Reco State of the Union Adress

Mark 7:
(7) They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. (8) You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.
 
Before I go off on some tangent... I wanna know your definition of Religion.

YOUR definition, your personal definition.

What the word means to you.

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To me, you said you do not believe in Religion, and I do not see how you cannot believe in a religion yet have a relationship with that religion's God.

It simply does not make sense.

And, if you do not believe in Religion, why quote a religious book?
 
Religion...laws set by man to follow a deity...usually changed and currupted by man also...(see denominations)
 
Well, you have the misfortune of talking with me, who loves to have internet-debates.

You said:
Mark 7:
(7) They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men. (8) You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the traditions of men.
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But then you said the Bible is the work of God:
Breathed by God!

The Bible is the Word of God...
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Then you defined Religion as:
Religion...laws set by man to follow a deity...usually changed and currupted by man also...(see denominations)
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These points you made simply do not line up correctly.

Bible is the word of God, yes; but man publishes it. You said yourself that a religion is a set of laws set by man to follow a deity. Is that not the Bible?

If God wrote the Bible, then the Catholic and Protestant Bibles would have the same amount of books in them. (I am pretty sure both Catholic and Protestant Denominations worship the same God...)

So, this leads me to believe that man has altered (corrupted as you said) the Bible. This leads me to ask you as to why you quoted it.
 
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Let me be clear that I am not trying to be demeaning to you in any way, but I am just trying to see the logic behind your original post.

Let it also be known that I am all for free speech and the voicing of thoughts (basically 100% against what you're first post said.).
 
If you would like I could have my living grandfather read the original and tell me what Jesus really said there if it would satisfy things...
 
In all honesty, and possibly in your eyes, I am an idiot, and maybe I am...I cannot back what I say, I cannot make points, and I contradict myself... But I am sure God didn't make me for discussions and debates because I just plain out SUCK at them... Now why I am on a discussion board...to talk with guildies, not really to discuss even though I like to throw my opinion in, again, even though I suck at it and probably just make people mad...
 
Xion, its all good brother. I'm raking what you're leafing 95% of the time (i think).

I think my favorite definition of religion comes from James where he defines what true religion should look like.
 
I've gotta kinda side with XionTawa here. However, I totally agree that this debate is really more about what our individual definitions of the word 'religion' are. It sounds like most of us very much agree on the heart of what the Christ-following life should consist of, although there's plenty of grace for us to disagree on some specifics (Romans 14).

Although the word "religion" can be used to describe any system of belief, to me it carries the connotation of man trying to fulfill the requirements of a set of beliefs in order to earn the approval of God. I'd argue that when most people (their personal set of beliefs notwithstanding) hear that word, a similar definition comes to mind. I personally believe that this is the antithesis of true Christianity. I cannot earn God's approval. I am unworthy of ANY favor He can bestow, and, as David said, who am I that He should even know my name? I am approved by God not for what I do, but for what He has already done. My good works (such as they are) are not done in order to earn His favor, but rather in gratitude for the indescribable gift He has already given me and out of a desire to belong more and more to Him. According to my definition, the good works of a 'religious' man precede his salvation, the good works of a Christ-follower are performed as a result of his salvation. It is because of the intimate relationship God has chosen to have with me, and my response to His invitation, that I 'do good things'.

Semantics aside, I've gotta have XionTawa's back on this one. :D
 
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XionTawa said:
In all honesty, and possibly in your eyes, I am an idiot, and maybe I am...I cannot back what I say, I cannot make points, and I contradict myself... But I am sure God didn't make me for discussions and debates because I just plain out SUCK at them... Now why I am on a discussion board...to talk with guildies, not really to discuss even though I like to throw my opinion in, again, even though I suck at it and probably just make people mad...
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I thought about this pretty hard last night after I logged off and I do see what you are saying now, and I apologize for coming across so harshly.

The relationship between a person and God is all that matters.

Sorry Xiontawa =(.
 
Odale said:
I thought about this pretty hard last night after I logged off and I do see what you are saying now, and I apologize for coming across so harshly.

The relationship between a person and God is all that matters.

Sorry Xiontawa =(.
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Group hug!!! We all love Jesus and that's good enough for anyone.:D
 
Wow, all that because of my post. Lol- quite the bunny trail. Anyways, I'm glad you have it all worked out. Now we just need to save the rest of the world. I will be doing my part when elected to goverment, to spread the freedom of choice, and promote personal repsonsibility just like our savior Jesus Christ did, by setting the ultimate example for us. Thanks all of you for the kind words and votes of support.
 
Odale said:
I thought about this pretty hard last night after I logged off and I do see what you are saying now, and I apologize for coming across so harshly.

The relationship between a person and God is all that matters.

Sorry Xiontawa =(.
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I would like to apologize too, I had a bad day at work, and then went home and got on the forums...and well, as we can tell, didn't go to well...
 
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