“I’m not religious; I’m a Jesus-follower.”
“I love Jesus but hate religion.”
“Christianity isn’t a religion; it’s a relationship.”
Have you ever heard these statements from Christians before? I sure have. In fact, I’ve even said them before. I felt much like this young poet:
I think he communicates some admirable views on the role of people in society:
- love others
- be accepting
- don’t be a hypocrite
- forgive
- feed the poor
- support and help those in pain
- be genuine and live out your convictions
- don’t be a sheep
And some opinions about religion I also support:
- religion is a man-made societal infection
- religion enslaves
- religion causes wars
- religion makes followers blind and intolerant
Despite all of this, I disagree with his claim that Jesus is not connected to religion at all. In fact, he even says Christianity and religion are totally separate from one another. Oh really, now? Christianity isn’t a man-made invention? The only writings about Jesus weren’t written by a bunch of anonymous men who wanted to convert followers to their belief system? Jesus wasn’t a Jewish Rabbi who was Torah-observant all his life? The belief that we’re sinners who need supernatural salvation isn’t religious?
I think it’s popular to claim Jesus wasn’t a religious man or that a “true follower of Jesus” is better than a “religious person” because it makes Christianity seem more hip, liberal, and casual than the actual theology and doctrines of the religion truly are. How do you gain followers among doubtful and skeptical youth? You make your product cool; you make it edgy; you rebel just enough against “the system” to show you don’t like authority while still staying within the lines of the “sinner needing salvation” requirement.
Dear cool Christian Christ-follower: You can’t follow Jesus without religion. The only reason you even know about Jesus is because his followers created his legend within the framework of religion. Go ahead, leave the shitty parts of your religion in the dust; for that I applaud you. Love others, be genuine, and hate hypocrisy all you want. Just don’t think you can redefine something just to make it less disgusting and objectionable. Your love of this hippie Jesus guy and dislike for empty ritual doesn’t mean his teachings are any more true or reasonable from your mouth than they are when it’s preached within the four walls of a cathedral. You can’t whitewash Christianity and ignore the reality.
Here’s a tip: try being a humanist. You’ll fit right in!
Remember the large statue of Jesus that was destroyed by fire?
It’s being replaced–this time of a 51-foot walking Jesus with his arms stretched out in a welcoming gesture.It will be called “Come Unto Me.” Welcoming or not, I want to name this thing Zombie Jesus. He wants your brains and he’s coming for you!
An artist's rendering, released in Nov. 2010, of the new Jesus statue that will be built at Solid Rock Church in Monroe to replace the one destroyed by fire in June last year. (Cincinnati.com)
This time around, non-flammable materials will be used in construction and a lightning suppression system will be built in to prevent a repeat of the June 2010 blaze that reduced the first structure – a waist up replica of Jesus with arms raised high – to pieces of charred steel.
Good idea.
I have a facebook friend whom I like very much, and who is a very sweet and loving person. One of her quirks, however, is that she greatly enjoys researching “end times” conspiracy theories, prophecies, and speculations. Some of her favorite topics involve the “mark of the beast,” Israel, and anything scary or chaotic in the world that could be interpreted as a sign of the apocalypse and Jesus’ return to earth. Was there political unrest, a suicide bombing, tornado, or flood? JESUS!
Here is an example of the way anything—no matter how innocent or commonplace—can be manipulated to fit a conspiracy theory:
Oh shit! Sesame Street is hinting at the end of the world! They’re preparing for disaster! JESUS!
In case you’re curious, here’s what was actually broadcast:
The public service announcement was sponsored by FEMA‘s site ready.gov.
Ready Kids is part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Ready campaign, a national public service advertising campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to natural disasters, potential terrorist attacks and other emergencies. The Ready Kids web site features age-appropriate, step-by-step instructions on what families can do to be better prepared and the role kids can play in this effort. Ready Kids was developed in consultation with:
- American Psychological Association
- American Red Cross
- National Association of Elementary School Principals
- National Association of School Psychologists
- National Center for Child Traumatic Stress
- National PTA
- U.S. Department of Education
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Obviously, the effort to educate families means a natural disaster is coming that all of these government agencies know about in advance. Clearly Satan is at work in the world and Jesus will return soon to rule and judge us all.
Laura Bell of Roscommon, Michigan spent approximately 1000 hours creating a 14′ by 4′ reproduction of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper out of towel lint. Think of the electric bill!
Ripley's Believe It Or Not!
This makes me even more proud to be from Michigan.
Read more about her domestic art quest here.
Olin Thang on 
Cortez Frisch on 
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