Isn't just beliving in a higher power enough? Why do you have to be in a specific religion?

Question

When you put a man-made institution between yourself and your God, doesn't that allow more room for man-made beliefs? Also, if you beleive in love, forgiveness, and compassion personally, why join an institution that preaches only their own way of thinking is correct? This seems like a fundamental flaw in the very concepts you are trying to stand for to me.

Answer 1

Hello Edward,

You are not alone in your thinking. A lot of surveys these days are showing that people classify themselves as "spiritual" instead of religious. Which, of course, is upsetting to those who espouse a certain faith.

Religion should be respected. It is from religion that humanity's morality formed and codified. It formed a framework to judge what is ethical and what is not. Many religions formed during the times when humanity was foundering in wars and aggression and exploitation, etc. What is the worth of a human being? To the hordes of warrior barbarians it wasn't much. To the people who loved the person who died, it was much.

Spirituality is a personal encounter and perception of Divinity and does not require an intermediary in the form of a priest or iman or any other. But the catch is... you bear all the direct responsibility as well. You, alone, are responsible for your own soul before the Divine. And that, I think, is where the responsibility should rest.

We have grown enough as a species to reach a spiritual maturation point. Allowing someone else to die for you and taking on your mistakes is a boon to those who wish to escape their...well... karma. But it doesn't help you attain a spiritual goal for yourself any more than allowing someone else to take a test for you would do.

It's more than possible that this won't be a popular opinion. But it is my opinion.

Warmly,
Tara

Answer 2

Most religious organizations have produced bad fruitage. It is not the fact that groups are organized that is bad. But many have promoted forms of worship that are based on false teachings and are largely ritualistic instead of providing genuine spiritual guidance; they have been misused to control the lives of people for selfish objectives; they have been overly concerned with money collections and ornate houses of worship instead of spiritual values; their members are often hypocritical. Obviously no one who loves righteousness would want to belong to such an organization. But true religion is a refreshing contrast to all of that. Nevertheless, to fulfill the Bible’s requirements, it must be organized.

Heb. 10:24, 25: “Let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near.” (To carry out this Scriptural command, there must be Christian meetings that we can attend on a consistent basis. Such an arrangement encourages us to express love toward others, not only concern about self.)

1 Cor. 1:10: “Now I exhort you, brothers, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you should all speak in agreement, and that there should not be divisions among you, but that you may be fitly united in the same mind and in the same line of thought.” (Such unity would never be achieved if the individuals did not meet together, benefit from the same spiritual feeding program, and respect the agency through which such instruction was provided. )

1 Pet. 2:17: “Have love for the whole association of brothers.” (Does that include only those who may meet together for worship in a particular private home? Not at all; it is an international brotherhood, as shown by Galatians 2:8, 9 and 1 Corinthians 16:19.)

Matt. 24:14: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (For all nations to be given the opportunity to hear that good news, the preaching must be carried out in an orderly way, with suitable oversight. Love for God and for one’s fellowman has caused people around the earth to unite their efforts to do this work.)

Answer 3

Because if you believe in God you can't just stop there. The Devil believes in God and what good has that done him?

If we believe in God, we want to know more about Him. We want to know His will for us. We want to know how to serve Him and love Him.

That's where religion helps us. People don't just figure out the answers to those questions all by themselves. Plus, people who have common beliefs about God naturally want to worship and commune together and provide a network of support. Again, that's where religion and the Church come in.

Answer 4

The institutions are destructive to our spiritual search.

Answer 5

Yes, it does, but each specific faith will tell you different. Each faith has different things that you have to do to get to God, or to get to heaven, etc.

Answer 6

I like your question