by Angela S. Young

Created on: February 25, 2007   Last Updated: May 11, 2007

Religion (www.thefreedictionary.com)
1. a. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as
Creator and governor of the universe.
b. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.

Did God invent religion? Well, yes, and no. He did invent religion in the sense that he gave instructions for living to the Jews and later to the Christians. He did not invent religion in the sense that we use it today, however. Religion is the 'acting out' of our faith. It is a good thing. However, many people use religion as an excuse to hurt others or to feel superior to others. In this sense, God does not approve of religion.

Jesus confronted the Sadducee's and Pharisees of his day for their outward religion and showmanship. They had a religion, but they had no relationship. True religion involves a change of heart. If your religion has no impact on who you are, it is just a religion and not a Religion. Sadly, those who practice religion have often been the ones to give it a bad name. But, this is the work of flawed people who do not understand that real Religion is about Relationship with God. It is not about a list of rules, it is not about looking pious, it is not about anything else but a way to show God how much you love Him by building a relationship with Him, with fellow believers and with those who need to see Jesus "with skin on".

So, if we say that God invented religion, we have to say that the religion we often see today is not the one He envisioned when he 'invented' it. Religion, in reality, is our response to God and may or may not be how God would have us respond. As in the case of the religious leaders in the day of Jesus, religion' can be a false front or a real passion.

This is a funny question in a sense. The question is usually, did we invent God?' If a person responds to this question in the affirmative, is s/he saying they do believe in God? Interesting. Regardless of your view about religion, or your views about who invented' it, religion itself is our way of expressing our devotion to God or god or a higher power. As such, it is often based on the beliefs and customs of the people who practice it. Some people feel all religions are as viable as any other, but I contend that is not true. For most, however, religion makes them better people by giving them a way to live.

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