Religion versus God

Okay, this is quite a long story. But I need to tell the backgrounds before I can explain the real issue I’m pointing out.

Yesterday morning I saw an interview about a Finnish writer that has published a novel, which tells about a young girl who lives in a Christian community in 1930’s Finland. In the book the girl really has to live in a joyless, narrow-minded atmosphere that has very strict rules, from where there is no way out. She fights for example with her sexuality, self-image and other mindsets that are “typical” for those who live in these kinds of communities, how he struggles her self-abusive and twisted thoughts. The writer has really meant the book to be oppressive and it's genre as horror romantic. 

I was listening to that discussion and felt anger. I can’t deny the existence of these kinds of communities that live this way: controlling, judging their people in a wrong way, living from laws instead of from freedom, love and caring. This kind of surrounding is often described as fundamentalist religious or Christian extremists. 

But the reason why I got so frustrated was that I knew this is the impression that many people have about Christianity. And it is so twisted!!!

That’s not REAL Christianity! That’s not the way Jesus meant it!! That has rules and laws that people has distorted from the Bible.  

The way I see Christianity and the faith I’ve got, is that it's really been the most releasing factor in my life. For me it represents the experiments of happiest, funniest, craziest (in a good way! I mean like acting spontaneously), best laughs and most peaceful moments in my life!

I haven’t red this book, I admit, but one review told this: “I was hoping that the Bible would’ve been accompanied by this book. That the Bible would’ve been reflected in that faith people had in the book. But it wasn’t.” I bet if the writer would know the Bible, he would actually know that this kind of setting has little to do with Bible. The Bible is an entity, not something from where you can remove away stuff or take just parts you will. 

I confess: I don't wanna have anything to do with religion - but I do want all my life to be depended on  faith. Religion is something people have invented. Faith is invented and given by God. 

• People make mistakes ALL THE TIME. God doesn't make mistakes. 
• People hurt each other. God wants only good things to everyone. 
• People twist the word of Bible. God has told EVERYTHING we need to know in the Bible.
• People live wrong way. God wants to guide us to the new and right direction. 
• People want to live away from God. God wants to live near people. 
• People chooses bad things. God wants us to choose good things. 

Do not mix these two things. It is people who creates wrong kind of Christianity. It has nothing to do with God who is perfect, almighty, worthy to respect, merciful, loving and caring and who just wants to create an relationship with his people - not some religion. 

Real Christianity is about love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Gal. 5:22-23). It is about friendships and relationships. It is about the God. Not man. 

God needs to be known. I also have to know him and the Bible better. There is still so much more for me to learn, this I know, but I'm happy about the way He has already taught me and that He will keep on teaching me when I stay with Him.