Using religion to shut out God - part 2

[mylodon]

Sometimes traditions, habits, long observed practices, have become an end in themselves rather than a means to understand and celebrate the nature of God.

I love the language of the King James version of the bible and the prayer book but at times they become impenetrable and meaningless and can reduce rather than increase enlightenment. Similarly, traditions based on culture become 'canon'. Sometimes the church (or parts of) takes a bold step and changes direction - for example in the matter of women priests. We need to keep our ears open to the promptings of the spirit and try to drill down through what we do. Is it really what God wants or is it what people have decided to settle for?

Comments

[tiggothy.livejournal.com]

One thing our new vicar keeps reminding us is that Christanity isn't a religion - it's a relationship with God. We were discussing this sort of thing in our lent group the other night, about how sometimes our humanity & focus on following rules and doing things "right" can get in the way of listening to what we ought to be doing.

I'm loving how much the topics you're bringing up here are mirroring what we're talking about in our church and village :-)

(although if you start talking about open-air meetings and revivals I'll know that you've got a secret identity as a member of our village!)

[anteros-lmc.livejournal.com]

When I was in primary school, aged about eight, we had to learn passages of the King James by rote. Nobody ever explained what they mean, we just had to learn it and recite it :/ Same with the Shorter Catechism. I barely understood a word of it.

However I suppose there is a flip side to this, though I consider myself to be an atheist I will still happily read passages of the King James for the beauty and and joy of the language.