The Problem With Religion

The Father revealed in Jesus Christ calls us to friendship with himself and with others. Religion often becomes the tired performance of rules and rituals. This old email was said to be sent to Dr. Laura in 2000. Though written with tongue firmly in cheek, it does highlight the difference between following Jesus as a friend and seeing Christianity as a religion.

Dear Dr. Laura,

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from your show, and I try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind him that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the specific laws and how to best follow them.

a) When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord (Lev 1:9). The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

b) I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

c) I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual uncleanliness (Lev 15:19-24). The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

d) Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

e) I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

f) A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an Abomination (Lev 11:10), it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

g) Lev 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

h) Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev 19:27. How should they die?

i) I know from Lev 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

j) My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? (Lev 24:10-16) Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

Your devoted disciple and adoring fan

Ministry

Christians have certain phrases that are understood by other Christians. One word that is familiar to many is "ministry." We speak of the ministry in which we participate or the ministries of our church. The idea is that when we are ministering we are intentionally doing something spiritual. The problem with this is that following Jesus is something we should intentionally do all the time - not just now and then. It isn't a tool that we pick up and use in some circumstances. The ministry of Jesus is the life of Jesus. Your ministry is your life. Being spiritual is nothing more than living consistently in the Father's love and sharing that love with others. Today, as you live a life of love, you will minister in your home, in traffic, at the office, at QuikTrip and wherever else you happen to roam. Each time you treat others with respect, each time you genuinely listen and each time you offer hope and forgiveness, you are walking with Jesus. (Photo by Christopher Azzopardi)

Vital

The things that are important in the world are things that we often take for granted within churches. The core issues of forgiveness, acceptance, hope, salvation, reconciliation, mercy, etc. are not just “givens” in the real world. In the church, we often see these as so obvious – obvious to the point of being neglected. We talk about them a lot, but rarely take them seriously. But, if you want to follow Jesus into the real world, these are truths that matter. In the world outside your door, your doctrinal statement doesn't matter whatsoever. But, living a life of love, forgiveness, acceptance, mercy and hope will set you apart.

Two Goodbyes

• The first picture is a young man saying "Goodbye" to his brother who is leaving for Iraq.
• The second picture is the same young man saying "Goodbye" to his brother after his brother was killed in Iraq.
• Thank you veterans.
• And thank you, veteran families.

Thanks, Dad!

Happy Memorial Day!

Following Truth

There is a difference between searching for truth and accepting predetermined truths. One begins with an honest attempt to discover what is real and the other is an attempt to bolster preconceptions. In religion, truth is defined as adherence to whatever that religion has already decided is the truth. The longer the religion has been in existence, the longer the list of doctrines, tenants and declarations. A new convert is not asked to search for the truth, instead he is told that these are the truths he must accept. Following Jesus is a search for the Truth itself. In Jesus we find truth living and embodied. He is not a list of doctrines to be studied and believed. Jesus is the truth meant to be followed and lived.

Where Do You Live?

There is a common thread which unites all of the women and men of the past. The famous and the infamous, even the obscure and unknown, are united by one thing: they are dead. What they did or didn't do or what they accomplished or didn't accomplish can be debated from now until the end of time. But, they themselves cannot enter into the debate. We sometimes live as though we will be aware of what others say of us. We believe that we will know whether or not we become famous (or infamous). But this kind of living is living for another world. We live in this world. We live in this time. It is to the Father to sort out our "legacy." It is to us to live faithfully in this age.