Religion is always a delicate subject about which to write. I will make a sincere effort not to offend anyone. Should I touch a nerve, I apologia in advance. Organized religion effects everyone, atheist and believer, alike. It should, therefore be studied and understood. Please note that when I refer to organized religion, the key word is "organized". I do not take exception with any religion.

Of the religions of the world few resemble their origin. While all churches have evolved to some degree over the centuries, the Catholic Church has maintained much of its tradition. When the Protestants broke with the Catholic Church they evolved into many churches all with slightly different doctrines. Today the Catholic Church holds almost empire status and is by far the wealthiest of organized religions. Its primary agenda, growth, has not changed. The Catholic religion has migrated successfully to all parts of the world, even the Orient, as seen in Vietnam, the Philippines and other Asian countries to a lesser degree. Protestant churches have migrated throughout the world in small cells, but with less success than the Catholics.

While eastern religions have remained relatively pure to their origin, they have not shown significant growth outside their predominant areas of influence.

INTERPRETATION

Most churches today interpret their scriptures to meet their immediate needs, or to adjust to modern times. Catholics, Jews, Protestants, Moslems, Buddhist and Hindus have all interpreted their religion and scriptures to justify wars. Millions have died in the name of God throughout history. Still, today, it goes on in Northern Ireland, the old Yugoslavia, India, Pakistan and other parts of the world.

Two of these religious wars are somewhat unique. In Northern Ireland Christians are killing Christians (Catholics and Protestants). Were their skins of different colors, this could almost be a racial war in that ignorance, stupidity and hatred are predominate driving forces on both sided.

The genocide war going on in old Yugoslavia is another unique religious war. In this war Christians are killing Moslems. Again, it almost seems racially driven. Yet, all are of the same race. Moslems in that part of the world are even fair skinned and of European decent.

From the beginning organized religions have condones these types of wars and even promoted them Yet, I know of nothing in any scriptures, past or present, that justifies such activities.

EVANGELISM

Within my own faith evangelism is interpreted widely. Some believe that merely being a person of faith and living a good life will draw people to the church. Others go knocking on doors. Some probably believe, as they did during the crusades, brute force and fear is justified. I probably lean towards living a good life and setting an example. While I have no calling to go further than this, I criticize no one who does, short of brute force and fear evangelism.

Television evangelists have exploded across the world in the second half of the 20th century. With few exceptions I feel these evangelist have strong agendas, not the least of which is to get rich. The frequently make unreal promises, in the name of God, that you will receive good health and great riches then bill you for the cost of your salvation. They sell a little faith for a lot on money. What it amounts to is that they are marketing packaged religion to the mass media at a premium price.

As I said before, there are exceptions. Few people have done more for their faith than CBN's Pat Robertson, Crystal Cathedral's Robert Schuller and Evangelist Billy Graham. There is also many other exceptional evangelist organizations I have not mentioned. Yet, I have to believe that the majority of those that you will see on your television on any given Sunday morning are little more than profit centers (money changers) and that most, if not all, of the money goes to the life style of the key player.

There are people in this world that will follow anyone that will set rules for them. These people find it hard to make everyday decisions and welcome leadership of any kind. The mass media television evangelists frequently market to this group and fleece millions of dollars from them.

This type of blind following became apparent in the early 1980s when Jim Jones moved a flock of about 1000 followers to South America to live a simpler life in the jungle. When his leadership was challenged from outside his group, he ordered everyone to drink poison. Of those 1000 or so followers, more than 950 did exactly that. They even fed the poison to their children.

RACISM

Until recently racism has been prevalent within many churches. Even today it exist in small pockets, usually in the southern Protestant churches. This racism extends, in many cases, to peoples of many different colors of skin. I have always wonder what these congregations would think of Jesus if he walked into their church wearing long hair, a beard, sandals and was of dark skin. Racism is a cancer of which many churches have been unable to deal with.

SUMMARY

I believe strongly in my faith and that a world without religion would be a much worse place to live. I also feel, however, that organized religion has let us down in many ways and continues to do so today. People will be people but organized religion should be above the pettiness of the few and provide the leadership of their origin rather than make concessions to the times. I feel that, to a large extent, this is the reason for the decline in the western religions.

Winston Rogers

July 5, 2001