Religion as a Tool
Feelings. Hopes. Dreams. Beliefs. Faith-Systems.
These are the components of modern religion in America (at least....it's probably a much more global phenomenon, but I don't really feel qualified to comment on the whole world). The problem is, it never was intended to be that way, nor should it be that way now.
I have defined the true religion elsewhere, and have no need to repeat myself. (Yes, I may do it a lot, but it is not a need. I promise. Really, I can quit any time I want.) What I want to emphasize here and elaborate on is the notion of religious tools.
Look, the idea is very simple. Life can be compared to a dirty, industrial-waste-polluted, weed-filled field. Now in that field stand several people, of all races, ages, sexes, and religions. And every single one of these people has at their disposal one or more tools that can be used to help clean-up the field. Some have bull-dozers, some shovels, some have weed-whackers....heck, some only have spoons. Some could do more than others, some less, but everyone in this field could be doing something to help clean it up, and in so doing give themselves a much healthier environment to live in.
So why is the field still such a mess? Because instead of actually doing any work, the people in the field are standing around arguing with one another about how the field got there, why it is such a mess, who's problem it really is, and the best tools that should be used! Meanwhile, the bulldozers and shovels are rusting into uselessness.
Infant or adult baptism...Symbolic or real presence in Communion...Literal or physical new heavens and earth...Pork or no pork...Saturday or Sunday Sabbath.....I really could go on and on and on......The point is that we engage in endless debates about things that seem to matter so much, but are ultimately useless!!
But lives are not transformed....Death is still the great secret to be feared...Less than half the marriages in the country last even 10 years...Less than 50% of all children in the country live at home with both bio-parents....Despite unparalleled prosperity, consumer debt grows at $6,000,000,000 per month....As hundreds of thousands around the world die daily from starvation....And anti-stress-personal-transformation-self-help-books sell by the millions in ever greater numbers....Despite statistical reductions in crime, people are still afraid to walk the streets at night or leave their homes unlocked........The government brags about $200 billion surpluses while ignoring the $4 Trillion debt.....
Clearly, there is something wrong here.
And religion has been neutered. It is something to be done in the privacy of your home and inner heart, as long as it never, ever affects what you say or do, and never, ever enters into public discourse. The "Separation of Church and State" of the U.S. Constitution, which simply and clearly says that government shall not in any way affect religion, has consistently been misinterpreted by evil people to mean that religion can in no way ever affect government. And the lifeless churches have sat by and let it happen.
Look, we have work to do! Individually we are still full of fear, emptiness and hatred. Socially, we are still murderers, liars and thieves.
Simply put, we need to stop arguing about ideas and feelings and completely ridiculous beliefs that have nothing to do with anything, and use the tools YHWH has given us to change lives!
You, yes you, the person reading this....Can we talk honestly for just a moment?....You know yourself....And no one else need know your little secret.....that you have so much fear, sorrow, hatred, emptiness, and pointlessness in your life. But we both know it is true.
The point is that YHWH does not want it that way for you....What He wants is for you to be a healthy, mature "tree" in His Garden....well watered and fertilized. And, when you are grown and healthy, you will bear fruit, which will simultaneously be your fulfillment and a source of nourishment for those around you. And that one fruit has 9 attributes, just like an orange has color, shape, taste, skin, seeds, etc. And the 9 attributes of your fruit, what YHWH really wants for you, and what you really want for yourself, are (Galatians 5:22-23):
 | Love |
| Joy |
| Peace |
| Patience |
| Kindness |
| Goodness |
| Faithfulness |
| Gentleness |
| Self-control |
So, what matters, the real purpose of religion, is to do the work with the tools religion provides (or should provide) us. YHWH seeks the transformation of the individual, to turn from darkness into the light, from hatred into love. To be born again. To be a new, whole person.
The tools are many: uplifting music....a thankful heart....prayer...forgiveness as a daily practice (not just an idea)...reading and meditating on the Divine...serving people....Chanting the Name...Helping someone who is hurting....Honoring the Sabbath....Really, virtually anything (pick any page in the Bible) that is dedicated to thoughtful, honest personal growth instead of empty debate.
Exactly what tools to use, how to use them, well, that is of course "beyond the scope" of this little meditation. That exercise is left to you, Dear Reader. But please, PLEASE, get involved in your own life...Above and beyond working and paying bills and watching TV, work on YOU! YHWH has given you an entire warehouse full of tools to help you grow into a perfected human, perfectly reflecting His image of Love, Peace and Joy.
And know that we here at The Church of Yahweh are sincerely present, and eager to help you in any way we can.
Now go get to work.
