Organized Religion

The general character and practice of organizedled many disciples to adopt an uncompromising "herd"
religion can be integrated into any belief system inmentality: a process of reasoning that compels them
the world. It is generic wording, which is to say thatto reject any notion that they can walk one with the
any religious group, i.e., Christian, New Age, Hinduism,Lord without a religious overlord watching their every
Buddhism, and so on, can be organized. Organizedmove.
religion simply implies that said religious institution hasBeware, however. Many write and speak as though
a predetermined set of rules or guidelines necessarythey comprehend things from outside the box of
to regulate activities, teachings, and worship withinorganized religion. Yet, these same writers and
the order or membership.speakers continue to maintain positions of high
This is the function of Christian denominationalism.standing within the organizational structure. They do
The terms "denominationalism" and "organized religion"see and understand some things but have not yet
are therefore synonymous. While individualwalked away from the denominational institutions
denominations may not share the same, exactthat support them. They speak some truth but other
doctrinal interpretations of their Christianaspects of their teachings are inundated with false
counterparts, all denominational false doctrines anddoctrinal presuppositions.
departures from biblical truth inherently find theirWhat is happening here? What, then, can we trust to
origins in the institutional ideologies of organizedbe truth? Let us not fear, for there is an intelligible
religion.explanation. What many preachers teach is a mirror
It is not easy for me to bring into question theimage of truth. Let me explain. Imagine a hole in a
doctrinal and practical institutions of organized religion.box, one large enough to see through. Now, imagine
It may even seem to some hypocritical, my havingthat you are totally enclosed in the box. You look
been a part of the system for decades. There is onthrough the hole and see a mirror facing you. In the
my part, nevertheless, an appreciation for formermirror, you see the image of your box. But the
teachers, mentors, brothers and sisters in Christ.reflection shows only one side - the side facing the
People for whom I care and love. Yes, there are truemirror, the rest of the box is hidden from full view.
disciples caught up in Christian organized religion.So, you make some assumptions as to what the
Inherently, they believe in God, but like ancient Israel,other sides of the box look like. You might be right.
they have their own take on how things ought to beYou might be wrong. On the other hand, if you step
done. Paul warned the gentile church not to becompletely out of the box, all is revealed. Seeing the
arrogant and self-enterprising like the Israelites (1box in its entirety, you see every aspect of it.
Corinthians 10). Paul further warns that God can justAs I said, some teachings that expose the offences
as harshly judge arrogant gentile Christians as heof Christian organized religion are accurate while other
once did arrogant Jews. The branch that was graftedoffensive "sacred cows" are left untouched. One has
in (the gentiles) can just as easily be broken off andto step out of the box, entirely, to discover the
removed (Romans, chapters 9-11). This is why truewhole truth. Until this happens, what is taught is
believers must open their eyes and removebased on limited reflection rather than full reality. The
themselves from the false enterprise that is Christianwillingness to challenge orthodox practice will
institutionalized religion.eventually bring about the full force of rejection and
Organized religion is "religious theater" - a course inexpulsion from organized religion. Nevertheless, only
acting out a part. There is the illusion of following Godwhen one is called into accountability for offending
and as with all illusions, the participant is, initially, leftorthodox practice will one comprehend the underlying
unawares. There is the feeling that most things saidfalsehood that is denominationalism. One must be
and done are in their proper place. I say most things,free of denominationalism's tactical maneuvering -
but certainly not all things. For it was theexplaining God in a way that subjugates and controls
preponderance of questions that remained whichdisciples.
propelled me to think beyond the institutionalYou cannot have one foot in the mud and the other
deception that I was completely following God. Itin the bathtub and stay clean. It is all or nothing. Jesus
was inevitable that I would one day step out of theis our example. Even he had to leave the confines of
box and discover the error of my thinking.the synagogue, the organized religion of his day, in
Organized religion deeply frowns on its religiousorder to teach believers. He left the city and took his
adherents stepping out of the box. Disciples canstudents into the wilderness, away from Pharisaical
choose another denomination if they are disappointedinfluence and social-religious pressures.
with their current situation, but are consideredOne thing is true. Once you leave the box, you can
heretical if they step outside the organizationalnever go back. Your faith has been redirected. You
confines of denominational religion altogether. Thisnow recognize that you can never pay homage to
without a doubt confirms the despotic grip thatthe lie again. Furthermore, now that God has your
Christian organized religion has on the minds andtotal allegiance, he will honor your newfound
hearts of God's sons. No one is allowed to think forconviction and teach you what no denominationally
one's self outside established religious criteria. Sotrained, orthodox preacher or priest could.
effective is denominational autocratic rule that it has