If you read the statment in this atheist meme and declared “Yes, that’s me,” well, let me join you and say it even louder: “YES, THAT’S ME.”
Repeat Frank’s Cottage visitors know that I’m not a fan of religion. Perhaps it works for some folks, but I join much of the world in seeing religion as little more than:
- Following rules, many of them petty and pointless.
- Putting on appearances, so everyone will think you “have it all together”.
- Using the first two points to self-righteously judge people who don’t follow all the rules and don’t have it all together.
In the end, religion puts rules, appearances and judgmentalism ahead of people. It often descends into cold-hearted tribalism – ranking people based on whether they’re in or out of our “religion”.
Sounds awful, doesn’t it?
Let me offer an alternative that puts human beings ahead of dogma and traditions. Prepare yourself, because that alternative is controversial. That alternative is life-giving. That alternative, in my opinion, defines humanism for all time.
That alternative is Jesus of Nazareth, who many people believe is the divine Son of God.
During His physical time on earth, Jesus often ran afoul of rule-obsessed, stone-hearted religious leaders.
They were aghast at seeing Him hang out with what many in ancient Israel regarded as the bottom-feeders of their society. Today, those people might be:
- supporters of widely disliked politicians or political parties
- those who have unchanging ideas about right and wrong
- convicts and those who have spent time in prison
- alcoholics or drug addicts
In one of His four original-source biographies, Jesus says this about fans of religion:
“They don’t practice what they teach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden. Everything they do is for show.“
Jesus leaves dogma and traditions at the side of the road. In fact, He goes so far as to ask:
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
But Jesus doesn’t stop there. He challenges us with the truth about what’s required to qualify for Heaven when this life is finished: “You must be perfect, just as your Father in Heaven is perfect.”
None of us can meet that standard, so Jesus took on his shoulders ALL the wrong things we’ve done and ALL the right things we’ve failed to do. He took them to the cross, where He was put to death on trumped-up charges. Then He showed His mastery over death by coming back to life three days later.
Now, anyone who declares Jesus as Lord and Saviour takes on His perfection. That’s how God sees Jesus followers and they spend eternity with their Creator.
Sound like a good deal? Yes or no, post your thoughts below and let’s have a conversation.
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