True Religion

[Whitacre_Girl]

I posted this, and I thought I’d run it through here and see what other Catholics thought about it.

Religion:

Main Entry: re·li·gion
Function: noun
1 a : the state of a religious b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2 : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3 archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness
4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

This is the meaning of the English word “religion” as defined by Mirriam-Webster’s online dictionary. There is no need here for any language studies, since it is from the english word that people have been taking stabs at the church. For my purposes today, this accepted definition of the word will suffice.

It seems people have been using this word a lot, specifically in regards to the church, to tell me why exactly we “miss the point.” If one focuses on, to the exclusion of all others, the second definition of the word this may work.

" A personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices"

If one is following ONLY a personal or institutionalized system of beliefs, and focuses on this to the exclusion of all others, then I can see how the way the word is commonly twisted by many evangelical preachers may hold true. I know how it works, it seems people forget I was in that circle for many years. In order to convert people who have a bad taste of “religion” in their mouths, which more than likely came from a stringent belief system forced on them by a demanding family, the meaning of the word “religion” is twisted to describe the faith they have shoved on them. Then the word “relationship” is interjected to show that Jesus seeks relationship. I hope to show that the true meaning of “religion” is synonymous with “relationship.” if not, in fact, relationship is defined by religion altogether.

Main Entry: re·la·tion·ship
1 : the state of being related or interrelated
2 : the relation connecting or binding participants in a relationship: as a : kinship b : a specific instance or type of kinship
3 a : a state of affairs existing between those having relations or dealings b : a romantic or passionate attachment

This works in the context of Jesus if we use specifically the third definition (although the first two apply to the trinity as well):

“a state of affairs existing between those having relations or dealings.”

But what is that state of affairs? We can pull from scripture on that: Deuteronomy 6:13, Deuteronomy 10:12, Deuteronomy 13:4 all deal with serving God. Matthew 4:10 is a statement by Jesus quite clearly that we worship and serve only God. James chapter one even discusses the topic of religion itself. Scripture makes it quite clear that we worship and serve God by following his commands, as well as by loving him. Especially since some of his commands deal specifically with love of God and love of others. Joshua 22:5

“But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you: to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to obey his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul.”

We are to walk in his ways, we are to obey his commands (including those that mean to love), and serve him. These are all things included in the deifnition of “religion” as well.

I am religious.

1. I am in the service and worship of the most Holy God. I have a commitment and devotion to follow him in love and obedience.
2. I have an institutionalized set of beliefs that have been laid down by God in Holy Scriptures, and have been continued by the universal church that Christ established. I obey these so as to be obedient to God and his commands.
3. I am conscientious of God’s law, as David says in Psalm 119:12

“My soul is consumed with longing for your laws at all times.”

Or Psalm 119:105

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

1. I serve the cause of the Gospel with love and faith. I derive my principles from the love of God, and his commands. I hold to my system of belief (faith) with love and devotion.

THIS is true religion. When we examine the meaning of the word “religion” as defined in the English language with the faith that Christ preaches, we find truth, love and freedom. We are called to love others, and to love God. Loving God means an obedience, as does that in any relationship. I love my husband, therefore I am obedient to him. He may ask of me things that make no sense, but I follow that because I love him. The same is true of God and his laws. I follow his law and love the law because I love him. When you love God, following the law is only natural. Therefore, love of God (relationship) is necessary for religion in the first place, but is also part of the definition of religion as well:

" a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith" (emphasis mine)

Main Entry: ar·dor
1 a : an often restless or transitory warmth of feeling b : extreme vigor or energy : intensity c : zeal d : loyalty
2 : sexual excitement

In this case, the first definition is the only applicable and appropriate one A restless OR (not also) transitory warmth of feeling. Extreme Vigor. Intensity. Zeal. Loyalty. Otherwise known as “love.” I love the Gospel. I love Christ. To love Christ is to have TRUE religion as is defined by the standard of the english language.

All quotes are from NIV, as this was written to a largely protestant audience. I also want to add that this is why I am offended when christians claim to “hate religion” because according to the very definition of the word they “hate the service and worship of God.”

 

[James_S_Saint]

They have been programmed to hate ORGANIZED Religion, to hate grouping.

That was done so as to free them into being consumed into a new grouping, a new religion not called religion. Their complaint is of “older organized religions” (despite what they might say or think).

 

[rskempf]

Is this evidence of the “divide and conquer” strategy often employed by the evil one?

 

[James_S_Saint]

Is this evidence of the “divide and conquer” strategy often employed by the evil one?

You need more evidence???

Look at every broken marriage since 1970. Look at the averages before 1970.

 

[Whitacre_Girl]

You need more evidence???

Look at every broken marriage since 1970. Look at the averages before 1970.

The thing I find truly frustrating is that we all know satan thrives of breaking unity. This is why I am left puzzled by those who are fighting to create MORE disunity by twisting terms like this…

 

[James_S_Saint]

The thing I find truly frustrating is that we all know satan thrives of breaking unity. This is why I am left puzzled by those who are fighting to create MORE disunity by twisting terms like this…

Disunity is the function of “Demon” (de-mon, de-monolith, de-unify).

The effort to deunify, to use demons, is the effort to break up orders that exist today so that the broken up clay can be dissolved in water (issues) and then be reformed into a new statue of Mankind.

