Man Made Religion, God Created Relationships
Religion is surely man made. For that reason, religion is not perfect. Our attempt to contextualize a system, a set of beliefs or programs to manage and understand God continuously falls short. The New Testament defines pure religion by our treatment of those in need. Once again, this is what makes PURE Christianity so attractive.
Christ introduced not necessarily a religion but a relationship. To some, the ministry of Christ expresses God’s desire to introduce upon humanity and the world a revolutionary relationship. Simplicity in expression, Awesome in Power, Magnificent in Grace, Christ transformed the conversation, from religion to relationship.
In essence all religions represent the spiritual hunger apparent in every human being. The longing leads us to answer not just questions of does Life exist beyond us but rather does something greater exists inside us. Good religions attempt to answer the questions of Heaven and Earth, Great religions dare to pose the questions such as “What do we need to do to be saved?” and “Who is the greatest amongst us?”
Religions may come from men but some relationships may come from Heaven. Seek the latter and then you will understand the former.
By
Samuel Rodriguez
|
May 29, 2007; 6:14 AM ET
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Posted by: Star Light | October 15, 2007 11:41 PM
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Church is for sinners to repent, not practice sin....and homosexuality is called sin by God that will judge the living and the dead someday....The gays think they are getting by with something, wait til judgement day....it's coming....
Posted by: Star Light | October 15, 2007 11:41 PM
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Where does your morality come from?
Posted by: Roger | June 25, 2007 9:36 PM
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What I'd like to know is who said the words in the Bible were from God? Why does religion controll by these teachings? How the hell could they even begin to knowing when no one else can?
Posted by: Tired of Religion and it's lies | June 19, 2007 3:20 PM
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It is interesting to me that those who disagree with a particular stance attack the person and not the stance itself. The Bible clearly states that homosexuality is a sin and not God's desire for the individual. Not too long ago, even from a strictly biological view, this was common sense. I am shocked that more non christians aren't upset at christians who say that homosexuality is ok, since they are then the ones who are saying they believe the Bible but then acting inconsistently with its teachings. That is hypocrisy. And it really is possible to disagree, even strongly, with a lifestyle but not hate people who choose to live that way. That may be a good definition of unconditional love. And on a side note, the Bible doesn't degrade women. In fact, it actually teaches that the man is to lay his life down for his wife, to help her become all God wants her to be and put her needs before his own. Anyway, thanks for reading.
Posted by: Roger | June 2, 2007 8:08 PM
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Gerry,
Not only is Rodriguez not homophobic, he has addressed the need for the evangelical community to reach out and minister to the needs of this community. You will never find a statement against homosexuals from Rev. Rodriguez. Yes, he is in favor of traditional marriage because as he stated in the Times piece, the greatest antidote to gang activity in the Latino community is a family where both mom and dad are present. Homosexuality is not even discussed. Get your facts straight. You seem to be as intolerant as you accuse others to be.
Barry
Posted by: Barry | May 30, 2007 1:54 AM
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Are we then stating that some religions are better than others? Should we categorize religions and evaluate them according to what metrics? Not all religions do good. To limit and subjugate women and to reinforce a Male Chauvinistic society is not good religion. To teach murder and violence, intolerance and hatred is not good religion. To preach suicide bombings and Virgin compensation is not good religion. Not all religions are good. Those that help, and lift humanity up have more of a God DNA than others.
Posted by: Barry Reise | May 29, 2007 5:11 PM
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The spiritual hunger within is caused by the Devil, the larceny within us all that says something can be gotten for nothing. Religion gets it's something for nothing from God through prayer.
http://www.hoax-buster.org/sellyoursoul is what the ministry has done in an effort to get something, money for nothing. The big money goes to those who lead the multitudes to hell. How many in your congregation? A free buck is a free buck. No?
Religion satisfies the supreme court's definition of pornography, "no redeming social importance." Thanks for making me think of that Gerry.
Have you petitioned the Vatican to return the gold taken from your ancestors, Caribeans, Aztecs, Incas, etc? There's a big church in Spain with a solid gold altar. Yum!!
Posted by: BGone | May 29, 2007 5:06 PM
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Gerry, go away. You are not funny.
Posted by: Sean | May 25, 2007 12:08 PM
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For a guy who despises gay people so much you have awfully nice hair and well-groomed facial hair. Perhaps a little poofy for a straight guy no?
Maybe....nah.
You chose to be straight, who am I to wonder?
Posted by: Gerry King | May 25, 2007 12:05 PM
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For a guy who hates gay people so much, you have awfully pretty hair.
Posted by: Gerry King | May 25, 2007 11:53 AM
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Church is for sinners to repent, not practice sin....and homosexuality is called sin by God that will judge the living and the dead someday....The gays think they are getting by with something, wait til judgement day....it's coming....