The Slavery of Religion

The atheists are trying to get organized. The article linked to above talks about a new marketing campaign launched by atheist and humanist groups to combat religion. Near the end of the article is this intriguing quote.

Another running throughout the South shows Butterfly McQueen, the late actress who played Scarlett O’Hara’s maid in “Gone With the Wind.” The billboard says, “As my ancestors are free from slavery, I am free from the slavery of religion.”

Now you may be surprised to hear that I agree with the sentiment of that quote. Religion is a slavery. In fact, the Bible agrees with that sentiment too. One of Jesus' main charges against the religious leaders of the time were that they were burdening or enslaving the people.

Then Jesus spoke to the crowds and to His disciples, saying: "The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds; for they say things and do not do them. "They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men's shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger. (Matthew 23:1-4 NAS)

Jesus did not come to establish a religion. He came to set us free.

And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME, BECAUSE HE ANOINTED ME TO PREACH THE GOSPEL TO THE POOR. HE HAS SENT ME TO PROCLAIM RELEASE TO THE CAPTIVES, AND RECOVERY OF SIGHT TO THE BLIND, TO SET FREE THOSE WHO ARE OPPRESSED, TO PROCLAIM THE FAVORABLE YEAR OF THE LORD." And He closed the book, gave it back to the attendant and sat down; and the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. And He began to say to them, "Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:17-21 NAS)

As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him. So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone; how is it that You say, 'You will become free'?" Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. "The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:30-36 NAS)

Christ has set us free! This means we are really free. Now hold on to your freedom and don't ever become slaves of the Law again. I, Paul, promise you that Christ won't do you any good if you get circumcised. ... And if you try to please God by obeying the Law, you have cut yourself off from Christ and his wonderful kindness. But the Spirit makes us sure that God will accept us because of our faith in Christ. If you are a follower of Christ Jesus, it makes no difference whether you are circumcised or not. All that matters is your faith that makes you love others. ... My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don't use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love. (Galatians 5:1-2,4-6, 13 CEV)

When we turn the life, death, and teaching of Christ into a religion, we abandon the freedom Christ came for. We have been freed to love. To love God first who loved us, and then to share that love with others. We still won't just do whatever we want, but we will have the glorious freedom of love.

When I got married, I did not enslave myself, I entered into a glorious life of freedom in love.  I am so much freer now, even though there are many things I no longer do.  I would never chose to go back and have the life I had while single.  The freedom of love I have as an husband and father are so much greater!

So I agree, let's not enslave ourselves to religion, let us join to Christ and live in Him!