Religion in the 21st Century

The root of the word “religion” is usually traced to the Latin religare (re: back, and ligare: to bind), so that the term is associated with “being bound.” The idea may reflect a concept prominent in biblical literature. Israel was said to be in a “covenant” (brith) relationship with its God (Yahweh). In a sense, the nation was “covenanted” or “bonded” to the deity. But what does being bound or bonded mean? Is a slave who is bound or bonded to his or her master in a “religious” relationship? Is a business agreement which binds partners in a legal covenant a form of “religious” binding? At one time in human history, such “bindings” may have had religious sanction, but today, in America, slavery is outlawed and business contracts are made in legal settings. This particular notion of religion as “binding” doesn’t really fit and therefore this interpretation of the root meaning of the term proves not to be particularly helpful. On the other hand, one might argue that the religious person is one “bound” by choice or by commitment to the tenets of a particular faith system.” (1)

This quote first above by Gerald Larue, is a rather interesting one that also opens up an entire different discussion, especially the last line;

“On the other hand, one might argue that the religious person is one “bound” by choice or by commitment to the tenets of a particular faith system.”

We must ask if this “being bound” to a particular faith system is well founded from a spiritual stand point of if it is possibly an antithesis to the teachings of Jesus Christ? Especially if we are bound to a particular faith system that has interjected doctrine contrary to the teachings of Christ, doctrine that conflicts with the very essence of the message of Christ, then obviously we must question this state of “being bound.”

Christianity Without Religion, is a rapidly growing segment of the Christian faith. Simply put, the followers of this concept have placed aside the doctrine of man in search of a sense of being bonded directly to God through the teachings and sacrifice of Christ. They do not choose to reinterpret the Bible, but rather to scrutinize carefully the interpretations and opinions of man regarding the scriptures, along with the religious laws or doctrine, that man has created. So many of these laws actually serve to drive Christians away from certain denominations. While those outside the Christian faith look at these laws and question, “why would I want to be a Christian if that is what a Christian is?”

When Reverend Greg Albrecht, the editor of the Plain Truth magazine and Executive Director of Plain Truth Ministries was asked in an interview about the name of his online worship services as well as the tag line to his magazine Plain Truth? Christianity Without the Religion, Rev Albrecht answered;

“We make this distinction because there is a great deal of religion without Christ. Legalistic religion abounds today. It is a contributing factor to why many people are turned off with God. These people have been turned away from God by those who, wittingly or unwittingly, have misrepresented him. Tens of millions need to know that God is not at all who or what they have been told.”(2)

Albrecht went on to say in the same interview;

“There are people who are Christians, who regularly attend a brick and mortar church. There are people who think they’re Christians, but aren’t, but feel better if they make the effort to attend worship services confined within four walls. There are many whom we already serve who have had a hell-on-earth experience with a group of people who called themselves a church. These folks have been burned — and have no intention of darkening the door to any building with a sign outside that pronounces itself to be a church — they just won’t take the risk of being religiously mugged again.”(2)

In our 21 first century, modern western society, we find it difficult to believe or even to understand how so many people of this world live under the control of politically oppressive regimes, nor can we fathom that human slavery has not been totally obliterated from every corner of the world. But surprisingly even a greater number of humans live under some form of religious oppression. Many live under the mistaken believe that their observance of rules or regulations and doctrine created by man will somehow make their God more pleased them, are actually in fact, Christians. But even more sinister is the oppression of cults of Christianity.

Far too often we hear reports in today’s media of churches in which some charismatic minister has in some way mislead his congregation, through fraud or even some sort of sexual abuse. What’s truly amazing is that in so many cases even after credible proof has been given certifying the wrong doing, many of these congregations will deny the proof and maintain the innocence of the accused.

The term “cult of personality” is defined in The Fast Times Political Dictionary as: “authoritarian regimes in which the enormous power of the leader is reinforced and enhanced by exaggerated propaganda centered on him personally. The leader’s picture is everywhere, on billboards, in public squares and buildings; he is supposed to be the embodiment of wisdom and compassion and courage and leadership—a true father of the country, possessing almost superhuman powers.”

