That's why we serve God and attend church, not the other way around. You have to keep in mind that pastors and church officials are fallible and in need of a Savior too. That's why it's critical that we read and study God's word for ourselves - not just to grow but to recognize when we're being taught false doctrine. I got saved when I was 20, but had attended church all my life. I got saved at the height of the Name It & Claim It era, and so was heavily indoctrinated in that nonsense. But I only began to realize it was nonsense by reading the Bible for myself and having doubts as to the validity of what I was being taught. Which led me to further study and a full realization of just how scripturally inaccurate that doctrine is. There is a lot of untruths being taught in the pulpit today, mainly because man uses the Word (wrongly) to fuel his own agenda. And as long as people follow blindly, like sheep, that will continue. But that won't excuse us on the day of reckoning. Because God has made himself known, he has given us his Spirit as our conscience, and his Son as propitiation for our sins, if we choose to accept those gifts.
I could not agree more with this statement. I do not need religion for morals. I need my CREATOR, to recognize and correct my selfish and arrogant behavior, and to recognize and do something about the pain and suffering in this world. I desire not to convert anyone to my religion and way of thinking.
The best statement and advice a friend told me "Why do think YHVH(YAWEH) refers to his people as "sheep"?" "Be very humble for the hope of mortal man is worms" Mishnah (Pirkei Avot)
I saw Charlie Chaplin's The Great Dictator years ago. I remember the scene where he as Adolph Hinkel, was bouncing a rubber globe on his butt. It was an amusing scene. But, the final speech was a very memorable and sincere challenge to the world. I think Chaplin saw years ahead and for that speech, he caught flak for it. I think everyone should listen to that speech. Especially that part about technology, greed, taking control of one's destiny other than other making it for them and showing compassion to all humanity. It really touched me. Thanks for sharing.
Nice. good quote. Thinking religion is the end-all and be all of spirituality is putting cart before the horse. Religions were invented because people sensed that this isn't all there is. The wonder and awe came first, then the "religions" Religion is basically culture. which is why you have buddhists being violent in myanmar, alawites fighting sunnis in syria (same religion, different "sect"), and the kkk calling itself a "christian" organization. Religion is just culture. Spirituality and "mysticism" is the genuine goods.
RestlessRita, I agree with you 100% so thank you very much. Religion can be so dividing. If a religious person has the answer for themselves, cool. Their answer may not be my answer. Hell, most religious people don’t even ask the right questions so I’m not sure how they can come up with the right answers. Most of the religions can be distilled down to a simple concept “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you”. With that, no more comparing clothes in special buildings on Sundays, no more measuring of whose Gods’ dick is bigger, no more people dying for a special piece of land on a small planet in a small solar system in a small galaxy in a huge universe. No more sanctified child molestation from “the holy sea”, billions of dollars of wealth redistributed to people and communities who actually need it, etc I don’t see the huge benefit in any of the religions.
