reason.cck.org.uk

In short, yes.

In the beginning God created Man to live in relationship with him. Sin has ruined this relationship and created a barrier between us and God. Throughout history man has sought to bridge this gap through his own efforts, by being ‘good’ or by abstaining from things in order to please God. This is religion. Most Christians would  not class Christianity as a religion for the reason that there are no strict rules we have to follow, Jesus has done everything that is necessary.

Without sin, there would be no need for ‘religion’ at all. No one would be seeking to find God, as there would be no separation from Him to start with. In this sense, yes, the world would be better without religion.

If we accept the fact that as long as there is sin, there will be religion because of our inbuilt longing for God, we must then look at the second part of the question, regarding war.

We must avoid the mistake of blaming someone for things done in their name.

For example, if you told me that you wanted your favourite sports team to win the league that year, and I then went off and killed all the players in the opposing teams, claiming that it would guarantee your team winning, and so it was what you wanted, would it be fair for me to attribute my behaviour to you, or to generalise that behaviour to all the supporters of your team? I hope that you agree that it would not.

This is similar to religious wars.

There are countless wars that have been fought in the name of religion. Christianity cannot distance itself from this, the Crusades are a prime example of atrocities performed in the name of Christ.

However, these things are the complete opposite of the teachings of Christ himself. There are many people who would call themselves Christians, but do not necessarily reflect Christ, but, instead have their own agenda. This is not new and Christ even spoke of these people:

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’   (Matthew 7:21-23)

Although Christians are to be imitators of Christ, this is not something that anyone can perfectly achieve. Please do not have your view of Christ tainted by those who follow Him.

For more on this subject:

http://reason.cck.org.uk/werent-people-from-around-300-1800-ad-under-a-great-deal-of-pressure-to-conform-to-christianity-or-they-would-face-death/

Tweet This

This may seem a strange post coming from a born again Christian, but I want you all to know that I hate religion.

Why, you may be wondering, isn’t this what you are living for, and all about?

Well, in a word No!

The Bible teaches clearly that we have been made to have a relationship with God, not perform a load of duties for a distant God who we are worried is going to smite us if we don’t do what he tells us. The Bible says that this kind of obligation-based living on its own is dung (to use a pleasant word). If this is the kind of experience you have had of Christianity then let me apologise, seriously.

Everyone hates people who are self-righteous, and this is what alot of ‘religious’ people can be like, because they feel very proud of their moral performance to make God happy.

I want you all to know that anyone that claims to be a Christian should be among the least self-righteous people you ever meet. ‘why?’ you may ask. ‘You religious types are all the same, you want everyone to know how good you are.’

Well, this is not the case and let me explain why:

SALVATION BY RELIGION

This is where many religious groups believe that if they are a good enough person they will be saved by God and spend eternity in heaven. The Bible refers to these efforts as being about as pleasant to God’s mind as a used tampon! pretty graphic isn’t it.

SALVATION BY GRACE

This means that it’s a free gift. If you know that you’re not perfect (which you’re not, and I’m certainly not) and God is, then you will recognise correctly that we are not on an equal footing with him. So because of this we can’t enter into a relationship with him. So how do we solve this problem?

Work harder, read the bible more, pray – wrong!

Jesus came and lived the perfect life that we couldn’t and God substituted him in our place. He took the just punishment that we should have, and so, if you accept that Jesus did this for you as a free gift (because he loves you!!) then you can know the joy of having an intimate personal relationship with him.

Jesus came to give life to the full (John 10:10), not to kill it, and the way we get this is by knowing our creator God by relationship, not ritualistic do-gooding.

The joy that comes from this wonderful relationship is incredible, it sets your life on a rock which will not be moved and you then get to realise the plans that God has for your life.

Tweet This

Weren’t people from around 300-1800 AD under a great deal of pressure to conform, or face persecution by Christians?

Persecution of Christians and Christian Persecution

Throughout Christian history there have been those who have been persecuted for proclaiming the good news of Christ. This is entirely to be expected, in fact Jesus himself said it would be so (e.g. Matthew 5:11-12.) However, what is less explicable is the persecution of others by Christians. Does Christianity sanction this? Does Christianity condone this?

‘In The Name of Jesus’

European conflicts that could be termed ‘Christian’ in the time-frame you mention include both those that were purely religious purges of dissenters from the faith (heretics) and those which actually entailed other (usually political,) causes in the guise of religious conflict. The common factor in both is that these things were perpetrated in the name of Jesus Christ. Therefore, the important question to ask is ‘Did these actions accord to the teaching and example of Jesus?’ For example, suppose I am an ardent pacifist who can think of nothing worse than someone else being caused pain, no matter how justified. With this in mind, suppose that someone you did not know approached you and punched you in the face saying “I’m doing this in the name of Tim”. By such a combination of behaviour, my name would have become embroiled in something completely contrary to my ethos. Could this be the case for historic persecutions enacted ‘in the name of Jesus?’

