Jesus on Religion (A Christmas Sermon)

December 24, 2008 at 1:09 am The de-Convert 42 comments

Christmas is a time when Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus. I’d like to pay tribute in my Christmas sermon by listing a few of the teachings attributed to Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew that frame my view of religion. If only Christians could read and live by these scriptures.

Thoughts on the judgmental nature of Religion

1 Stop judging others and you will not be judged. For others will treat you as you treat them. Why worry about the speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying, “Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,” when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? First get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.

Thoughts on the divisiveness of Religion

2 Beware of those who come to divide. You can detect them by the way that they act, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit. A healthy tree produces good fruit, and an unhealthy tree produces bad fruit. Yes, the way to identify a tree or a person is by the kind of fruit that is produced.

Thoughts on the greed of religious leaders

3 Why do the teachers of religion, by their traditions, violate their commandments? For instance, the commandments says, “Honor your father and mother.” But they say “You don’t need to honor your parents by caring for their needs if you give the money to God instead.” And so, by their own tradition, they nullify their commandments.

Thoughts on the many ritualistic laws within Religion

4 Listen to what I say and try to understand. You are not defiled by what you eat; you are defiled by what you say and do. Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes out of the body. But evil words come from and evil heart and defile the person who says them. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, theft, lying, and slander. These are what defile you. Eating with unwashed hands could never defile you.

Thoughts on leadership in Religion

5 You know that in this world there are tyrants and officials lord it over the people beneath them. But among you it should be quite different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant. I came here not to be served but to serve others.

Thoughts on the legalistic nature of Religion

6 The religious teachers crush you with impossible religious demands and never lift a finger to help ease the burden. They enjoy the attention. But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. 7 How terrible it is for the teachers of religion who are careful to tithe on even the tiniest part of their income but they ignore the important things- justice, mercy, and faith. They strain water so they won’t accidentally swallow a gnat; then swallow a camel.

Thoughts on the hypocrisy of Religion

8 How terrible it is for the teachers of religion who are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside they are filthy – full of greed and self-indulgence! They try to look like upright people outwardly, but inside their hearts are filled with hypocrisy. (taken from Matthew)

- The de-Convert

Entry filed under: The de-Convert. Tags: Bible, christianity, christmas, christmas sermon, Jesus, religion.

My Conversion and De-Conversion Story Reasons why I can no longer believe: 4 – God is not trustworthy

42 Comments Add your own

1. Lucian | December 24, 2008 at 6:44 am

Hi, guys!

Here and here are two Christless Christmas Carols just for You! Enjoy!

Happy Holidays!
2. Yurka | December 24, 2008 at 12:03 pm

This may come as a shock to you … but Christmas is not mentioned in the bible. Perhaps you could correct your imbalanced opinions by concentrating on Easter instead.

I’m surprised as always at the dishonest way you attempt to go about excusing your own bad behavior by pointing to the behavior of others who claim to be Christian. Kind of like a murderer or thief who thinks he will be let off by citing examples of corrupt judges or police officers. Do you really buy into this? Who did such a number on you that you buy into this kind of thinking?
3. The de-Convert | December 24, 2008 at 12:09 pm

Huh? The birth of Jesus is mentioned in the Bible. Christmas is a celebration of that birth.

LOL… I bet I’m a better Christian than most Christians What “bad behavior” are you talking about?

BTW, those are primarily direct quotes from Matthew and probably represented a pure view of Jesus’ thoughts on Judaism. Problem is those same quotes can now be applied to the religion centered around him. Funny how that cycle goes.
4. Quester | December 24, 2008 at 12:38 pm

Nicely gathered, DC. Definitely food for thought.
5. SnugglyBuffalo | December 24, 2008 at 1:11 pm

Where, pray tell, does The de-Convert claim that Christmas is mentioned in the Bible? What bad behavior is he trying to excuse? He’s pointing out the hypocrisy in religion during a time of year when religion tends to be emphasized more than usual, nothing more.

I can never really understand why some people feel the need to read far more into writings they disagree with than what the author intended. Perhaps your criticism of The de-Convert is really you trying to excuse your own bad behavior?

