"I have no religion, I just follow Jesus and His Word"

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Genesis315

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When did this notion become en vogue?

First off, these people do have a religion. But most importantly, this kind of thing is completely unScriptural. Nowhere in the Bible do we see anything to even hint that we should be just flying solo with our Bible. I mean, deacons, presbyters/elders, bishops, and priests are all in the Bible. This seems like community organization to me. The Apostles encourage people to “tell the church.” If you’re flying solo, who do you tell? Do these people who are flying solo “break the bread” alone or do they just disregard that command of Jesus?

So here’s my question, where do people come up with this stuff?
 
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Genesis315:
When did this notion become en vogue?

First off, these people do have a religion. But most importantly, this kind of thing is completely unScriptural. Nowhere in the Bible do we see anything to even hint that we should be just flying solo with our Bible. I mean, deacons, presbyters/elders, bishops, and priests are all in the Bible. This seems like community organization to me. The Apostles encourage people to “tell the church.” If you’re flying solo, who do you tell? Do these people who are flying solo “break the bread” alone or do they just disregard that command of Jesus?

So here’s my question, where do people come up with this stuff?
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It’s just the next step from Sola Scriptura… If all we need is the Bible, what do we need to belong to a church for?
 
It’s the American Way: freedom, independence, and all that Lone Ranger Cowboy stuff. 😃
 
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Lazerlike42:
It’s just the next step from Sola Scriptura… If all we need is the Bible, what do we need to belong to a church for?
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Yep, your right, its the next step in the watering down of the faith.
I call it Luther’s dream come true.
 
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Genesis315:
So here’s my question, where do people come up with this stuff?
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Most people I know who have this idea, have it because they have been a part of a church, or several and have seen what goes on. They feel that cant be what God intended for His people, and they figure it is better to go it alone than to burn with the masses.

cheddar
 
Catholic Dude:
Yep, your right, its the next step in the watering down of the faith.
I call it Luther’s dream come true.
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i really don’t think it was “luther’s dream” considering he never had a desire to break from the church.
 
“I have no religion, I just follow Jesus and His Word”

oh, then you must believe in the real presence, the papacy, apostolic sucession, the one visible church, the inerrancy of scripture, the infallibility of the magesterium (personified in the pope in matters of faith and morals)…in other words, you must be catholic. then why aren’t you obeying Christ and becoming a part of His body?

i guess that would be my response to a statement like that. 👍
 
This described my husband to a tee (when we first met). He had some bad experiences in his church and it discusted him so that he left and decided he didn’t believe in Church. It seems that money was being horded away for a “rainy day” that he felt could have been useful to the youth group that he was a part of. It was like “maybe lightning will strike and we’ll need a new roof” and so on. We have so many needy kids in the area!

He was just as adament when I insisted that he attend church with me…but we have an awesome priest who gets out there and truly helps the community, and folks have been talking about “Father Ben” and what a great guy he is…Baptist folks mind you.

Last week my DH picked up a homelss couple walking down the road and they mentioned Father Ben…how he checks up on them and brings them food…this was very much impressed my Hubby, and now he says Father Ben is awesome, a good teacher and a Holy man.

Now he calls himself Batholic 😃
 
Batholic- I like that, I’ll have to use it (it does sound better than Captist)!
Here’s the way I look at it, I belong to a Christian denomination but see no problem with just following God’s word and not claiming a particular denomination. Isn’t that all there is going to be in Heaven? I don’t believe there is going to be different religions in Heaven. There will be no need for a priest or any other sacrament because we will be without sin and will be with God. It is great that we worship the Lord in this life in a way that keeps us close to Him, but this world and all that is in it is quickly fading away, but Heaven will last for eternity.
 
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amanda_nicole82:
… There will be no need for a priest or any other sacrament because we will be without sin and will be with God. It is great that we worship the Lord in this life in a way that keeps us close to Him, but this world and all that is in it is quickly fading away, but Heaven will last for eternity.
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but we aren’t there yet! the sacraments here on earth allow us to experience heaven now (as much as we can in this fallen world). so to not participate in them is to deny yourself heaven here and now.
 
If you look at the word, “religion” for what it’s worth, everyone, even an atheist has one. The word religion comes from the latin verb, “relegare”, which means “to bind together.” Whenever we practice something that expresses God or binds God to our lives, we’re practicing religion. A lot of people argue that the word religion is man-made baggage that’s been added to a simple saving gospel. That’s not true and it comes from people not knowing that much about language, especially where a lot of the words in their own language are derived from, so when they come across some long used yet long misunderstood or archaic language, especially the language of the church, then they tend to discard it in the “bad” pile of things, when really, they’re not bad at all, and in a lot of instances, they may practice it or actually be familiar with it, but just not know it. Take the word tradition. That word comes from the latin verb, “tradidere”, which means “to hand over”. That’s what tradition is, that which is handed down. A lot of these mistakes by people can be cleared up by taking a college Latin course, or even a Greek course or two. When people say that they don’t follow religion, but follow a faith, then they’re just showing ignorance.
 
I once debated with an atheist for hours trying to get him to admit that he had a religion. I can’t stand it when people have to have it their way that they won’t admit something so simple.

According to the dictionary, atheism IS a religion. He wouldn’t hear it.
 
Here in the south they call themselves “Golden Rule-ers”.

I can’t say that their way is any better or worse than anyone elses. I’ve met many a church go-er who dosen’t live the word but still shows up on Sunday, and then I’ve met many a golden rule-er who never showes up on Sunday but lives the word.

