What is wrong with religion?

Sigh at religion discussions. What is the point of arguing it and why do people feel the need to prove or disprove their own beliefs? You ask: "Please lets not start a bashing session but keep this to a reasonable and friendly discussion." I have yet to see this on any religious forums. If you could have an IQ test before posting then maybe it can be achieved.

Believing in something that can't be proved or disproved in essence is radical and illogical, i'm not saying it's wrong but it takes blind faith and the ignorance of facts.(<-- this sentence will really grind peoples gears). So like I said because of these reasons it's pointless to argue your point. Only reason I have seen to talk religion with opposition is to fact find and for that to work it must be ONE way.

Either you believe in a God or you don't. Keep beliefs to yourselves should be the 11th commandment or whatever book you follow.

I will leave with this as I do enjoy debates. What is the difference of somebody in an asylum talking to air and believing he is seeing somebody than a religious person looking into the sky praying to somebody? Why is one looked as crazy and the other not? Why do people (you know what people I speak of) discredit Scientology and many other belief systems so much when just factually aliens are more plausible than gods? The reason I see religeon becoming a burden on the believers is the fact that religion discriminates more than any group of people on this planet while trumpeting morals that say other wise and finally people are standing up to it. Hopefully this wont be seen as an attack on religion but frankly I don't care :P

Just common courtesy, no one wants beliefs of any kind such as: political, religious, ethics and so on put in their face. It's just rude.

Well written Hiram! The specifics you mentioned in your article are the ones that keep me away from church, my church is in my heart. Learning how to debate this issue with respect and tolerance, and an open mind, is the only way for people to learn to accept one another without judgement. I think when people learn to separate religion from the religious and accept that no one religion is necessesarily "the" unquestionably right one, there will be more people meeting on the middle ground of acceptance. I have been on some articles of Atheism lately, asking questions with respect and eagerness for the answers and have come away feeling that something was gained from the conversation. It's taken almost 3 years to find this and really lifted my hope for the possiblility of finding more common ground between us all, no matter the belief or non-belief.

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nice article Hiram. I agree with you on what you were saying and Grisham also brought out the things that the church is doing. People must 'wake-up' to what is going on and read the Scriptures for themselves. Many of the things that are being and have been taught for centuries are not found in the Bible, but are falsely taught to the masses. John wrote:"...your word is truth."[John 17:17] The word of God as expressed in the Bible is the truth that can bring freedom,[ John8:32] freedom from false religion! Many religions today, while claiming to follow the Bible, are largely influenced by human philosophies and traditions. Often, religious leaders seem not as concerned with the accuracy of their message as they are with its acceptance by the masses. Some feel that God is satisfied with ANY form of worship, as long as it is sincere. But Jesus Christ explained: " The hour is coming, and it is now, when the true worshipers will worship the Father with spirit and truth, for, indeed, the Father is looking for suchlike ones to worship him." [ John 4:23] So yes there is a certain one or kind, one based on truth, one acceptable to the Father; also there are those who the Bible identifies as true worshipers, belonging to "the congregation of the living God, a pillar and support of the truth." [ 1 Tim 3:15] These ones not only believe the truth of God's Word but also live in complete harmony with it and defend it, making it known throughout the earth as commanded by Christ Jesus. Matt 24:14; Rom 10:9-15.

Good question... I'd say the question almost answers itself.

Have you heard of Sisyphus -- he was sentenced to roll a rock uphill every day, for eternity. Sure, it's a waste of time and resources and benefits nobody, least of all Sisyphus.

Religion is the waste -- it is it's own enemy. Many of them attempt to elevate themselves above objective inquiry and suppress scrutiny whilest, at the same time, making several positive assertions which would scream a demand for testing.

If I started a group that threw lit matches at newborn babies, and proclaimed that we grew, spiritually, each time we did it with malicious intent, then it's not disprovable. BUT, it's also clearly not having any demonstrable benefit either.

Religion is precisely like that. It claims to benefit people, but (and not shockingly) people experience the same benefits from the secular avenues.

In a way, the question is almost, what does religion buy us? It's a waste of resources. You can get drug treatment and charity from non-religious sources, so clearly those aren't uniquely positive attributes of a religious offering.

Religions are a way to exclude, to judge, to promote both bigotry and to enforce misological schools of ignorance and to reinforce baseless hatreds.

Religions usually pretend to have benefits that are wholly unverifiable.

Other than that, nothing's wrong with religion.

Legalism in the Church has and continues to drive people away, at least that is what I have observed.

I read this and then thought of what Jesus said about the end times. In part he said: “And many false prophets will arise and mislead many, and because of the increasing of lawlessness the love of the greater number will cool off.” Matthew 24:9-14.

In my studies I yet to find the majority of the supported by Scripture, for instance placing one person as the head to determine how to interpret God’s Word and make decisions that affect millions of people, because of a claim to be the sole spokesman for God.

