How Religious Clubs Are Formed

Christian denominations (around 40,000 and counting) and religious clubs that have formed over the years, came into existence, because people stopped walking in the middle of their journey with God.

They get an explosive revelation of a minuscule aspect of God, and declare: "This is it! We've got it all!". And after the the initial euphoria dies down, the newly-discovered revelation is cemented with a long-faced, "Those who differ with us, are heretics!"

This is what I call religion.

Religion is not a group of people, or an organization. It is a sincere, closed, dogmatic and an insecure mindset.

This is also how close-minded traditions are formed.

While it's fashionable to look down on traditions (while presuming "we" are on the cutting edge of God's revelation), we become Traditionalist 2.0, the moment we pitch the tent.

Humility and simple logic acknowledges the obvious - that, the elephant is indeed, much bigger than what our limited senses can comprehend.

The More You Know, The Less You Realize You Know...

"A life of faith is not defined by being proud of your answers; rather, it's defined by your humility to keep asking questions. 

When it comes to living a spiritual life of faith, the more you know, the less you realize you know, and therefore the more eager and prepared you are to keep seeking the truth. Don't be afraid to ask questions. That is what seeking the truth is: It's like picking up a question, throwing it into the dark forest outside, then taking the lamp of the Holy Spirit upon your feet, and, one step at a time, walking by faith until you not only find the question again, but also the answer wrapped around it as well."

- Mick Mooney

Was Jesus Advocating Cannibalism?

"Just because Jesus talked about yeast, that in a literal sense is used to make bread, doesn’t mean he was talking literally about bread. Just because Jesus talked about being put outside with gnashing of teeth doesn’t mean he was talking about some kind of eternal torture. Just because Jesus talked about eating his flesh doesn’t mean he is talking about cannibalism.

We have to look into his words for the deeper, more divine message he shared if we want to actually understand what he is really talking about. That requires both humility and time, because it will only be revealed to us in God’s timing, not ours. Sometimes, that means walking for months, years or even decades without a full arsenal of definite answers. This is also not a bad thing."

This is an excerpt from Mick Mooney's post - The Problem With Interpreting Jesus' Words Literally

The Elephant and the Four Blind Men

Since God is invisible to our physical eyes, the conclusions we make about him can be speculative in nature. However, it does necessarily mean that it is blind though.

The experiential reality that the four blind men had while exploring an elephant were true to them. Yet, their individual experiences were not the complete picture. 

Religion, or rigid beliefs within a particular religious system, happens when a blind person's interpretation (regardless of how real it is) is elevated to the one and only truth. 

My bet is on the elephant, rather than the blind men's interpretations, regardless of how true they are to each one of them.

Not one of us, can claim that we know it all. Right now, we only know in part. Common sense, wisdom and humility can acknowledge that; but a mindset that is driven by fear and insecurity, abhors it.