Huffington Post has an article titled “If You Could Invent A Religion, What Would It Look Like?” which tells us that apparently “one organization is paying $5,000 for the best suggestion.” I imagine whatever that made up religion that would win first place wouldn’t look like Christianity. It definitely wouldn’t emphasize on the sinfulness of man–it’s too much an affront against man’s desire for self-righteousness.
According to the HuffPo’s article, “The challenge is being run entirely on Facebook and is one of several contests 92Y is hosting in the lead up to its “7 Days of Genius” festival.” I thought it was interesting that the word “Genius” was invoked. What does God think about it?
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth [l]in unrighteousness,19 because that which is known about God is evident [m]within them; for God made it evident to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.21 For even though they knew God, they did not [n]honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and [o]crawling creatures. 24 Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, so that their bodies would be dishonored among them. 25 For they exchanged the truth of God for [p]a lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed [q]forever. Amen.
Romans 1:18-25
Far from genius. The whole endeavor reveal the inclination of man to construct idols. Invent Your Own Religion, You Could Win Up to 5 Grand. But then the costs of making your own religion is not worth it in light of Romans 1:18.
Seems like something Huffington Post would do.
You are right to point out the danger in something like this.
HuffPo religion finds some weird stuff out there and pass it off as cool. They are out there.
If you had not linked to the article, I would have thought you were writing a satire here…sheesh.
People are becoming bolder and bolder in their fist shaking.
It’s expected especially since our leaders are openly raising their fists in defiance to God.
Good point Patrick
It’s comical and sad at the same time.
I guess Scientology – a religion made up in the 20th century by L Ron Hubbard – isn’t good enough for them. It’s a good example of what false religion brings though. Blackmail, extortion and a long string of dead bodies…
Wow Scientology is a good example of what started out as fictional religion turning out to be a horror when it comes to life.
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
Thanks for reblogging this
You’re very welcome Pastor Jim
Reblogged this on Chaplain + Entrepreneur = Chaplapreneur and commented:
Good read slimjim
Thanks for reblogging this
Jim, I always think that nothing will surprise me again – not true! Somehow I can still be surprised- probably a good thing.
Yeah, it’s kind of crazy isn’t it? I’m still surprised with things too…
There is only on religion designed by God and it is found in the OT of the Bible. Jesus is the embodiment of that religion. All other religions including, Christian religions are made up by human beings. I’ve never heard of having a contest to see who can create the best religion but the rest of it is nothing new.
Amen! There is only one “Designer’s ‘brand’ religion” and that’s found stated in the Bible. After I wrote the post I thought about how some people could think this is no big deal, that it’s just “creativity” but if we were to borrow the popular mantra today that “Christianity is a relationship,” to construct a fantasy of another possible relationship with other gods through perverted means is not something “nice,” it is abhorring.
Jim, the word religion is Biblical – we shouldn’t replace it with the word relationship. See James 1:25-27,
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
Maria,
The word religion is definitely Biblical. My point was making the observation from the cliche of “Christianity is a relationship” that to construct another false religion is unfaithfulness to God, no matter how creative, just as no matter how creative infidelity in marriage is, is still wrong and abhoring. I myself am not a fan of using that cliche, the slight sarcasm was somewhat hard to capture as a wordpress comment. =)
Forgive me, Jim – my mistake. It’s true that this is a cliche. Thank you!
Either we submit to God and become creatively good or we follow our hearts and become creatively evil. Too many people want a god who serves them rather that serving the One God.
Pam, Christianity is not a made-up religion but the fulfillment of the faith of believing Israel.
Jesus lived the religion designed by His Father and given to the Jews. He is my religion. Many religions exist under the umbrella of Christianity and many are man-made, like the Catholic religion, Mormon religion, even some legalistic sects of the Baptist religion. Anything we add to Christ is man-made. A licentious believer adds worldly practices under the guise of ‘liberty’. A legalistic believer adds rules in hopes of avoiding worldliness. Both have lost their way by taking their focus off of Chri
Amen. there are “Christianize” religion that is man-made and false, they use “Christianese” but devoid it of Biblical content as you pointed out.
Yes, they do…it gets confusing out there.
Pam, I truly understand your concerns but think about them differently. It’s too much of a discussion to have here in comments. In Jesus’ love,
Maria
None of us can see things exactly the same way or fully comprehend God but love covers a multitude of sins. God bless and keep you, Maria.
True, Pam!! Lord bless you!
:0)
sorry…focus off of Christ and attempting to formulate Christ-likeness or evangelize by human means. True religion for a believer is “to visit widows and orphans in their affliction and keep one’s self unspotted by the world” Like Jesus, we are to live the religion of the OT, we are to ‘fulfill the law’ not attempt to keep it by human means or side-step it altogether. I believe we are grafted into Israel at the moment we accept Christ but I don’t believe as is popular today, that the church replaces Israel. I hope I’ve explained myself in a way that’s clear?
I think you are clear Pam.
Good…Christianized religion is a good phrase for me to adopt…:0)
Sounds like this could be a video game . . . why do people play with fire when there is only hell to pay for it! ~ Have a blessed day with Jesus ~
“why do people play with fire when there is only hell to pay for it!”<–You've summarized my whole post with just these words Deborah Ann.
I should write a poem about this!
$5,000, really? That is crazy. I like how you chose the picture of the statue of King Nebuchadnezzar, it goes really well with this post. Thanks SlimJim!
Glad you appreciated the picture and how I was trying to have it go with the post!