Why is "Religion" Hated so Much?

[fisherman_carl]

From what I have heard from those who say Christianity is not a religion, is that religion is man trying to reach God, but Christianity is God trying to reach man. So I guess you can say they think Christianity has a kind of special status. First because it is true and second because it is God directly intervening by God himself becoming man to save us from our sins.

They may think a religion sounds more like an imposed external belief system, whereas a personal relationship is an internal and intimate knowledge of.

It all depends on how they define the terms they are using. Given how they define their terms we may agree with some of their conclusions. However, their definitions do not equate to ours so that the terms do not equate.

For instance if they are saying a more intimate knowledge of Christ is preferred to a merely external or intellectual knowledge they would be correct in my opinion. However, if they are saying one can’t have both then I would disagree. Our knowledge of the Trinity for instance is not a personal intimate knowledge that can only be known through a personal revelation. It is a publicly revealed fact. There are lots of these kind of public revelations that are in a sense imposed on us. Yet they lead us away from falsehood into truth about the nature of God. To reject this revelation simply because of its source is to throw out the baby with the bath water.

 

[Midwest88]

1. Some people believe religion is behind most, or at least many, wars and other conflicts, so they reject it and actively speak against it. But let’s not forget that there are people out there who pose as regular people online (called “astro turf”) who are actually paid or who are part of a group that wants to spread the “I hate religion and you should to” idea to others. It’s like advertising.

I’ve had a strong suspicion of such activity. I knew something was up - I use to be “from the other side”, yet not as bitter - and in my experience has been that sites that do not fellow such beliefs and politics tend to be swamped with, erm, trolls and guests whose main agenda is to gain new supporters of their agenda

A) through sympathy (Why do you hate us?) or

B) through condescending manner (The world has moved on and is tired with your antics. Time to join the rest of the modern world or be isolated in your archaic worldviews,).

I have not experienced this type of “swarming” when I posted on “tolerant” sites. If there were visitors of the other persuasion the numbers weren’t even close. I just came to the conclusion that such people are really bitter or just plain neurotic.

 

[Midwest88]

It consistently leads to conflict
It provides justification for war and oppression
It holds back human kind in terms of scientific and philosophical advancement
It’s repressive
It can be immoral
Belief in it can cause innocent death
It makes people think they’re better than others
It’s used for control

Seriously?

 

[univac]

We need to remember the Holy of Holly’s vial got torn into two when our Lord Jesus died for us. The Holy Spirit now convicts us of our sin. The law of God is not without but within. The external temple of God has been torn down and internal temple of God dwells within us in spirit and truth. Did the disciples have a personal relationship with Lord Jesus? and did no our Lord say when told by His disciples these people are expelling demons in your name but they are not with us? Lord Jesus said leave them alone who is with us is not against us. This applies to us today.
We have a relationship with our Father and Lord Jesus and the Love we Have for them we have for each other in fellowship. Remember the Law of God is inscribed on our hearts and God’s Holy Spirit dwells in us and we have 1 John 1;9 when we sin.
Without the meaning through reconciliation there is no creation.

In Jesus name

 

[LittleSoldier]

Hi, everyone. I’m sorry I started the thread and then kind of disappeared; there was a death in my family and so everything else got pushed aside.

I will be reading the posts tomorrow as some are very long and have links, which I very much appreciate. This is a topic that has concerned and confused me for some time. I’ve never had what I’ve felt is an adequate response when someone says she hates religion but loves Jesus.

Thanks to everyone; I will be back tomorrow.

 

[Country_Gal]

I became alienated with the Church because of many factors. It seemed like the priest was neurotic and vindictive, for one thing. I didn’t see much difference in either myself, nor in others, resulting from church participation. I felt let down by the amount of backbiting and hypocrisy I saw. Some of the people most eager to be in control of a committee or group seemed like the least spiritual. The quiet, prayerful ones didn’t seem to have much influence.

These factors all combined to turn me away from the Church, and even make me hostile at times.

 

[crazzeto]

I became alienated with the Church because of many factors. It seemed like the priest was neurotic and vindictive, for one thing. I didn’t see much difference in either myself, nor in others, resulting from church participation. I felt let down by the amount of backbiting and hypocrisy I saw. Some of the people most eager to be in control of a committee or group seemed like the least spiritual. The quiet, prayerful ones didn’t seem to have much influence.

These factors all combined to turn me away from the Church, and even make me hostile at times.

I’m praying for you, this sounds like a terrible experience and there is no excusing it. That said, Christ did found the Catholic Church, and she is His work of love. I pray you are able to forgive, and come back one day. There are fantastic parishes out there too, believe me my wife and I are in one now, and have many others we could choose from if we wished.

 

[searching59]

Seriously?

Yep

 

[Atticus_Sparrow]

I used to kinda feel this way before I converted.

