It’s been said that Satan’s gratest tool, his greatest helpmate is RELIGION! But is Satan, Lucifer, that snake in the grass a HE? Is there such a being? Where does this being live? Is this Satan really just our ego, or maybe a dark force that shadows our every move? Let’s let those questions wait while I tackle the easy question. Is RELIGION one of God’s greatest enemies (re-phrasing the question).
Wherever there has been wars and killings there’s been a RELIGIOUS movement involved (and usually two or more). In the NAME OF GOD various religions kill others. Christianity has a bad trck record when it comes to establishing PEACE ON EARTH! But, most religions have that same track record.
Kill, kill, killl!
Hans Kung has been the object of his faith’s retribution. Hans Küng is a Catholic priest, a Swiss theologian, and a prolific author. But, the Vatican has rescinded his authority to teach Catholic theology. Though he had to leave the Catholic faculty, he remained at the University of Tübingen as a professor of Ecumenical Theology, serving as Emeritus Professor since 1996. Neither his bishop nor the Holy See have revoked his priestly faculties. If one does not fully BELIEVE like a denomination INSISTS then you’re out!
Some 30,000 “Christian denominations” are proof of the egoic will of mankind. I think we’ve had God all wrong.
Hans Kung siad it well when he voiced this thought, “There will be peace on earth when there is peace among the world religions. No future for the planet without world peace; no world peace without peace between the nations; no peace between the nations without peace between religions; no peace between religions without religious dialogue.” The way of Jesus travels many roads.
Every fourth Sunday, the InterFaith Ministry of Houston conducts a tour of two local-area faiths. One can experience two dozen different faiths. It’s sad though that most fundamentalists pastors, preachers, and denominational leaders forbid or discourage their adherents attendance at such. The fear is that they might pick up a demon, become infected with false doctrine, or get led astray! Let the people be free!
In the first two months we’ve visted Jewish, Quaker, Jain, and Zoroastrian faiths. So, what’s to fear?
1-People will see the love of various religious beliefs
2-People will have compassion for people of other faiths.
3-People will ask their religious leaders questions they can’t answer.
4-People will see that God is everywhere at work in all faiths.
5-People will be set free to question their own faith (a major fear).
So, this Sunday, I’ll get to “experience” the Baha’i and Sikh faiths and hopefully do what little I can to love people of all faiths and make a small impact for peace on earth, here in Houston, Texas. Remember, God is most defined in Jesus, but confined to Jesus- nor your city, denomination or church.
But NOT confined to Jesus