It is an effort to redesign Mankind by dissolving existing Mankind first. They called it a “new paradigm”.

My serious question is why the Church isn’t doing anything about it. I can’t tell for sure whether they just don’t understand what to do or whether they just don’t want to do anything about it. I prefer to believe the former to the latter, but I can’t discern which is true. Until I can resolve that one issue, I can’t subscribe to being Catholic myself.

It is a little hard for me to believe that Jesus “would” not prevent the situation or actually circumvent it. The ability is within the Church, so I’m still at a loss as to why it continues.

“That which remains in Harmony CANNOT perish.” I would think that would be enough of a hint.

 

[Whitacre_Girl]

Disunity is the function of “Demon” (de-mon, de-monolith, de-unify).

The effort to deunify, to use demons, is the effort to break up orders that exist today so that the broken up clay can be dissolved in water (issues) and then be reformed into a new statue of Mankind.

It is an effort to redesign Mankind by dissolving existing Mankind first. They called it a “new paradigm”.

My serious question is why the Church isn’t doing anything about it. I can’t tell for sure whether they just don’t understand what to do or whether they just don’t want to do anything about it. I prefer to believe the former to the latter, but I can’t discern which is true. Until I can resolve that one issue, I can’t subscribe to being Catholic myself.

It is a little hard for me to believe that Jesus “would” not prevent the situation or actually circumvent it. The ability is within the Church, so I’m still at a loss as to why it continues.

“That which remains in Harmony CANNOT perish.” I would think that would be enough of a hint.

I find it interesting that this is why you feel you can’t be catholic. I was a member of a protestant church, and one f the MANY reasons I left for the catholic church is I felt they were the only ones actually trying to do anything to heal the divisions. They pray for unity, work towards it through trying to maintain open dialogue. shrugs The church I was in refused to even acknowledge that there was a disunity, and ignored the elephant in the room. If anyone was “too different” they weren’t christians and therefore there was no disunity.

 

[James_S_Saint]

I find it interesting that this is why you feel you can’t be catholic. I was a member of a protestant church, and one f the MANY reasons I left for the catholic church is I felt they were the only ones actually trying to do anything to heal the divisions. They pray for unity, work towards it through trying to maintain open dialogue. shrugs The church I was in refused to even acknowledge that there was a disunity, and ignored the elephant in the room. If anyone was “too different” they weren’t christians and therefore there was no disunity.

Haha…

Yeah well, I can agree with that too. But if they are attempting to create Harmony, yet cannot see how, I have to wonder exactly who they are worshiping. I am not a member of any of those Protestant churches either. I agree that they tend to merely protect the clique rather than display the courage inherent in knowing how to cause harmony.

On another thread, I asked about how this particular Catholic (being raised and married to Catholic) could have become a Mormon. No one answered my query.

 

[Whitacre_Girl]

Haha…

Yeah well, I can agree with that too. But if they are attempting to create Harmony, yet cannot see how, I have to wonder exactly who they are worshiping. I am not a member of any of those Protestant churches either. I agree that they tend to merely protect the clique rather than display the courage inherent in knowing how to cause harmony.

On another thread, I asked about how this particular Catholic (being raised and married to Catholic) could have become a Mormon. No one answered my query.

Actually the problem here is that most protestant divisions are apathetic. They just don’t care about unity, they don’t see the big deal. The catholic church is creating discussions, and working towards unity, with other churches just not really caring. Unfortunatly, it takes two sides to admit the division, and be willing to work for unity.

As to the mormon thing, I must have missed that thread. But when it comes to answering these types of questions, there are too many unknown variables…

 

[James_S_Saint]

Actually the problem here is that most protestant divisions are apathetic.

I’m not concerned with the Protestants or Atheists. I know why they are doing what they are doing. I AM concerned however why the Catholic is NOT doing what would bring harmony, but rather doing things that seem to merely support or maintain disharmony.

I don’t require that a Church be perfect. I don’t even require that Jesus be perfect to earn all of my love. But I do have a concern on the harmony issue involving all of Mankind and thus I look to those who are supposed to be causing such harmony yet don’t seem to be able. I have no intend on changing them. I just want to see where they stand and why.

The world (or a Church) doesn’t have to be perfect for it to become perfect. And more importantly, it doesn’t have to be perfect to allow perfection to be born into it. I suspect the latter to be more the issue with the Church, seeing how it seems to want to be a “Mother” and/or a “Bride”.

 

[Whitacre_Girl]

What do you think that church is not doing that would bring harmony?

 

[James_S_Saint]

What do you think that church is not doing that would bring harmony?

In short - demonstrating its cause (the cause of harmony), followed by clear explanation when asked.

The Church has the ability to put together a very real demonstration of the Son of God. People believe what they see even when they want to deny it. But the truth is that after enough people see it, no one will be wanting to deny it. One doesn’t turn down the answer to all of ones hopes when it is made so imminently clear.

 

[donsnow]

Hi, Whitacre_Girl -

The Lord said through one of his OT prophets, or words to this effect, “True religion is this, to walk before the Lord thy God with a contrite heart and a humble spirit; and the care of the orphan and widow.”

Your definition expands from that. I have no argument with what you wrote nor with our Catholic Church.

Don