I'm glad that you are able to see it that way. What you said about Religion "isolating and destroying, leaving people wihtout the most important thing they will need when they die" ... that is what causes people to feel frustrated. Plus most religions claim to be right, so then at that point, many say "forget it!"
Especially if said people have been raised in a very staunch, work-based salvation environment, and they finally reach the point where they see what a waste of time and energy and life it has caused...it leaves a person feeling very burnt out, and wondering: "What WAS the point anyways? Was I really spending all that time pleasing people when I thought I was pleasing God?"
Amen, and amen. People live for years with an "Idea", only to find later in life they were going through the motions. This can be a horrific experience when this is realized.
We can almost feel ripped off, or deceived. We might search our hearts diligently finding that the concept we embraced was based upon a man's interpretation of what the Bible is saying, not what history, science or culture reveals.
So many easy studies can produce facts which can frighten us. Just look into the early Church, and our ways are certainly not their ways.
Amen, and amen. People live for years with an "Idea", only to find later in life they were going through the motions. This can be a horrific experience when this is realized.
We can almost feel ripped off, or deceived. We might search our hearts diligently finding that the concept we embraced was based upon a man's interpretation of what the Bible is saying, not what history, science or culture reveals.
So many easy studies can produce facts which can frighten us. Just look into the early Church, and our ways are certainly not their ways.
It's a scary thing to come to the realization that you were building a man's kingdom and not God's.
__________________
"If you're riding ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there."
No matter what it is, no matter what time frame we live in, whatever man touches, it ends up being corrupt.
You can slice it, dice it, prove it, live it, love it, leave it, but the bottom line is; We blow every, single, solitary thing to pieces, whether it's Religion, Politics, Corporations, Banking, you name it.
It can start out perfect, but eventually collapse and ruin take place.
Maybe if we would understand there is no such thing as Utopia on this Planet we might find more solid answers to our questions.
As long as a Faith claims, "We've GOT IT", the dive downward will continue because to believe you have IT is a LIE. When the pretty picture turns dirty, the energy to protect our "Heritage" can cause people to fall into Religious insanity, becoming brutal and mean, losing what we all need; Love and Mercy. The Scribes and Pharisees were the perfect models we can learn from, IF; we will stop putting God into our corner and confess we are a fallen bunch of individuals down here.
Come on Folks, admit it, the Bible does not bring Unity; it is the most divisive Book this World has ever seen. As long as we continue to believe otherwise in this Scriptural Utopia, thinking that a Group or Faith has found "What thus Saith the Lord" in writings that go any direction you want them to go, humanity will continue down this road of Fantasized Faith (We're right, you're wrong)
I think, and I know I don't have all the answers, but we need to fess up to the fact that there is NO ONE SINGLE DOCTRINE that carries all that we need to know. Even if we found it, we'd corrupt it.
Man is simply not capable of Pure Truth, and God knows this.
No matter what it is, no matter what time frame we live in, whatever man touches, it ends up being corrupt.
You can slice it, dice it, prove it, live it, love it, leave it, but the bottom line is; We blow every, single, solitary thing to pieces, whether it's Religion, Politics, Corporations, Banking, you name it.
It can start out perfect, but eventually collapse and ruin take place.
Maybe if we would understand there is no such thing as Utopia on this Planet we might find more solid answers to our questions.
As long as a Faith claims, "We've GOT IT", the dive downward will continue because to believe you have IT is a LIE. When the pretty picture turns dirty, the energy to protect our "Heritage" can cause people to fall into Religious insanity, becoming brutal and mean, losing what we all need; Love and Mercy. The Scribes and Pharisees were the perfect models we can learn from, IF; we will stop putting God into our corner and confess we are a fallen bunch of individuals down here.
