Religion Or Spirit

Religion Or Spirit

            Religion is a powerful force, for good or evil. How can religion be evil? Religions are started by someone who has (or thinks so) found a new idea; through a passage of scripture; a vision; a visit from an angel; that they feel strongly about. When the group that they worship with rejects their idea or refuse to add it to the service, they have no choice. They form a new group which, in time, become a new religion. Most of the time this is a good thing. Although not always.

            Remember Heaven’s Gate? Jones Town? Waco? They made the news when the followers went willing to their death for their leaders. I’m sure there are others who have been deceived by the charisma of a charlatan who claimed to have special knowledge of God. I imagine some leaders even deceived themselves.

            Catholics believe the pope is infallible and his word is their law to obey; no question: no doubt!!!!!

            There was a time when Martin Luther rebelled against the atrocities and torture of anyone who angered the Roman Catholic Church. At the risk of his life he took a stand and left the church to begin the Protestant Reformation in 16^th century Europe. He felt that forcing people to believe, under threat of bodily harm, was foolish and not Christian. He said, ‘Faith in Christ brings freedom from the bondage of sin and from the crushing obligation of the laws of men.” Good advice even for today.

            Joseph Smith was visited by an alien who led him to golden tablets, that was the foundation for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or the Mormon belief.

            Ellen L. White felt the need to keep a true Sabbath: therefore the Seventh Day Adventist Church was born. The seventh day being a Saturday, rather than the Sunday most religions observe.

            Ron Hubbard started as a science fiction writer. His religion, Scientology, consists of researching former lives. If you are afraid of water, perhaps in another life you died by drowning. By understanding the reason for your fear you can overcome it and lead a better life.

            In modern religions there are many to choose from. They are referred to as “new thought” or Metaphysical: meaning beyond the physical or material.

            Earnest Holmes wrote The Science of Mind and founded Religious Science on the basis of “Change your thinking�"Change your life.”

            When both Charles and Myrtle Fillmore were healed by affirmations of Accept: the good gifts from God and Reject: all evil because it isn’t from God.” Unity was an open church. They embraced all religions. “Life is like a wheel. The rim is life: the spokes: are the path or religion you follow and the hub: is God. It doesn’t matter how you get there as long as you find God.”   

            Mary Baker Eddy was raised in a religious family, but she felt that something was missing. After an accident and the doctors giving her only hours to live; she was miraculously and spiritually healed. She devoted the rest of her life to the study of how Jesus healed. Christian Science teaches that healing comes from the Truth that God did Not create anything to harm His creations: sickness is error: health is divinely natural and normal. She wrote Science and Health with key to the Scriptures, which is read with the Bible rather than a minister telling you how to believe.

            As you know, I don’t have firsthand knowledge of any of these people. Only what I have read. I will say that there are some good ideas among them, but they are the ideas, the understanding of someone else. Jesus said, “The kingdom of God is within you.” Wouldn’t it be better to know what is right for you? Your spiritual reality: your Truth? Then there will be no chance of being led astray. Your spiritual life should be guided by the Christ within, Religion cam be man-made, the blind leading the blind. Spirit is God’s Reality.

            I am not suggesting that you quit your church because it doesn’t have all of the right answers. Find the best in the sermon and find the best in yourself from the Christ within.

            You are a special individual and a beloved child of God’s. No one can take your place or live your life or do the work that God has given you. Forget what you have been taught by others. Open your mind. Let the kingdom of God interpret itself in its own language and accept God’s blessings.

            763 words            Loretta Ellen Edwards