A world with many religions

Many Religions, One Gospel

There are many religions, denominations and cults worldwide. Also, there are many people who do not belong to any religious groups. Each of these groups has their own rules and practices and some rules and practices overlap among groups.
Image Credit - https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:StJohnsAshfield_StainedGlass_GoodShepherd_Portrait.jpg

In the Caribbean island of Jamaica we are said to hold the Guinness World Book of records for the most churches and bars at every square mile. Yet, our country is riddled the murders each and every day. The largest denominations are the Seventh Day Adventist and Jehovah’s Witness; the largest religion is Christianity with Islam on the rise. Apart from the Seventh Day Adventist and Jehovah’s Witness, other denominations present are: Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostals, Methodist, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Revivalism, and much more. Religions and cults or religious/spiritual groups include: Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Rastafari, Baha’i, Hebrew Israelites and more.

When we give too much credit to the rules and practices of a religion, we are locking ourselves into a system, an order in which we expect, even without saying it, a reward for our good deeds. Some of us believe that we are Christians just because we are baptized.

We forget that without faith, baptism is meaningless. Being baptized means we have put on Christ. We become agents of the oppressed leading them to freedom, we become holy just as Jesus was holy, drawing strength from him, imitating him and his works. Jesus’ dying on the cross made us free and if we submit to the cross of Christ we will never be burned to the yoke of slavery.

Religions can be systems of slavery, subjecting their followers to harsh and inhumane treatments and proclaiming that God, Allah, Jehovah, Yahweh, Brahman, or any other Supreme Being requests or demand these services. Religions were responsible for periods of annihilation in the past and we are still seeing annihilation taking place. Take a look at ISIS and the destruction they continue to causing in the Middle East and the world. Not to mention Boko Haram in Nigeria capturing girls to convert them to Muslims while destroying villages in the process. Remember Jim Brown and the catastrophe he caused in Georgetown, Guyana getting everyone there on his compound to commit suicide as that would ensure them dying righteously.

The flesh and the Spirit are always at odds against one another. The flesh is always materialistic while the Spirit looks on the inside. The Spirit of God is concerned with charity, joy, peace, patience, understanding, kindness, gentleness and self-control. The Spirit helps us with our spiritual living. We help to save people, helping them discover who they truly are in the sight of God. We are able to confront the forces which keep us subjugated and alienated. We must live the Gospels authentically. Do not get caught up politically and lose sight of our duties as Christians. This happens a lot in countries. Once a minister enters into the political sphere, he or she begins to neglect his or her duties as minister and agent of the Word of God.

Let us not be fooled or deceived. Let us sow good thoughts and deeds so we can reap good thoughts and deeds. If we sow just for our benefit that is selfishly we will reap corruption and death will befall us. But if we sow in the Spirit of God we will reap what is eternal in the Kingdom of God. Let us keep on doing well even when we are discouraged. Let us remain steadfast and our reward will come in due time.

TAGS : religion Gospel denomination cults corruption death Holy Spirit Kingdom of God

nbillett

In my spare time I enjoy reading (mostly about scientific and religious topics), writing, listening to music, watching movies on my and actually going to the theatre, and spending time at the park. Qualities which I possess include leadership, motivational, guidance and counseling, article writing, research capabilities, mentor and tutor. In the future I intend on developing an organization geare


Post Your Comment

Related Articles

  • Commercial Viability Of Solar Energy Can Completely Change The World
    With the world running out of fossil fuel, their prices skyrocketed in the last decade, while their emission externalities threatened with dire consequences. Just when energy scarcity had begun to look like the Achilles’ heel of human civilization, the acceptance of solar energy as a commercially viable option heralds a new era that will not only change businesses, but also impact politics, societies and culture. Arrival of the Sun God can completely change our world... for the good, hopefully!
  • Biggest Developments Of 2017 That Will Radically Change The World
    Even though the year 2017 did not bring the kind of disruptions as were witnessed in 2001, 2008 and 2012, the developments during this year are likely to lead to several far reaching consequences. That way, 2017 can be considered a year of silent revolutions, which saw great changes in human trajectories without violence or abrupt crisis. Here are the most important developments of 2017 – each having the potential of changing our lives and our world.
  • Gandhi: World's First Social Innovator
    An article on Gandhi and his teachings of truth, non-violence, and non-cooperation. How his movements like civil disobedience, non-cooperation and quit India impacted our fight against British rule.