Come on Folks, admit it, the Bible does not bring Unity; it is the most divisive Book this World has ever seen. As long as we continue to believe otherwise in this Scriptural Utopia, thinking that a Group or Faith has found "What thus Saith the Lord" in writings that go any direction you want them to go, humanity will continue down this road of Fantasized Faith (We're right, you're wrong)
I think, and I know I don't have all the answers, but we need to fess up to the fact that there is NO ONE SINGLE DOCTRINE that carries all that we need to know. Even if we found it, we'd corrupt it.
Man is simply not capable of Pure Truth, and God knows this.
The United States, the greatest experiment in known human experience is in danger of collapsing under the weight of human engineering.
History seems to agree with your conclusions, and I have had very simliar thoughts very recently.
I have not however, been ready to just throw in the towel. We are shaped for a lifetime pursuit of "knowing God". I have prayed many times to be freed from all the doctrines of tradition and ideas of man, that I might come to know Him "as He really is".
I can't say that I have fully reached that clarity of who He is, but I have been freed from much of tradition and doctrines of men. I have come to believe that this life is very important for preparation for the life to come, but in the "big picture" it doesn't really amount to a great deal. "Man's day are few and full of trouble...." We each have a path to walk a course to complete, and we are told to "live Godly in this present world" so how we live is important.
I believe we are here for God's purpose, and as difficult and confusing as this life can be, it will serve His purpose. And in the end He will reclaim all that is His and he will redeem it all. "The earth is the Lord's and ALL that is in it..."
__________________ For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God. (Romans 14:11- NASB)
The United States, the greatest experiment in known human experience is in danger of collapsing under the weight of human engineering.
History seems to agree with your conclusions, and I have had very simliar thoughts very recently.
I have not however, been ready to just throw in the towel. We are shaped for a lifetime pursuit of "knowing God". I have prayed many times to be freed from all the doctrines of tradition and ideas of man, that I might come to know Him "as He really is".
I can't say that I have fully reached that clarity of who He is, but I have been freed from much of tradition and doctrines of men. I have come to believe that this life is very important for preparation for the life to come, but in the "big picture" it doesn't really amount to a great deal. "Man's day are few and full of trouble...." We each have a path to walk a course to complete, and we are told to "live Godly in this present world" so how we live is important.
I believe we are here for God's purpose, and as difficult and confusing as this life can be, it will serve His purpose. And in the end He will reclaim all that is His and he will redeem it all. "The earth is the Lord's and ALL that is in it..."
The main thoughts that affect me from your post are this; you admit the fallacy. I think this is what keeps us front and center with God.
Religion binds people to an idea at any cost. I see this in the UPCI as we speak. Articles and messages are sounding the alarm of not letting go of our Fundamental beliefs, even if those beliefs carry vain Tradition and practices that are simply not Biblical or historically accurate. This is the crux and cynicism of following a current theory; just blaze past the microscope that proves failure with a false hope.
Fear keeps us from admitting that we just don't know it all. We lust for and want that Utopia of Faith, even if what we have becomes a lie. This is what burdens my soul more than anything. We curse the deceit while we live in it.
What we thought was our liberty, has now become bondage, all because we won't admit that Man has failed again, and will continue to fail.
Another thing to consider when dealing with the fallacy of “Separated and Complete” Doctrine; regardless of what Faith or Religion a person belongs too, the committed always deal with torment while deprogramming. It makes no difference what the dogma is, the tentacles of Tradition are severe in every Cultural form of Faith.
I find this not only interesting, but troubling. Every Denominational Church, Faith, or Religion, tries to send out waves to try and sink those who explore different waters. There almost seems to be a power ploy that undermines those who’ve built their Kingdom or Utopia (Organization).
We dig for the deepest reason for people not to leave, creating a cruel consequence if they do. Some never recover from such fear, and the damage can lead to regretted actions on both sides. Look what happened to Paul when he crossed the lines of his former Tradition;
And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had been dead.
His very own stoned him, supposing Paul to be dead. This radical example seems to correlate to every known act of losing the Power of Doctrinal ideals.
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