At the risk of offending a reader or two I would like to make some comments on religion.
The Muslims killed in New Zealand happened to be in the wrong place. They were conveniently observed by mad man and killed on location. They had gone about life and worship and not bothered anybody.
There are many religions but only three or four main religions. People need a religion and the fellowship that goes along with it. They need a belief system. They support one another.
However in each religion there are people who become over zealous. They consider the other guy's religion to be "wrong" in some areas so they attempt to correct the other guy. Many times they are not very tactful about how they want other's to change. Some of the over zealous attempt to recruit from members of another religion. In any one of these situations violence can occur if they become too aggressive in their attempt to win converts.
In the Arctic there were two denominations that competed for the souls of the Inuit. The Inuit had a religion but the two denominations declared that their religion was better. Well the two denominations brought schools and were better able to control the Inuit . The schools became a horror institute from which many have never recovered. The Missionaries went in under the guise that they would help the aboriginals. Instead they all but destroyed them. This scenario has occurred in many areas around the world. There were certainly some who did assist local native groups.
In many places today the religious denominations in the Arctic are a combination of christian and aboriginal. The last memorial I attended they went back and forth smoothly from christian to aboriginal
Today other denominations are at work to gather souls to their churches.
Now wouldn't it be nice if major religions could leave each other alone?
The study of religious wars could keep one busy for a life time.
Now another wondering I have is why there are so many denominations in all of the great religions. I don't know how many denominations are in the christian religion. I can not understand why they have to be separate if they are christian. In small towns here there can be three or four christian denominations and they all have the same goal.Why can't they work together?
So quite some time ago I fell off the religious bus because I could not understand why denominations could not worship together. Now that I'm older yet I wonder why the great religions can't harmonize and work for the common good.
I will be interested to see what kind of comments you get on this topic. I have abandoned all religiosity all together.
ReplyDeleteI think you see that you are not alone .
DeleteYou ask some good questions. I have always found it quite sad that so many of the wars throughout history have been based on religion. That just does not seem right to me.
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to understand isn't it.
DeleteI'm largely disillusioned with organized religion. But a place of worship should be safe.
ReplyDeleteOrganized religion seems to look for power in numbers.
DeleteHi Red, I don't have much to say about why there are so many denominations in the Christian faith except that whenever you leave man to do something he can sure make it complicated. The Bible itself says nothing about religions or denominations. It only says that one must accept Jesus Christ is the only way to God and of course some people reject that. That is there choice. I can leave others alone to make their own decisions so long as they leave me to make mine. Sadly other groups also don't leave Christians alone. As for which denomination to chose, I read my Bible and try to pick a local church that really actually teaches what is in the Bible. It means I must read it and understand it myself and not simply rely on someone else to tell me what is in it. It is a shame that many have been turned off by Christianity (and also other religions) usually because of people teaching something that is not in their Holy books. I think all religions are equally guilty of this. But the Bible says that no man will come to the Father unless the Holy Spirit draws him. Meaning no amount of arguing and so on is going to draw anyone to Christ unless the Holy Spirit himself does it.
ReplyDeletePeople need a group to worship and fellowship with. I have to emphasize that it's necessary and good.
DeleteI agree. Sorry about my typos. I was very tired after a long road journey.
DeleteWell you know I'm a churchgoer. I have a denomination because a person has to attach themselves to one or another, there's no opportunity to have no denomination unless you go to an "independent" church, which to me just means they are more fractured than the rest of us.
ReplyDeleteI am very happy to attend other denominations or collaborate on a project and feel no animosity toward other denominations. We all have variations in philosophy, of course which is how the denominations came about.
Religion is undoubtedly sullied by human ego and darkness which is where the problems arrive. I'm very sorry for the wrongs done in the name of religion. I don't believe that is the true intention of these faith systems
You have found a place to worship and find fellowship which is good for you. As I said some over zealous people cause problems.
