by Bob Trowbridge

Created on: March 30, 2008

The meaning of the word "religion" has to do with a sense of obligation or bond (relationship) and also reverence. It is usually associated with a divine being or beings. It suggests both a bond to that divine being, a reverence for that being, and an obligation or pact with that being.

In primitive societies, religion was a way to both deal with nature and to try to feel some control over nature. Early gods and goddesses were associated with some aspect of nature or were perhaps in control of all nature. Life for primitive peoples meant finding enough food to eat as well as protection from enemies, both natural and human.

The gods/goddesses were called upon to help with hunting, gathering, and protection. Later, they were more agricultural gods whose job was to insure a good harvest and abundant herds. Aside from human and animal predators, nature was humankind's greatest enemy. Of necessity, it was also humankind's source of life.

Despite increasing sophistication over the millennia, most religions still function to protect its adherents from enemies, real or imagined, and to bring about abundance in one's life. It is assumed that proper worship and obedience to God's laws will bring about a positive outcome to the worshipper. If this occurs, then you've gotten your money's worth.

The problem with religion, from the beginning, is that the gods/goddesses have not always delivered as requested or expected. This is one of the biggest religious dilemmas of all times. A favorite Jewish "whine" from the Torah is, "Why do the wicked prosper?" This was still a problem in Jesus' time. Many still assumed then that if you were obedient to God, everything would turn out fine. If you were having problems in your life, you must have done something wrong.

This issue was addressed in the Old Testament in the Book of Job. I am surprised at the number of New Age teachers who praise this book for its insights. I think it is one of the worst books in the Old Testament and its conclusion represents a horrendous theology. It must first be noted that Job is not presented as a historical story. In fact it is written in the form of a poem. Job is a story designed to deal with the theological question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" It fails miserably.

I won't even go into the absurdity of Satan being able to manipulate God so easily, getting him to allow Satan to murder Job's entire family (except for his wife) and then inflict a horrible disease on Job. All of this is just

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