Yielding a Big Religious Paintbrush Is Just Not Smart

Being Saved vs. Being Religious: 10 Things that distinguish salvation from religion

The harm that has been done to Christianity by the many things done in the name of religion is beyond the content of voices.yahoo.com and probably the whole of the internet. The problem occurs when those who claim to be religious or who claim to be a christian act like the devil. It occurs when so many engage their tongue or hand before they engage their mind. It occurs because people do not wish to see the difference between who people are, as demonstrated by their deeds, and who they claim to be. It occurs because its easier to write or to voice a critical personal opinion than it is to find the truth by doing some research. It occurs because people do not wish to see the difference between being religious and being saved, that is, born again by the Spirit.

Another article on yahoo ( http://voices.yahoo.com/10-things-dont-like-religion-877777.html?cat=9 ) entitled “10 Things I Don't Like About Religion” has inspired me to look at these ten things as a way to compare religion to salvation, Christianity. (Note to the author: go ahead and say hate. It's OK. If you feel it, say it. Is that good advice, good writing or good behavior?) Reader, I ask you to decide that after reading this article.

I must praise the author for his analysis of religion and the listing of some of its many wrongs. However, even though the author says he does not like anything that attempts to control the masses. His article on religion does just that. How? Because most times when religion is discussed a problem automatically occurs. The problem arises because so many of us tend to group things together. It arises because so many fail to or refuse to see the stark difference between being and doing or claiming and living. (For more info the term Christianity and what it really means and who is worthy to wear it see: http://blogs.christianpost.com/just-sayin/i-am-a-back-row-baptist-with-a-smart-mouth-and-a-quick-tongue-christian-9624/#more ) When one talks or writes about religion, everything that the mind of the reader or listener groups into the category of religion gets painted with the same brush. So, when you talk about religion, especially when you attack it, many will agree with you because they have a religion they don't like. The number of religions and religious sects is too big for me to even attempt to count. Certainly, they are too many for one person to know all about them. Too many for one person to be able to talk intelligently about them all. Yielding a big paintbrush requires a very big and very strong arm and should be done only when one's enormous intelligence is controlled by even greater wisdom.

Being religious and being a christian can be, should be and must be very different. Even atheists and agnostics are classified as religions by many. Remember readers, just because one claims it and names it does not mean they live it.

This article lists ten of the differences that exist between religion and Christianity. I will let the Bible speak for itself where possible by providing verses that clearly shows that true Christianity is as different from religion in general as light is from dark.

1. Religion makes us feel bad about ourselves versus lifting us up, but not true Christianity.
   John 14:27: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.
   Psalm 46:1-3,7: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, ... The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah.
   Micah 7:19: "...he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."
   1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness."
   John 10:10:"...I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."
2. Religion keeps us from having to take responsibility for our action, but not true Christianity.
   Isaiah 55:6 & 7: Seek ye Jehovah while he may be found; call ye upon him while he is near:
   let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return unto Jehovah, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.
   Matthew 5:19: Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
3. Religion is used to gain votes by those running for political office, but not true Christianity.
   George Washington (1732-1799) "It is impossible to govern the world without God and the Bible." (Thinkexist.com) Many of the verses in the Bible establish the rules any civil society needs. "The source most often cited by the Founding Fathers was the Bible, which accounted for 34% of all citations..." from John Eidsmoe, author of Christianity and the Constitution. (The rest were cited from men, writings that cited the Bible, so I've read somewhere.) Some examples of Bible inspirations available to our forefathers:
   Leviticus 19:36 Just balance, just weights, a just ephah (a grain measure) and a just hin shall
   ye have...
   1 Timothy 5:4-8: But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house...
   Leviticus 19:9&10: ...thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field...thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger...
   We need elected officials who know the Bible and whose core values are taken from it. We the electorate must be informed so we can defeat the pretenders and elect true believes, if we want to have a civil, moral, ethical government.
4. Religion is used to convince people they should blow up or kill others, but not true Christianity.
   (Matthew 5:43 - 45): Ye have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy: but I say unto you, love your enemies, and pray for them that persecute you; that ye may be sons of your Father who is in heaven:...
   1 Peter 3:8 & 9: Finally, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, affectionate, compassionate, and humble. Do not return evil for evil or insult for insult, but instead bless others because you were called to inherit a blessing.
5. Religion is used to create or maintain war, but not true Christianity.
   1 Peter 3: 10-12: For the one who wants to love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from uttering deceit. And he must turn away from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer. But the Lord’s face is against those who do evil.
   1 Peter 4:7 & 8: For the culmination of all things is near. So be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of prayer. 8 Above all keep your love for one another fervent, because love covers a multitude of sins.
6. Religion makes us feel like we deserve more than others because we are the chosen, but not true Christianity.
   I would recommend another article: http://voices.yahoo.com/10-bible-verses-humility-5801352.html?cat=34 .
7. Religion can be used as our sword and our shield but not as our back bone, but not true Christianity.
   2 Tim 1:7 (AMP) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
   Deuteronomy 31:6: Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.
8. Religion is used as an excuse to carry out genocide, but not true Christianity.
   1Timothy 5:1-4: Rebuke not an elder, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brethren: the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity. Honor widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow hath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
   James 1:13-15: Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempteth no man: but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin:...
   1John 4:16: ... God is love; and he that abideth in love abideth in God, and God abideth in him...
9. Religion is used as a tool to make us feel better about ourselves versus a measure by which we might be called good, ethical, holy, kind or generous, but not true Christianity.
   Colossians 4:5-6: Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one.
   Luke 10:27: And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
10. Religion is used to control the masses, the individual or the soul from an external rather than a personal source, but not true Christianity.
    1 Corinthians 6:19: What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have of God, and you are not your own?

The author's less than clear understanding of the issues involved were also highlighted by some of the other comments. For instance, the comment “I don't like any system that controls the masses.” So, that would mean our constitutional republic, our form of government. It would mean any moral or ethical standard of conduct that a society has. It seems obvious to me that they are needed for a civil society. Maybe another comment explains his position, “People are meant to live in small numbers.” Tell that to the people of New York, London, Paris, Chicago and the names just keep on coming. One other of his comments illustrates the point of this article, “I believe that Religion should be a guide to God and a guide to life.” Sorry, “Jesus said unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Religion is an invention of man. A relationship with my Lord, my Savior and my God is what true Christianity is all about. And, it is the ONLY way to God.

Christianity is not a political position, a religious position, or a social position. Christianity is a relationship. It is a position in Jesus Christ. It is a position in the Kingdom of God. It is not obtained just by claiming it, one must be born again. That is plain for these verses:

John 3:5-7 KJV 2000: Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto you, You must be born again.

1Peter 1:23 KJV 2000: Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which lives and abides forever.

When it comes to religion why has so many gotten it so wrong?

John 3:16-21 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him. He that believeth on him is not judged: he that believeth not hath been judged already, because he hath not believed on the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the judgment, that the light is come into the world, and men loved the darkness rather than the light; for their works were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, and cometh not to the light, lest his works should be reproved. But he that doeth the truth cometh to the light, that his works may be made manifest, that they have been wrought in God.

2 Timothy 4:2-4: preach the word; be urgent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.