DeleteI have abandoned all religious affiliation myself. I was a church attendee all my life until I had no support as a newly divorced single mom. Then, as I moved and tried to find another, I found much divisiveness within congregations. I will not go back. I miss the music, as a lifelong choir member, but not the humanity. I don't need it. I am done. Too few practice what they should preach.
ReplyDeleteYou looked for a place of fellowship and worship and didn't find it. I think many people are in the same situation.
Delete...I'm reminded of Bob Dylan's song, 'God on our side.' Many today think that God is all about them.
ReplyDeleteMany are on a power trip to build a bigger church than the other guy.
DeleteSo much harm has been done to people in the name of religion, not only by competing groups of people but also by kings and other leaders who use religion to control the common man. I think it will be this way forever. It's a shame, because the main message of all the major religions is the same: Be good and do good.
ReplyDeleteGood point that religion is used to gain power.
DeleteI was never raised in any religion, which I consider fortunate, since it meant I could choose my own path. After having considered myself Christian for decades, I recently realized that Buddhism is closer to my own beliefs. My church is the outdoors. :-)
ReplyDeletefunny how we wander from place to place and then find a home.
DeleteHi Red, Very interesting. Organized religions around the world are struggling to remain viable. Church attendance by the faithful is down. Perhaps one of the key reasons is exactly what you have described. The "our way or the highway" approach is driving people away from organized religion. Like you, I wonder why we can't all get along. Why can't we practice the religion we believe and still have respect for others who follow different beliefs? Great post Red.
ReplyDeleteThat was where I got off the religion bus. having all the denominations didn't make sense.
Deleteeach Wednesday during lent there is a rotating soup supper. I goes from church to church and the pastors and priest all rotate to speak at a different church from their home .It is fun to be part of and allows us to see how we all are in the same ideals, just different religions.Getting along with everyone is part of any religion.
ReplyDeleteYou are speaking about christian denominations here. it's great when they can cooperate.
DeleteReligions were created by mankind and not the God(s) they worship, and thus they will be imperfect. Atheists, who have no religion, also have faced discrimination. Why people think they should change others is beyond me. Live and let live and let my follow your beliefs by following your actions.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all you have to be converted and then we'll do business. It's not the way things should be. I agree.
DeleteWonderful comment, Tabor. You said it all!
DeleteReligion has gotten out of control these days. Lots of people think their religion is the right one and all the others are not any good. Why can't people just be, practice and pray however they choose. I don't go to church but the people who do should be left in peace and not be worried some madman is going to come in and shoot them all.
ReplyDeleteYou make a good point about the mad man.
DeleteI'm not a religious person myself, but know many people who are. We all make our choices and should leave others to do the same. Live and let live.
ReplyDeleteYes especially The Christians why not work and worship together?
ReplyDeleteI believe religion should unite people not divide them. I am an atheist, so I don't really know what it is about religion that conflates belief with power.
ReplyDeleteMy grandparents always said people should avoid discussing religion or politics. I think they were on to something!
ReplyDeleteYou are very brave to take on this topic. It’s inherently so personal and yet too many make it an issue to confront and fight about, taking something meant for the highest good to perpetrate evil. I’ve learned to (mostly) keep my beliefs to myself!
ReplyDeleteYou have raised topics I have wondered about Red. The world could do with more kindness, love, patience and tolerance for each other in all walks of life.
ReplyDeletean honest and powerful post dear Red!
ReplyDeletein my opinion only two groups of people have control of present world
politicians and businessmen
since beginning religions were for holding power over people and until today it has same aim with more grip
worst about it is that politicians and businessmen have harmony and tricks to keep people fighting for any stupid reason whether it is religion or something else
this is why all religions are divided in denominations
because each of them wants to have power of men in his own hands and wants to use this power to secure his own position .
and it will end when common people will say NO to be followers anymore
for this they need light of education ,sensibility and wisdom
one above all they need to believe
that God never want us to hate or hurt anyone nor he ask us to corect other
we can only advise if someone ask for
that is it
"I can not understand why they have to be separate if they are christian."
ReplyDeleteA good question. I don't know either.