Will the real Jesus please stand up!

[moses]

God 101
My hope in writing this is to have people come back to God without the trappings and false impressions that have been fostered on us by organized religion over the centuries. Spirituality is what brings us closer to the Divine while the practices of the "priest-hood" or "priest-craft” leads us in the opposite direction and could even be called the metaphorical “Devil’s work.”
What I object to is the human trait of forming special interest groups whose sole job is giving only their explanation of God and even making proclamations and laws in God's name. This to me is the height of human arrogance and self-deception.
Allan W Janssen

[Richbee]

God 101

My hope in writing this is to have people come back to God without the trappings and false impressions that have been fostered on us by organized religion over the centuries. Spirituality is what brings us closer to the Divine while the practices of the "priest-hood" or "priest-craft” leads us in the opposite direction and could even be called the metaphorical “Devil’s work.”
What I object to is the human trait of forming special interest groups whose sole job is giving only their explanation of God and even making proclamations and laws in God's name. This to me is the height of human arrogance and self-deception.

Allan W Janssen

Jesus is a person, offering a relationship, not a Religion offering membership or affliation.

[technomage]

Hi, Allan,

God 101
My hope in writing this is to have people come back to God without the trappings and false impressions that have been fostered on us by organized religion over the centuries. Spirituality is what brings us closer to the Divine while the practices of the "priest-hood" or "priest-craft” leads us in the opposite direction and could even be called the metaphorical “Devil’s work.”

Priestcraft can have its place ... but then again, I don't feel that Priestcrft and Priesthood are necessarily part and parcel. One can perform the functions of a priest, yet never wear a title.

[CatholicSage]

God 101
My hope in writing this is to have people come back to God without the trappings and false impressions that have been fostered on us by organized religion over the centuries. Spirituality is what brings us closer to the Divine while the practices of the "priest-hood" or "priest-craft” leads us in the opposite direction and could even be called the metaphorical “Devil’s work.”
What I object to is the human trait of forming special interest groups whose sole job is giving only their explanation of God and even making proclamations and laws in God's name. This to me is the height of human arrogance and self-deception.
Allan W Janssen

Spirituality without religion leads to meaningless hippie movements; it needs a framework, or it's basically worthless.

[technomage]

Spirituality without religion leads to meaningless hippie movements; it needs a framework, or it's basically worthless.

True enough ... but I think the point is that the framework should not overwhelm the spirituality. Even in the history of the Church, such things have happened ....

[mentored1]

God 101
My hope in writing this is to have people come back to God without the trappings and false impressions that have been fostered on us by organized religion over the centuries. Spirituality is what brings us closer to the Divine while the practices of the "priest-hood" or "priest-craft” leads us in the opposite direction and could even be called the metaphorical “Devil’s work.”
What I object to is the human trait of forming special interest groups whose sole job is giving only their explanation of God and even making proclamations and laws in God's name. This to me is the height of human arrogance and self-deception.
Allan W Janssen

Hey moses

If there are no priests then is everyone a priest? If we have no specialists that presumably understand something better or have faculties that are more capable of grasping something why not have a role for that? For better or for worse specialization if part of human experience: we don't all have the capacity to understand theology - some of us don't even the capacity to understand basic economics.

Whether a president makes a proclamation on behalf of millions of his "countrymen" or a priest makes one on behalf of God the level of arrogance and self-deception, if that be so, must be similiar. What's the alternative? Is everyone equal in their aptitudes? I'm different than you are - for whatever reasons - and to that end I may be suited to a different role. People with like aptitudes ban together. Shall we then form a communist utopia with a communal tribal religion where everyone is a priest, prophet, and redeemer?

I respect your view - it is admirable - but the alternative one is where everyone is equal and undifferentiated. It's not arrogance and self-deception, it's what we are.

Take care amigo!

[CatholicSage]

True enough ... but I think the point is that the framework should not overwhelm the spirituality. Even in the history of the Church, such things have happened ....

True, but somehow I don't think that moses is calling for a reasonable balance between the two. He wants to get rid of organization altogether, I would guess.

[technomage]

True, but somehow I don't think that moses is calling for a reasonable balance between the two. He wants to get rid of organization altogether, I would guess.

I get the impression that Moses is young ... and you know as well as I do, the yongue tend to see things in black and white.

However, Moses, if you're not young, I invite your response or comments. At this point, CS and I are just speculating ... what is the purpose? What do you seek?

