June 11, 2004
Worship of Self: Americans go Overboard
There's an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal today entitled Do It Yourself Religion about individuals who decided their choice of churches didn't fulfill their needs, so they started small churches of their own, essentially.
I find this fascinating. Most countries understand that going to church isn't about you - it's about God. When you go to church, it isn't your needs that should be fulfilled, but God's needs. You are their to worship, not to be served. But more and more I see this type of decision process which plainly says, "I'm going to the church which does it for me." Often this is an emotional decision based purely on emotional needs - the church doesn't offer the "experience" I want.
In the article they detail some of the decisions to do this and it is extremely sad. The first person is a Catholic woman - and perhaps the most revealing. She states plainly that in her worship group "dogma doesn't get in the way." Dogma, for those who don't know, is defined by God, not man. To clarify, the Pope cannot change or contradict dogma in any way - he doesn't have the authority to. Dogma is like the laws of nature; it's the pure truth and reality of God. So basically this woman is saying that in her group, "God doesn't get in the way" - that's the most honest statement in the article.
Anyway, if you get a chance read it (Wall Street Journal Online is a pay service, so I can't link to it). It is a fascinating and horrifying look into Americans and how some view faith and religion.
God bless,
Jay
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