This Ain't Your
Momma's Religion!
Christ's gospel was so shocking to the Jews of his day, that
even his own family thought he was 'disturbed' and they once
tried to take him into custody (Mk. 3:21, 31-35). His mother
and brothers were not persecuted by the Pharisee-controlled government,
but he was crucified. The difference between his message and
what the Jews were expecting then, is no greater than the difference
between his message and what is being taught in churches today.
If the "religious authorities" responded then, to Christ's
gospel with, "This ain't your momma's religion", they
could say the same thing to him today.
What do you think 'religion' is? Sunday mornings . . .dressing
up . . . hard seats . . . a 15-minute spiel that doesn't say
much (although it feels like it took forever to end) but maybe
it makes you feel somehow 'righteous' because you endured it
. . . smiles . . . shaking hands with the preacher (a sanctimonious
twit who cut you off in traffic last week and who makes church
activity assignments based on local church politics) . . .or
a distinguished gent in fancy robes (whom you never leave alone
with the choir boys?) . . . hymns that sound like funeral music
. . . or 'praise music' (rock and roll with 'the Lard' substituting
for sex and drugs)?
When we were children it was a weekly exercise in make-believe.
Just make-believe you're 'nice' for a hour or two and your parents
can 'make-believe' the family is 'right with Gawd' for another
week.
As long as you're comfortably fed and sheltered and clothed and
enjoying some degree of material success and have your emotional
needs met by friends and family, you and the preacher can say,
"Praise Gawd for his blessings". But when things go
terribly wrong--accidents, disease, disaster, deaths--then the
best you get is "Gawd works in mysterious ways.". .
. ?!?!
It seems that when the cow patty hits the fan, the institutional
`Gawd Squad' haven't a clue! Even if your life is not crashing
at the moment, try asking, "What is the purpose of life?",
and see if you can get a coherent answer that has anything to
do with the reality you wake up to each day.
Not happy with your religion? Try another,... or another, ...or
another. At last count, there were 33,800 brand names and generic
names of Christianity alone. Or choose something totally 'off
the wall'. Lie on the floor and giggle uncontrollably, or handle
snakes, or chant to yourself, or worship the 'Dark Side' (pagans
and witches are 'cool' now).
Some choose to pretend it makes sense (well maybe some of it
anyway) and 'this is just the way its always been.' 'It was good
enough for my momma and it's good enough for me!' Others find
it all discouraging and wonder where to even begin to look for
answers that actually make sense.
Finding answers (real ones, ones that will make a difference
to you, with your problems and in your life) requires asking
questions, tough questions.
Most preachers will try to answer your questions. If they attended
seminary they covered the most common questions in class (assuming
they were sober and present that day, after all, it is college).
Doctrinal questions will get the best response as they will have
a 'cheat-sheet' listing the points, arguments and 'proof' scriptures
or 'authoritative church policy' on the matter. They could just
give you the 'sheet' but then you would wonder what they are
getting paid for and you might start asking yourself some questions
which they and their employers would rather that you did not
answer.
Some of them are 'sincere', for whatever that's worth (and we
know there are some 'nice folks' out there trying to help and
sometimes they do, but look at the minuscule results on a national
or international scale).
If sincerity counted, then we would have to allow some credit
for dedicated criminals, sincere loonies, heartfelt terrorism,
speaking of which, Catholics of the Inquisition were totally
sincere in torturing the victim du jour, until death or confession
of the accusation du jour upon which they killed him/her anyway
to prevent recidivism.
The Catholic Church (actually the men running it) made some profitable
and effective management decisions (see "Dark Ages")
which led some of its brighter followers to start asking questions
(see "Martin Luther). For the most part the RCC had effective
ways of dealing with 'trouble-makers' with its severance package
including 'termination with extreme prejudice' whenever they
could arrange it (see "Foxe's Book of Martyrs").
Nevertheless, the questions continued, resulting in the present
existence of all the 'Protestant' descendants of the 'Mother
Church'.
If you think your neighborhood 'mainstream' church has nothing
in common with the RCC, think again. Look up "Sunday"
in the Catholic Encyclopedia (found in most public and
university libraries and on the web) and read how 'there is no
basis for worshiping on the first day of the week (Sunday)
other than the authority of the (Roman Catholic) Church.' In
other words, there is no reason to worship on Sunday other than
to acknowledge the authority of the Catholic administration.
Look up the instructions in scripture. It says 'work six days
(which would include Sunday) and on the seventh (Saturday, the
"Sabbath") you shall rest (literally 'cease' from labor)'.
The "Church" however decided that, , from a marketing
standpoint, Sunday would be a better choice (see "church
history").
Do your neighborhood religions have anything to do with your
daily 'reality'? If they don't, perhaps you should ask, "Is
there any similarity between what the Bible actually says
and what your favorite religion (the preacher's version) says
it means.
If you haven't compared The Book to the local production company's
interpretation then brace yourself. Any similarity between what
The Book says and what's going on at the local religion retailer
is purely coincidental.
What you will find is that the 'religion' described in the inspired
'instruction manual' is not 'your momma's religion'.
Copyright M.H. and G.H. 1999.
All rights reserved.
