Does God Hate Religion?

Question

A survey of the Scriptures reveals that there is one category that God hates above all others. God hates religion! Many will be confused, if not offended by such a statement, for they have identified God with religion. Religion, therefore, needs to be defined and differentiated from the Christian gospel.

The English word "religion" is etymologically derived from the Latin word religo, meaning to "bind up." Religion binds people up in rules and regulations or in ritualistic patterns of devotion.

Christianity, on the other hand, was never meant to be a religion. Christianity is the dynamic spiritual life of the risen Lord Jesus indwelling the spirit of man so as to create functional behavior to the glory of God. Granted, men have attempted to force Christianity into the molds and forms of religion. That is evident by all the steeples and sanctuaries and ecclesiastical programs that dot the landscape of our society.

Answer 1

god has never created religion, it was man, naming it , labelling it.. god never identify himself as god Judaism etc. but associates himself with the previous personalities like god of Abraham , Jacob etc, b'cos religion gave rise to false prophets n teachings..so basically religion binds your rights which god had granted freely..

Answer 2

If there is a god out there, or inside of us, then the question is meaningless. We have free will to believe what we want.

Religions are man-made groups of people who share a common belief. They are cultural, which is why they are so different. Some religions believe THEIRS is the only true religion. But if god really worried or hated religions, don't you think we would all be believing or disbelieving the same thing?

"Christianity, on the other hand, was never meant to be a religion." This is true. But ,oh how the founding fathers learned what a control device it could be and is! People are greedy. Some more than others. If all Christian denominations REALLY followed Jesus' teachings, there would be no wealthy churches. One in particular has amassed a fortune in real estate, precious objects, priceless antiquities, and still claims it needs contributions for the poor. That makes me laugh.

So who's glorifying who? Glory to God? I doubt it. Glory of wealth is more likely. Like I said, people are greedy, especially those who pretend not to be.

Besides, I don't believe any one has risen, walked on water, turned water into wine, or any thing. Jesus was a brilliant young man, but a MAN, not a god. The bible was written by MEN, not a god.

Stop being influenced by all the dogma and you will be surprised what you learn.

Answer 3

But isn't the act of believing a "work"? (If you don't do it, you're doomed.) A benevolent God would make salvation the default, not the option. People would be condemned for rebelling, not for failing to make the effort to believe. "Religion", has come to mean the doctrinal and procedural trappings that become institutionalized over time. In that you are correct. These were the things that Jesus condemned in the Pharisees. There's nothing wrong with developing a new community expression of faith, or even repeating it at times. The problem is making it mandatory for "salvation". God, I suspect, is far less intrested in innovations or traditions in worship styes than in demonstrations that being Christian changes the way one lives in the world. In Amos 8:4-7, God overhears pious businessmen dutifully fulfilling their religious obligations while planning how they will cheat customers the following day. "Belief" is clearly not enough. God can tell when one is faking. But people can too, it will show. If all a faith proclamation does is make the believer show up regularly at church on Sunday, that's not real faith. Real faith will show up on the weekdays, at home, at work and in the public square, in compassion, healing, relief and encouragement. That's what real "religion" is.

Answer 4

I don't know about God, but what I understand from the new testament and the teachings of Jesus, I would say that Jesus hated religion. He brought a new concept about the relation of the human with his creator that is not bound by rules made by humans. He was a revolution against all previous traditions that were concentrating on materialistic worshiping rather than spiritual understanding of God!

He said our Kingdom would be in heaven not on earth, thus threatening the Ecclesial and political system in ancient Israel. Therefore he was hated by many Jews. Even his pupils were asking him about their ranks or positions in the new kingdom, they were thinking of it in an earthly manner.

He also told about praying, to go in your private place and pray quietly because this is only between you and the God. You don't need to let others know you are praying.

Answer 5

Ok. that being said.. Christianity IS a religion. Get over it. You have a specific set of beliefs that you adhere to. You have a religious text. You have a specific deity. RELIGION! And I would agree that religion does tend to "bind" people up. However, I would not say that "god" whatever god is, hates religion b/c no one knows what god is. And i'm pretty sure if one exists its not as simplistic and human as people tend to believe. Therefore such a powerful force would not be able to experience human emotion b/c it would not be human.

Answer 6

Yes, God hates Religion, because it has ruined His people.

He especially hates that the spirit of Religion has invaded Christianity, like you said it was NEVER meant to be a religion and many of the people bound up in religious christianity are actually luke warm and we all know how the Christ feels about that.

Answer 7

Well, you know I'm an Atheist, but let me say this:

Accepting that God exists, one must conclude that he is rather indifferent to religion, per se; it is the negative actions performed in the name of religion that he must despise. Human interaction, as long as it is positive, I would imagine any deity to be benignly unconcerned with, and religion can certainly fall under this category.

By the same token, negative actions, whether cloaked in religious guise or not, must surely be a source of great sorrow to any divinity.

Answer 8

i dont think god hates.

god(s) does/do not need religions and probably dont care for the ritual and worship.

religion is a human attempt to interpret god according to human perception prevalent in a certain society at a certain time. they have a tendency to stop developing and adapting, thus turning the divinity into a rigid immutable stubborn "thing".

Answer 9

I agree with the point you are making but remember to qualify it with James 1:27. I think you are speaking of bad religion. A religion of self righteousness which Jesus says is a form of hypocrisy. There is such a thing as good religion which springs from the heart which has been regenerated by the Holy Spirit. You are correct, we are justified by grace through faith in Christ alone, not religion.

Answer 10

well, last time i heard, His True & Faithful Children are all Free Beings. Have you ever wondered why Angels are always depicted with wings? it's because They are Eternally Free, and They deserve it because They have always been responsible for the Divine Wisdom that has been entrusted to Them.

Now, for mortals who deserve Compassion more than anything else, Religion is really for mind-control. And you should be able to realize who is minding the control boards. So who could that Naughty One be?


tee-hee
:-)