I guess there is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it ill behooves any of us to find fault with the rest of us.

God Bless.
 
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cheddarsox:
Most people I know who have this idea, have it because they have been a part of a church, or several and have seen what goes on. They feel that cant be what God intended for His people, and they figure it is better to go it alone than to burn with the masses.

cheddar
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You’re right - but how weak and selfish is that? One observes a problem with the Church and instead of trying to help change the problem for everyone’s benefit, some will run from the problem and accomplish nothing. I repeat: weak.

Phil
 
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Genesis315:
When did this notion become en vogue?

First off, these people do have a religion. But most importantly, this kind of thing is completely unScriptural. Nowhere in the Bible do we see anything to even hint that we should be just flying solo with our Bible. I mean, deacons, presbyters/elders, bishops, and priests are all in the Bible. This seems like community organization to me. The Apostles encourage people to “tell the church.” If you’re flying solo, who do you tell? Do these people who are flying solo “break the bread” alone or do they just disregard that command of Jesus?

So here’s my question, where do people come up with this stuff?
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Most have seen churches splinter and fight and do really stupid things with their hard-earned money. They have seen pastors step down for infidelity or the deacons. They have seen the churchgo-ers do the exact opposite of what Christ told them to do.

It’s not that they are hypocrites. They observe the community of believers - notice the faults and breakdown of it and “go solo”. So, that’s a few reasons. Now for something else.

They ask themselves if Christ would rather have them be a part of a heretical, backstabbing bunch of sinners or do the best they can on their own. They come to a logical conclusion that solo is the holiest way to go. And it is logical if you think about it.

Some also listen to what is preached from the pulpit and notice that it is full of worldliness, unholy and smacks Christ in the face. Another good reason to not be a part of a church.

There are myriad reasons. Some are justifiable - others are not. Point being - it’s inevitably up to the person and Christ as to the condition of their soul. I wouldn’t be so quick to judge.

Peace…
 
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Philthy:
You’re right - but how weak and selfish is that? One observes a problem with the Church and instead of trying to help change the problem for everyone’s benefit, some will run from the problem and accomplish nothing. I repeat: weak.

Phil
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I would agree that we are to come together to worship. However, there comes a time when error is rampant that we must warn our brother and then if he won’t listen to have nothing to do with him.

What do you do when you know your church is full of error and they won’t listen? There comes a time when we should separate.

Peace
 
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bengal_fan:
i really don’t think it was “luther’s dream” considering he never had a desire to break from the church.
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He changed over the years initially he desried to reform within but he became hardened in his views and did things he knew would break the church. He was not in the dark he knew he was excommunicating himself with his extreme actions.

But your right on one thing Luther’s dream was not thousands of denoms as he couldn’t stand the other protestants even in own day.
 
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Maccabees:
He changed over the years initially he desried to reform within but he became hardened in his views and did things he knew would break the church. He was not in the dark he knew he was excommunicating himself with his extreme actions.

But your right on one thing Luther’s dream was not thousands of denoms as he couldn’t stand the other protestants even in own day.
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he didn’t really excommunicate himself. the church authorities did that for him. he wanted to reform the church. some of his arguments were right on, others were not. unfortunately, no one was willing to debate or discuss it with him. he was ordered to simply recant which he could not in good conscience do (i wonder if i could if the present authorities were selling indulgences…thank God i am not faced with that decision as our church has stopped that horrendous practice). therefore, he continued in his own teaching (which was wrong of him). yes, he later became hardened because he saw no attempt by the heirarchy to stop things which were wrong. he was wrong also, but there is fault on both sides. i think they all will be held accountable in the end.
 
I read something, several years ago, that got a grin out of me. A secular historian, describing a period in Church history [probably “the religion of the ruler is our religion” *cuis regio…something] noted that some people of faith looked around at what was happening and “…decided to row their own religious canoe.”

How apt for our times.😃

I mean, it’s either someone* literally* clanging cymbals to
start the next hymn [during the meditative period after
communion…do you have any idea what that does to
the nervous system], Churches that have the ambience
of bingo halls [after bingo is sternly shut down by the
righteous members of the parish…never mind that it was
a way to ask people: “Is your mother feeling any better…”
and provided a time to socialize for some who were
lonely] or potted plants where the votive candles used
to be…we musn’t have a physical way for people to
pray for their sick or dead…never mind that we were
created body and soul…scriptural translations that
include “…in the place where traveller’s stay…”
instead of the lovely word “inn.”
I don’t protest the theology as much as the banality.

What frosted it for me was a Thanksgiving Day Mass
sermon, that turned the turkey to ashes in my mouth,
later in the day.
Along with many others, we’d contributed to the local
rescue mission, but when the priest got done with
his sermon, I felt guilty for even having a turkey.
[And I had just started going back to Mass, after a 15 year
hiatus…]

“To h*** with this” I thought, and I’ve been rowing
my own canoe ever since.
:…the place where traveller’s stay…" was a close
runner up, in the canoe department.]

Rowing along, saying my prayers, with not
a cymbal in sight…
To me, these are not serious people.
And life is serious.

Where is Jesus, with the cord from His garment,
flailing away at those who have turned His Father’s
house into a playpen?

reen12

Qui tacit, consentire…“Who remains silent, lends assent.”
OR He/she who puts up with the above, lends assent,
by their presence?
 
Hello all;

IMHO, the phrase “I have no religion, I just follow Jesus and His Word” is secret code for “I’m a Baptist.” 😃
 
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