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I think I like this video... Wanting to write a follow up response, but couldn't wait to share this while I formulate my thoughts.  Would love to know what you think...

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update: the more i think about this video and the more conversations i have with others about it, the more my thoughts keep changing.  i'm still planning a response, but it seems it will be a lot more loaded... please check out this response after watching the video.  i'd still love to know what you think...

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another update:  way encouraged by this loving critique of the video including a dialoge between the artist of the video and the writer of the post...
Does Jesus Hate Religion? Kinda, Sorta, Not Really

Comments

  1. I saw this a couple months ago online somewhere and really enjoyed it! Hope you are having a lovely start to the week, Blair!

    Liesl :)

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  2. Hey Blair! I am struggling with this video, and I can't put my finger on it. It's something about the term, "religion" and some potential disregard for the possibility of its ties to ideas other than Christianity. I'll be interested to read your response- because the whole thing leaves me confused! - Jenny Bryan

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  3. I also recently saw this on someone's blog and wrote the following comment: I think his message comes from a good place but looking on my experience I would have never be able to have the relationship with my Savior and Heavenly Father without my religion. I think the religions you are exposed to influences how you feel about religion in general. Belonging to the church I do, I am so grateful for my religion and know that I would be lost without it.

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  4. I saw this the other day, people were posting it like crazy on Facebook. I'm a fan.

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  5. He's articulated the way I feel about organised religion, and in a way that's accessible to a lot more people. I have an aversion to organised religion that tells people how to do things and how to pray, what to do. I believe more in spirituality then religion. But that's just me.

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  6. though i didn't share this video on facebook like the rest of the world (hehe), i like it a lot! video-wise, it's so well done and catchy. he makes you want to hear the rest of what he has to say. he kept it simple and real. i also believe he want he had to say in regards to relationship vs relationship, about what Christ did for us, not what we do/work for to change our standing with God.

    and like you said, i like the conversations that are taking place because of this. :)

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  7. oops - i meant relationship vs. religion in my previous comment. hehe.

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  8. I believe what he is saying about the gospel is true and right and needs to be heard. The gospel is not "do" but "done". I think this video has sparked such a debate because everyone is operating from a different definition of religion. Religion inherently means discipline, which is not bad. You can be "religious" about a diet or workout plan or about studying scripture and spending time in prayer. Scripture also addresses "true religion". So, I don't think we can just say, "all religion is bad". I think his message is more about the dangers of legalism than religion. When churches start teaching that we can earn our way to salvation or favor with God based on our own merits and strength, there is a problem. The danger with that sort of teaching is that it makes us our own God, our own source of righteousness and we will ALWAYS fail.

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  9. My opinion: I like the video and what he's saying. Its like when someone says to me, 'you're religious'. No, I believe it Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. 2 different things, just like what he's saying.

    Organized religion can focus on 'works based faith' (and I "think" that's where this guy is going) and why he hates it so much. Not to say we shouldn't do good but that works is the only thing that will get us into Heaven.

    Churches will focus on money coming in, attendance to their church, how many missions and activities and programs they run, and jumping up and down saying, 'look at us and how great we're doing' and that's not what God wants at all.

    having a church family is good. Being among other believers is helpful (in my opinion) to maintain my 'relationship with Christ' with accountability and studies. But I don't need religion in order to know God and know that I'm saved through His Son. I know where I'm going and religion isn't what got me there.

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  10. The one line in the beginning of the video didn't sit well with me and made me think. "Jesus came to abolished religion" Then later on he says he "resents it"(it being religion).

    Jesus kept the law (commandments). Jesus went to the synagogue. Which in todays terms could make him 'religious'.

    In my opinion, today it's extremely trendy to buck against traditionally Christianity. I find it interesting that Jeff (maker of video/spoke word) recorded in front of what to me seems like a church. Although, I liked a lot of what he said in the video... I didn't like that it seemed like he was protesting on church steps. What is he defining as religion? And why must we resent it?

    Jesus is love. But, does he call us to live holy? I would never say that going to church weekly makes you a Christian... ...Yet we go. I don't think Jeff realized how this video would BLOW up. This is one rhyme that is a wee bit shaky on theology but offers up some plausible thoughts.

    If you look at a BIGGER picture of Christians... If you look at the world... You will see Christians leaving their homes to pick up and be missionaries to the poor. If you went today to feed the poor you probably would meet other Christians.

    If that makes any sense.

    Tamara
    atoodleleedo.blogspot.com

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  11. Great loving critique by Kevin DeYoung!

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  12. i have seen this video going around, but only watched it now. wow. i was captivated and agreed with what he was saying the whole time...and then I read that other page you mentioned...and I also can see his side! great discussions...gets me thinking alot- thanks!!!

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  13. i think this video was meant to address the nonchristian's animosity towards organized religion and legalism. In that regard, I enjoyed the video because people can't lump all Christians in one category and say they're the same. We're all people and we're all flawed. Like other commenters have stated, there are a few theological weirdness in the video that doesn't sit well with me. But I do enjoy the intent and the cry to focus on Jesus and loving Him. :)

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  14. i love this. the truth is that religions all over the world are merely a set of rules and procedures constructed by men based on their interpretation of a set of scriptures. anything set up and run by man will become corrupted, political, and lose sight of the true message intended by those scriptures. now i understand that there's value in coming together with a group of like-minded individuals in order to build a spiritual community and support system, but i think that group should be just that - a supportive community, NOT an institution to regulate people's journey. unfortunately, most world religions have become a place of regulations with black and white thinking and a strong conviction to change others. i don't think that's what God intended any spiritual community to be.

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  15. I think he's spot on. 100%

    Jesus came to shake the status quo of self-righteousness. But it seems we (not him) recreated it. I think Jesus looks at our expressions of Christianity today (in his name, no less) and laughs and cries at the same time.

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  16. that first response you posted seems right on.

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  17. I used to go to church, but I haven't for a long time. I felt like the people there were so much more judgmental than the people I went to school with. I didn't make any true friends at church -- they had their own thing going on and were very unwilling to let new people in. That is what I have always experienced with church. To me, that is what the video speaks of: not religion, but the people that say they are religious and end up being even more judgmental than any other person that I have ever met in my life. I have worked hard to get rid of that "holier than thou" mentality, and I try so very hard to live every day the way that Jesus did: being kind to and loving others. He taught us some very important lessons that I think we all forget from time-to-time.

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