Why I don't like organised religion

[DBurrage]

I'm one of the many followers of Jesus.
Despite being a follower of Jesus, I don't like organised religion.

Part of the reason for this is purely based on my own experience at a Hillsong 'Church' here in the UK, which you can read about in the 'Hillsong a cult?' thread I made.

Mostly though I don't like organised religion because of what it does.
Organised religion takes your belief in God and your faith is Jesus, your core beliefs, and wraps these core beliefs in ceremony, pomposity, dogma and tradition.

Unless you take the time to properly study the Bible for yourself, as I have, you will not spot the false teaching and dogma, and you will interpret pomposity and ceremony as some kind of Biblical requirement

The pope, Church elders, the requirement to give money to your Church to fund a lavish lifestyle for your pastor, the belief that the Earth is at the centre of the universe.
I could go on.

So much dogma and tradition has come about throughout history that has absolutely no Biblical foundation whatsoever.

I refuse to attach my relationship with Jesus to any Church, to any group of people or to any dogmatic and false beliefs, and so I have nothing to do with organised religion.

 

[DBurrage]

Thanks to the CC team for approving this thread

 

[Adstar]

Well i became a Christian when i was in my early 20's and never could find a church that was in total agreement with the Gospel so i have not joined any church..

There are what i call Core doctrines of salvational importance. That simply cannot be compromised for anything or anyone.. And then there are disputable matters that i believe will not effect salvation..

Wisdom is with the one who understands the difference and knows when to break fellowship and transform into a witness for the Gospel and when to remain in fellowship and discuss the different P.O.V on the matters if difference.

 

[DBurrage]

Well i became a Christian when i was in my early 20's and never could find a church that was in total agreement with the Gospel so i have not joined any church..

There are what i call Core doctrines of salvational importance. That simply cannot be compromised for anything or anyone.. And then there are disputable matters that i believe will not effect salvation..

Wisdom is with the one who understands the difference and knows when to break fellowship and transform into a witness for the Gospel and when to remain in fellowship and discuss the different P.O.V on the matters if difference.

Yep, this is one of the more general points about organised religion that I don't like:
Modern organised religion is basically a guy telling you about his own interpretation, rather than you actually learning and forming your own opinion.

 

[Adstar]

Yep, this is one of the more general points about organised religion that I don't like:
Modern organised religion is basically a guy telling you about his own interpretation, rather than you actually learning and forming your own opinion.

Well... In truth we should not be forming out own opinions.. We should be being guided by the Holy Spirit so that we are given the correct interpretation by the LORD.. If that guy formed his own opinion and those opinions are not to be trusted because the man is imperfect then would not forming ones own opinion have the same outcome seeing that we are all the same ... imperfect?

 

[DBurrage]

Well... In truth we should not be forming out own opinions.. We should be being guided by the Holy Spirit so that we are given the correct interpretation by the LORD.. If that guy formed his own opinion and those opinions are not to be trusted because the man is imperfect then would not forming ones own opinion have the same outcome seeing that we are all the same ... imperfect?

That is what I meant, I just worded it differently.

Too many Christians are willing to be guided by people who claim to have been guided by the Holy Spirit, but some people who claim this have not been guided by the Holy Spirit.

This is one of the reasons why modern Christianity is made up of different denominations and different groups preaching different interpretations.

People should read the Bible for themselves.

 

[Adstar]

That is what I meant, I just worded it differently.

Too many Christians are willing to be guided by people who claim to have been guided by the Holy Spirit, but some people who claim this have not been guided by the Holy Spirit.

This is one of the reasons why modern Christianity is made up of different denominations and different groups preaching different interpretations.

People should read the Bible for themselves.

We are in agreement..

 

[Dino246]

You'll never find a church that "perfectly" interprets and expresses the gospel as you understand it. Unless, of course, you start one, but those typically turn into cults within a decade or two.

The problem is that churches are comprised of individuals, and individuals don't always agree on interpretational matters. You could disagree over whether to use crackers or bread cubes for communion, and have a breach in fellowship over that. Yes, it's petty, but people really do argue--sometimes vehemently--over petty issues.

Those who choose to eschew regular attendance at a local church have two insurmountable problems: violation of scriptural teaching that is consistently group-oriented and loss of relational support (and with it, accountability).

