of Jesus it is important to have congregation in order to strenghten the faith. So religion would be a sort of perversion of idea of communion of men and God.

[Rlyeh]

Amalthe, on 13 February 2013 - 08:14 AM, said:

I think it is important to discern religion and faith. Religion is not invention of God, but invention of Lucifer, who wanted to have system of secret beliefs that would be revealed gradually as a person progresses through hierarchy.

So a dead king invented religion?

[Amalthe]

Rlyeh, on 13 February 2013 - 09:06 AM, said:

So a dead king invented religion?

As i said to you before, your closed mindeness and inability to reply on argument with argument but only with attempts to ridicule people who don't think same as you do, refrain me to answer to your provocations.

I seriously wish you best in life, but please don't troll me if you haven't got anything to say.

[AquilaChrysaetos]

euroninja, on 13 February 2013 - 07:29 AM, said:

The Day must be approaching. You see Christians encourging one another throughout the world through the medium of the internet. It's not by mistake because the Holy Spirit is making Itself felt more and more.

Everyone I think is starting to feel it. Both Christians and not...