Easter & Religion

Today the local paper ran an AP article about how Easter is losing its attachment to religion. The story focused on about four people who will be feasting or getting together with friends and family on Easter but not going to church.

In the article people claim they don't "need" to go to church to have religion. One person interviewed did say she will attend church on Easter because it is about being a part of something bigger than yourself.

What was most interesting to me was the claim by some that religion is about relationships, but they never discuss their need for a relationship with God. These people seemed to claim they are good, religious people because they nurture their relationships with friends and family.

Well, great for you in your quest to have good family and friend relationships. But what are you doing to further the Kingdom of God? Maybe you are polite, caring and donate to charities on occasion. But there is something about belonging to a church that does make it about something bigger than yourself and that is important.

Here are some things I've experienced in belonging to various churches throughout my life;
1. As a child, I developed a love of music, an appreciation for it and a desire to sing out with joy to God and anyone who wants to listen.
2. I have learned, from talks with well-educated people, great amounts of knowledge and how science does tie in with biblical history. Had I not been a churchgoer, I likely would have never been exposed to these learned people.
3. People greater than myself have befriended me and taught me great restraint about issues and have taught me to be tolerant of those with whom I disagree.
4. Volunteering to go out and actually feed the homeless is much more effective (in teaching ourselves about their plight) than writing a check or dropping off a few cans of beans at the local food pantry.
5. Without being a part of a church there are plenty of volunteer opportunities that I just wouldn't have been a part of because I wouldn't have known about them.
6. Being a part of church has afforded me more time with God and motivated me to study the Bible more than I would've had I not been involved in church.

I could go on and on. But I think you get the point.

What is truly sad about Holy Days and religion is that we want to keep the Holy Days to celebrate and have an excuse to get together, but we don't want the religion part which requires action on our part.

So I say; go to church on Easter Sunday. Think about the positives associated with God and Jesus Christ. Leave the worrying at the door. Listen to the message, the good news.