June | 2023 | Done with Religion

Archive for June, 2023

The Spirit of God Lives Within Us

Posted in christian living, Love of God, tagged Bible, christian living, Christianity, church, Holy Spirit, Love of God, spirituality on June 30, 2023|

by Jim Gordon

I see a common problem among those of us who follow Christ these days. We talk about Jesus as a person from the past and seem to learn about him only from books, pastors and the so-called spiritually educated. We actually know it in our head, but usually do not act on the fact that Jesus is alive and his Spirit lives within each of us as his followers. We have a living relationship and daily fellowship with him through his Spirit.

The bible says that he gives us his Spirit and we do not need anyone to teach us. The Spirit will guide us into all truth. We need to let that get deep down within us and quit looking to only books and people to tell us what they think about Jesus and ask the Holy Spirit to teach us and lead us into his truth.

We Christians get so caught up on which pastor, evangelist or Christian leader to follow. We listen to this one or that one, read books from this guy or listen to tapes by that woman. We attend a fellowship because we like the pastor, or we will drive miles to listen to a popular TV or radio evangelist.

We also need to remember that the Spirit has already been given to us and we do not have to run to this meeting or that church for the Holy Spirit to fall upon us. The Spirit already lives within us.

God says we are all brothers and sisters in Christ, and we are all fellow-servants. We are not to be called leaders in an authoritative way, no one is higher up than anyone else. Leadership is done in love, servanthood and from experience in our walk with God. Those who have been walking with God longer can encourage those who are newer in their walk.

We can learn and be encouraged by reading the bible with the guidance of the Spirit. We can learn and be encouraged through fellowship with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Yet we seem to forget the most important truth which is the Spirit is within us. We are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). We have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).

In Christ we are all his children, no one should be looked up to or revered more than anyone else. We should stop putting all our hope in other people and learn to listen to the Holy Spirit who is within us to teach us truth and guide us in the way we are to go.

Jim Gordon and his wife left the institutional church after spending over fifty years within the system. Jim wanted a way to express his thoughts and concerns about the religious system and why he and his wife decided to leave the institution but not their faith in God. Jim can be contacted by email at: jimgordon731@gmail.com

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At A Funeral Can You Assure All Will Be Reunited With Their Loved One?

Posted in Acceptance, christian living, Love of God, tagged christian living, Christianity, faith, funeral, life after death, Love of God, parenting, spirituality on June 25, 2023|

By Mike Edwards

Many are taught only those who recite the sinner’s prayer and accept Jesus as their Savior go to heaven. I recently spoke at my friend’s funeral and assured the family one day they would be reunited. I didn’t know about their relationship with God. My friend lived an amazing unselfish life, but that isn’t my point. I suppose if speaking at Hitler’s funeral, you might just remain silent about any reunion. We should never think it is wrong to provide hope to those grieving.

Belief in a Creator or afterlife is a reasonable faith

You may or may not believe Jesus resurrected from the dead. I happen to be convinced historical reports about Jesus were more real than legend. See here. Maybe if you saw Jesus alive after being crucified, you would believe too. Billions, regardless of this belief, have an inclination that God and an afterlife exist. Such faith isn’t much different than faith in general. We still get on an airplane, not because we know but have reason to believe it is safe. Faith doesn’t require certainty!

Who goes to heaven?

If you grew up in the institutional church, you likely heard those who put their trust in Jesus while on earth go to heaven. The topic that over half the people born into this world had never heard of Jesus is often avoided. Too, the Bible isn’t clear either where people go after death. See here. No biblical writer claimed God spoke to them audibly what was on the other side of death. Even when Jesus was asked by a religious expert how to have eternal life, He simply said to love God and your neighbor (Lk.10:25-37). This wasn’t much of an evangelical spiel.

Is God a forgiving God or what?

Forgiveness is considered a central characteristic of God. Does God suddenly stop forgiving after we take our last breath here on earth? God can’t pretend every reason a person refuses God in this life is equal. Even imperfect human parents would never cut off a child if finally accepting responsibilities for their actions. What about justice? After death God may bring to memory every action of betrayal and how it felt to their victims. The cleansing and educative effect may take longer for some than others if accepting God’s invitation to live forever with God.

