5 of 39

Write now Article Tools

Whether or not one can be too religious simply cannot be answered in a syllable. Either answer can apply, depending on how the question is intended.

One is not too religious for believing, practicing, and following his religion. He is merely being obedient. Even those who blow themselves up in the name of their god are not being too religious. They are being obedient to their religion and their god. We as Christians, see the suicidal ritual as insane, and it is. But the fact that so many do it proves it is what they believe. The question here isn't "Is he too religious?" The question should be, "Can we talk?" As Christians, we should see these people as lost souls, like the same people we try to disciple to. They need truth. Suicidal religion can be one way the question is directed.

The question may also be directed to the people who push their religion on others. How we present ourselves as Christians to others can sometimes get us blamed, rightfully, for being too religious. We tend to come onto nonbelievers so heavy at times, that we do more harm than good. We drive them away. This will cause them to label us as being too religious, then avoid us like a plaque thereafter. Driving someone away from God is as bad as telling them lies. In this respect, yes, some are too religious for their own good. We need to learn to disciple in an effective way. In-the-face, tell all you know, is probably the worst way to go with most.

A third way one sees people as being too religious, could be the nonbeliever observing the actions of church people, in general. It is true that some churchgoers tend to become better than thou. Some throw on this righteous costume, forgetting that they are a Christian because they are a sinner. They are no better than the nonbeliever except for the fact that they have been given the grace to see salvation. The stuffy personality can earn them the title of being too religious. This person could also get the name of hypocrite. The nonbeliever has enough sense to know the person isn't all righteous. He has heard the phrase, "We all make mistakes." The nonbeliever is happy that he isn't a hypocrite. This is not good discipleship.

The fourth reason why a person may be labeled as too religious is simple, and this man is being mislabeled. He is the man who finds Christ and realizes he is no longer of the world, but of a higher place. He no longer wants to go to bars, watch trashy movies, and do the things with his family and friends that he has always done. The Holy Spirit is guiding him. Family and friends are hurt. They don't realize that the man is not giving them up, merely the things of the world. They will say that he has gotten too religious.

I have a split decision.
People, individually, are sometimes labeled as being too religious. But if we look at the world as a whole, it is not religious enough. All of the problems we are having today is because the name of God has been dropped from society. Families have split. Crime rate is high. There are barely any morals anymore. The name of God was once known as the consequence of one's actions, and it was something to be feared. Now it just means a little jail time if caught or more fish in the sea to those who don't want to make their relationship work. MeI am a Jesus freak and grateful to be so.

Learn more about this author, Kathy Vandermark.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Is it possible to be too religious?
We want to hear your view. Write now!