Organized Religion

blindfool

I've been thinking about this for a few days now and decided I'd go ahead and post this topic. I know this may offend some loyal posters out there, but I'd like to throw this out for discussion.

Is there something inherently wrong with a religion just because it is organized?

Does the ex-jw community understand that all churches don't feel that their members must tow the party line? Last week I borrowed a tape recording of a sermon preached at the Presbyterian Church that my mother attends. In this sermon, the minister was very critical of some of the actions of the Presbyterian Church USA, of which this congregation is a member. Not only did this not cause an uproar, most people in attendance didn't even wake up!! It is not uncommon for individual churches and ministers to have ongoing debates and disagreements with the official positions of most Protestant religions.

When I was a child growing up in the Presbyterian Church some members of our church had a problem and wanted to be baptized by emersion. Our minister at the time agreed and met them at the house of one of our church members who had a swimming pool. He did the baptism thing and everybody was happy. This particular minister is now a teacher at Columbia Seminary.

I don't know that there is anything special about Presbyterians, its just that it is with this particular denomination that I have experience with. I do know that I saw and experienced more love from these people than I ever have from JW's. It is back to this congregation that I would return if or when I have the freedom to choose.

My point here is not to say that being a part of an organized religion is a prerequisite to be a Christian. I just hope some will open their hearts and see that not all religions are like the WTBTS.

gsx1138

I think most here don't believe organized religions are all the same. However, they all share one thing in common. They all have set code of Dogma made by men. It is great that you can have dissagreements with the Dogma but that dogma will still be there after you're done. If you're honest with yourself and say you don't care about the Dogma but like the people and most of the teachings then have fun. WTS falls short because they believe that they are infallable and thus everyone must agree with everything they say.

Dear Lord, please save me from your followers.

Elsewhere

The problem with organized religion is that it is only a matter of time before the organization becomes greater than the members. Once that happens, the priorities of the leaders change from the people to the organization.

"As every one knows, there are mistakes in the Bible" - The Watchtower, April 15, 1928, p. 126
Believe in yourself, not mythology.
<x ><

Solace

I dont think absolutly all "Organized religions" are wrong.
I guess what I am most bothered by is the fact that many religions claim themselves to be the only true faith recognized by God. Many claim that if you are not a member of their organization, you will not be saved, inheret Gods kingdom or go to heaven.
Also the control issue is a sensitive one for me. Some people are willing to risk their lives or their families lives for what they are taught by their religion. It is scary that just about anyone can claim that their teaching of the bible is from "God".

Siddhashunyata

Organized religion fullfills a need. We are frightened and we seek pleasure. Organized religion helps. Spirituallity, on the other hand, means destruction and transformation of the "self". This is not the objective of organized religion because once that happens you no longer "need" organized religion and ,in fact, you may oppose it. Why would you oppose it? Because it keeps people tethered for its own sake. Some things cannot be organized. Have you heard the one where Jesus and Satan are walking along a lonley road and Jesus bends down and picks up something shiny. Satan asks "What do you have there?" Jesus says "Truth". Satan says "Give it to me, I'll organize it for you".

William Penwell

I was watching a few weeks ago Montel Williams and he said he was a Catholic but was very critical about the churches celibacy policy. Can you ever picture a Jdub doing the same thing? The Borg would have that person DF'd amd out on their asses so fast their heads would spin.

Will

"I am quite sure now that often, very often, in matters concerning religion and politics a man's reasoning powers are not above the monkey's."
Mark Twain

Carmel

Different organizations are organized differently. So goes religion. For the most part I agree with the idea that "organization" squelches individual inniative and for most this means spontaneity however, not all. Some forms of organization can be empowering to the individual while still managing to accomplish the necessary elements of community organization. It has to have safeguards built in that prevent individuals or clusters of individuals working in consort to impose there will (singular or plural) over others.

I don't accept that all organizations automatically interfer with individual innitiative or his/her innate spirituality. The two can be mutually reinforcing.

great post BF

carmel

wonderwoman77

GSX...

There is one organized religion that does not require that you believe in any such dogma or creed. It is the Unitarian Universalists. There members range from buddhist to christian to nontheist. I find it an awesome place to attend for community. But I just wanted to through that out there. I do not like being told what to believe, I need to find what fits me and my inner soul. The UU church allows me that. Just my thoughts...

William Penwell

That is how any organization or religion has developed over the years to get to where we are today. What is Charles Russell, Martin Luther or for that matter Jesus Christ didn't speak their minds? Where would we be today? All reformers that have lead up to progression in this 21 century were shit disturbers. If we are content to just sit on the sidelines and watch then we do not have a right to complain.

Will

"I am quite sure now that often, very often, in matters concerning religion and politics a man's reasoning powers are not above the monkey's."
Mark Twain

teenyuck

I agree with William Penwell, Siddhashunyata, Elsewhere and gsx1138.

Humans seem to need to believe in a higher power. When that happens someone is going to come along and say that they are the one who can communicate with that higher being.

Once that person is believed, it is a downward spiral into to "do as we say....we know the way....we heard it from XXXXXX. (insert your higher being name here.)

I have decided that organized religion and spirituality have no place in my life. I simply do not believe that there is a higher being and I REALLY don't believe in the whole "Jesus died for our sins....give yourself to Jesus."

Organized Religion

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