What IS Religion?
I feel it important to answer the question "What is religion?" as it is important to know the difference
between religion and spirituality.
Certainly, I do not want to ever imply that I am denying the existence of Spirit - God.
In fact, it is my hope to point to God's very existence right in "your midst" (in you!).
Religion would tell us otherwise, and I most specifically speak about traditional Christian theology, though
other harmful religions also exist.
Webster's dictionary would define religion as, "the service and worship of God or the supernatural."
Since ancient tribal times, religion in general evolved out of man trying to explain events of which he knew
little about. If a volcano erupted, it was attributed to an angry god, for example.
Religion always uses the term "god" to instantly imply that deity exists outside of mankind. In that sense,
religion is a man-made attempt to reach a far away, external deity.
This is not unlike the tower built in Babel (Read the Book of Genesis) to try and somehow climb up to
where God supposedly exists.
Man always seems to see God as up, far and away from himself; an old man with a white beard, perhaps
sitting on a throne in a cloud. He sees God as someone who must be climbed up to; and if one is good
enough he may enjoy God's blessing.
By believing in a god that is external, we also create the beliefs that this same god may also be vengeful.
"Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord" is a very popular Bible verse these days for it uses fear to hold
captive believers.
Religion always builds walls of separation to divide man from Spirit, which you may call God. It is an
attempt in placing God somewhere outside of mankind.
Religion typically tells us we are separate from this fearful god they create and of course we need to do
something about it. It is no surprise then that religion also claims to have the cure for our ailment.
Harmful religion is most easily identified when it uses fear, guilt and condemnation in the name of God.
Jesus spoke of this to the religious leaders of his day when he told them they would
"compass land and sea to make one convert; and by doing so make that person two-fold the child of hell!"
Unfortunately today, religious false prophets have caused many to fear the Jesus religion created.
Some see him as being a vengeful god who brings condemnation, guilt and fear to the common people.
I call this doctrine the "Jesus Religion."
What most today call "Christianity" was never Jesus' true message. Truly, a religion was created in Jesus'
name.
Jesus' true message only attacked religion and the religious leaders who led the common people astray!
Sadly, most churches today follow the Epistles of Paul while not understanding the spiritual significance of
Jesus' parables! Truly, these are the churches Paul built!
I believe the truth to be within all, witnessing to the fact that we are not separate from Spirit.
Simply look within yourself and know that you and Spirit...God are one, and not separate as the religious
snakes would have us believe.
Everything that exists has to exist within the Divine Spirit, which is the life-giving power in all.
Spirit is Life, is it not? You can have a relationship with Spirit by listening within yourself, for the true you is
spirit. The Holy of Holies is within your being.
God is not a book, nor is God found within a building, church program, etc.
God is within all of us, patiently awaiting for us to believe we can connect as one.
Jesus' true message simply proclaimed is, "The kingdom of God is within you."
- Louis Charles
Back to Jesus Religion Articles