Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus — The Smackdown...

benedictaoo

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During the four years when I was earning my bachelor's in religious studies, I focused on one overall question. "What is religion?" I still do not have a solid answer that covers all ends, but after 4 years, the best definition I could come up with is "The way that human beings respond to and/or interact with that which they believe to be sacred."

The guy in the video strikes me as (forgive me) a whiny tool. I can't stand the "religion is evil but God is good" movement because it is completely flawed in its definition of religion.

we are all religious being by nature... we all seek, look, want to find something, anything we can put our faith in, whether that be atheism or something else.
 
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Vendetta

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V, I know how you feel.

PS: Your avatar makes me sick. :)

Sorry, I haven't been around a computer all weekend and just saw this. Got accepted into their law program, so I'm officially a Wolverine. I suspect I'll be making you sick a lot in the future.^_^

During the four years when I was earning my bachelor's in religious studies, I focused on one overall question. "What is religion?" I still do not have a solid answer that covers all ends, but after 4 years, the best definition I could come up with is "The way that human beings respond to and/or interact with that which they believe to be sacred."

Ahh yes, the old "what is religion?" question. I keep swinging between "there is no such thing as religion" and...something else. Despite four years of my own in religious studies, the question eludes me still. But I think we can agree that whatever the guy is attacking in his video is basically an attack on what Christ stood for.
 
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MoNiCa4316

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I saw this video too.. though I came across the blog article before I watched the video :)

I think that this guy is saying the right thing about Jesus but he's wrong about religion... he's talking about Phariseeism or lukewarmness, but is calling it "religion", as if religious people can't love God. I think a different term would have been better.
 
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princess_ballet

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Sorry, I haven't been around a computer all weekend and just saw this. Got accepted into their law program, so I'm officially a Wolverine. I suspect I'll be making you sick a lot in the future.^_^

?Ah, congrats (I think?). I'm enjoying law school as a Spartan. :wave:
 
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simonpeter

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Some people are interested in theology, meaning they want to know more about God's nature, his attributes etc. They may not like religon, which is usually associated with rituals, rules, hierarchy etc. Nothing wrong with such an attitude. Even Leo Tolstoy was one such person.
 
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Incariol

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Some people are interested in theology, meaning they want to know more about God's nature, his attributes etc. They may not like religon, which is usually associated with rituals, rules, hierarchy etc. Nothing wrong with such an attitude. Even Leo Tolstoy was one such person.

You are right, it is possible to be a non-Christian theologian. What is your point?
 
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simonpeter

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Obviously. I think that just may have been why I asked you to clarify. :doh:

Careful, you may hurt yourself.:)

Let's say you read the bible and expositions on it. You understand more and more about the Christian theology. But you don't go to church, nor believe in any rituals and superstition. So you're not a religious Christian even though you continue to express a strong and growing interest in Christian theology.

See, that was easy.:thumbsup:
 
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Brooklyn Knight

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Careful, you may hurt yourself.:)

Let's say you read the bible and expositions on it. You understand more and more about the Christian theology. But you don't go to church, nor believe in any rituals and superstition. So you're not a religious Christian even though you continue to express a strong and growing interest in Christian theology.

See, that was easy.:thumbsup:

Problem is Christ Himself also took part in those rituals and "superstitions." I mean, he was a Rabbi.
 
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Brooklyn Knight

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Is there any evidence for this?

There is Him throwing out money changers from the Temple, celebrating Passover, having been circumcised, baptized, etc. Not only that, if He was a Rabbi, he'd have to know how to conduct in a Temple.

Christ had no problem participating in the religion of his Father, but these supposed Christians are irked over other Christians who belong to a certain religion and...celebrate Christ?
 
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WarriorAngel

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Jesus always traveled to celebrate in the rituals. Passover is clearest, but He also went to celebrate Hannukah. At age 12 He was explaining scriptures. [His Bar mitzvah actually.]

When an infant He was circumcized and dedicated.

AND finally - He Himself established His Church - with His sacraments.
We can receive His sacraments no where else but in His Church...such as His Body and Blood. This is not something anyone can do - as Tradition points out plainly through St Justin Martyr who criticizes the followers of Mithras who imitated the Church.

Sitting at home reading the Bible - without proper instruction goes against the scriptures themselves.

Peter said the weak and unlearned wrest the scriptures and the epistles of Paul to their own destruction....ie - in need of a teacher.
And St Philip was sent to the Eunich to teach him.... and baptize him. Had it been a do it yourself job, the Eunich would have self taught the OT to himself... but the Lord sent Him to the man and to baptize him.

We are not islands unto ourselves... nor can we be, for scriptures warns against doing such things.

Christ established His laws and teachings on Peter. And told him to teach the others [Apostles and disciples] when He said 'confirm thy brethren' because this was an establishment of one teacher over all of them. It was said to last for all times. And indeed - Jesus chose a broken man - and transformed him via the Holy Spirit for that charism.

No where in all of scriptures do we see nor will find the idea to do it alone for ourselves for even St Paul says - 'do not be like the others who avoid the assembly..'
IE - who do not come to hear and receive the Breaking of Bread - the Eucharist.

Everything in scriptures points to going out to the Church - who St Paul says we must take up our cases to the Church - who he says 'is the bulwark and pillar of truth.'
None of which is to be confused with just the people - for Church means 'to go out' that is to go listen...to be instructed.

And clearly if we are to obey the prelates - that is the Bishops - as St Paul instructed - how do we do that at home rendering scriptures for ourselves?
I could go, but i am sure you get it.
 
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Michie

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Michie

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