But those who think they know better (especially when it comes to recommending a "religion" for another person) and make silly, ignorant statements (like Tom Cruise saying that Anna Nicole could have been "saved" by Scientology) should do their research into what God has said through the wisdom and knowledge of the Bible; not what a Hollyweird guru came up with to get people into an anti-God-of-the-Bible cult.
Because of pervasive ignorance amongst those who, (due to a lack of knowledge and wisdom from the Word of God) get caught up into all kinds of false religions and cults, we find people who on the outside may appear to be "successful," but on the inside they are empty, hopeless and miserable souls. We can think of several recent examples of celebrities (some alive, some dead) who would fit that description.
No Tom Cruise. You are wrong. Scientology would not have "saved" Anna and cannot save anyone else, for that matter.
Anyone considering Scientology ought to first research how, why, and when this man-made religion was formed before mindlessly subscribing to it.
Interestingly enough, the push for Hollywood people and celebrities to join Scientology has a dark secret. The other night on the Glenn Beck Show, former child star (now a Christian, I think) Danny Bonaduce gave a brief history lesson into Ron Hubbard's motives for pushing his Dianetics book amongst the Hollywood celebrity crowd and starting the Scientology cult.
Can you take a wild guess at what his lure was?
Apparently, Hubbard convinced several "would be stars" that if they practiced Scientology, it would help them in their Hollywood careers. Some ended up being successful in their careers after signing on to Scientology, so their stories "sold" the up and coming Hollywood wannabes into this dangerous cult corral.
So, we can see what that movement is, and was really all about. Worshiping at the altar of "stardom" and "money" is the exact opposite of what the Bible informs us will make us happy, joyful, and ultimately reconciled back to God.
One of the anti-Christian commenters over at my Talkwisdom message board signs off with this quote:
"Religion is fundamentally opposed to everything I hold in veneration--courage, clear thinking, honesty, fairness, and above all, love of the truth." --H L Mencken
He might be surprised to learn that I actually agree with that quote!
Why?
Because "religion" is man-made whereas personal faith in Jesus Christ is God-made and centered in Godly wisdom. We are redeemed through what the Lord did for us...not anything that we could do for ourselves.
In that thread at the message board, we were discussing a recent New York Traitor article about what has happened at Ted Haggard's former church since the gay prostitute scandal days. Here is what was said:
I replied (about the NYT article):
Just goes to show that we should never put our trust in men; only Jesus Christ!
He replied:
What, that’s all? No frothing at the mouth over the fact that the money flow was reduced after Haggard left New Life? You must know the two events are connected.
No ranting against The New York Traitor, as you once famously called it?
What constitutes an unrelated issue of sin, and who gets to decide if it’s “unrelated”? I was always told that sin is all-pervasive…
It also goes to show that the ‘moral audit[ing]’ should be done by the Big Guy and no one else. We’re only as good as he made us; and he’s already regretted making us once before.
My response:
No. No "frothing at the mouth" on this one. It is to be expected that people would probably lose trust in the church leadership and go elsewhere. I'm sure that many were disgusted to find out that a paid pastor used some of the money paid to him for illicit sexual encounters.No church on earth is perfect because people will never be perfect. However, those churches that avoid huge public scandals obviously are more likely to be trusted and are better equipped to minister to the lay people.
By "unrelated issues of sin," I assume that the additional people formerly in leadership positions were caught in their own iniquities...unrelated to the Ted Haggard scandal.
It is biblical to purge the church leadership (which are, and should be, held to a higher standard because of the ministerial duties given to, and for, the congregation) of sinful conduct. There are verses in the Bible that describe the procedure that should be followed.
The "moral auditing" has already been done by God. His Laws are plain to see in the Bible. We do not need to guess what is sin and what isn't (although some people try to use PC spin to do so these days). We were made perfect and would have stayed that way if we obeyed our Creator. He knows what's best for us. However, Adam and Eve were given the freewill choice to obey or disobey. They made the wrong decision, wouldn't you agree?
As far as your "regretting he made us" comment goes, there are detailed theological arguments that I have already posted (many times) that have described reasons why the judgment in the form of the Flood was necessary at that time in history. It also demonstrated the need for a Savior to cure the dilemma of sinful mankind through a once-for-all sacrifice for sin. But you've heard it all already so no need to bother repeating myself.
Suffice it to say that the entire Bible points to the Savior, Jesus Christ, and man's need for confession and repentance of his/her own personal sins against God in order to be redeemed and reconciled back to God, his/her Creator. Christian faith is the only way to accomplish this. God has done all of the work of redemption. It is a gift given to us. Our part is to accept this gift of salvation and confess Jesus as Lord and Savior of our life.
One of the main reasons that I brought this over here is because I thought it could be regarded as a way to point people into the direction of wise counsel. The following devotional does a great job describing what constitutes wise counsel and explains further:
Thursday, March 8
Wise Counsel
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.
Psalm 1:1
Recommended Reading
Proverbs 19:20-21
You've got a big decision to make: You've been offered a job transfer within your company that would require a move to another city and uprooting your family from a community, church, and schools they love. So you decide to go to the mall to get some advice. You ask a security guard, a love-struck teenaged couple, and a power-walking senior citizen: "Should I take this new job or not?"
Obviously, no one would seek random advice on a serious matter. But it raises the question: From what kind of person should you seek confirmation about a serious decision? Here are three characteristics to look for: First, someone who is managing his own life with wisdom. A person who doesn't know what he's doing isn't likely to know what you should do. Second, someone like Jesus who will take your need seriously and treat you with kindness and respect. And third, a person who believes God has an answer for you and will invest his time to help you discover it. People with these traits can help you discover the will of God.
The more important the decision you are facing, the greater care you should take in choosing your counselors.
Beware lest clamor be taken for counsel.
Desiderius Erasmus
Read-Thru-the-Bible
Joshua 9:1 - 11:23
HT: Turning Point Online
*******
That quote, "Beware, lest clamor be taken for counsel" is certainly a wise statement!
I am reminded of the poignant lyrics of a song by the Christian contemporary music group Point of Grace that reiterates the points of this post:
I Choose You
by Point of Grace
All our minds attention
All our hearts affection
Every heart-cry, every rhyme
Everybody's worshiping something
All our life's devotion
Has been set in motion
Religions dozen for a dime
Everybody's worshipping something
'Cause that's what we were made to do
Chorus:
And I choose You
All my attention, affection
And all my devotion's for You
If everybody's worshipping something
I choose You
You are beyond conception
Defying definition
And You knew me before time
Centuries of pagans
Idols fill the nations
But You are Lord to me and mine
Everybody's worshipping something
'Cause that's what we were made to do...oh Lord
Repeat Chorus
Before I chose You, You first chose me
I worship You, You alone are worthy
You alone deserve it--all of my worship
Lord, I choose You
Posts
4 comments:
I think Scientology is a crock. One of my friends thinks Scientology is a crock and Christianity is a crock.
And I can understand why. Sigh.
So...would you care to share why your friend thinks Christianity is "a crock" and the reason you can understand "why"?
Well...scientology is made up. There is not much doubt about that.
But if you hold Christianity, Islam etc. to the same standard of proof then there is no evidence that it is not made up either.
I TOTALLY disagree with your second statement, Andrew. There is LOTS of evidence, if you are led to seek it out...that is.
Post a Comment