What then is the purpose of living a loving life here on earth?

Why bother living a good life here on earth if all is eventually forgiven for those that eventually ask for forgiveness. Jesus’ message wasn’t on quantity of life after death but a life worth living here on earth. If one desires to look back on their relationships with fewer regrets, consider Jesus’ advice to avoid the destructive consequences of sin. There is hope for our loved ones who had their reasons for not accepting God in this life. Just be careful of justifying a self-centered life. We could become set in such attitudes after our last breath. But I am convinced a loving God and not circumstances or chances determine our final destination.

What I assure people of when one they love has died

I said at my friend’s funeral that those in the room would be reunited with their husband, father, grandfather, brother. I said I am convinced there is a God and an afterlife. My God is loving and would accept anyone that desired to live in eternity with God. The way I knew my friend – God would welcome him with a big hug and say well done my friend. It is a reasonable hope that we all can look forward to be reunited with our loved ones.

At A Funeral Can You Assure All Will Be Reunited With Their Loved One?

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Mike Edwards has been writing for Done with Religion for some time and has been a great addition to the site. Mike also has his own site where he writes that can be found at What God May Really Be Like He can be contacted by email at: medwar2@gmail.com

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Deconstruction, Reconstruction…When Does It All End?

Posted in christian living, institutional church, Love of God, religion, The church, tagged christian living, Christianity, deconstruction, doubt, faith, Love of God, questions, reconstruction, religion, spirituality on June 23, 2023|

by Jim Gordon

After all the years I spent in church and being taught the various Bible stories, I always thought I had everything about God figured out. I thought I knew everything there was to know to have fellowship with God and do what was “right” for a Christian to do.

I have found this to be a common feeling among many Christian people. We think by listening to the pastor and doing some Bible reading, we have all the answers and do not need to seek out any other ways of looking at things.

Yet, as time went by, I began having some questions on things that did not make sense to me. I would notice now and then that I would even have some doubts. Of course, I did not pursue any of these questions or doubts because a ‘good’ Christian does not do that. To question or doubt was the fastest way to show you had very little faith.

As the years went by, I became a little more open to seriously wondering about some of the things I was taught in church. I started reading some books by others who felt the same way. I came to the conclusion that God was big enough to handle my questions and doubts, so I no longer felt guilty about having them. More and more people are coming to this same conclusion and are beginning to question and challenge some of the things they were taught.

I notice that some people begin to ask questions, but quickly feel guilty for doing so and go back to their old way of keeping quiet and not asking questions. Others begin to doubt and question and end up completely leaving their faith. It is sad when that happens, but everyone is certainly entitled to follow what they feel is right for them. Still others, such as me, started learning new things, found new interpretations, changed their way of thinking, changed some of their basic doctrinal beliefs and left the institutional church but did not leave their faith in God.

I soon realized I was participating in something I came to know as deconstruction. I did not know there was an actual term for what I was going through. This is common now and there is certainly nothing wrong with it. Basically, it is questioning your faith and what you were taught over the years, throwing out some things, changing your mind on some things and then starting to see some things in a new way.

The more I think about it, I think that doubts, questions, deconstruction and reconstruction will be something that never ends. I think this will be the norm for the rest of my earthly life. I personally think if we stop wondering and stop questioning, we will become stagnant in our faith. God is so much bigger than we realize, and there are so many more things to learn than what we have been taught throughout our time in church. If you are having some questions and doubts about your faith, do not feel guilty about it. Follow them and trust the Holy Spirit within you to guide you into more truth. Never stop seeking to grow in the grace and knowledge of the love of God.

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Where Is God?

Posted in christian living, Community, Jesus follower, Love of God, religion, tagged christian living, Christianity, communication, Kingdom of God, Love of God, spirituality on June 21, 2023|

by Norman Mitchell
https://thewildfrontier.wordpress.com/

I’ve struggled a lot with the apparent withdrawal of God from the world. The old testament is full of stories about God interacting with people, having conversations with them, walking with them, befriending them. Then we get to the new testament, and God appears in the flesh. After that there are a few years where the disciples perform miracles, then… nothing.

