The more I read about events happening in our world today, the more convinced I am that religion kills – both physically and spiritually. Religion tells you who’s right and who’s wrong. Religion tells you who’s in and who’s out. Religion lets you know whose side God is on. No wonder Jesus was so upset with the religious leaders and Pharisees of his day. God is not about religion, rules and regulations, duties and obligations. God is about love and relationships. Religion is an act.
Following Jesus is an ongoing dynamic relationship where we are invited to be our authentic God-created selves. We live and serve out of love, we don’t dictate, mandate, and condemn out of hate. When we follow Jesus, people are attracted to us because they are being encouraged to love and be loved. Anything less is nothing more than religion – and religion kills!
