Do you feel like getting closer to God has made you question the value of organized religion? Why or why not?

[David]

I came across this post on Reddit and thought it would be interesting to hear how others would respond. I’m planning to share my own thoughts on it too.

As I have gotten older and gotten closer to God I have learned I don't really believe in religion anymore.

The whole Calvinists vs Arminian, Catholic vs Protestant, it is all just a load of malarkey and ultimately doesn't matter.

I think as long as one believes Christ is their Savior, that's it. The rest will come with time and faith. They will sin less and have a better life. Multiple things can be true at the same time even if it is paradoxical to us, meaning the differences in denominations are essentially meaningless.

Religion is just a very perverse way to control a population in my opinion. And I'm not necessarily calling out denomination or people who belong to a denomination, but I am calling out the people who think that only people who believe the same as them go to Heaven.

 

[David]

This was my response, what do you think:

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I hear your frustration with the divisions and dogma in organized religion, it can feel like a lot of noise that misses the heart of faith. Your focus on Christ as Savior being the core resonates with a lot of people who’ve wrestled with these same issues. It’s like you’re saying the labels and debates are secondary to a real, personal connection to Christ, and I agree, a relationship with Jesus is the foundation. But here’s the thing, the Bible doesn’t leave room for a “choose your own truth” approach. Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh unto the Father but by me” (John 14:6). That means not everything can be true at the same time, even if it feels paradoxical to us.

Yes, religious systems often twist Scripture and divide people, but that doesn’t mean truth is unknowable or that doctrine is meaningless. God gave us His Word so we wouldn’t be tossed around by every wind of teaching (Ephesians 4:14). There is one gospel, one faith, and one truth (Ephesians 4:4–6), and anything that contradicts the Word of God is not just a harmless difference, it’s deception. Paul warned in Galatians 1:8 that even if an angel preaches another gospel, they are accursed.

When the Bible talks about “sound doctrine,” it means teaching that lines up with Scripture alone, not tradition, opinion, or church systems. That’s what Sola Scriptura means, that the Bible is the final authority in all matters of truth and faith. Second Timothy 3:16–17 says all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. If it’s not rooted in the Bible, it’s not sound doctrine.

So while I get why you’d call some of it perverse, especially when people weaponize religion to control or exclude, we still have a responsibility to know what God has actually said. Real faith isn’t about joining a side or defending a denomination, it’s about knowing the real Jesus and following Him according to His Word. Truth matters because eternity is real. So the goal isn’t to avoid all doctrine, it’s to hold to sound doctrine, meaning the Bible alone, and throw out the man-made noise. Have you been able to stay grounded in Scripture itself without getting tangled in the mess of religion?

 

[PLANofMAN]

I think it was generated by an A.I. Chatbot.

Doesn't make it any less true, but it's overly wordy, and more spectacle than substance, imo.

 

[David]

I think it was generated by an A.I. Chatbot.

Doesn't make it any less true, but it's overly wordy, and more spectacle than substance, imo.

That’s fair, I did use some help organizing my thoughts, but everything I said is rooted in Scripture, and I meant every word of it. I know it’s a bit longer than most posts, but I really wanted to be clear and thorough. I definitely wasn’t trying to be flashy, just honest about what the Bible actually says. I appreciate your feedback, though, and if anything stood out to you as off or worth discussing, I’m open to hearing it.

So what would you say to the OP?

 

[PLANofMAN]

That’s fair, I did use some help organizing my thoughts, but everything I said is rooted in Scripture, and I meant every word of it. I know it’s a bit longer than most posts, but I really wanted to be clear and thorough. I definitely wasn’t trying to be flashy, just honest about what the Bible actually says. I appreciate your feedback, though, and if anything stood out to you as off or worth discussing, I’m open to hearing it.

So what would you say to the OP?

I didn't reply directly to the OP in that reddit thread, but I did reply to a fellow who was quoting James 1:27 to make a point, which I'll post below.

As for the OP's post, I agree with them, though I think he/she would have been better served to replace the word religion with "religiosity," "denominationalism" or "ritualism":

We translate the original Greek word

> θρησκεία (thrēskeía) as 'religion.'

It's defined as referring to religious worship, especially outward ceremonial observance, ritual, or religious practice.

In James 1:26–27, the term is used critically to distinguish between mere outward religion (or religiosity) in verse 26, and true, Godly practice in verse 27. It is talking about structured or observable religious behavior, not personal faith.

Greek Text (opening phrase v.27):

> Θρησκεία καθαρὰ καὶ ἀμίαντος
Religion pure and undefiled

James is redefining the concept; not as ritual or formality, but as active compassion and moral integrity. James critiques empty religiosity (1:26) and then redefines "pure religion" as practical care and personal holiness. Reusing the word "religion" in verse 27 shows that James is not 'discarding' religion, but clarifying and defining it's meaning.

If your church isn't helping orphans and old folks (or doing other community improvement outreach programs), and calling on its membership to lead blameless and holy lives, then it isn't being a "real" church. As my pastor once said, "As a pastor, I am called to be a 'fisher of men,' not to be 'the keeper of the aquarium.'"

Just to recap, here's James 1:26, 27

“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."

Doing 'Christian role-play' for an hour or two once every week isn't what is meant by the word 'religion' in verse 27.

 

[David]

If your church isn't helping orphans and old folks (or doing other community improvement outreach programs), and calling on its membership to lead blameless and holy lives, then it isn't being a "real" church. As my pastor once said, "As a pastor, I am called to be a 'fisher of men,' not to be 'the keeper of the aquarium.'"

I agree with you completely. A church which fails to care for orphans, widows, the elderly, and the needy and doesn’t call its members to holy and blameless lives violates the teachings of God’s Word. James 1: According to James 1:27 pure religion requires caring for fatherless children and widows in their suffering while maintaining personal purity from worldly influences. Pure religion requires active service to others and personal moral purity. Instead of serving as a refuge of comfort and habit, the church exists to function as a dynamic entity that follows Jesus while ministering to those who haven’t yet found faith and living righteously. I liked the way your pastor reminded us that our mission involves catching men rather than managing the aquarium. When a church fails to prepare its members to follow Jesus and serve others while obeying His Word they have completely missed their purpose.