The only one being dishonest here is you, Yurka, trying to extract far more from what was written than what is actually present in the writing, in a rather poor attempt to discredit the author.
6. LeoPardus | December 24, 2008 at 2:48 pm

Yurka seems to be one of those all too numerous “Christians” (in quotes ’cause we know he’s not a “real” Christian) who goes on the attack anytime he doesn’t like something. Really helps give a good reputation to the faith doesn’t it? Wonder if Yurka likes people attacking him. Wonder if he’s read the Bible and seen the “Golden Rule”. Wonder if he’ll show “Christmas spirit” by spewing all over me for this post.
7. orDover | December 26, 2008 at 6:36 pm

If Christians followed even just the first two points gathered here, I don’t think we’d have a need for sites like these.
8. Elian | December 26, 2008 at 8:01 pm

Jesus himself stated that he came to divide and Jesus himself also violated the law, he at one point said he did not come to judge then in another scripture said he did come to judge and even taken within context the statements are contradictory, so when he says beware of those who ‘divide’ people or don’t judge or follow the law(s) he was so obviously betraying what he truly was which is a liar and a deceiver.
9. Modusoperandi | December 26, 2008 at 8:55 pm

Ellan; yes, but God can do what He wants, apparently. Those laws were for Man, who has to follow them perfectly, and upon failing to be perfect need a Savior to save them from being the imperfect beings that God made perfect, but the original prototypes disobeyed Him, making His perfect creation imperfect with their imperfect perfection. Believing in this perfect Savior allows imperfect Man to be cleansed of the imperfection of Sin, perfectly, until the imperect nature at the base of Man again intrudes on the again imperfect Man (whose base was perfect until it wasn’t, then it was cleaned perfectly, but it’s perfection was again sullied by its imperfect nature), necessitating further something something something…
10. The de-Convert | December 27, 2008 at 8:29 am

Elian,
Sadly, you are 100% right. Other statements attributed to Jesus in the gospels contradicts every verse posted above. However, as any preacher does in preparing his/her sermon, they pick out the ones that make their point. Since this was my Christmas sermon, I did the same BTW, I got the idea to do a Christmas sermon from looking at our blog stats. There’s been hundreds of hits from folks searching for “new years sermon” and finding this: http://de-conversion.com/2008/01/01/the-de-conversion-new-years-sermon/ . So I figure I’d write something that will get some hits next Christmas.
Paul
11. Anonymous | December 27, 2008 at 10:41 pm

Elian, please see: here if you really consider the statements re “judging” contradictory. You seem to come to the texts in a hostile frame of mind, determined to find contradictions. Please keep an open mind.

And Leo – I just think it is salutory for you all to jerk you back because you all seem to fall victim to this tendency. You should be like Jeff and at least keep an open mind.
12. Yurka | December 27, 2008 at 10:46 pm

That was me #11.

#5. I don’t mean to read in extraneous things – I just feel that people here may be falling into the trap of using people such as Benny Hinn and Joel Osteen to cement their will to disbelieve.

Happy holidays (I actually wish secularists good luck with this- how well have tacky nativity scenes and houses covered with lights helped Christianity over the past several decades?)
13. SnugglyBuffalo | December 28, 2008 at 3:06 am

Bullshit. You accused The de-Convert of being dishonest and excusing bad behavior he never mentioned; you said absolutely nothing about “using people. . . to cement their will to disbelieve.”

Do you accuse Jesus of cementing his will to disbelieve when he pointed out hypocrisy in others? You might not have intended to read in more meaning than was there, but it’s certainly what you have done, now matter how you try to spin it.
14. Not a Church Goer anymore | December 30, 2008 at 3:49 pm

Folks, learn your history. Christmas and Easter are of Pagan origins and was adopted into Christianity. The bible does not say to celebrate the Birth or resurrection of Christ. Christ wasn’t even born on the Winter solces (Dec 25). And Easter is from the pagan fertility God. Learn your history about the farce of Christianity.
15. Ken | January 13, 2009 at 12:55 am

At 14, Christmas is the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth. Whether it was on December 25 or not. I would also ask you to prove to me that is was not on December 25th. Easter, again, is the celebration of Christ’s resurrection from the dead. Maybe the Easter bunny is of pagan origin, but the celebration of Christ’s resurrection and as a result, the redemption of mankind.

At all, it makes me sad that you have such a bitter and sour taste in your mouths towards Christianity. But more so than that, a resentment and disregard for Jesus Christ. I do share your sentiments toward religion. It is a worthless institution, but what SHOULD be different is the manifestation of a person, intimate, and loving relationship with Jesus Christ, who has sacrificed his life and also conquered death to be the propitiation for our sins. It isn’t about religion, which unfortunately, many people fall into.

