Welcome to Gaia! ::

The title of a great book, and the name of movement.

I'm sure many of you can connect with me on this level.

While I DO go to church regularly, I consider myself more Spiritual instead of religious. And even though I'm devoutly Christian, I absolutely abhor religion and religious people.

This may have to do with the fact that I'm an anarchist, and so I tend to rebel against societal norms. However, I think what Christianity has become, isn't what it was meant to be. My opinion is this, Christianity is simple (the basis anyway). Christianity is your personal relationship with God Almighty. That's it. THAT is the good news to me. It's not easy to live the Christian life, my own path can attest to this. But the concept of Christianity is simpler than what people make it out to be.

Simply to me, religion has too many trappings. Spirituality has none other than what Yahweh places on you. What Christianity has been turned into, daresay perverted into, is going to church every Sunday, going and handing out tracts, listening to gospel music 24/7 and the like. And admittedly, these things can be good to do, but that's not what Christianity is.

I'll be the first to admit that I'm very liberal on my viewpoints. I'm a Liberal Christian Occultist Anarchist. So in many facets, I nigh loathe fundamentalists.

Here's an example: my parents are fundamentalists; my friends and I were at church on a Wednesday night. My friend was playing with the shofar that belongs to the church. My mother was obviously offended and voiced her concerns about it to me recently, along with the fact that a couple of my friends were throwing a miniature frisbee (which wouldn't harm anything) in the sanctuary. My mother was utterly offended and considered it to be sacrilegious. I, on the other hand, believe that Yahweh would wish us to enjoy ourselves in His presence. And indeed even our youth pastor joins in on our activities such as throwing the frisbee in the sanctuary.

So then, the point to the above paragraph would be the contrast between Spirituality and Religion. "Don't talk to in church, don't run, sit down and be quiet," as opposed to "Sing and dance for the Lord, have a good time in worship."

So then, what are your opinions on the matter?

I totally agree. There does need to be some order to faith, i think, and that christians should commune together, but I have seen far to many cases even in my own faith of 'routine'. It becomes pointless and empty.

Even my dad, who was once very conservitive, taught a whole lesson last week on how chrisianity can't just be a religion. It would defeat the purpose, right? rofl

I think it was comedian Daniel Tosh who best outlined the response to "Spiritual v. Religious":

"Whenever I meet a girl at a club and she say's 'Oh, I'm not religious, but I'm spiritual,' I say, 'Well! I'm not a liar, but you're interesting.'"

I sympathize, friend, after all Tolstoy [Tolstoi?] was himself an anarchist Christian. He actually filled the entirety of "War and Peace" with his views on religion and politics; particularly scathing towards Napoleon's imperialism and warfare. But, sympathy only goes so far.

Christ himself said to the Disciples and all that come after him, "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill." [Matt. v, 17] So, I am in agreement with Talmar_Star_Blood; but only to certain points. But, that's something else, entirely.

Simply, I have a Hobbesian and somewhat Calvinistic view of Man and cannot go without saying that Religion [as well as the State I might add] are necessary. Necessary evils? I cannot say. But, I assure you, they are as necessary as food, housing, and clothing.

We need ritual, but we must not make it idolatrous. We need order, but we must not make it a millstone about our necks. We need the Law, but we need Mercy just as much. Ultimately, Religion boils down to the things which we habituate ourselves to. There are good habits and bad habits. All ways strive for the good.

Also, I should like to end on a humorous note: As far as playing with a frisbee in areas that are considered to be sacred would be akin to someone coming into your living room and using it as a restroom. There's a time and place for everything. Yet, at the same time, dire circumstances may dictate that a change may be in order.

Now, I've said nothing in malice, and mean no offense. How you take it is entirely up to you. The same goes for anyone who comes after me, reading what has been said. Go in peace, friend.