Religion will eventually become obsolete (beliefs, prayers, organization, teaching)

[Alpha8207]

Originally Posted by b. frank

OK, I was waiting for a wall to hit me and here it is.
I simply don't believe what you wrote up there. I know that you do though, so...uh...it's another draw.

Religion is dressed up with ritual, tradition, pomp, and circumstance.

Christianity shouldn't be.

Religion says follow this rule, this protocol, bow your head, repeat after me, perform this duty.

Christianity says "Whom the Son has set free is free indeed".

I don't know how else to articulate it and I'm sorry you seem perplexed by this discussion. I thought we'd talked about this before. Maybe it was someone else.

[ptsum]

Not being a Christian, or Jew or an Islamic or Muslim or what ever, it sounds to me that what Alpha is saying is that he is a follower of the teachings of Jesus, not of the Christian religion that came after his death, it seems that there is a separation there. Now I could be wrong, but this is the way I interpret what he is saying. This I can understand.

[Alpha8207]

Originally Posted by ptsum

Not being a Christian, or Jew or an Islamic or Muslim or what ever, it sounds to me that what Alpha is saying is that he is a follower of the teachings of Jesus, not of the Christian religion that came after his death, it seems that there is a separation there. Now I could be wrong, but this is the way I interpret what he is saying. This I can understand.

Well....yeah....that's pretty close.

If my comments were a problem with b.frank, this link might make his little tilt light start flashing.

[ptsum]

Than what you are doing is separating the teacher from the religion that was started by his followers, correct?

[b. frank]

Originally Posted by Alpha8207

Religion is dressed up with ritual, tradition, pomp, and circumstance.

Christianity shouldn't be.

Religion says follow this rule, this protocol, bow your head, repeat after me, perform this duty.

Christianity says "Whom the Son has set free is free indeed".

I don't know how else to articulate it and I'm sorry you seem perplexed by this discussion. I thought we'd talked about this before. Maybe it was someone else.

I think you've articulated it as well as possible - my lack of understanding is really just a lack of belief in Christianity. The perplexing part is that you seem to say that you also don't believe in Christianity. And that is not true.
I mean, you at least see that you would have to be a Christian to feel that Christianity trancends religion, right? Otherwise non-Christians everywhere would believe that Christ is who you think he is, thereby making them all...Christian.

[ptsum]

I wonder if this is not what Jesus had in mind to begin with? And if that were so, then I can see where Christianity ( as we know it) would become obsolete. It would be just the teachings of Jesus, not the religion. Interesting concept, That would seem to make more sense.

[Miss Blue]

I follow the teachings of Christ, but do not have a religion..I am in Gods Church, but do not attend a church often..I am part of this world, not set apart..I am not God fearing, I am God loving. I sin, because I am not perfect..I have faith, but not the faith of a mustard seed..

In answer to the op..I do pray that man will lose his selfrighteousness and pride in himself and that religion will become obsolete..

[Alpha8207]

Originally Posted by ptsum

Than what you are doing is separating the teacher from the religion that was started by his followers, correct?

I think I can live with that statement. There's some issues that might need to be addressed if one read that too quickly.

But yeah, that's pretty close.

Jesus Christ restored believers to a place of fellowship with God. That fellowship exists outside the trappings of religion.

Maybe think of it like this:

Religion is the BigBrother volunteers that spend time with children to show them love and affection.

Jesus is an actual Big Brother.

Same concept, no constraints.

Bad analogy, I know....I'll be trying to think of another one.....

[Alpha8207]

Originally Posted by b. frank

I think you've articulated it as well as possible - my lack of understanding is really just a lack of belief in Christianity. The perplexing part is that you seem to say that you also don't believe in Christianity. And that is not true.
I mean, you at least see that you would have to be a Christian to feel that Christianity trancends religion, right? Otherwise non-Christians everywhere would believe that Christ is who you think he is, thereby making them all...Christian.

Yes, we are agreeing on the things you mention here.

What I am saying is that Christianity at it's core is not a religion.

That's what I am trying to say.

[cg81]

Originally Posted by ptsum

I wonder if this is not what Jesus had in mind to begin with? And if that were so, then I can see where Christianity ( as we know it) would become obsolete. It would be just the teachings of Jesus, not the religion. That would seem to make more sense.

Yes.. and yet, there is kind of a paradox here, because if everyone was in unity about following the teachings of Jesus, they would be seen as a "group", would they not? Just like the first Christians.. they were thus called because it was obvious they were following Christ..

Philippians 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;