The Teaching of the New Testament

To test whether persecution of unbelievers is in accordance with true Christianity we need to examine the Scriptures. Here are a few excerpts demonstrative of the pattern of teaching which emerges in the New Testament:

* John speaking in 1 John 3:15 says “Anyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.” Which mitigates entirely against hate and murder as appropriate actions for a Christian.

*Indeed, Christ himself enhances the Old Testament Law against murder to include ‘hatred’ by saying in Matthew 5:21-22 “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”

*Paul in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 comments on the jurisdiction of Christians in terms of judging the behaviour of others saying “What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. Expel the wicked man from among you.” Therefore, limiting Christian moral and behavioural instruction to those within the Church.

Conclusion

Therefore, at the points in history where Christ’s name has been brought into disrepute by those purporting to be His followers whilst pursuing a violent agenda, we find the actions of the persecutors to be incoherent with the faith they claim to uphold. Indeed, we see Christ’s heart on the matter in his rebuke to Peter in John 18:10-11 and his teaching on retaliation in Matthew 5:38-42. Furthermore, we are told in the prophecy of Isaiah 9:7 that Christ’s kingdom will be extended by peace and that it will be the ‘zeal of the LORD almighty’ that will achieve this. Actually, this is the fearsome and wonderful truth about Christianity: It is not spread by the sword or by coercion as is the case with some belief systems. Rather, the Bible demonstrates the extension of God’s Kingdom rule to be a supernatural endeavour in which Christians are privileged agents in Christ’s inevitable plan and purpose.

Tweet This

1. Becoming a Christian is a work that happens by faith alone as already established (See paragraph 1), that leads to life change (James 2:14-18). 
2. Although it is possible to have a faulty theological understanding of why you are a Christian it will massively hinder your walk with God and effectiveness as a Christian.  You will be pre-occupied with fulfilling rules, and being religious, thinking that God is very pleased with your duties. Actually, you have been declared righteous (in our legal standing with God) already (Romans 5:1) and are now living by the Holy Spirit which leads to actual life change (Gal 5:22-23) through his power rather than us gritting our teeth.

1. Is the person you know someone who says they have an ongoing relationship with God, which affects their life? Do they know why it is important that they have one?
2. Does the person understand that salvation is by faith alone, not works? This is the perfect opportunity to talk about Jesus.
3. LIVE IT OUT! Many people come to Christ through seeing a change in their friends or family.
4. Be able to provide answers, but do it with gentleness and respect ( 1 Peter 3:15)
5. Pray for them: people don’t merely become Christians through education, and discussion. (James 5:16). Prayer is powerful!!!

Tweet This

Committing suicide is a serious issue and for obvious reasons a very emotional one also. So what does God have to say on the matter?
 
The Bible refers to God as the giver of life, and the one who sustains life also (Colossians 1:16-17). Therefore, it is definitely wrong for somebody to take their own life regardless of how bad things may have got in their personal life.
 
There is a way out
 
Before going any further in answering this question it is important to note several important truths that God promises to believers. Sometimes, circumstances may seem particularly bleak but as a Christian you can know God with you (Romans 8:31). He will never leave you or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6). Just as crucial is God’s promise that he will never allow us to be tempted beyond that which we can bear, and that he always provides a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13). This shows that he is willing to be active in helping you in the midst of your dark situation.
 
You can’t lose it
 
The first thing we must consider is whether salvation can be lost for any reason? If you are a Christian then you will be pleased to know that you can’t. There are many scriptures to back this up, but I will use just one. ‘No one can can snatch them out of my hand ‘said Jesus (John 10:28) when referring to his people (his sheep). This means that once God has his hand on our life his commitment to us is unshakeable.  We can’t lose the eternal life that God has given us. When we become a Christian we are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13), who then comes to live inside of us.
 
The Bible tells us that you become a Christian not because of your behaviour but in spite of it. This is what Paul meant when he wrote to the Ephesians that they had been saved by grace (Ephesians 2:8-9). In this sense, suicide is just another sin, which can be forgiven just like all others through the powerful work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
 
Judgement?
 
Ultimately, if you are a Christian you have escaped God’s just punishment which would have meant you would have been eternally separated from him. We are still judged though on how we have stewarded what God has given us and it is possible to be saved as one escaping through the flames (1 Cor 3:15), and experiencing a sense of loss. It is important that we maintain a healthy fear of God as Christians, reminding ourselves that he is holy and we should not take lightly the gift of life he has given us.
 
Conclusion
 
In conclusion, a Christian can’t lose their salvation by committing suicide, but it is a sin (from which there are many harmful repercussions) and regardless of the circumstances you may find yourself in, there is always a way to get through the emotions of the moment. God can even allow you to go through difficult times to be brought to maturity as a believer (James 1:2-5).

Tweet This