Religion is it a Christian thing to do?

[Bandit]

True Story
A paster started a prison ministry inmates where given bibles and other things needed for their stay and invited to the church on release.
This angered the congregation because the church now had more ex-cons than regular members. He was instructed By the Church Board to continue to Give and Preach to them in jail but (Hush Hush) Dont bring them to the church.

you know I was in this ministry for about a year and it was a rewarding blessing. There were 6 brothers led by one of the elders, who went to a couple of different prisons and state homes of convicts ( the smaller crimes) and we prayed together and read the bible and tried expounding to them. We were even granted permission to bring some of them to church (those who wanted to come and for the ones who were allowed a probation to leave for awhile).
One night we got several of them to come with us and one of them prayed through and was filled with the Holy Ghost. Then I remember one time, one of them decided to slip out of the service and disappear. LOL
Not sure what ever happened with that one.

That is a minsitry all to its own and it takes special people who care enough to to do it.

 

[Quahom1]

Ok, here's how I see it...

Religion is a tool. Now, before anyone jumps me , I'm not saying religion is this false thing manipulated by "the Man" (as many atheists would lead us to believe). I'm not saying religion is the opiate of the masses...

Actually, that is an extremely logical conclusion. We use language to organize and express our thoughts. Language brings order to communication. It is a tool.

Religion helps to organize and express our thoughts. It brings order and structure to our beliefs. It can be considered a tool.

Interesting thought.

v/r

Q

 

[Quahom1]

Hmmm,

If Jesus walked into a church today, dressed as he was 2000 years ago, I wonder how many would escort Him out for violating the "dress code"?...

v/r

Q

 

[lunamoth]

2 leads you out from The _______ Church into the world to spread the joy and love you have found helping others to also find this.

 

[lunamoth]

i hope im doing this right (being a newbie and all). I want to respond to the original question if I may..

i view religion as a group of people agreeing on common worship traits. Your religion doesnt mean anything to God, its your relationship. Christianity has to do with believing Jesus died for the sins of all mankind. Believing that he made this sacrifice for you (and me) is the big point. Once we get over that obstacle.....we are inspired to be better people. religion doesnt get you into heaven, a right relationship does.

I think so too.



peace,

 

[lunamoth]

Religion is a tool.

The Church is a means to an end, and not an end unto itself. We don't go to church because we enjoy the pretty architecture (although, I enjoy the Catholic churches here in Europe for precisely that reason, lol). We don't go to church to here the pastor's sermon (although some pastors can be quite entertaining.) We go to Church to pray, to grow spiritually.

That is what I mean when I say "religion" is a tool. It is nothing more than the method by which we spend quality time with Our Father. All the little rituals we do - we don't do them for their own sake, we do them to strengthen our relationship with God. All the time we go to church - that's just the time we set aside to pray, and to reflect upon His Word. Religion itself is pointless unless we are doing it for GOD.

Once we get hung up on religion - once we start going to church for the Church's sake and not God's - we begin to worship a false idol. The Church is not God - it is a waypoint to God. If we get hung up on religion, we are focusing more upon the tool than we are the reason for the tool.

Yeah, so anyways, that's just my thinking on religion...

I also think of it as a tool, an instrument, as you said. To what you said above I'd add that when we worship together in Church it is not for our selves, not necessarily even for our personal spiritual growth although that can happen. It is an expression of our love of God and also something that we do for the world.

peace,

 

[Basstian]

Now this is going to seem like an attack on our modern way of worship but I assure its not.

I often wonder what the apostles would think if they walked into just any old Christian Church after all they are far different from the designs of the synagogues they would have been used to. Our buildings we call churchs can be sold from one denomination to another without remodeling because we see this floor plan pews on both sides leading to the pulpit or alter as Churchy. And if you dont submerse to baptise well just hang a big curtian over the tank behind the preacher and store extra boxes of hymnals in it.

Walk in sing a few old songs Pray pass the plate listen to the bulletin Preacher stands talks for 45 minutes Sing a couple more songs Pray again Piano Solo while the Preacher makes it to the Door to shake hands with everybody.

I wont say they are gone but very few are the times when a young man could be so tired he falls out the window at midnight is raised brought back to life and the sermon continues till morning. I see people who dont make it through the 45 minutes.

Honestly I sometimes think the desire to read these posts and stay up a little late to see if there are any replies, open my bible program and dig for the verse that fits and all the other things we who are hooked to this site do is closer to the Fire that was.

Nope I am not attacking the Church I just sometimes wonder if religion like that is a lull-a-bye and if we will be sound asleep when He comes.

 

[truth644]

Honestly I sometimes think the desire to read these posts and stay up a little late to see if there are any replies, open my bible program and dig for the verse that fits and all the other things we who are hooked to this site do is closer to the Fire that was.

Nope I am not attacking the Church I just sometimes wonder if religion like that is a lull-a-bye and if we will be sound asleep when He comes.[/QUOTE]

i agree....

i used to be very concerned with other media that spoke about God besides the Bible. Then a wise man (my friend and pastor) told me: if there is something you read or see that sparks your interest to dig deeper and stimulates your desire to know God better dont hesitate to use it. We are fools if we dont draw on the experiences of other believers. That was what Paul and James was trying to impress upon the early CHURCH (body of believers). finding this web site while on a work trip miles from home has been a blessing....but it is up to each individual to bring the wood if they want to stay on fire....

i think if people could talk to each other in church and in person the way we talk here we would be lot better off.

 

[Bandit]

i think the biggest problem is people just will not remove themselves from tradition and teaching that is not in the bible, and allow God to move and work in the churches and services. it is quite rigid in most churches i have visited.

I am truly thankful that I came up in a church that was not afraid to clap there hands before the Lord. Pray outloud and have wonderful messages from leaders who honestly devoted there lives to undertanding the Word of God, and teaching the flock how to feed ourselves as we grew older in the Lord..

God moved in the early church in the book of Acts. I wish we could have that back just one more time and never let go of it.

 

[faithfull]

Yes, Religion is a Christian thing to do. How can we help others if we do not put ourselves in places to be available to serve others. Church is to be with people to strengthen each other. Someone probably needs your support right now. Church's are not for perfect people but are for those who are imperfect to be lifted and strengthened.

James 1: 27

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.

Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first• resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

 

[Basstian]

Welcome faithfull

I think if you read all the posts you will see I am not against going to church or fellowship
I am more talking about the type of religion shown by the scribes etc. Jesus spoke of.