Charismatic ministers of authoritarian groups, in some cases, meet the criteria offered in this definition of a cult of personality. So why do these cultic groups continue to grow and prosper when common sense should reveal their true agenda? Quite possibly the frailty of human nature is one answer to this question, in that we as humans desire quick, clear cut explanations of a subject that is not revealed, in its entirety, there are too many questions that God does not reveal to us. Cults that prosper through religious legalisms thrive by making the unknown known. Often these unknowns, are scripture taken out of context, or bits and pieces of scripture, reassembled to justify the church’s doctrine, a process that denies the freedom from the law of man that Christ sacrificed himself on the cross to afford us.

When an authoritarian, legalistic group that is really most concerned about control, and not freedom in Christ, promotes itself, one will need to look long and hard to find out what they really teach. (3)

What are the spiritual consequences of “being bound” to an authoritarian, cultic group? Obviously we need to look at not only the aspect of control of such a group, but also how its actions or doctrines agree with or contradict the teachings of Christ. For if the group’s teachings contradicts the basic concepts that Christ gave to us, then they are the opposite of Christ, in effect the Anti Christ.

And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: 2 Thessalonians 2:18

The least of the transgressions of the authoritarian churches is the tendency to wall off or segregate their members from the “non-believers” so as to protect the “sheep.” In many cases the church becomes a private club, for members only. A country club that claims exclusive truth and right to salvation, all non-members being resigned to eternal damnation. Scripture and the very nature of the Christian faith calls upon all followers of Christ to witness to the world of the love and joy of the acceptance of Christ. Obviously when segregated from the non-Christian public, in private clubs, this cannot be done. Members of these type groups should question if they are being walled off from non-believers for their own protection, or if the underlying reason is that the church can retain its membership and cash flow? The church fearing that those finding “truth” away from a cultic group are sure to leave, therefore they are walled away from the true teachings of Christ and brain washed into accepting the convoluted doctrine of the cultic church.

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Matthew 24:24

We often hear reports of mental anguish from those who have left the authoritarian church as their family and friends have shunned them for leaving, along with other horror tales of even physical assaults against these “ex-members.” A church that includes these types of retention practices is an abomination.

Another aspect of these groups we often hear of is mandatory financial reports, under the guise of ascertaining if the member is tithing unto God equally and fairly. However it should be questioned if this auditing is a process of assuring that the member is giving his or her fair share, or if the member is actually paying dues to support the “club.”

When a church adopts such policies, it places itself in a position of requiring the laity to no longer worship God, but rather in a position of worshiping the church, the group, an idolatrous practice that has been labeled “Churcholatry.” A practice of worshipping false idols warned against in numerous passages of the Bible.

These churches that one might identify as professing a belief in opposition to the teachings of Christ, churches that teach doctrine and dogma authored by man and not authored by God, can only be described as in league with the great deceiver, the Anti Christ. Many of these groups are even affiliated with traditional mainstream Christian denominations. Some even condemn the Church of Rome for the atrocities it has committed or tolerated, against mankind in the past, while committing the same offences themselves today, certainly this is a hypocritical situation.

Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.

Matthew 24:4 through 7

So how do we separate the wheat from the chaff? How do we ascertain if we are being deceived by man for the purpose of an agenda of the flesh and not the spirit? How do identify a cult of the anti Christ that calls upon its followers to worship the church and not God, and to follow not the teachings of Christ but rather the doctrine and legalisms of man?

We can only begin to discover these answers with extensive study not only of the Bible, but also through concordance as well as ancient Greek to modern English dictionaries. This later process reveals the true meaning of words that have been inadvertently changed throughout the ages due to changes in our language(s). In many cases common sense will reveal the underlying evil in these groups. But in others prayer and meditation upon the lessons learned through independent Bible study, not study led by elders trained to instill the official doctrine of the church and to squelch any alternative thought, will reveal the truth in the Bible. We must compare teachings of all Christian denominations looking for common denominators and in some cases the teachings of other paths, as when we see commonalities between the Christian faith and other religions or schools of thought, we reaffirm to ourselves of the power and glory of God.

(1) from What Is “Religion”?—Well, It’s Hard to “Say Exactly” By Gerald A. Larue

(2) See http://www.ptm.org

(3) Greg Albrecht, http://ptm.org