Disappointment in Organized Religion

(originally published 09/11/2011)

I was reminded yet again yesterday one of the reasons why I started this blog – and that would be to educate the believer and unbeliever alike about the truthfulness of God’s Word, and the never-ending patience of God in drawing all men unto Himself.  Allow me to explain . . .

I was attending the funeral of a friend’s mother, who happened to be Catholic.  So I was attending a funeral Mass in her memory, and trying to be supportive for my obviously distraught friend.  And while I’m there I hear repeatedly during the service that Jesus is the Christ and is the only way to heaven (which I agree with, of course).  But I also hear prayers to the “Holy Mother” and St. Bernadette, asking that they watch over and pray for the deceased (which I don’t agree with).  The Bible says that Christ is our intercessor, and apart from God the Father, Jesus the Son, or the Holy Spirit, I pray to none other.  I see the priests going through much fanfare in their man-made formalities with incense and holy relics.  And then, upon preparing Communion, the priest invites those attending to receive, but only if you are Catholic.

Let me start by saying that I have several close friends who are Catholic, as well as several work friends who are Catholic.  I also have several friends who are no longer practicing Catholics, but have chosen instead a more non-denominational approach in their relationship with God.  I also know Catholics who no longer have a relationship with God.  Truly, I mean no offense to my Catholic friends, but I have to say that, as a practicing non-Catholic Christian, I was truly offended yesterday by the Catholic Church.  Please know that I have made every attempt to communicate this experience without malice or anger, but instead, strive to “speak the truth in love” as commanded in Ephesians 4:1-6:

“ . . . I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.  Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”

“Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching  and by the cunning and craftiness  of people in their deceitful scheming.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the head, that is, Christ.  From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Ephesians 4:14-15

It is my sincere prayer that the Catholic Church refrain from its arrogance and realize that you don’t have to be Catholic to go to heaven, and you don’t have to be Catholic to receive Communion.  You do have to be a believer in Jesus Christ as the Son of God, the Redeemer of mankind, and the Lover of our Souls.  Stop making it more difficult than it needs to be.

It grieves me, and I’m sure the Holy Spirit as well, that organized religion would forbid any true believer to receive Communion in remembrance of Christ.  It was Christ himself that instituted the act of Communion, not the Catholic Church.  And by the way,  it was conducted amongst Jesus and his Jewish disciples at (what many Biblical scholars believe) the Seder meal during the Jewish feast of Passover – the Catholic Church was nowhere to be found at that point in history.  And I’m not even going to address here the Catholic arguments about transubstantiation.  Suffice it so say, while I’m well aware that many find comfort in the traditions of organized religion, we must all be continuously on guard that we remain true to the Word of God and what it teaches us about how we are to live as believers in Christ Jesus, and not what some organized religion teaches us from the pulpit.  As I’ve encouraged you before, read your own Bible, pray about what you learn and seek God’s wisdom in everything.  Talk about your questions and concerns with someone you trust in your faith to be honest with you.  God promises us that if we seek His wisdom in this manner, He will answer us.

“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding – indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs 2:1-5

Have you done any “treasure hunting” today?  Until next time, be blessed!