Could religion itself be created by Satan?

[ScottBot]

I would actually expand on this with the root was actually tainted from the start as Ismael was a child produced from the "flesh" rather than from the "Spirit" and the emnity or tainting as you say started there..pax..kim

Excellent point. This is taking Scripture into context! Bravo. Reps for you!!!!

 

[PaladinValer]

Christianity is a relationship. Following Christ isn't a relationship with Him? Being in constant prayer with Him isn't a relationship? Religon is man made.
Thats what makes Christianity so different. Christ is alive!!!!!

1. This doesn't answer any of my questions, making it extremely unhelpful.
2. As I said above, the idea of Christianity as a relationship is new theology only 40-50 years old. It didn't exist prior, so it is new doctrine without any substantial prior existing elements and is therefore utterly rejectable.
3. Religion isn't man-made. Religion is a set of theological beliefs and opinions that an adherent is tightly bound to as the source of truth and moral goodness. Christianity fits. Christians are required to believe in the Holy Trinity. We are required to believe in the hypostatic union of Jesus Christ. We are required to adhere to the teachings expressed in the Scriptures and Tradition. These aren't opinional. To say that Christianity isn't a religion is a product of "feel-good" theology and is a complete parallel to Wiccan fluff-bunnyism. Same ideas, same historical source, same dangerously errant emphasis on emotions and personal experience.
4. Just because Jesus is alive doesn't mean Christianity=relationship. That alone doesn't constitute an argument. I receive His literal Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity multiple times a week, the most intimate relationship you could possibly have with Him. That doesn't free me from the requirements I must follow and believe in.

 

[QuantaCura]

I think the problem with the word "religion" is how Liberal/Modernist/Postmodernist culture has divorced religion from reality. Religion in our culture is a matter of personal opinion. It's something you do on the weekend. Religions are like ice cream flavors--just a matter of taste, and some people don't like ice cream and that's ok too. It's just an abstract ideal--it's not real life.

Of course this is 100% contrary to the Christian Tradition. It's not just something we do on the weekends, it's even a way of life, it's THE way of life--because Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life

I think using the phrase relationship is not technically wrong, but I think it downplays what it's really all about. I have a personal relationship with my mechanic. I have a deep, intimate, and Holy Communion with the Lord and Savior.

 

[PaladinValer]

You have a relationship with your mechanic?

**Converts to mechanicism**

 

[QuantaCura]

You have a relationship with your mechanic?

**Converts to mechanicism**

Always good to know a trustworthy mechanic ..especially if you are like me and are invincibly ignorant of how machines work.

 

[ThreeAM]

Which church? I read the Bible and interpret the meaning by myself. Am I wrong for not going to church? That is another quandry I have. The bible has/was written by men. Albeit, initially it was written by disciples. But it has been rewritten by the church when the church was government for all intensive purposes. It was rewritten during times when the church crucified people for not believing by their rules. I think the bible is a great tool. It however needs to be interpreted by yourself. I know that ministers are only wanting the word of god to be heard but I can do that by myself. Jesus never asked you to go to church. He asked you to believe and have faith. I am no expert by any means and again I hope I have not offended any one. If so I apologize.

Christ asked us to evangelize the entire world ...something an individual cannot do... but a church can. Earnestly pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit abefore you study and then earnestly follow where he leads you.

 

[muaxiong]

I don't know what religion to believe anymore except there is a God, there is his son, and SATAN wants us to be in chaos. I will try to do what is right and ask for forgiveness when I am wrong. That is all I have to say. Your comments/quesitons are appreciated.

Trust not religion, but Christ. One can be very religious at yet be wrong at the same time. It is more logical that all religions are false, but not all religions can be true because they contradict each other in more ways than one. The major difference between Christinity and all other world religions is that Christians have been saved so that we can do good works, whereas good works in order to be saved is the emphasis of the other religions. A good resource on the logical comparison of the major world religions is "Jesus among other gods" by Ravi Zacharias.

 

[ScottBot]

Religion is the name of the relationship that we have with God, much like marriage is the name of the relationship that we have with our spouse. It defines the relationship, sets its boundaries, and identifies the people involved.

Imagine if your spouse told you, "I don't want a marriage with you, I want a relationship." Marriage implies relationship. People in the current social context have cast a bad image of religion, when in fact there is nothing wrong with the term. God has set boundaries for eople who are in a relationship with Him (10 commandments). We cannot say we have a relationship with Him, then go out and run will-nilly all over the place, doing whatever we want. The relationship demands change. Religion helps us to identify what those changes are and helps us make them.

