Growing Beyond Denomination

A religious denomination is a subgroup within a religion that operates under a common name, tradition, and identity.

-- Wikipedia, "Religious Denomination"

"...says THE LORD JEHOVAH: I shall put my law into their minds, and I shall write it upon their hearts," and God did this because the written Word was susceptible to so much misinterpretation due to the ignorance of man. Christians might argue this, which would only further evidence the point. If the Word of God, as written in biblical scripture, were so straightforward as to not be open to interpretation, why are there so many Christian sects arguing over who is correct and practicing the most righteous path to salvation? This is the very reason God, in the second covenant with man, wrote: "not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts."

Thus starts the post I wrote, back in May of 2016, concerning Holy Scripture, the Bible, and the Ten Commandments.  Since it has some bearing on this post I thought it might be a good idea to revisit it and see if my thoughts have changed. God endowed us all with the freedom of thought and, with this freedom, we also have the right to change our views as we learn and grow. If you’d like to critique your own thoughts about the written Word, please join me in reading the previous post, attached, prior to continuing this one:  A Word from Our Sponsor?

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Rumor has it, per information found on several online sites; there are 10,000 distinct religions worldwide.  As to the Christian religion, there is much discussion as to whether Christianity can claim over 33,000 separate sects under its own umbrella.  On his blog site, The Complete Pilgrim, author-researcher Howard Kramer explains this large number thus: 

The fact that there are 33,000 Christian Denominations is quoted on many websites, frequently with the tone that this is a good thing. Personally I think that it suggests that Christianity is hopelessly fractured along more dogmatic fault lines than can be reasonably allowed for in a single faith. But that’s just my opinion.

In any event, a deeper look at the numbers shows that Christianity is not nearly so divided as the number 33,000 might indicate. For one thing, it includes that there are multiple denominations for many churches based on how many countries that church is present in. For example, the Roman Catholic Church, which is a single entity under the authority of the Vatican, counts 242 independent denominations, which is, of course, not really factual.

Not surprisingly, Protestant Christianity makes up the bulk of different denominations, counting 9,000 mainstream and 22,000 independent for a total of 31,000. The vast majority of these ‘denominations’ are in fact stand alone congregations, many of which share essentially common beliefs but with no mutual association with one another.

Worldwide, Christian denominations might number, roughly, 200 to 300. Unlike denominations, however, Christian "sects" probably make up for the daylight between the 200-300 number and 33,000. A sect is generally a subset of a religion or a religious denomination, though sects are not necessarily denominations. In Christianity, for instance, a sect can adhere to the beliefs of a particular denomination or can simply be another Christian sect identifying with no set denomination.  In his explanation, above, Kramer is addressing Christian denominations not sects and, and during my own research, I found most information available fails to garner my respect by also trying to justify the 33,000 against known denominations.  It would seem no one wishes to give these Christian sects any credence, and yet, there are 33,000 of them.  

Without even researching I can envision most world religions probably have sects which number many more than they would care to admit.  It bodes a question as to why so many, and I have to answer with my favorite quote from comedian and social critic Lenny Bruce (1925-1966), "People are leaving the church and going back to God."  The numbers might evidence that what Lenny Bruce quipped as a social critique over 55 years ago, still holds true today, that many people are simply disenchanted with organized religion.  Not a thought when one considers the only two things asked of us is that we love God and love each other.

Religion may be defined as a cultural system of designated behaviors and practices, worldviews, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics, or organizations, that relates humanity to supernatural, transcendental, or spiritual elements. However, there is no scholarly consensus over what precisely constitutes a religion.

-- Wikipedia, "Religion"

For the Abrahamic faithful there is only one true "Word of God" which is literally written in stone - the Ten Commandments.  Building churches is not a "commandment" and neither is tithing or judging.  The Commandments are not open to interpretation as they are black and white, yes or no, do or do not.  Most great teachers and prophets in the world have touted similar ethical behaviors for those who choose to follow a particular spiritual path or go in search of their own.  I question scripture as being the "One true word of God" as it was not written by God.  Scripture was inspired by God and written by man.  I can't help but think God would have better considered the audience before writing something for the common man which requires so much scholarly interpretation.  No, I think the Ten Commandments say everything we need to know in the simplicity one would expect from a father to a child.  So, why scripture?