Why? Well, one big reason is what many people see as hypocrisy. Coming out of an evangelical tradition, seeing a preacher in a mansion, wearing Rolex watches and diamond rings, really infuriated me. Especially when they wanted more money. They weren’t doing anything with the money but funding a lavish lifestyle.

Then there was the congregation. People who treated church like it was high school for adults. Full of cliques, in-fighting, snobbery and back-biting. It was toxic.

At first you feel like you don’t need a church to be close to God, because look at those sitting in the pews. They’re as far from God as can be. but you start drifting further and further away because you’re not feeding your soul at all. It really caused me to eventually lose faith altogether for a time.

 

[crazzeto]

I used to kinda feel this way before I converted.

Why? Well, one big reason is what many people see as hypocrisy. Coming out of an evangelical tradition, seeing a preacher in a mansion, wearing Rolex watches and diamond rings, really infuriated me. Especially when they wanted more money. They weren’t doing anything with the money but funding a lavish lifestyle.

Then there was the congregation. People who treated church like it was high school for adults. Full of cliques, in-fighting, snobbery and back-biting. It was toxic.

At first you feel like you don’t need a church to be close to God, because look at those sitting in the pews. They’re as far from God as can be. but you start drifting further and further away because you’re not feeding your soul at all. It really caused me to eventually lose faith altogether for a time.

Welcome home, and welcome to the forums. Great insight!

 

[Midwest88]

Yep

Now that’s funny.

 

[Domini_cane]

I have noticed a lot of people saying they have freed themselves from religion and are concentrating on a personal relationship with “their” Lord and Savior. I’ve seen it on Facebook and Youtube. To be honest, I am very confused. “Religion” appears to be something to be maligned, a prison, being stuck with a ton of rules, something from which to be escaped, a heavy burden while the burden of a Christian is light and easy to carry.

It wouldn’t concern me so much if I have not seen how many people, who claim to be Christians, hate religion. I don’t understand this. At all.

I haven’t been successful at finding any passages in Holy Scriptures that even use the word “religion” but I believe there is one and it mentions widows. If someone can name that passage I would appreciate it very much.

I’m wondering if the hatred of religion (or at least what many people think “religion” means) has something to do with the move towards that personal relationship with Jesus and a denial of a relationship with one’s brethren. This, to me, is a denial of Jesus’ second Great Commandment and the parable of the sheep and goats.

I would like to know of others’ thoughts on this issue. I have asked on another forum and was completely ignored.

Just what is “religion” and why is it hated by so many?

Are you talking about the “Jesus is my savior not my religion” Meme.

I have noticed that and it is bothering me.

 

[The_GreyPilgrim]

It consistently leads to conflict

Truth does have a way of upsetting people’s sensibilites and forcing them to see themselves as they really are. It also forces evil to have to face justice when wrong is done. It forces people i themselves to undergo conflict with their egos. The objection assumes all conflict is itself evil. Obviously the objection is absurd.

It provides justification for war and oppression

No, religion doesn’t do that, people do.

It holds back human kind in terms of scientific and philosophical advancement

Scientific pursuits were originally advanced by religious men. Your assertion doesn’t follow. Modern philosophical advancement is a joke when compared to ancient philosophies of Plato, Aristotle, and Thomas Aquinas. The quality of Philosophy has decreased with the increase of religious rejection in the last 100 or so years. Again, your objection doesn’t follow.

It’s repressive

That’s a political charge, not a philosophical one. Religion, and even Christianity itself, is too dynamic to be labeled as “repressive” or “progressive.”

It can be immoral

Wrong, religion cannot be immoral. People are immoral because religion doesn’t have a will, people do.

Belief in it can cause innocent death

So can belief in atheism, just look at the regimes of Hitler, Stalin, Pol Pot, and Mao Zedong. Again, its not the “religion”, its the persons choices that lead to the death of innocents. All you’re doing is equivocating…

It makes people think they’re better than others

If you knew anything about religion you’d know how absurd the charge is. Anyone who thinks because they are religious that they are better than others is being dishonest not only to themselves, but to religion. Yet again, its the fault of the person, not the religion.

It’s used for control

This charge is too vague to be answered much less actually true. Control who? How? For what end?
The charge assumes that control and order are inherently evil. How do you know? Why do you believe this?

 

[Holly3278]

One of my friends is very much against organized religion. He believes in God but he is against organized religion such as Christianity. The reason is because he thinks that Christians take too many rights away from people like him. He thinks that Christians restrict rights to things like abortion, various types of media, and such. He thinks that Christians are too pushy when it comes to their beliefs and that they shouldn’t “shove their beliefs down everyone’s throats”.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am all for restricting and even eliminating abortion. I am also completely for restricting certain types of media; namely pornography. I believe that there are some things that exist in our world which are gravely immoral and which should be eliminated. He thinks its wrong to do that. He thinks is a violation of his and others’ personal freedom.

