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God is a Mind: No "Religion" for Anyone

"God is mind, and His real worshipers worship him in mind and in truth." Er, that is what John 4:23-24 would say if one substituted the one English word, "mind," for the word that appears in the original Greek: "spirit." The shade of meaning offered by this replacement is not far off from the original.

The biblical context surrounding the statement is interesting (John chapter 4), because that which prompts Jesus' comment is the Samaritan's question as to which RELIGION is the right one to follow. (Here I use the term "religion" to refer to religious institutions, and not simply to a person's personal "belief" in God.) In this reading, the choice between Judaism and "Samaritan-ism" is presented. Jesus, a true prophet, replies that NO "religion" (as an institution) would be the "right" one to follow, from then on. Then he makes the above statement ("God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit [=mind] and truth"), and "truth" has to do with the way things really are; reality.

People get hung up on institutions and associated dogma. I feel this indicates a lack of faith, because people of real faith do not require anything visible in order to believe. Paul the apostle even said "we are walking by faith, not by sight." People of true faith will not kill people who disagree with their beliefs, because people of true faith have no religious institution or visible organization that needs to be "protected." (And they most certainly believe that their God can defend Himself without their "help.")

It is so true that many people put most of their religious eggs in an institutional basket, rather than simply learning to worship God with their minds, their power of reason, and that in harmony with what is real, or "true." They have difficulty divorcing themselves from all the ceremony, ritual, meetings, special days, donations, etc. They've been told they have to belong to a visible institution, just like the Israelites and their "golden calf," which functions as an idol or "crutch" on which they lean and limp along, thinking that by this means they can assuage their feelings of "guilt."

Yet, Jesus already took care of our "guilt" when he gave his life for sinners, if they-we-would just accept and believe that. He also said that if only two or three met together in His name, He would be there, too. "Two or three," does not justify the existence of a huge institution, controlled by a body or hierarchy of religious leaders, solely for the purpose of attracting God to their midst.

One of the greatest tools to use in the quest for "The Truth" is a mirror. Use it at the beginning of your search, and repeatedly along the road, to make sure where YOU stand.

As for all the religious propaganda and superstition in the world, much of which is geared around specific institutions or "cults," who is behind it? If anyone really wants to pursue this further and understand the real motive behind it, the advice to "follow the money" will yield interesting results.

(Offerings for "Baal," anyone?)

Learn more about this author, M Loren Priest.
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