There is a large contingent of people who church-hop, staying at a fellowship for a year or three until they find something (usually minor) objectionable or they get offended by some (usually minor) issue. Though common, these are the most difficult to correct because they will not submit to correction; they just leave.

In summary, you can make every argument you like about not attending a church fellowship regularly, but you can't make a sound, biblically defensible case for doing so, unless you can't travel even a few blocks, or there isn't any Christian fellowship in your area.

 

[Ruby123]

I go to church for the fellowship with other believers. I enjoy the music as well. The teaching and the guidance however is strictly between the Lord and I. I have been disappointed too many times with churches.

 

[garee]

I'm one of the many followers of Jesus.
Despite being a follower of Jesus, I don't like organised religion.

Part of the reason for this is purely based on my own experience at a Hillsong 'Church' here in the UK, which you can read about in the 'Hillsong a cult?' thread I made.

Mostly though I don't like organised religion because of what it does.
Organised religion takes your belief in God and your faith is Jesus, your core beliefs, and wraps these core beliefs in ceremony, pomposity, dogma and tradition.

Unless you take the time to properly study the Bible for yourself, as I have, you will not spot the false teaching and dogma, and you will interpret pomposity and ceremony as some kind of Biblical requirement

The pope, Church elders, the requirement to give money to your Church to fund a lavish lifestyle for your pastor, the belief that the Earth is at the centre of the universe.
I could go on.

So much dogma and tradition has come about throughout history that has absolutely no Biblical foundation whatsoever.

I refuse to attach my relationship with Jesus to any Church, to any group of people or to any dogmatic and false beliefs, and so I have nothing to do with organized religion.

Jesus refused the same. His food or driving strengthening force was to do the will of Father not seen .(faith) it worked in Jesus the Son of man to both will and please the father. Just as with us today .

I would agree and add to be careful to not throw the baby out (organized religion) with the water of the word . But rather organized religion as the gospel does it work .

Like for instance. The words "Lazarus rise" are shown as Spirit and life giving. But he gave the honor to the believers to remove the grave cloths signified by the flesh, .

Religion is simply what one believes, a bias.

Atheism is a religion that proudly says there is no God. (No faith) God calls them fools

Religion that God puts his seal of approval on is given in James .

James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

In the parable above, The Holy Spirit uses the fatherless as orphans and the widows as un married to represent the bride of Christ. Previously having no heavenly father as widows. . not married to our husband Christ.

We have a special honor to that family made up of many lively stones that does make up the spiritual unseen house of God the church.

Just keep doing the works of building up the body of the fatherless and widows .

As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. Galaiatians 6:10

 

[Demi777]

Ive spent a lot of energy on looking for an church...seen a lot because of that
I think some measure of organisation is necissary. But I agree that many overdo it and do more harm than good and compromise too much

 

[garee]

Most Christian I have met simply disregard the work of the reformation . Like it never happened .Giving more mind to the 15 century reformation, carbon copy by the same father of lies. .

Removing the outward face of the flesh, a pagan foundation, the abomination of desolation . .

God is not a man.

One thing to remember is when two or three are gather together under the authority of as it is written (sola scriptura)

Christ is there working in their bodies of death teaching gilding comforting and brining to mind the things he has taught us. .

Two or three make up a family or a sect. two or three make up a nation.

 

[DBurrage]

I go to church for the fellowship with other believers. I enjoy the music as well. The teaching and the guidance however is strictly between the Lord and I. I have been disappointed too many times with churches.

I know what you mean about being disappointed by Churches and some of the people in them.

 

[CharliRenee]

Church can be a huge blessing.

Singing to the Lord with others, yup good stuff.

Taking a moment to smile at brothers and sisters, yup 😀

My church is more like a bible study and I almost always see something new in the word that I hadn't. It is good not to limit our understanding to just our own resources and interpretations.

I don't always agree, but that is to be expected. We don't have to agree perfectly to remain in unity.

Communion with the body of Christ, wow what a beautiful blessing to partake.

I am not serving in my church right now, but I think this is def one of the best reasons to go to church. After all, we are called to serve our family in Christ.

I do not always go, but I think it a good practice when I do.