 

[The_GreyPilgrim]

One of my friends is very much against organized religion. He believes in God but he is against organized religion such as Christianity. The reason is because he thinks that Christians take too many rights away from people like him. He thinks that Christians restrict rights to things like abortion, various types of media, and such. He thinks that Christians are too pushy when it comes to their beliefs and that they shouldn’t “shove their beliefs down everyone’s throats”.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I am all for restricting and even eliminating abortion. I am also completely for restricting certain types of media; namely pornography. I believe that there are some things that exist in our world which are gravely immoral and which should be eliminated. He thinks its wrong to do that. He thinks is a violation of his and others’ personal freedom.

What “god” does he believe in, the god of people’s desires and passions? His god sounds like a narcissistic fantasy.

 

[sirach2v4]

I have noticed a lot of people saying they have freed themselves from religion and are concentrating on a personal relationship with “their” Lord and Savior. I’ve seen it on Facebook and Youtube. To be honest, I am very confused. “Religion” appears to be something to be maligned, a prison, being stuck with a ton of rules, something from which to be escaped, a heavy burden while the burden of a Christian is light and easy to carry.

It wouldn’t concern me so much if I have not seen how many people, who claim to be Christians, hate religion. I don’t understand this. At all.

I haven’t been successful at finding any passages in Holy Scriptures that even use the word “religion” but I believe there is one and it mentions widows. If someone can name that passage I would appreciate it very much.

I’m wondering if the hatred of religion (or at least what many people think “religion” means) has something to do with the move towards that personal relationship with Jesus and a denial of a relationship with one’s brethren. This, to me, is a denial of Jesus’ second Great Commandment and the parable of the sheep and goats.

I would like to know of others’ thoughts on this issue. I have asked on another forum and was completely ignored.

Just what is “religion” and why is it hated by so many?

You must follow what each person says individually about religion – what they think it is. Then, you may find their misconception.

Jesus said that upon this rock he would build HIS church. There’s only one. We don’t pick and choose the terms.

Religion is ALL about any system of belief and discipline associated with it, including liturgy and worship. You must remember, Protestants look at religion and churches as a smorgasboard, where they pick and choose what they want. They are throwing “sola scriptura” in your face – where they interpret the Bible any which way they want.

You’re not on a level playing field with such people. You cannot tell them anything.

 

[The_GreyPilgrim]

Someone cited Webster’s earlier in the thread and I don’t know if the etymology that it cited was correct.

From those who I have spoken to the word “religion” has it’s root in the Latin “relatio” which is the same as relationship.

The idea being that religion IS a relationship, a relationship between us and God. It is the thing that bridges the infinite gap between God and ourselves. Without religion there is no “just me and God.”

Therefore the whole notion of God without religion is a lie.

 

[DebChris]

religion comes from the Latin religare
re=again ligare-to bind

In 1 Corinthian 12, St. Paul emphasizes how each of each is a member of the one body of Christ. “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.” (1 Cor 12:27). Through the Love of God, we are bound to Christ and to one another.

Those who accept Jesus Christ become part of a community of believer, a religion whether or not they are willing to accept that reality. We need each others support and encouragement as we struggle against the temptations we face along our individual spiritual journeys.

 

[LittleSoldier]

Are you talking about the “Jesus is my savior not my religion” Meme.

I have noticed that and it is bothering me.

It’s the “I hate religion and the only thing that is important to me is a *personal *relationship with *my * Lord and Savior.”

I used to think that way when I was young and knew everything. Then I realized that I had forgotten about my brethren and Jesus’ second Great Commandment.

Now I’m getting in to arguments (I’d like to call them respectful discussions but they aren’t) where I am told that Catholics are not brethren because Satan is our father and we are the spawn of hell and the Church is “religion” which is brainwashing weak people to believe in such heresies as the Real Presence, Sacraments, being saved by grace through faith apart from works (it’s really “faith alone”), and religion is bad but Christianity is great but I’m not a Christian because I’m Catholic.

Whew! I needed to get that off my chest!!

 

[LittleSoldier]

religion comes from the Latin religare
re=again ligare-to bind

In 1 Corinthian 12, St. Paul emphasizes how each of each is a member of the one body of Christ. “Now you are Christ’s body, and individually parts of it.” (1 Cor 12:27). Through the Love of God, we are bound to Christ and to one another.

Those who accept Jesus Christ become part of a community of believer, a religion whether or not they are willing to accept that reality. We need each others support and encouragement as we struggle against the temptations we face along our individual spiritual journeys.

Thank you for that info about the Latin! I didn’t know that!

We *are *bound to one another! The people I have met who claim to hate religion (which usually translates to the Catholic Church) emphasize a *personal *relationship with Jesus. They look upon religion as evil, a method of brainwashing, mind control, making people puppets by what are seen as rules and regulations that make no sense (such as abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent).