NON RELIGIOUS NON RELIGIOUS CHRISTIANITYCHRISTIANITY

RELIGIONRELIGIONWHAT IS IT?WHAT IS IT?

No: 240907/CH/PP90/1049

Religion isReligion is

The Application of RulesThe Application of Rules The Application of TraditionsThe Application of Traditions The Application of Ceremonies The Application of Ceremonies The Application of PractiseThe Application of PractiseReligion places great emphasis on all Religion places great emphasis on all

outward forms of things that can be seen. outward forms of things that can be seen. It usually requires great conformity. It usually requires great conformity.

Religion and its usage Religion and its usage

I am very religious / not very religiousI am very religious / not very religiousMeans:Means: I look a certain wayI look a certain way I use the right speech phrasesI use the right speech phrases I go to the right kind of placesI go to the right kind of places I say the right thingsI say the right things I conformI conform

Religion- where does it come fromReligion- where does it come from

It is man’s attempt to please GodIt is man’s attempt to please God It is man’s attempt at righteousnessIt is man’s attempt at righteousness It is man’s attempt to find GodIt is man’s attempt to find God It is man’s attempt to reach GodIt is man’s attempt to reach God It is man’s attempt at the above things It is man’s attempt at the above things

formulated from environment, upbringing, formulated from environment, upbringing, surroundingssurroundings

Religion has its rewardsReligion has its rewards

It often can carry with it the praise of men, It often can carry with it the praise of men, particularly if you are conforming to their particularly if you are conforming to their view of what that religion really is.view of what that religion really is.

It almost always involves the control of It almost always involves the control of men, as religion is always man mademen, as religion is always man made

It is an attempt by man to operate in a It is an attempt by man to operate in a controlled environment, and to control the controlled environment, and to control the environment, particularly the social oneenvironment, particularly the social one

Religion and the BibleReligion and the Bible

Religion is only mentioned 5 times in the Religion is only mentioned 5 times in the Bible. 4 times it is mentioned in a bad way.Bible. 4 times it is mentioned in a bad way.

There is only one “good” mention of There is only one “good” mention of Religion in the Bible and this is in the book Religion in the Bible and this is in the book of James, which says that “pure religion is of James, which says that “pure religion is to visit the widows and the fatherless”.to visit the widows and the fatherless”.

In SummaryIn Summary Religion brings a spirit with it, and not a healthy oneReligion brings a spirit with it, and not a healthy one Religion puts people in bondageReligion puts people in bondage Religion is not life givingReligion is not life giving Religion condemns othersReligion condemns others Religion has nothing to do with Christianity although people try and Religion has nothing to do with Christianity although people try and

make Christianity into a religionmake Christianity into a religion Religion is an expression of form and not of LIFEReligion is an expression of form and not of LIFE Religion always deals with practice and not with principleReligion always deals with practice and not with principle Religion always looks on the outward things, dress etc., it never Religion always looks on the outward things, dress etc., it never

touches the hearttouches the heart Religion majors in LAW mode and never in GRACE modeReligion majors in LAW mode and never in GRACE mode Religion majors in dress, styles, outward prayers, where you goReligion majors in dress, styles, outward prayers, where you go

Adrian L HawkesSri Lanka February 1992

J Stars youth training group Switzerland 22nd December 1992Manchester College 15th February 2008

Manchester College April 2010