I’m so sorry that many of you are so critical of Christianity. I’m sorrowful that you have encountered those who have caused these thoughts. There are many, many people who are dedicated to following Jesus Christ and His commands.
16. Josh | January 13, 2009 at 1:39 am

Looks like Ken has some reading to do
17. Not a Church Goer anymore | January 15, 2009 at 5:51 pm

Ken, study Greek Mythology, Roman History, oh and by the way Babylonian history and Eygyption History (in which took place before Christ) and you’ll find some quite disturbing stuff and it will also answer your “prove them to me” comments about December 25th and Easter. And when I speak of the farce of christianity, i’m not hitting on Christ, but of the man-made religion that came from his name. I can’t remember who quoted this, but it goes as such “To institutionalize the teaching of Christ is to truly Kill him forever” His teaching were not meant to established an organized church but to be the lifestyle of the Church (The individual believer)…either way, Christianity is a Farce and I wish folks would just seek knowlege and ask the question. By the way Ken, Why would God Create the Human Race, knowing that more than half is heading to the Pits of Hell? one of many rational questions that puts the F in Farce.
18. Ken | January 15, 2009 at 5:56 pm

Okay, well how does that prove that Christ wasn’t born on December 25th. You’ve just pointed out different civilizations. If we believe in what Christ taught, then we also need to believe what the apostles wrote in the New Testament. Which includes the church as a body of believers, gathered together to grow in knowledge of God, then go out and be the Church.

And to answer the question of why God would create the human race, that’s a good one. I’m not going to pretend to know the answer. But I know that He did and that there are many that have been saved by Christ’s redeeming blood. So whether or not you are a fan of Christianity, the fact remains that Christ’s teaching reflect the opposite of many of these blogs.
19. orDover | January 15, 2009 at 6:15 pm

Okay, well how does that prove that Christ wasn’t born on December 25th.

You, Ken, have the burden of proof. Is it unlikely that Christ was born on December 25th because that happens to also be the “birthday” of many God of various religions, and is considered an important date across cultures because it is the winter solstice. No, that doesn’t prove that Christ wasn’t born on Dec. 25th, but what information do you have that he was? That’s you job: to dig up the information and prove your point.
20. Ken | January 15, 2009 at 6:17 pm

If you are disagreeing with something that is widely accepted, it is your job to disprove it. Not the other way around.
21. VorJack | January 15, 2009 at 6:18 pm

@Ken – “I would also ask you to prove to me that is was not on December 25th.”

Remember Luke 2:8? “In that region there were shepherds living in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.”

December is the rainy season in the region. You wouldn’t have your flocks out at night. If the shepherds were grazing their flocks, it was most likely spring.
22. BigHouse | January 15, 2009 at 6:19 pm

orDover, don’t forget that Christians don’t like the ‘burden of proof’ nor understand that extraordinary claims deserve extraordinary evidence. Remember, it’s all about faith
23. BigHouse | January 15, 2009 at 6:19 pm

Case in point, Ken brings us #20
24. orDover | January 15, 2009 at 6:20 pm

Oh, right. Thanks BigHouse. Sometimes I forget and attempt to apply the accepted rules of a logical argument.
25. Ken | January 15, 2009 at 6:26 pm

you guys are pretty funny.
26. BigHouse | January 15, 2009 at 6:27 pm

It’s not funny, sad, really.
27. Ken | January 15, 2009 at 6:28 pm

oh i find the insults amusing. But yes I agree, very sad how so many people aren’t willing to even have a conversation and immediately result to insults.

i’m out.
28. BigHouse | January 15, 2009 at 6:31 pm

I see no insults, Ken, I see us shooting gaping holes into your flacid arguments. That you take it personally is not our fault.

Sorry to see you go, I guess you weren’t actually interested in “saving’ us, so much as proving your intellectual superiority. It didn’t work out that welel though, did it?
29. Ken | January 15, 2009 at 6:37 pm

Haha, that was an insult. And I can’t save you. I don’t have that authority. I had no arguments, just asked for the proof for the claims and I haven’t seen. Also, I had no desire to prove any intellectual superiority, just to be the voice of those who were being criticized. Christianity isn’t supposed to have the message of “turn or burn!” The only time Christ mentioned hell was when he was speaking to the Pharisees. Paul also never mentioned hell in his epistles. Christ’s love is what compels us, not religion. No intellectual superiority in that. It’s not meant to be religion, but a relationship.
30. Ken | January 15, 2009 at 6:43 pm

We would be able to argue coincidence, disputed facts, and scientific and mathematic probabilities for the rest of our lives, but ultimately what Jesus Christ has done for me, in my life is not something that can be debated. So I sincerely hope that you would not be so close minded, if indeed you are close minded to the power of Jesus Christ in our lives. I honestly respect your intelligence, even if you don’t respect mine.
31. BigHouse | January 15, 2009 at 7:03 pm

but ultimately what Jesus Christ has done for me, in my life is not something that can be debated.

Then why are we doing this?

So I sincerely hope that you would not be so close minded, if indeed you are close minded to the power of Jesus Christ in our lives.

Now this is insulting, given the nature of people who post on this blog. Perhaps you should read the posts marked with the big red exclamation point to get a better idea of who you are talking to.
32. BigHouse | January 15, 2009 at 7:09 pm

Haha, that was an insult.

