[Natural Law]

I find it completely amazing that so many still have not really gotten the message of Christ. Jesus directly assaulted the power of the priests and diminished their importance in the relationship between God and man. His message was so dangerous to them that they had him killed. Compare the Beatitudes to the overly wordy and legalistic publications from the "holier and smarter than thou" crowd.

[usurper]

I have long maintained that before the west achieved high levels of literacy, the organized church was necessary to bring people the word of God.

However with the ability to read the Word for oneself and interpret and debate its meaning with other Christens is what, IMHO, make up the real church.

I view organized religion as institutions of men not of God. A quick look at their countless failings over past and recipient history shows this to be true. Power is what is at its heart and power corrupts. Just look at all the silly sectarian nonsense over the years. I view all christens as brothers not just people from the church I grew up in.

It is ones personal relationship with God that counts, not ones standing in a man made institution.

Not to discount any FReepers out there who enjoy the fellowship that church membership brings, it’s just not my thing.