Church-Shopping.
I recently came across a pair of articles that discussed the frequency in which Americans change their religious affiliation. One conclusion, "More than four in 10 American adults are no longer members of the religion they were brought up in..." or as noted by another article, "What the Pew researchers didn't anticipate is that fully 44% of Americans have changed faiths at least once. "
It is interesting that an article chose to headline the minority behavior uncovered by Pew Research (i.e. "Church-Shopping" and "Changing Religion"). Further, there is no indication if this is an increase, decrease or steady trend in American behavior. The article entitled "Changing Religion" touches on this by noting that, "the fact that most people who switch religions do so before they are 24, combined with the finding that older people as well as younger people have changed, suggests to Smith that the trend has been going on for some time". It seems to me that there is nothing new in the results of the study. America has always been a religious "free-for-all". From the Puritans to the Latter Day Saints to the Family churches, there has always been choice in this country when it comes to the choosing of one's religion.
The real trick, in my opinion, is to maintain your faith. If "church-shopping" is a result of an effort to keep one's faith fresh, I cannot find fault in it. But in the end I think it is a loop that cannot circle forever. It will eventually lose it's momentum. The apostle Paul was a master at finding the good in every situation. He exhorts Timothy in 1 Tim 6:6,"But godliness with contentment is great gain.". At the end of the day I believe that what we all need is Love. That is supplemented with Peace for those who are able to be contented in their godliness. I hope that our house of worship is providing both in great abundance.
Ref:
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1894361,00.html
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/04/27/changing.religion.study/
posted by Bull Rush @ 4/28/2009 01:02:00 PM
2 comments
2 Comments:
What a person need is a religion that is true. Only a true religion can provide a true relation with the Creator.
I would recommend you to listen to the words of Ribi Yehoshua ha-Mashiakh (the Messiah) from Nazareth’s authentic teachings. It reads:
[Torah, Oral Law & Hebrew Matityahu: Ribi Yehoshua Commanded Non-Selective Observance
The Netzarim Reconstruction of Hebrew Matityahu (NHM) 5:17-20]
[Glossaries found in the website below.]:
"I didn't come to subtract from the Torâh of Moshëh or the Neviim, nor to add onto the Torah of Moshëh did I come. Because, rather, I came to [bring about the] complete [i.e., non-selective] observance of them in truth.
Should the heavens and ha-Aretz exchange places, still, not even one י or one of the Halâkhâh of the Torah of Moshehshall so much as exchange places; toward the time when it becomes that they are all being performed -- i.e., non- selectively -- in full.
For whoever deletes one [point of] the Halâkhâh of these mitzwot from Torah, or shall teach others such, [by those in] the Realm of the heavens he shall be called 'deleted.' And whoever ratifies and teaches them shall be called ' Ribi' in the Realm of the heavens.
For I tell you that unless your tzәdâqâh is over and above that of the [Hellenist-Roman Pseudo- Tzedoqim] Codifiers of halakhah, and of the Rabbinic- Perushim sect of Judaism, no way will you enter into the Realm of the heavens." (see NHM)
Quote from www.netzarim.co.il ; “History Museum”
The reconstruction is made using a scientific and logic methodology. One of the premises is that the historical Ribi Yehoshua was a Torah-observant Pharisee (why that premise is true is found in the above website, in which you also will find more information about why a reconstruction is needed).
The historical Ribi Yehoshua and his followers Netzarim observed Torah non-selectively. The above website proofs that the person who want to follow the historical Ribi Yehoshua must do likewise.
True religion is the religion Ribi Yehoshua followed - that is Judaism
So when Jesus said that if you've seen Him, Jesus, then you've seen the Father, in the Gospel of John 14.9
Also when Jesus said in John 10.30, "I and the Father are one."
What do these scriptures mean to you? Is Jesus to be condemned as a blasphemer or do you believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God?
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