The New Sanhedrin: Religion-ism in Modern Christianity

Introduction

That is the key to history. Terrific energy is expended - civilizations are built up - excellent institutions devised;
but each time something goes wrong. Some fatal flaw always brings the selfish and the cruel people
to the top and it all slides back into misery and ruin.


--C.S. Lewis

Just like the battered child that grows up to become a batterer himself, so too have we christian become like that corrupted counsel: the Sanhedrin. As such, I often think that if Jesus came today and preached the same doctrine he preached 2,000 years ago, the christian fundamentalists and extremists of america would likewise want him dead.

As we know,there were two main groups of Jews at the time of Jesus. They were called the Pharisees and the Sadducees . The Pharisees said that they believed the whole Old Testament . They tried to obey all God's laws. But often they pretended to be holier than they really were. They obeyed many unimportant rules. But often they failed to obey God's most important rules. And they refused to listen to Jesus. They cared more about their religion than about God. Not all Pharisees behaved in this way. Their leaders opposed Jesus.

To worship a religion instead of God. There are many spiritual people out there in the world abiding by and practicing their authentic religious beliefs, but there are many, many others out there (sometimes even in the same churches) that are not worshipping God. However, to the outside observer, both appear very much the same. Both go to church on Sunday, both read their bibles, buth appear to pray, both may memorize and quote scripture. However, only one worships GOD; The other actually worships the religion, Christianity. In attempt to make clear and accurate distinction, I would say that we need to define that behavior and thinking with a new word: RELIGIONISM

What is Religion-ism?

One may well ask, "How can we make that distinction?" "How can we identify the religionist from the religious?"

By their fruits you shall know them.

Religionism comes from a core intention to juice and energize the ego. It stems from psychological pathology I like to refer to as "Hyper-Religiousity" - a mental disorder designed to induge in the ego's natural proclavities such as specialness, exclusivity, self-righteousness and moral superiority.

Operationally, it is used as a justification for prejudice and hatred based in fear. Examples of this can be seen in the Westboro Bapist Church, a hate group in Topeka, KS that has even been denouced by the Ku Klux Klan. The domain name for their church is www.GodHatesFags.com.

It is very simple to discern religionism from spirituality. When we simple look at the 4 Gospels and study the traits or qualities of the sanhedrin. The resembles is unmistakable.

Traits of the Sanhedrin

  1. Pharisees glory in their connection to godly men

  2. Pharisees glory in external righteousness

  3. Pharisees do not mingle with sinful people

  4. Pharisees are very critical of others in small matters

  5. Live by rules

  6. Motivated by jealousy and hatred

  7. Suspicious and assume the worst about other people

  8. very careless in their speech

  9. neglect their family responsibilities in the name of religion

  10. Easily offended

  11. Spiritually blind

  12. hypocrites

  13. hard-hearted

  14. bind heavy burdens on others

  15. seek honour from men

  16. take advantage of poor people

  17. Pray long, impressive prayers in public

  18. do missionary work and make people twofold children of hell

  19. interpret Scripture without revelation from God

  20. sticklers for the letter of the law (old testament)

  21. say they would never have done the evil that others did

  22. imagine that they are better than others

  23. trust in their own righteousness

  24. exalt themselves over others

  25. accuse others

  26. persecute those who don't listen to them

  27. have no concern for lost sinners

  28. value their traditions more than God and Truth


To Be Continued..