The nice thing about there being so many different kinds of churches is we can look around, asking Him to help guide our steps. A good church home can provide healthy Christ centered fellowship and even better, it can
help build and ignite our faith.

 

[Dave-L]

Church can be a huge blessing.

Singing to the Lord with others, yup good stuff.

Taking a moment to smile at brothers and sisters, yup 😀

My church is more like a bible study and I almost always see something new in the word that I hadn't. It is good not to limit our understanding to just our own resources and interpretations.

I don't always agree, but that is to be expected. We don't have to agree perfectly to remain in unity.

Communion with the body of Christ, wow what a beautiful blessing to partake.

I am not serving in my church right now, but I think this is def one of the best reasons to go to church. After all, we are called to serve our family in Christ.

I do not always go, but I think it a good practice when I do.

The nice thing about there being so many different kinds of churches is we can look around, asking Him to help guide our steps. A good church home can provide healthy Christ centered fellowship and even better, it can
help build and ignite our faith.

I think we can learn from all churches. Each seems to have its piece of the puzzle squared away. Most of what I learned came from a broad swath of Christendom. But I've not settled down on any as having completed the puzzle.

 

[Magenta]

We are not called to be religious, but to be in relationship, first with God through the reconciliation offered by grace through faith in the shed righteous blood of Christ on the cross, and secondly with others in the Body of Christ, which is the church.

 

[Nehemiah6]

Despite being a follower of Jesus, I don't like organised religion.

Well you can always choose to have DISORGANIZED religion (including people jumping around and laughing their heads off for no reason during a service).

The complaint about *organized religion* generally comes from unbelievers, who are actually avoiding other issues. It also comes from those who do not wish to shoulder their personal responsibility within their churches, and prefer to be onlookers.

Apart from the way in which denominations are managing their affairs and departing from the Bible, the New Testament churches were taught to do everything decently and in order. That means there was a level of organization within each church, with elders, deacons, provisions for widows and orphans, the observance of the ordinances of the Lord's Supper and baptism, Christian giving, missionaries, etc. At the same time the working of the Holy Spirit within the churches was not to be restricted in any way.

 

[MattforJesus]

1Co 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
1Co 14:33 For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints.

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.

1Co 12:27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
1Co 12:28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

Christianity in the truth is organized for it is not chaotic.

But not organized for the love of money, and self exaltation, and control.

 

[DBurrage]

Well you can always choose to have DISORGANIZED religion (including people jumping around and laughing their heads off for no reason during a service).

The complaint about *organized religion* generally comes from unbelievers, who are actually avoiding other issues. It also comes from those who do not wish to shoulder their personal responsibility within their churches, and prefer to be onlookers.

Apart from the way in which denominations are managing their affairs and departing from the Bible, the New Testament churches were taught to do everything decently and in order. That means there was a level of organization within each church, with elders, deacons, provisions for widows and orphans, the observance of the ordinances of the Lord's Supper and baptism, Christian giving, missionaries, etc. At the same time the working of the Holy Spirit within the churches was not to be restricted in any way.

The way I choose to look at it is that there are the core beliefs, then there is the surrounding traditions, ceremony and dogma.
It is the surrounding traditions, ceremony and dogma that I class as 'religion'.

I have my faith in Jesus and my belief in God, but I reject all of the extra filler that many people choose to wrap around their beliefs.

 

[p_rehbein]

I refuse to attach my relationship with Jesus to any Church, to any group of people or to any dogmatic and false beliefs, and so I have nothing to do with organised religion.

So, lessee, according to this statement............... you refuse to proclaim you are a part of the One Church, a part of the Body of Christ?

Mayhaps you should rethink what ORGANIZED religion you are speaking of. Possibly you just went to the wrong Church? Seems you went directly to a "feel good" group rather than a Church/Congregation that Preaches/Teaches the Gospel of Christ.

And, just so you know, by making that proclamation you are in violation of Scripture, and that ain't really a good thing is it?

1 Corinthians, Chapter 14, verse 40:
Let all things be done decently and in order.

Rather than TRASH ALL CHURCHES, you should lessen your damnation of them. and just speak of the one(s) you have actually attended, since you have ZERO idea how ALL Church Congregations worship.