A quick dictionary definition of “religion” does not seem to warrant such vilification:
From Oxford Languages: “the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.”
From the Bible: “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:26-27
There is nothing wrong with “religion” per say. It has everything to do with spirituality because it is evidence that we are spiritual beings. It is the outworking of our beliefs.
As recorded in the book of James 2:26 God says, “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.”
I think the real problem is that people come up with teachings and traditions that contradict the dictates of God Himself. Jesus often challenged the Pharisees who came up with their own additions that went against what God said. As recorded in Matthew 15:3-9 Jesus said:
“Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?
“For God said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, he who speaks evil of father or mother is to be put to death.’
“But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God,” he is not to honor his father or his mother.’
And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
“You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you:
‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.’ ‘But in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’”
A quick dictionary definition of “religion” does not seem to warrant such vilification:
From Oxford Languages: “the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.”
From the Bible: “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless. Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. James 1:26-27
There is nothing wrong with “religion” per say. It has everything to do with spirituality because it is evidence that we are spiritual beings. It is the outworking of our beliefs.
As recorded in the book of James 2:26 God says, “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.”
I think the real problem is that people come up with teachings and traditions that contradict the dictates of God Himself. Jesus often challenged the Pharisees who came up with their own additions that went against what God said. As recorded in Matthew 15:3-9 Jesus said:
“Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition?
“For God said, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, he who speaks evil of father or mother is to be put to death.’
“But you say, ‘Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God,” he is not to honor his father or his mother.’
And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition.
“You hypocrites, rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you:
‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.’ ‘But in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.’”