The last two thousand years have been years of silence. At least that’s how it seems to me. To be sure, there have been followers of The Way during that time who have had some incredible insights and done some amazing things. But there is no more, “thus saith the Lord”-type of communication. Mostly what I see is people regurgitating the biblical writings and arguing about what they mean.

The easy answer is to conclude that God does not exist—that He is simply a figment of the collective human imagination. It would be easy to chalk all the old stories up to superstition and imagination. It would be easy to conclude that people who were relatively naive about the physical sciences such as molecular biology, orbital mechanics, and advanced chemistry simply attributed natural phenomenon that they didn’t understand to divine intervention. Maybe they were just telling a bunch of morality tales.

But I think there’s a better explanation. To understand, it might be helpful to first look at the politics of the Roman Empire.

As I understand it, the terms evangelist and gospel were Roman terms. Whenever a new Caesar ascended to the throne, the political overlords decided that the masses needed a unifying narrative that would promote stability and maintain everyone’s places in the established hierarchy. The old Caesar was ostensibly descended from the gods and generally had the loyalty of the populace. Because the new Caesar was not a descendent of the old one, the people might be inclined to doubt that he had a divine right to rule and question his legitimacy; and that would be disastrous. Why, the people might revolt, and where would that leave the ruling class?

So the political establishment crafted a narrative that would explain how the new Caesar had descended from the gods, why he had the right to rule, and why the people owed him their allegiance. Then the emperor would send out evangelists who would proclaim the gospel—the good news that there was a new king.

And that is precisely what the new testament writers did when they wrote the books of the new testament, only they were writing about Jesus.

Jesus did not come to start a religion. He never promoted himself as the head of a movement. He came as a servant, but he also came as a king. A humble king to be sure, but a king nonetheless. He came as a king of a completely new kingdom. A transcendent kingdom that looks nothing like the artificial kingdoms of this world. An authentic kingdom that is higher than all other kingdoms.

The gospel is not that Jesus died on the cross to appease an angry God so He would forgive us for being sinners and let us live in heaven when we die. The gospel is not that you need to admit that you are a sinner and pledge mental assent to a set of religious tenets, and then thou shalt have thy sins forgiven and live forever in heaven, the end. The gospel is that the builder from Nazareth was the son of God who arrived on earth and is now the king of the highest kingdom and is the one to whom we owe our highest allegiance.

The gospel of Christ is a call to a discipline. Following the King is a practice. It is a journey, and we face the choice every day to either continue or abandon the journey. Following the King is both an individual pursuit and a corporate expression of Divinity in the world. And that is what God intended from the beginning. His intention was for his presence to be expressed in the physical world, yet Adam failed, Noah failed, and the Israelite nation failed in this endeavor.

God now intends for his image, his presence to be expressed corporately through his followers who are joined together with Christ as the head. And I believe that the reason it seams that God has withdrawn from human society is because the Body of Christ has ensconced itself in an institution that stifles it, inhibits its growth, and creates artificial barriers between the various parts of the body. The institution has obscured the gospel message. Those who benefit from the institution, either by seeking safety within it or by attaining social status from it, have twisted the gospel and turned it into a warped counterfeit of the gospel of the Kingdom. They have used the institution to hide the good news behind a wall of religious dogma.

I believe that we do not see God in the world today because His body is fragmented, disjointed, functionally useless.

Sometimes, I look at the world around me and see things that are so horrible that they are almost unbearable, and I feel as if all I can do is raise my voice to the heavens and demand, “God, do you see?!?”

What I hear in response is Him gently returning the question to me: “do you see?”

It seems that throughout human history, God has been guiding humanity toward a point where we would be willing to allow His life to live through us. But, you might ask, what if the ekklesia fails, just like the others? One reason to hope is that we have the spirit of Christ indwelling us. When Jesus left the earth in physical form, his spirit transferred to his followers.