The other thing I thought of and why there’s so many religions is that we tend to ‘follow’. Most, if not all, religions today have ‘leaders’. Pastors, Priests and such. Really, we weren’t to have ‘leaders’ who would dominate the congregation. Again Jesus said: “…do not you be called Rabbi, for one in your teacher [which is Christ], whereas all you are brothers. Moreover, do not call anyone your father on earth, for one is your Father, the heavenly one. Neither be called ‘leaders,’ for your Leader [Jesus] is one.”

The early church had a body of elders who took the lead in the necessary functions of the congregation. [Hebrews 11:17; 1 Timothy 3] No one person was to determine what the congregation was to believe. They [and us today] have the scriptures! 2 Timothy 3:16, 17.

I thought you brought up interesting points. As to all the different churches of Christendom, one might consider that Jesus said to enter a narrow and cramped road that led to life. [Matthew 7:13, 14] It’s a tough road but Paul stated that there is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism. It’s important that each individual examine the scriptures daily so as to be sure they are learning what really is taught. [Acts 17:11]

"You shall love your Lord God with all your heart, with all your mind and with all your soul….And you shall love your neighbor as yourself”

This was a fantastic article Hiram that summarizes extremely well why my husband and I refuse to exist under any religions banner. He was raised Catholic as was I. Through my journey of faith I tried so many different doors. Episcopalian, Presbyterian, Baptist, Lutheran, Unitarian, Mega-non-denominational churches, explored Wicca, Bahai, Buddihism. I've come to the conclusion that nature is my church and faith. The tree symbolizing for me everything I need to know. For me, there is no wrong or right for any walk of faith until someone from a different path tries to stuff their beliefs down my throat....I always rebel.

Churches, in my opinion, have not only become legalistic and excluding in their operations but have become too much like the markets in the temple of Jesus's time... like businesses instead of places of spirit, celebration, fellowship and worship.

Thank you for writing and posting this excellent article.

It's not the church - It's the misuse of Christianity I abhor.

I hate the misuse of Christianity. I think that we could agree, regardless of our own personal beliefs that Christianity has been as much, or even more so a blessing to humanity than a curse. To me, that says that some people understand and use it wisely, others do not understand it, and use it for destruction. What is disturbing to me, is the way in which certain so called Christians have effectively hijacked the scriptures giving them a whole new meaning to further their own political or personal ends – Indeed, the most self-righteous Pharisees that ever ransacked the bible, to rake the praises on themselves and sling the curses on their neighbors.

I would ask the church of Christianity today - How can you ever show the light of God to someone, if you stay in the dark yourself. In other words, I've met some very good people who were not Christians, yet lived more of the Christian creed of life than some who claim Christianity - And I've met some very poisonous fruit bearing "Christians" whose life style caused people to flee Christianity. From my stand point, I'm not a judge of people, but I am a ’fruit inspector’ - For by their fruit you will know them. Jesus Christ said: “no good tree bears bad fruit, and no bad tree bears good fruit." So check the fruit of people's work and see if they are bearing fruit that sustains life and brings nourishment, or if the fruit is spoiled and it brings malignancy and death. I believe in God - I don't believe in pushing my faith on others and since we do not know who will come to God, only He does: As I get older I find myself being less contentious and more prayerful. Less full of myself and hopefully more full of The Holy Spirit. Less demanding of others and more demanding of myself. More aware of Him and less aware of me.

Thank you Hiram for a thought-provoking article.

We have several churches here that will not even let you in the door on a Sunday without a tie, or the women in a dress. There can be no musical instruments in the church during worship or there can only be an organ or piano. You cannot dance or sing, we baptize by sprinkling with water, no wait you must be submersed. You are not saved until you are baptized. If you do not speak in tongues you must not be saved yet. Baptize the babies, do not baptize the babies. If you are not married in a church you are not married. There are really too many and not enough paper to list.

I think the "technicalities" get in the way of too many people, and the teachings of Christ take second place. That is not what Christ taught, and too few people concentrate on Christ's actual teachings. That is my opinion.

It's a shame. The church has used the very simple teachings of Jesus to enslave people rather than free them. Some churches are fighting back against that. More power to them.

Hi Hiram,

I am still here this morning being led by the Spirit of the LORD...and look what I found!

Great article, very thought provoking. It's amazing that all of our answers are provided to us from Him when we just make the effort to seek them out! I have no doubt that YHVH is using you to lift me up this day just as I asked Him to do for me...thank you for being His servant, because it is your effort to be pleasing to Him that is truly blessing me this day which in turn allows me to be a beffer/faithful servant to Him according to His will always!

When Christ was walking the earth He gave two commands. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind..You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 37, 39). Unfortunately many churches have replaced these with so many legalistic rules, traditions and regulations that these greatest of commandments gets lost.

That is so true, in fact with some modern day Christians you would not guess that Jesus taught about the importance of loving one another.

My daughter was baptized in the Mormon Church and about three weeks later they called her and asked her to do it again. Apparently when they did the ceremony she raised the wrong hand and so it did not take.

I had to laugh at that one... unbelievable.