Differences between the institution of religion and the message of Jesus:
Worth archiving for reference ...
These are Jim Palmer's words
Religion says it’s about the afterlife.
Jesus said eternal life is now.
Religion says to confess your sinful condition to God.
Jesus said honor your true divine nature.
Religion says to petition God to change in the world.
Jesus said have the courage to change it yourself.
Religion says God's blessing has conditions.
Jesus said true peace and happiness are found within.
Religion says the big payoff is escaping eternal hell.
Jesus said be free from fear and shame.
Religion says Jesus should be worshipped.
Jesus said to live the truth he taught and lived.
Religion says to blame Satan.
Jesus said take personal responsibility for your life and world.
Religion says that God is a separate supreme being.
Jesus said God is the ground of all being and universal spirit.
Religion says go to church.
Jesus said be wisdom, compassion, and love in the world.
Religion says read the Bible in a year.
Jesus said live one truth today.
Religion says there are “us” and “them.”
Jesus said we are one at the deepest level.
Religion says truth is correct theology.
Jesus said truth is what you are at the deepest level.
Religion says to venerate your church leaders.
Jesus said to give preference to the forgotten and oppressed.
Religion says what matters is what Jesus did 2,000 years ago.
Jesus said you be Jesus today.
10 things that DID NOT exist the first two hundred years after Jesus died:
- No coherent belief-system
- No formal clergy or established ecclesiastical structure
- No authoritative Christian writings
- No worship centers or church buildings
- No discipleship curriculum or catechesis
- No Christology
- No Bible schools
- No megachurch pastors or celebrity Christians
- No MDiv or DMin degrees
- No religion called "Christianity"