This is not a rehashing of the new agey teaching that “god is within all of us.” Notice that I said the spirit of Christ indwells us. That’s “us” as a unified whole, not as a loose aggregation of individuals. None of Christ’s followers possesses the full spirit of Christ, but we each have part of it. When we are joined together as a body with Christ as the head, that is when the kingdom of heaven is revealed on the earth—just as God has intended from the beginning.

Several of the new testament authors foresaw a time when God would, once again, interact directly with humanity. Until then, I think He expects us to carry out our assigned mission: to follow the true King and join together as a body under the King’s leadership to reveal his presence in the world. Perhaps if we did that, then people would be able to see God again.

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How Do We Parent A Child In Faith?

Posted in Bible, christian living, Love of God, religion, tagged Bible, christian living, Christianity, faith, Love of God, parent, religion, spirituality on June 18, 2023|

By Mike Edwards

Belief in a loving God can provide meaning and purpose in life. A belief in a God who loves us can be a valuable source for support and comfort. What is the harm in telling our children there is a God or there is a heaven after death even if we can’t know for sure? We promise our kids all the time we will keep them safe. When asked if their house will burn down, you say it won’t happen to us. You don’t know that. Such a belief isn’t a false belief. As children are older parents can share more why they believe in a God.

We must be careful what you claim God is like

Many make claims about God according to the Bible, but biblical scholars who have a deep respect for Scriptures don’t agree what the Bible says about gays, women, hell, and other moral issues. See here. See here. See here. To claim the “Bible says” is frankly a little naive. Besides, even if we agreed on interpretation, we can’t prove God controlled the thoughts and writing of the writers of the Bible in conveying a perfect view of what God was like. If I had it to do over, I would stick to claiming about God certain universal absolutes such as the evil of physical or sexual abuse. Focus on God’s loving nature and desire for the golden rule in relationships.

What can we be certain is true of God?

Atheists and believers agree. The only God worth believing in is a perfect God. It is only intuitive that a Creator loves the ways their creations ought to love one another. Many of us are into God but many of us left the institutional church because claims about God’s character was contrary to our deepest moral intuitions. Why believe in a God you can’t respect. We may not always know what perfect love entails but we seem to know the question we ought to ask ourselves – am I loving others like I want to be loved? Perfect Godly love surely is the same as perfect human love.

How do we answer about suffering and evil?

Perhaps the hardest question to answer as a parent, as children get older, is why there is so much evil and suffering in the world if God truly exist. Lack of certainty doesn’t mean there aren’t plausible reasons how a loving God can exist in such a world. Well-meaning people passionate about God often say things like “it’s all part of God’s plan” or “everything happens for a reason.” It implies evil is some grand scheme by God. How is a God, who supposedly can prevent evil, any different than a parent who stands by and watches their child being physically or sexually abused? Evil and suffering in the world may be because God cannot intervene single-handedly while respecting freedom. God can’t interfere in evil without human help. See here.

Faith is between your child and God

I wrote here suggesting parents can relax that their child’s eternal life depends on certain beliefs. Parents can go about having a normal relationship with their child when it comes to “God” matters. Just be an open book when children want to talk about God. As children age and less natural conversation happen, you don’t need to schedule outings or trips in hopes the God-conversation comes up. I get with my children and friends to enjoy one another. When they hurt, I want to be there for them. When they want to talk about God, I am there. Personally, I love talking about God as much as others like talking about their favorite hobby. But, don’t push your agenda. Enjoy your children. Relax. Encourage them. When they are treating others like dirt, show and tell them what true love is like. Trust God will speak to your child as they age when they want to listen.

How Do We Parent A Child In Faith?

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Why Don’t Our Children Ask Our Advice?

Posted in christian living, Jesus follower, Love of God, religion, tagged children, christian living, Christianity, Love of God, religion, spirituality on June 11, 2023|

By Mike Edwards

I am writing another Post out of frustration. See here. I am not angry. I just wish my grown kids asked my advice more about things that matter in life – how do you have a better marriage, what are key actions to parent, you can’t prove God exist so why do you care? When younger kids just need to be feed and loved. My kids are in their thirties. Maybe you as I do have a decent relationship with your kids, and I am not a control freak because of the way I was parented. I married up for sure! My kids still visit or yours may visit if we screw up less than we succeed. Maybe actions matter more than words!

