Christianity IS Religion
Religion itself is a set of practices and beliefs, based upon stories of a higher power, namely God.
A religion, seeks to explain the mysteries of the universe through these beliefs.
These beliefs are the core of a religion, for upon them believers practice rituals, such as prayer, study,
worship, music, and the like.
Though seeming good, the practices of religion are always focused on doing. We must "do" something,
and that something is to look away from ourselves for life answers.
By doing so, we seek direction for our lives from other sources, be it a god, an institution, leaders, writings,
etc.
Christianity is religion.
Christianity also sets forth beliefs and practices based upon stories of a man they named Jesus.
All denominations and variations of Christianity found their roots from within the Orthodox Church that was
officially established in the early third century.
Orthodox Christianity gained its strength as a religion when Roman Emperor Constantine converted to
Christianity.
He later formed the Council of Nicea in order to establish his chosen brand of Christianity as the State
religion of Rome.
He was instrumental in establishing churches organized into buildings, as well as having Bibles created
for leaders' use, in order to cement their teachings.
Constantine's Orthodox Christianity was largely responsible for stamping out all other Christian beliefs that
were numerous at the time.
Early Christians varied widely in beliefs, and the beliefs that were formulating within Jewish sects would
eventually fade out, while the Western creation of Christianity would grow in power and popularity.
Jesus did not create Christianity; Christianity created Jesus. Even his name was created by the
proponents of religion.
Men created their own teachings and ascribed them to a man they coined as "Jesus," never allowing the
true man's message to come forth.
The man's name was Yeshua, and this Jewish radical in fact spoke against religion, and hid his
messages within parables; stories that contain figurative, spiritual truths.
Jesus didn't build a church building, take offerings, establish communion, write the Bible, or promote any
other religious ideals that we can tell.
But, men who came after Yeshua, created a religion purportedly based upon him that is now
known as Christianity.
Spirituality is void of religion, if it is indeed true spirituality. For it subscribes to no religion, ritual
or practice; for the path it teaches is one that is inward.
Spirituality makes no attempt to control people.
Religion, specifically Christianity, claims to provide direction for people by steering them to look
outside of themselves. This is done for the purpose of control.
Religion will point to books, outward places of worship, outer places of eternity, and the like.
Christianity does this as well by gathering its converts into church buildings, calling the Bible "the word of
God," and by teaching exterior places of reward or punishment (Heaven and Hell).
Religion uses such devices only to promote fear; for fear is always produced by looking externally.
- Louis Charles
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