Never say "never." Religion is the best way to lead people astray, but it's also the best way to keep people focused and motivated. While some religions (many Christian denominations especially) are guilty of focusing on itself instead of the higher power it promises, there are some that have very successfully lead people to Truth-seeking. A religion should offer each follower as much knowledge as possible about its mission and deity, maintain a strict structure to keep people focused on the mission and deity, and offer a community of support. When a religion encourages followers to do as much research as possible so that they make their own decisions as to who they're going to worship, then the religion is doing a very good job. If a religion tries to support itself constantly and encourages you to listen to it instead of doing your own research, odds are they're not Truth-seekers.
When you're Truth-seeking on your own you can easily get lead astray. You can misinterpret, mix your own personal feelings into your prayers, and become very self-invested. We can't see how wrong we are without others to offer new insight. Religion offers scholars (well, a good religion does, anyway) who can teach you, a community to pray with you and answer your prayers, and a focus to remind you that salvation is a team effort and is not just personal. One of the healthiest things you can do is take classes from scholars of various religions to become as well informed as possible. It takes knowledge to find Truth, and it takes wisdom to understand the Truth and see it in context. Don't discount religion - it does serve a very healthy purpose. Just try to gain the wisdom to see which religions are further from the Truth than others.
Those are my thoughts on the matter. =) I'm saying this without knowing your story or background, of course.
I'll give you my background so you know who I am while this community (hopefully!) revives. I'm in my 20's, Christian Roman Catholic with a degree in theology, married to a non-denominational Christian, and I like to get to know people from all walks of life. While I will defend my faith, I really enjoy learning about others.
I'm so happy to hear your thoughts! Here's my background... 50's, non-denominational Christian, married with six kids. I guess we all define the word "religion" a little differently. I call it trying to find a way to God apart from His Truth.
When you're Truth-seeking on your own you can easily get lead astray. You can misinterpret, mix your own personal feelings into your prayers, and become very self-invested. We can't see how wrong we are without others to offer new insight. Religion offers scholars (well, a good religion does, anyway) who can teach you, a community to pray with you and answer your prayers, and a focus to remind you that salvation is a team effort and is not just personal. One of the healthiest things you can do is take classes from scholars of various religions to become as well informed as possible. It takes knowledge to find Truth, and it takes wisdom to understand the Truth and see it in context. Don't discount religion - it does serve a very healthy purpose. Just try to gain the wisdom to see which religions are further from the Truth than others.
Those are my thoughts on the matter. =) I'm saying this without knowing your story or background, of course.
I'll give you my background so you know who I am while this community (hopefully!) revives. I'm in my 20's, Christian Roman Catholic with a degree in theology, married to a non-denominational Christian, and I like to get to know people from all walks of life. While I will defend my faith, I really enjoy learning about others.
Reply
Here's my background...
50's, non-denominational Christian, married with six kids.
I guess we all define the word "religion" a little differently.
I call it trying to find a way to God apart from His Truth.
Reply
Leave a comment