I began reading this artical on 6 different types of religions. The more I read the more distraught I became on the whole religion thing. Religion has never really given me much thought. I am a Christian- that's my "religion". A lover and a follower of Christ.
As I continued reading this artical, the more I thought about it... Why do we have all these 'religions'? The artical was on Southern Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopal, Assembly of God, and Roman Catholic. Six different religions, all (if I'm not mistaken) classified as Christians. For some reason this really upset me. Since when are Christians suppose to be divided??? I became aware of the face that I have no idea what my church is. Could there be a church that doesn't classify itself as one of the six mentioned, and just be a church for Christians?
I remember awhile ago someone asking me what religion I am. When I answered 'I'm a christian" they looked at me like that wasn't an anwer. They said something like "no, i mean, what are you- Baptist? Catholic?..." If I remember right, the person who asked me this was not a christian. Or if they were they didn't attend a church. I wonder if this is why Christianity confused so many non-belivers and Agnostics.
There is one heaven. One God. One savor. One spirit. One Bible (even though it is interpreted in many different versions). So what is the point of having so many different religions? If we all believe in the same God, and follow the same word, and desire to one day live with our God in Heaven, then why do we split ourselves up? Does that mean only one religion is right? If we are all going to be united as a family in Heaven, shouldn't we come together here on Earth, to love each other. Arn't we all suppose to be one body of Christ? I believe if we all came together, it would be one more step toward changing this world, and help prepare us for eternity.
This is just a thought I wanted to share. I'm not judging anyone for their religion, its just a curious observation of mine.
2 comments:
I stumbled on your blog on your updated facebook and so i thought i would give some of my opinion on your observation.
To me, religion comes in many different flavors because people themselves are very different from one to another. And though its true most everyone aspires to go to heaven, nirvana, or whatever the religion calls it, the message of god and how it can be best represented will not be the same for everyone.
Take me for example, raised in a catholic family, to me religion is a very serious matter not to be taken lightly. The Churches I went to had music on a organ or piano and people sing along to hymns and pray. Genesis is more expressive with traditional hymns being replaced with rock and rollish renditions of the same themes in a much MUCH more casual environment. Is either way right or wrong, Of course not. The important thing is that the word of god is being spread to the people who wish to hear it.
If you even want to take it a step further and include other religions, like Judaism or Islam, they all preach the same thing that the good and just will be rewarded and the dark and evil will be punished. but every culture is different so every religion must be too.
The point I am trying to make though is the beauty of having multiple variations of the same religion is that the word of god can be given in just as many diverse ways as their are people and everyone can learn the word of god in a way they are comfortable with and can understand.
And as a side note, Not having a set formal alignment with an established denomination is called Non-denominational.
See, this is where I think you are wrong, because God did not just give us a message and be like "okay, pick the parts out you like, and I'll see ya when you get to Heaven." When I was younger I went to a Baptist church... I was a "christian" because I went to church and belived in God. Our church focused on how bad homosexuality is, and completly ignored other parts of the Bible.
Now, let me go back to the 'christian' I USE to be. I believed in God, and owned a bible. Oh, and occationally went to church once I got into high school.
It never bothered me what religion everyone else believed; Someone would tell me they were Buddist and I would be like "cool- what's that?" just interested in the religion itself. Now, I would still prob ask the same question, more so to get involved in conversation to help lead them to my God. Because now, if someone would tell me they were a diff religion, I wouldn't look down on them, and I'd still love them, but I would try to tell them the truth.
My second year out of high school is when I found the truth. God. He is very real, and very much still alive. Seek him, and you will find him. I was broken pretty bad, and was messed up on my sense of 'comfort' that I found in this world. But by just giving everything I had to God, I found not only comfort, but just how real God is. The way he speaks to us, how we feel/sense him, the intimacy between us and our God durring worship, and his love for us... It all blew me away at how real this was, and how all my life I never knew- Even tho I said I believed... I had no clue.
This is why I don't see why we have religions. Every part of the Bible is important. And although I do believe God speaks to people differently, Religion does NOT need to be a set of rules that we follow, but I think everyone should TRULY seek God, and once they find him, form a relationship with him, and unite with others who have also found him, to reach out to the people who havent.
And if you are unsure if you have found him or not, seek him. The more you seek him, the more he will reveal himself to you.
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