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“Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus”: Can’t we be FOR something, and not AGAINST something?

January 12, 2012 at 3:20 pm, by Rich Kirkpatrick

Is religion really a bad word? I wrote about that in an article last year. (Why saying “I’m Not Religious” is a Cop Out!)  This video poem, “Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus” is powerful, creative and resonates deeply. I applaud the artistry. But, I think there is just something about semantics asking for more thought and discussion, which any good art should allow. I wrote this in June last year:

Religion is not cutting or whipping one’s self, living silently in a monastery, singing emotionally in a worship service. It is not the Inquisition, the wars of the Crusades, the failings of a Pope or local church pastor. It is not complicated and requiring of academic prowess or hours of serving in a church ministry program. In fact, it is not something a seminary owns rights or that one particular church can claim as their original thought.

What is it, then?

Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.
James 1:27 New Living Translation (NLT)

Being for Jesus does not mean I have to be against true religion. What does “religion” really mean? I think semantics are important. Hypocrisy gives religion a bad name. It feels great to rally when something emotionally feels right, but if we actually spend time to think beyond emotions perhaps a deeper truth is there. Critics are needed, and so are questions.

Here is my question in relation to this video: Can’t we be FOR something, and not AGAINST something?

Categories Christian Life, Culture, Religion | Tags:

  • http://www.donewithreligion.com/ Done with Religion

    I agree with you about before for rather than against. In this instance though, I have to say I am against religion. Not religion in its true form like you mentioned, but religion in the way that most people think of it today, organized, man-made rules and regulations, regular church attendance and the way most people try to please God and satisfy their desire to do something to earn (or pay back for) their salvation.

    • Done with Religion

      Obviously I meant to say ‘I agree with you about being for rather than against’.

  • Trixdaddio

    I making a new video “why I hate poetry concerts but love poetry”

    • http://rkweblog.com Rich Kirkpatrick

      uhm, you will never change ;)

  • Students

    In the written introduction, the artist shares that the poem is targeting false religion. Many people just watch the video w/out reading the statement with the video. Nice article. Religion is evil if it is not true religion.

    • http://rkweblog.com Rich Kirkpatrick

      My point is, lets not speak against things. It can draw people to your site, Youtube, or even pack your church. But, we as Christians need to start then defining things more by what they are as opposed to what they are not.

      Obviously, the intro is not in the embeds so few will ever see it. Still, the title and the content of the film stand on its own. I dig it! 
      The “hate religion” part in the title and the “Republican” button being pushed made me want to Tebow. It is art, and the discussion from it means it succeeds in being decent art. But as an artist myself, I ask a question as well.

      RK

       

  • Bosco Peters
    • http://rkweblog.com Rich Kirkpatrick

      To declare a man’s faith as insincere because he supports a watch company that gives back to charity demonstrates the point in my post here. Can you be for something while not being against something? This is what makes our faith guilty of the thinking of the Crusades. I think we should show more charity. 

      Discussion is good, however. This video surely achieves what art should. I am not sure the maker thought of it in that way, however.

      • Bosco Peters

        Haven’t you just contradicted your own position, Rich? Here I’m suggesting I’m against “Wanna serve Jesus? Buy this watch” which you interpret as me being for this “man’s faith as insincere” – please show me where I declare this guy’s faith is insincere. Blessings.

        • http://rkweblog.com Rich Kirkpatrick

          “It [watch connection] clearly doesn’t bug anyone else… It’s not like American Christianity has ever been anything but totally sincere, with absolute integrity, and deep authenticity…”

          This is what you wrote. Perhaps I misinterpreted sarcasm and so I apologize. To clarify: do you think this fellow is sincere in his faith even if he is supporting a watch that gives back to charity?

          • Bosco Peters

            I am not privy to the sincerity of this man’s faith. Nor
            does my (“sarcastic”) comment you quote make any reference to the sincerity of
            his faith.

            Rich, seriously, after having watched the intense video –
            does the recommendation: “Wanna start helping and serving Jesus in a practical
            way? checkout the company of the watch I am wearing in the video!” not surprise
            or shock you in the least? Do you seriously not see it as possibly compromising
            the point of his video? In any way whatsoever? To over 16million viewers? It
            raises no questions in you?

            You don’t wonder at the end of a Televangelist program when
            the pressure comes on about where to send the funds …? You have no awareness of
            clergy financial abuse? You are totally unsurprised that I’m the only one
            asking this question? And you think it’s my problem that I pause to ask a
            question! You accuse me of bringing some sort of “dualism” to the video!
            Seriously?!

            Blessings

          • http://rkweblog.com Rich Kirkpatrick

            All I am doing is offering a counter that perhaps he is sincere. It is always possible, as you are saying, that there is compromise going on. However, I choose to also say it is possible he is very sincere. 

          • Bosco Peters

            Rick, with respect, you appear to continue to respond to me with the very dualism this post purports to deprecate.

            He may very well be sincere. His faith may very well be sincere (your concept – I’m not exactly sure what you mean by that).

            Sincerity of intention does not of necessity translate into wise action. Or do you think it does?

            I am suggesting that one may question the wisdom both of his ideas and of seeing his linking the appropriate response to his video as purchasing a watch.

            That is not a lack of charity, as you suggest. I continue to hold that actions are open to discussion – and whether someone’s actions compromise their message.

            Blessings

  • http://diostube.com/ videos cristianos

    One of the key aspects, it is to deny ourselves, follow our Lord Jesus Christ by doing his will and not ours, all our actions and doings must glorify Christ in our lives. God bless

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