Don’t judge least you be judged

Maybe we need to look in the mirror. Okay, maybe I need to look in the mirror. How many times have I reached out to older men for relational advice. It wasn’t that I knew it all. I was in the counseling profession and thrive on hearing and sharing feelings. I can count on one hand how many times I have reached out for advice. Lately, I am focused on trying to age graceful. This getting old sucks and I probably could use some pointers. I had a person in mind and he passed away. I never reached out. I suppose there are many reasons we or our kids don’t reach out.

Would all be great if God gave advice in person?

Okay, if God already speaks to you audibly why are you bothering reading spiritual blogs? The truth is that even if God spoke to us in person, God can’t tell you if your partner won’t end up betraying you or your new job won’t end up being phased out. God joins us in an unknown future. See here. In relationships, overzealous advice can lead to feeling controlled, thus rejecting what is best for one’s own good. The personal road traveled of learning, reflecting, and not being pressured may best lead to lasting convictions and more meaningful relationships. Maybe, it’s all about the relationship, not advice, as one travel on their own journey.

Actions speak louder than words

Influences in our life don’t have to be audible. My parents aren’t alive, but I still sense their influence – good or bad. God can’t tell us either that our decisions will work out, but I am convinced I benefit from God’s silent influence. I am convinced God influences me how to be a better partner, parent, or friend we desire to be deep down. I sense God’s encouragement to continually strive to make the best decisions I know at the time. God isn’t as hidden as we might think and it may be for our own good. Maybe that is how a parent-relationship works.

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Is A Godless Nation An Immoral Nation?

Posted in christian living, Love of God, religion, tagged Bible, christian living, Christianity, godless, religion, spirituality on June 4, 2023|

By Mike Edwards

Let’s stop with the excuses! Certain actions are immoral regardless of whether you claim faith in God or no faith at all. I am bias that a belief in a moral, loving God can be a tremendous influence on one’s behavior, but nations are not doomed because of lack of belief in God. There are moral atheists and friends who don’t wear God on their sleeves that put to shame us people of faith. Faith is an individual choice!

God never intended to force belief

God created freedom for a reason. Forced love is an oxymoron. Without freedom we could accuse God of not creating the very best world where only true, authentic relationships can develop. Freedom allows human to develop qualities of moral character that cannot be created initially. True love doesn’t insist on its own way (I Cor 13:5). We are dependent on our children for intimate relationships. God is dependent on us. God would only give us uncontrolled freedom if seeking a partnership and friendship with us.

Can right be determined from wrong without God or religion?

No religion can claim right from wrong according to their revered book. Many claim to be certain about God according to the Bible, but biblical scholars who have a deep respect for Scriptures don’t agree what the Bible says about gays or women rights. See here. See here. Supposed right interpretations or that God agreed with what was recorded has led to many abuses. Are we really claiming those who never had a Bible didn’t know right from wrong? Whether you believe in a Creator or not, most rational people agree on many moral actions. Perfect rights or laws are those that demonstrate loving others like we want to be love. Freedom to debate such actions is essential.

Our rights don’t come from other human beings

I believe the Declaration of Independence and Constitution makes the U.S. unique from most other countries. They declare we all have “unalienable rights” such as freedom to speak. See here. No Government or Dictator can take such rights away. Our Democracy allows representation through voting, though certain individual rights must be safeguarded. There must be true debate of differing opinions to possibly arrive at the most caring decision.

How do we create a more loving Nation?

I am bias. Many positives can result from a belief in a divine Lover. Such a Being can empower and inspire us in our relationships with others. Regardless though of your faith, most rational beings agree on many universal moral values (murder, stealing). And no – climate control, immigration, taxes, health care, are not universal laws! Freedom to discuss contrary opinions can lead to the most caring decisions. Ideally, good ideas win the debate. Opinions about the Covid vaccines were squashed and we were mandated to get the shot to protect Grandma, but it turns the shots didn’t prevent infection or transmission. Until we all ask ourselves “am I acting toward others like I want to be treated,” we seem destined to fail.

Is a Godless Nation An Immoral Nation?

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