I once heard a religious teacher preach, "Jesus loves you, but hates religion."?

Question

What do you think he means by this?

Is this teaching valid?

Answer 1

The concept of religion as it is understood today would be inconceivable to Jesus. It was in his time so intertwined with daily life as to be inseparable. What has been built up over time is a monolith of convention, more an expression of culture than of what Jesus could possibly have envisioned.

The only thing that marked Jesus out during his day was his radicalism. Jesus was definitely against the authority of the day, but was also an absolute pacifist. Jesus would have understood Gandhi very well. Jesus also was ascetic; this particular part of his message is conveniently overlooked these days.

Back to his radicalism, I think that Jesus would be horrified to find that his ideas have become the basis for conservative reaction. "Fundamentalist" and "Right-wing" are terms that would surely bewilder the son of Mary. Jesus cannot be separated from his times; they are the very setting that allowed his existence. We see no modern equivalent, because the culture and belief values will not permit it.

He was in the right place at the right time, as it were, and he is forever captured there, frozen in his own iconography.

It is doubtful, however, that Jesus would be pleased with the holy cathedrals that have become the jail cells of his memory.

Answer 2

That statement is meant to draw a distinction between a personal relationship with Jesus and merely going through formalized rituals that may or may not still have anything to do with the original intent.
It references the verse Rev. 3:16 `So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth.
That means: Either hold to the orignal teachings, or reject them, but don't be some wishy-washy follower of mere ritual and regulations that come only from men, not God.
So, those that have a relationship with Jesus know it, and those that don't, know it. But those that only think they do are really in trouble. It's the whole false teaching thing that you are being warned against. Read the book of Romans. Paul has quite a lot to say about false teachings, and those who follow them.
That was what he meant by that... I think I've heard this enough that I could probably give you even more info, but I am tired, and I am an atheist anyway....

Answer 3

I think it's valid and I can see the religious teacher's point. Let's face it, organized religion has resulted in some very good things and some very bad things. While it has helped millions in poverty, it has also killed many with inter-religious wars. Some religions, or at least churches and leaders within religions, seem more concerned with pride, money and power than with helping the homeless, sick and destitute.

Also, many of Jesus' religious followers do not follow His commandment to treat others as they want to be treated. I'm quite sure Jesus could not be happy with that situation where religion has diluted His main teaching.

Answer 4

Christians say that Jesus is the only way to heaven. However God has inspired the start of so many other religions that offer alternatives to Christianity and take people away from Jesus. If I were Jesus, I'd hate the religion business also.

Answer 5

The historical Jesus was not such a big fan of the organized religion of the day (witness the incident with the money lenders). There's a general movement, also, towards appreciating Jesus the man and his teachings of love and forgiveness, and of detaching those teachings from the bureaucracy of organized religions.

Do what feels right to you. Be good to people.

Answer 6

i don't think of that this question is geared in the direction of me provided that i'm Pagan. this is a puppy peeve of mine whilst human beings ask such questions as though all religions are the comparable or that Christianity is the sole faith that exists. I did desire to declare that I hear what you're saying and that i agree. i think of that if a devil extremely does exist, then that's real essence is worry. Hate comes from worry. each and every thing destructive stems from it in some way or yet another. even nonetheless i'm grateful for the Christian faith by way of fact of ways it has helped my Dad and Sister, i stumble on that maximum Christians do not extremely understand how varied the classes interior the bible instruct worry. you're taught to worry God and that God is jealous. those style of innovations approximately something it extremely is so close and costly on your coronary heart, situations you and would spill out to others aspects of your life and how which you view human beings. So i'm able to understand why human beings hate and worry lots by way of fact regrettably, they are being taught to. on the comparable time, the religion facilitates a lot of human beings and a few Christians do not hate or worry....they have a technique or the different discovered the thank you to look previous those areas of the religion and concentration on the extra valuable aspects of it. How that's accomplished, i don't understand yet I even have met some Christians that pull it off. that's my 2 cents. :)

Answer 7

Jesus does love us & yes I believe He hates religion. Why? Because religion is all about ritual & legalism, whereas Jesus came to have a relationship with us & enable us to have a relationship with the Father. That's why some people will say real Christianity is not a religion it's a relationship. Hope it helps. Bless u

Answer 8

It works for me. Jesus/God I'm sure does not like all these rules/ regulation and stuff that some religions take upon themselves to interprete as being in the bible. Often religion becomes a way of life instead of a guide to help you know how to live your life more like Jesus. Religion to some people is like a drug. Anyway, I would go hear this person again.

Answer 9

well it makes sense to me, Jesus, the Lord for some, as the reincarnation and somehwat limb of G-d, is if course loving off all their creature, Man, and such. So yess, Jesus loves us, but hates religion because his creations (man) kill in the name of it. Jesus was basically some great guy that had some great ideas, G-dly or not. All heck broke loose when Paul, the apostle of Tarsus said: "hey guys, that jesus of nez. was pretty cool, he had some good ideas, lets name a religion after him with judaic morals, sound good, fellas?" the apostles nodded and so it was done. then people who spoke to G-d or not (as in hallucinations and psycosiss') fought IN THE NAME of the religion made for the whorsip of the great phrophet, Jesus. that's why.

Answer 10

Yes, because in the Bible the word religion is usually used in a negative way. Man created different denominations and "religions." Religion implies that there are things you can do to be righteous and therefore get to heaven. There isn't. I am sad to say there will be many "good people" in hell because the only way is through Jesus, by accepting Him into your heart and confessing and repenting of your sins. No amount of rituals, money, sacrifices, dietary requirements or special wardrobe will do!