“Protestantism has the method of Jesus with His secret too much left out of mind; Catholicism has His secret with His method too much left out of mind; neither has His unerring balance, His intuition, His sweet reasonableness. But both have hold of a great truth, and get from it a great power.”

-- Matthew Arnold, poet and critic (1822-1888)

Matthew Arnold hit the nail on the head when he wrote the statement above.  Organized religions have hold of a great truth, and they work that truth to their utmost benefit; it is one of "great power" over the minds and money of the faithful.  Why do religions hold so much sway over the faithful?  

Philosopher and political theorist Karl Marx (1818-1883) wrote, "Religious suffering is, at one and the same time, the expression of real suffering and a protest against real suffering. Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people."  Marx saw the world as it should be, all things being equal.  Unfortunately, all things are not equal, and can never be.  I want to digress for just a moment...  

There must be balance in the world.  Marxist philosophy, socialism, does not work because humans demand freedom of thought.  Utopian socialism, small socialist enclaves, only seem to work within the framework of non-socialist societies with whom they peacefully interact.  Socialism, as a whole, only works until it runs out of other people's money or the masses get tired of waiting in long lines for toilet paper which may not be there when they finally get to the counter.  Socialist and utopian societies cannot exist without democracy, capitalism, and dystopia in the mix.  The League of the Perpetually Offended will ultimately be offended at itself when they have rid the world of everything to be offended over, and the last member will ultimately commit suicide over the offense which he has wrought which has left him the sole survivor of humanity.

This is just my take on socialist philosophy.  I like the concept, but I feel it is unrealistic and has never been proven to work as a large social order without becoming totalitarian.  I also accept what Marx said about religion, as a reminder:  "Religious suffering is, at one and the same time, the expression of real suffering and a protest against real suffering. Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people."  It is the "expression of real suffering and a protest against real suffering" and the mere fact that people believe they are suffering should give any intelligent person pause.  Religion "is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions."  Oppression, heartlessness, and soulless conditions?  I would ask that everyone research all of the failed attempts at socialism, and look to why these governments were eventually overthrown, to answer this question.

Was Marx considering personal spirituality in this statement, or was he addressing religion as an organized philosophy of the masses, working contrary to the mind control which socialist dogma would ultimately demand in order for socialism to survive?  I am not a political theorist, but it makes me wonder.  I think Marx is correct when he states why religion exists.  I also think organized religion is not much better than the mindless socialism it decries.  Neither understands that one cannot exist without the other, and a free mind would make both obsolete.  

A free mind would be able to explore the meaning of life, the marvelously arranged universe and the possibility of a power greater than ourselves which created and controls it.  God?  Maybe, or maybe not, there is no proof either way.  It is something the majority of us take on faith, that belief in something for which there is no proof.  Have faith in the teachings and philosophies of those you think make the most sense, not in the religious ceremonies and bugaboo which came after them.  I would certainly steer away from any faith which states you must follow their teachings or be put to death in a Holy Crusade or an Islamic Jihad.  Why would anyone place faith in a people who praise the death of peaceful innocence simply because they embrace a peaceful faith which differs from their own?  The interpretation of a religion is the purview of the leadership of said religion.

I identify with Christianity because I appreciate the teachings of the prophet Jesus.  I also appreciate the teachings of Buddha and Lao Tzu.  I have also learned much from the prophet Muhammad, and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.  So, what am I?  I am, and this is what I offer up to the greatest power in the universe.

I think we have to unshackle our minds from the idea of fidelity to a particular religion and go seek our own peaceful, ethical, and righteous truth; an undying faith in ourselves which will steer us toward an undying faith in things greater than we can imagine.  We need to grow beyond religious orientation, indoctrination, and denomination and become truly spiritual beings.  I truly believe, with all faith, that this is the only way we can connect with that greatest omnipotent power in the universe.

But, then, I'm not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

"Just as a candle cannot burn without fire, men cannot live without a spiritual life." 

-- Buddha

Editor's Note

(Re: disclaimer cum "get out of jail free" card)

Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint. 

It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.

We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.

Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.