[Mark Little]

God 101
My hope in writing this is to have people come back to God without the trappings and false impressions that have been fostered on us by organized religion over the centuries. Spirituality is what brings us closer to the Divine while the practices of the "priest-hood" or "priest-craft” leads us in the opposite direction and could even be called the metaphorical “Devil’s work.”
What I object to is the human trait of forming special interest groups whose sole job is giving only their explanation of God and even making proclamations and laws in God's name. This to me is the height of human arrogance and self-deception.

Except your concept of religion/spirituality, no doubt.

Another nebulous statement that actually says nothing. Before this makes any sense, you need to define what you mean by "the Divine". I don't believe any of this stuff, but even if I did, "the Divine" would be what I believe, not what you may be promoting.

Aren't you being a bit presumptious that you actually know what Religion 101 is, given that all these people you are talking about think that they know what it is all about? Or, has God had a private word in your ear? But then, how do you know that it isn't the devil leading you astray? Are you capable divining wiles of the spirits?

Just an alternative Religion 101.

[shunyadragon]

Jesus is a person, offering a relationship, not a Religion offering membership or affliation.

This is true about Jesus, but Christianity is still a Religion with many diferent churches and sects.

[moses]

This is true about Jesus, but Christianity is still a Religion with many diferent churches and sects.

I wouldn't call 57 young, but thanks anyway. Yes I do call for the rejection of all "organized" religion!

Jesus of Nazareth preached an ethics of selfless concern for the welfare of others, rejection of material wealth, and non-retribution, all of which were standard in Jewish ethics. In his statements, Jesus of Nazareth explicitly rejects government and politics (as well as organized religion) as a legitimate sphere of human action.

The religion that he taught was an intensely individual religion. To re-emphasize the quote above; What I object to is the human trait of forming special interest groups whose sole job is giving only their explanation of God and even making proclamations and laws in God's name. This to me is the height of human arrogance and self-deception.

[moses]

I wouldn't call 57 young, but thanks anyway. Yes I do call for the rejection of all "organized" religion!

Jesus of Nazareth preached an ethics of selfless concern for the welfare of others, rejection of material wealth, and non-retribution, all of which were standard in Jewish ethics. In his statements, Jesus of Nazareth explicitly rejects government and politics (as well as organized religion) as a legitimate sphere of human action.

The religion that he taught was an intensely individual religion. To re-emphasize the quote above; What I object to is the human trait of forming special interest groups whose sole job is giving only their explanation of God and even making proclamations and laws in God's name. This to me is the height of human arrogance and self-deception.

In answer to the other question, I guess I don't like someone telling me what God wants, says, or means. God is by God's very nature (The way we have God defined) unknowable.
Your old scribe;
Allan

[technomage]

I wouldn't call 57 young, but thanks anyway.

Hey, in this day and age, we need all the help we can get.

Yes I do call for the rejection of all "organized" religion!

Jesus of Nazareth preached an ethics of selfless concern for the welfare of others, rejection of material wealth, and non-retribution, all of which were standard in Jewish ethics. In his statements, Jesus of Nazareth explicitly rejects government and politics (as well as organized religion) as a legitimate sphere of human action.

Actually--that's not accurate. According to the text of your Bible, Jesus rejected when the "organized religion" became pro-forma or "automatic," and he certainly rejected the "holier than thou" overpiousness of the Pharisees ... but he accepted that we live in the world, and that we must continue to work in the world we live. This included paying taxes, working for one's keep, and obeying the government.

But Catholic Sage brought up an interesting point: religion must have some structure, or it falls into the dissaray of "feel-good spirituality." What would you suggest such a structure consist of?

[CatholicSage]

I wouldn't call 57 young, but thanks anyway. Yes I do call for the rejection of all "organized" religion!

Jesus of Nazareth preached an ethics of selfless concern for the welfare of others, rejection of material wealth, and non-retribution, all of which were standard in Jewish ethics. In his statements, Jesus of Nazareth explicitly rejects government and politics (as well as organized religion) as a legitimate sphere of human action.

The religion that he taught was an intensely individual religion. To re-emphasize the quote above; What I object to is the human trait of forming special interest groups whose sole job is giving only their explanation of God and even making proclamations and laws in God's name. This to me is the height of human arrogance and self-deception.

I believe this is incorrect; Christ taught a very community-oriented spirituality and religion, and in fact the book of Acts records that the earliest Christians lived almost communally, or at least very generously with one another. Further, as a Catholic, I believe that He did institute an organization, an organization that at its very heart attempts to maintain and guide the whole community of believers.

[bandecoot]

Jesus is a person, offering a relationship, not a Religion offering membership or affliation.

Really? How come he never visits me?(BTW Clutch Cargo was a garbage 'toon)