See, I don’t get where this is coming from. Your arguments were attacked, not you personally.
33. Ken | January 15, 2009 at 7:10 pm

I know who I’m talking to. And you’re proving my point that you are coming to this table in a combative position. just wanting to criticize what you may not understand.
34. LeoPardus | January 15, 2009 at 7:19 pm

Ken:

I would also ask you to prove to me that is was not on December 25th.

It can’t be proven or disproven. Most likely Dec 25 is the wrong date as sheep wouldn’t be kept in open fields in the winter months, and it’s unlikely that lots of people would travel (for the census count) in the winter, but that’s just guestimating and the actual date one celebrates really doesn’t matter.

it makes me sad that you have such a bitter and sour taste in your mouths towards Christianity. But more so than that, a resentment and disregard for Jesus Christ.

Actually some of us are quite happy with all that we learned and experienced in the faith. It makes up a part of who and what we are. I still like the beauty of the Divine Liturgy. As for the late JC, nobody’s got a beef with him. He’s just a dead guy. Now some of his supposed followers engender negative feelings……..

intimate, and loving relationship with Jesus Christ,

Go to blog archives; see article “A Personal Relationship with Jesus?”

I’m so sorry that many of you are so critical of Christianity.

We’re sorry you’re uncritical and credulous.

I’m sorrowful that you have encountered those who have caused these thoughts.

Not so much encountering people as simply accepting reality.

There are many, many people who are dedicated to following Jesus Christ and His commands.

Or at least their personal wild-eyed guess as to what those might be.
35. LeoPardus | January 15, 2009 at 7:24 pm

Mi>The only time Christ mentioned hell was when he was speaking to the Pharisees.

Don’t believe what you’re told from a pulpit. Read the Bible for yourself.
36. BigHouse | January 15, 2009 at 8:51 pm

I know who I’m talking to.

Then you are the one being combative, no? Or you just didn’t understand what you read. Either way, assuming close-mindedness on a group of formerly devout Christians isn’t giving me much reason to respect your intelligence.

And you’re proving my point that you are coming to this table in a combative position. just wanting to criticize what you may not understand.

You really aren’t good at this debate stuff, are you?
37. Servant | January 16, 2009 at 4:23 am

This is the common mistake Christian believers do. Yes, they are armed with the Jesus that lives in their heart, and that is indeed a encouraging thing, but still God doesn’t automatically correct their behaviour and their thoughts once He starts dwelling inside. So I would suggest Ken to read Exodus again, and to find out why did God choose Moses to be His man for the job. Because of great wisdom&beauty (actually it’s hard to find those two qualities together in person even today )? Because of His eloquence and good manners? No, because he was as humble as you can get. And having that in mind, true christian should have a cheek as thick as concrete, and even most painfull insults should not stick to it. Only thing that gets hurt when someone insults you is your ego, and christians should have none.
38. Servant | January 16, 2009 at 4:28 am

oh yes, regarding birth of Jesus, I’ll use mathematic logic. Jesus died is spring (March/April) after 3,5 years of service to mankind. And he started his service at the age of 30. That means he is born in autumn. Dec 25 is indeed pagan festival from the earliest history, and was “christianized” by the religious leaders at that time, who falsely believe that just if you call something “christian” it doesn’t make it immediately right.
39. Not a Church Goer anymore | January 16, 2009 at 6:54 pm

Servent, you did your research, that’s all I asked Ken to do; was research. I was a minister of Christianity, and I began to ask “God” for truth because stuff was just not adding up and I began to question things that did not feel right and that began my path. I didn’t realize how unhappy and in bondage I was until I found truth and left the organization. I learned some very disturbing truths in reference to the faith. Ken a few questions for thought. How did the Bible come together? Are there other Gospels? If they are why are they not in the bible? Why does the Catholic bible have different books than the KJV bible? Why are Paul’s epistle different from the message of the gospels? when were the gospels written and from what sources? Why did the vatican admitt to adding and deleting text of the bible? Just some food for thought, just a few of the many great questions of the man-made christian faith.
40. LeoPardus | January 16, 2009 at 7:08 pm

Re post 38:

Where DO you come up with your shit?
41. orDover | January 16, 2009 at 7:23 pm

Jesus died is spring (March/April)…Dec 25 is indeed pagan festival from the earliest history…

As if Easter isn’t also a pagan holiday! HA!
42. brambonius | August 3, 2009 at 11:08 am

I read this now, and as a christian I say amen to this. Thanks for reminding me to stick to the message of Jesus and not to the circus christian religion can be. Your criticism are so valid am affraid, or should I say jesus’ criticisms of the pharriseism of his days are still valid today on the religian named after him?

shalom

Bram

ps: I don’t see any need to de-convert… But still the daily need to convert myself…

de-conversion