The Dangers Of Religion

During his earthly Ministry, Jesus spoke often about the dangers of  religion. He encouraged people not to be clones of a rigid religion, but to express their faith with joy and exuberance. He spoke about…

)=. The danger of being caught up in the traditional activities

of a religion that has lost its real meaning, Mark 8:14-21.

  • The danger of studying a book instead of the message of the book John, 16:31.
  • The danger of respecting the words of God but ignoring God Himself, John 5:39-40.
  • The danger of squashing the enthusiasm of the young, Matthew 21:15-16.
  • The danger of ignoring the sufferings of the sick and helpless, Luke 10:25-37.
  • The danger of thinking we are good and holy and looking down on others, Luke 18:9-14.

)=‘ The danger of creating a religion of the intellect and decrying the emotions and deep feelings of the heart, Mark 7:6.

  • The danger of promoting a religion which exists merely to justify our own ideas, Matthew 15:1-14.
  • The danger of sponsoring a religion which supports elitism and privilege while despising the poor, the weak and the oppressed, Luke 7:44-47.

)=. The danger of a religion which stifles dissent and simply

casts off protesters and those with problems, John 9:34-41. )=. The danger of publicizing the faults of others while being

blind to our own, Matthew 7:3-5.

  • The danger of making religion dull and uninviting,

Matthew 23:1-14.

The greatest fear of the ordinary believer is being castigated by critical religious leaders and held up to humiliation and ridicule. Concerning those whom Jesus drew around him with the bonds of God’s love, he said: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.