 

[muaxiong]

I think the problem with the word "religion" is how Liberal/Modernist/Postmodernist culture has divorced religion from reality. Religion in our culture is a matter of personal opinion. It's something you do on the weekend. Religions are like ice cream flavors--just a matter of taste, and some people don't like ice cream and that's ok too. It's just an abstract ideal--it's not real life.

True, much like simply having an opinion which can be changed without affecting a persons way of life.

Of course this is 100% contrary to the Christian Tradition. It's not just something we do on the weekends, it's even a way of life, it's THE way of life--because Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life

Unfortunately it has become simply a way of life, as G.K. Chesterton puts it, "the Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting, it has been found difficult and left untried."

I think using the phrase relationship is not technically wrong, but I think it downplays what it's really all about. I have a personal relationship with my mechanic. I have a deep, intimate, and Holy Communion with the Lord and Savior.

Relationships are what gives us meaning and purpose in life, without them life would be a drudgery. The ultimate relationship we can have with anyone is one that we can have with Christ.

 

[Warrior Poet]

Well PaladinValor... looks as if you are left on your own here.... your stance seems to be of the minority. In our few encounters we never seem to agree... strange.

The misunderstanding that took place in this thread earlier was in the fact that modern Christianity wasn't always a religion, as far as the term goes today ,The Way was and has been classified as a movement. With Christianity's roots found in Judaism, many believed they, The people of the Movement called The Way, were not a new religion at all, ... yet time tells a different story, as does history... but being part of "Christianity" to those of The Way, meant a relationship more then a modern day definition of the religion called Christianity. They are married (taking in Mr LaFrances' analogy) to each other. I was not trying to divorce the two, quite the opposite as I was showing they can not be divorced. We have no choice but to be Christian today, and identified as one, and have a meaningful relationship through faith encompassed in the religion called Christianity. (well, we have a choice on the last one.)

I apologize but I still hold to the fact that in the midst of conversation between fellow believers, the phrase "Christianity is a relationship" is not an error, nor a possible "practiced" doctrine, and not even close to its own theology, nor is it an extremely modern idea. To treat it as a religion or relationship solely IMO the real error.

Good luck to you brother, I hope you find that a relationship resides in the religion.

Warrior Poet

 

[ScottBot]

1. This doesn't answer any of my questions, making it extremely unhelpful.
2. As I said above, the idea of Christianity as a relationship is new theology only 40-50 years old. It didn't exist prior, so it is new doctrine without any substantial prior existing elements and is therefore utterly rejectable.
3. Religion isn't man-made. Religion is a set of theological beliefs and opinions that an adherent is tightly bound to as the source of truth and moral goodness. Christianity fits. Christians are required to believe in the Holy Trinity. We are required to believe in the hypostatic union of Jesus Christ. We are required to adhere to the teachings expressed in the Scriptures and Tradition. These aren't opinional. To say that Christianity isn't a religion is a product of "feel-good" theology and is a complete parallel to Wiccan fluff-bunnyism. Same ideas, same historical source, same dangerously errant emphasis on emotions and personal experience.
4. Just because Jesus is alive doesn't mean Christianity=relationship. That alone doesn't constitute an argument. I receive His literal Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity multiple times a week, the most intimate relationship you could possibly have with Him. That doesn't free me from the requirements I must follow and believe in.

Bravo!!!

 

[InnerPhyre]

Religion is the way that individuals relate to that which they perceive to be sacred. To say that Christianity isn't a religion but a relationship is puzzling. You could say the same about Islam....and Judaism...and Hinduism...and Sikhism...and just about every other religion on the face of the earth. These faiths all teach their adherants how to have a relationship with their respective gods.

 

[muaxiong]

Religion is the way that individuals relate to that which they perceive to be sacred. To say that Christianity isn't a religion but a relationship is puzzling.

How about this, Christianity isn't just another religion, it is a relationship with the true God of the universe. Religious is what satan wants us to be where there is faith but no heart, it is a relationship that Christ desires of us.

You could say the same about Islam....and Judaism...and Hinduism...and Sikhism...and just about every other religion on the face of the earth. These faiths all teach their adherants how to have a relationship with their respective gods.

Just one question, how does one have a relationship with beings that do not exist as in that of the gods of Hinduism or Sikhism? All other world religions, apart from the God of the Bible, cannot be true relationships because their gods owe their existence to their worshippers and not the other way around.