Religion

haha this topic should get some controvercy going.

Ok my beliefs are - i supose - i am a "born again" christian - based on my own personal experiences, i believe God, Jesus and the Holly Spirit are very real!

However religion is not "of" God - its a man made thing

Jesus says "no man can come to the Father except through me"
Jesus came to set us free and to make a "joyful noise unto the Lord"

so Why do i need a Pastor?priest?pope? to lay down rules for me.
The bible is the word of God - so there are my rules. My God is a personal all powerful God - my relationship with him is just that - between me and Him and He is powerful enough to show me what He wants without help from men.
I'm not saying Pastor's aren't Godly- Just sometimes feel the "man "in them causes conflict - They're their IMO not to lay down Laws and preach to the converted but to guide those that may be a little unsure as to what God is showing THEM, or to lead in Jesus's mission for christians - to go out into the world and make believers of all men by showing the LOVE of God not frighten them into compliance. Alot of "churches" nowadays are so wrapped up in themselves, their church, their religion that they miss so much and Religion is to blame for that. Clergy preach to the converted so much yet as Jesus pointed out "the healthy don't need a doctor" My belief is that Jesus isn't really all that impressed by "sunday" Christians, or pastors with big flocks or how many people come to church on Sunday - but is more impressed by those that go out to the "wildernesses" and simply show the Love of God through their actions, preaching doesn't help those that know nothing about God.
Based on my experiences and "beliefs i think you can sumarise by saying my opinion of religion is that it's really a crutch for MAN to make Man feel good about themselves.
A belief in something should actually set you free from religion - in that your actions will be based on your beliefs rather than religious rules "passed" on by men. If your God is so powerful (whoever you belive in - why does he need go betweens (especially since so many who claim to be clearly arn't

Religion - a man fuelled obsession purely there for the good of those who support it

whereas Faith or Belief should be something that NO man should be able to change in you.

If "GOD" is the all powerful (in any religion) and if He/She created all things, why does he need man to Kill for Him, Man to impose rules on those He has suposedly set free, which clearly only benefit those imposing those rules.
Most religions
Religion Keeps many good people away from what is their true calling from their God And corrupts the actions of many "god" loving people.

I'm sre evryone by now knows my opinions on the muslim extremists - however (everyone please note i am saying something "positive" for once here!) i also have no doubts that most really do want to do the will of God - however Religion has taught them that this means murdering inocents. Is Allah really a god that condones murder in His name or is it man using Religion to further his own needs?
the inquisition or the crusades - God or Religion? (if it was God - surely another Ark(you know what i mean!) would have been easier
Ihave a Faith and a belief and TBH i'm Glad as it sets me free from religion - i don't have to justify myself to any religious leaders - Just to myself and MY god through HIS son Jesus - and i don't need religion to do that - The bible says i can Ask Jesus what i want when i want and he'll hear me (direct line - no need for any religious operators so no risk of them slipping bits in to suit themselves, and i will confess i don't always get the answer i want - nor even when i want it but i DO know he has heard me and He is dealing with it with my best interests at heart )
When i'm wrong i trust my God is big enough to show me without the need of help from anyone else!

I'm not religious and it's never been a part of my life... of course during school had to take part in RE etc. but although has no meaning to me I've always liked to find out about other religions. Remember when I was young telling someone I'd never been Christened and they seemed kinda shocked

D

Not in the slightest bit religious, but respect other peoples beliefs. Lisa x

religion is very very wrong and should be abolished.

Agreed. It’s about tolerance. Each to their own and all that. People get a lot out of religion, be it scientology, atheism, or Christianity - that’s all good. Religion goes wrong when there’s intolerance.

Religion should be a personal thing. If it becomes anything other, then it can be dangerous.

I really wouldn't class scientology as a religion.

At what point does a cult become a religion? I don't know enough about scientology to say it's much different to other religions, except it's newer.

see this i where it gets grey - i'm a "born again" christian - you could say i follow the christian religion - but I would protest that i don't and am not religious - i have a faith , a belief and i follow that belief / faith. There are learned men and women who can maybe help me to try and understand stuff i'm not sure of BUT they are there to help me to make my own decisions - understanding - not tell me what i should do/believe as most religions do. As a belief it is my responsibility to choose what i do and it is Me who has to answer to my God
IMO religions are beliefs which have been manipulated by men for whatever reason.
On that grounds i would personaly class scientology as a religion just as i do catholocism, islam - any of the beliefs which are used to control people.
Any belief that claims you have to come under the authority of a MAN is a religion in my books
A belief or a faith IMO means you are answerable to "God/ higher being/ nature",whatever it is you believe in, alone.
so again - i detest religion as i wiew it all as man's attempt to exploit a persons beliefs

The fact that they extort money from their members is what distinguishes them from being a religion.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scientology

Oh, and as for the subject, I'm not religous at all. Although I do sometimes think "If there is a god, he's an a'hole. "

No offense to anyone that believes in god though.