Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site umcp-cs.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!seismo!rlgvax!cvl!umcp-cs!liz From: liz@umcp-cs.UUCP Newsgroups: net.religion Subject: Re: I Hate Religion Message-ID: <312@umcp-cs.UUCP> Date: Mon, 20-Jun-83 05:08:43 EDT Article-I.D.: umcp-cs.312 Posted: Mon Jun 20 05:08:43 1983 Date-Received: Tue, 21-Jun-83 11:40:25 EDT References: altos86.254, <469@dadla-b.UUCP> Organization: Univ. of Maryland, Computer Science Dept. Lines: 21 I think you are using slightly different definitions for the word "religion". It is true that as a Christian, it is necessary to do things which are "religious" but only in the sense that it helps you to grow in knowing God. It is >not< necessary for salvation. This is where Christianity differs from other religions. There is nothing you can do (such as attending church on Sundays) to gain salvation, but when you have received the gift of salvation, your response to God is love and thankfulness which shows in your life as you desire to get to know God better. Now, it turns out that getting together with other people who believe like you do is a big help in knowing God better. So, you go to church on Sunday. The danger is that after you've known God for a while and after he's begun changing you into someone better, you might begin to think this is because of what you're doing and how good it is that you're always in church on Sunday and how you don't steal or kick your dog (...) and how you're so much better than all the other people out there... This is the kind of religious hypocrisy that Jesus hated in the Scribes and Pharisees, and it's the kind of hypocrisy that has turned more people away from God... -Liz Allen