Religion

I'm not sure if you've ever counted how many churches there are in town, but we have stacks. There's gotta be at least 15 and most, if not all of them have seen better days.
I recently read a book called Pagan Christianity, which rigorously examined every common practice within the modern day church, questioning their origin and how they became part of mainstream religious practice. The main point of the book is that most of what present day Christians do in church each Sunday, has its foundations not in the New Testament, but in pagan culture and rituals introduced into the church at different times in history. The idea of a weekly sermon, sitting passively in pews, identifying yourself as a Christian because you go to a Christian meeting, paid professionals, religious clothing, burning incense, any many more current traditions, all have questionable foundations that just can't be found in the bible.
In the not too distant past, it was highly inappropriate to question the institution. People did what they were told and accepted whatever came from the top down. Yet the world we live in today affords us the freedom to ask questions and not just swallow whatever we are fed. To stop and ask 'Why?' is one of the most powerful things someone can do. Therefore those of my generation must take this opportunity to ask questions of the validity of what we have inherited. It is not a sign of rebellion or disrespect; instead we are motivated by the thirst for what is real, authentic and trustworthy.
Karl Marx once said “Man is incurably religious” and I reckon he's probably right! I think people love the thought of a clearly defined set of requirements so they can tick the box and feel that God must accept them on the merit of what they've done. Yet people use their religion to justify themselves and their own behavior while condemning those who disagree or don't measure up to the same standards. Religion gives us man made laws, guilt, god in a box, restrictions on life and relationships, and hoops to jump through. It may be safe, comfortable and manageable, but it is not where God lives.
The apostle Paul once told the Jews that Jesus has truly set us free, therefore make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to religion. It interesting to see that while Jesus was on the earth, the only thing he attacked were religious systems of control as they actually keep people from finding God.
The Reality is that there is so much stuff within the Christian tradition that is seen as sacred that is actually a hindrance to people genuinely being connected to God. We need to take a fresh look at what it would be like to authentically relate with God - here, now, today.