“In order for one to discover divine truth, one must be willing and able to go beyond the religious dogma that divides, rather than unites, humanity.” – Jason E. Marshall

“True religion is not a narrow dogma.  It is not external observance.  It is faith in God and living in the presence of God.” – Mahatma Gandhi

“So the Pharisees left the synagogue and met at once with some members of Herod’s party, and they made plans to kill Jesus.” – Mark 3:6 GNT

I have met so many people in my life who missed knowing God because of what they saw in religion.  They simply wanted nothing to do with what seemed like hypocrisy – to promote a religious value of “love your neighbor”, while acting in a self-righteous, “holier-than-thou” manner.  To them, people who attended church or professed in a faith, didn’t seem to practice what they preached.  “If this is what God is all about”, they would say, “Then count me out!”

Unfortunately, the church itself, by the way it acts and conducts its affairs, has probably caused just as many defections as it has conversions.

The dogma of religious ritual can even cause members of a particular religion or doctrine to miss out on knowing who God is by getting too caught up in doctrinal interpretation.  The egotism behind thinking that their particular brand of religion has all the right answers is far from the humility that Christ taught and demonstrated during His life on earth.  How can one religious group say with any kind of authority that “their way” is the only way to attaining God’s favor?   “Join our group or denomination because we have the key to eternity.  We understand what God expects.  We follow His rules.  We exclusively and without a doubt know the true interpretation and meaning behind Scripture.”

You know….Marriage really isn’t marriage unless it is performed in a temple.  Baptism isn’t really baptism unless it involves submersion under water or is conducted at the appropriate age.  Confirmation, the affirmation of faith, can’t be done by elementary school age children – it must wait until one is an adult.  In order to attain the highest favor of God, one must tithe.  Not 7, 8, or 9%, but at least 10%.  And….church attendance is mandatory or don’t expect the blessings or favor of God!

Can you see how it can become more about the rules and their interpretation than it can about knowing God?  Can you see how God can be missed by thinking we must earn our right to be in His presence – when that right has already been earned for us?  Can you see how the TRUE meaning of the Gospel can get lost in following religious rituals – thinking this is how we become saved – by literally saving ourselves in what we do and what brand of religion we follow?

Is God in any of this?

Christ despised religion – especially the hypocrisy of its leadership at the time.  He broke rules by healing on the Sabbath, engaged with “sinners”, and publicly criticized church leadership. They were so at odds, as the Scripture verse mentions earlier, that this holy group of men sought to kill him.

The Son of God was standing right in front of them and they missed him entirely – simply because of their need to self-righteously follow rules and rituals.  The deeper meaning of their religious values was lost in egotism and the misguided idea that one can save themselves by their behavior.

If religion has turned you off from seeking God my friend, realize that Christ himself felt the same way.  If tithing or sacraments or any kind of religious rule has you thinking you are earning your way toward the favor of God, understand that you are missing Him entirely.

If you think you belong to some sort of exclusive religious group who understands and has the most enlightened view of who God really is – then I am challenging you to humbly look within yourself and realize that you cannot claim exclusive rights to the Creator.  He isn’t just the God of your doctrine – He is the God of all mankind.  You cannot save yourself by how you behave or what you believe – only He can save.  If you believe you can my friend, then look hard at your ego and make sure it isn’t leading you astray.

Don’t get lost in the ritual.  Don’t get coerced into the dogma that suggests only a select, elite few have access to God.  I am a Christian, but have been influenced and enlightened by the teachings of Buddha, by Hindu men like Mahatma Gandhi, and by the Tao Te Ching and the writings of Lao Tzu. 

When we open our minds and hearts to seek God with all our inner strength and being, we will find Him 🙂 We will find Him when we desire a personal relationship with Him – when we get to know Him for who He really is. He is NOT the kind of God who sits with a clipboard checking off a list to ensure we have followed all the rules correctly or happened to interpret on our own EXACTLY what it is He meant in the Scriptures.

We will not find him based on a strict set of beliefs that only a chosen few can have.  We will not find Him because of our strict adherence to rules and rituals.

Are you clinging to your religion or clinging to God?  Are you resting in the comfort of your doctrinal beliefs and your adherence to them or are you resting in the “Author and Finisher” of your faith?

My prayer tonight is that you don’t miss out on God because religion has turned you off to Him.  It is also my prayer that if you have religion, you don’t miss out on God by getting too caught up in the dogma of ritual and rules.

Your personal relationship with God is far more important to you, your life, and your destiny my friend!  May God help each of us as we find our way back to Him.