The history of
government attempts to replace God was most visible when Communism took over in
Russia after 1918. Churches were closed and the population was brainwashed and
intimidated to accept the State as their god.
Despite the failure of Communism in Russia in 1989, many other world
governments installed socialism in their countries and Socialism continues to
compete with God. The acceptance and promotion of socialism by churches is
suicidal. Christianity has lost its way.
Our relationship with
God is personal. We seek wisdom to ensure that our efforts are compliant with
God’s Will. Our individual relationship with God needs to be our focus.
The only purpose of
organized religion is to help us keep that focus. Christians have a roadmap
that begins in the Old Testament in the Bible and continues in the New
Testament.
There have been many
times when the failings of organized religion have resulted in reform and
personal rejection. The most striking of these reforms was initiated by Martin
Luther when he challenged the corruption of selling indulgences and published
his Ninety Five Thesis in 1517. The Catholic Church had been coopted by the
monarchies and corrupted. The church and state had merged. Prince-Bishops were
appointed by Kings. Wealthy families bribed the Pope to appoint their relatives
as Cardinals.
Great loss can result
in our loss of faith. Europe suffered great loss in World War I and World War
II. God had not protected them.
Attendance at Europe’s Christian cathedrals and churches began to decline and
were no longer crowded for worship. They have now become tourist venues for
history buffs.
The need to have faith
that we are somehow going to continue to exist is compelling. Entire cultures have been formed within the
context of religion when rulers allowed or demanded it. It appears to have begun to appeal to the
weather to provide food and safety. It then turned to inventing gods in our own
image like the Greek and Roman gods. At the same time, Eastern religions,
practices and cultures stressed individual contemplation and
reincarnation. The myriad of religions
we have entertained over the centuries is instructive.
Norb Leahy, Dunwoody
GA Tea Party Leader
1 comment:
I would've said that lazy Christians want government to do all the heavy lifting for them. "Jesus told us to feed the poor? Let government do that. I'll...smile and chatter at strangers on the chance that somebody out there is desperately in search of a friend, enough to consider as a friend someone who's babbling at strangers." So they give away their power and greedheads in government take it over. First we want not to have to bother with feeding the poor, then we want not to have to bother with supporting independent businesses, then we authorize government to make everyone equally financially comfortable and, sure enough, a year later we're just as cramped and soapless as "the poor" used to be.
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