Israel and the Church

[BLBereans]

religion (n.)

c.1200, "state of life bound by monastic vows," also "conduct indicating a belief in a divine power," from Anglo-French religiun (11c.), Old French religion "piety, devotion; religious community," and directly from Latin religionem (nominative religio) "respect for what is sacred, reverence for the gods; conscientiousness, sense of right, moral obligation; fear of the gods; divine service, religious observance; a religion, a faith, a mode of worship, cult; sanctity, holiness," in Late Latin "monastic life" (5c.).

According to Cicero derived from relegere "go through again" (in reading or in thought), from re- "again" (see re-) + legere "read" (see lecture (n.)). However, popular etymology among the later ancients (Servius, Lactantius, Augustine) and the interpretation of many modern writers connects it with religare "to bind fast" (see rely), via notion of "place an obligation on," or "bond between humans and gods." In that case, the re- would be intensive. Another possible origin is religiens "careful," opposite of negligens. In English, meaning "particular system of faith" is recorded from c.1300; sense of "recognition of and allegiance in manner of life (perceived as justly due) to a higher, unseen power or powers" is from 1530s.


To hold, therefore, that there is no difference in matters of religion between forms that are unlike each other, and even contrary to each other, most clearly leads in the end to the rejection of all religion in both theory and practice. And this is the same thing as atheism, however it may differ from it in name. [Pope Leo XIII, Immortale Dei, 1885]

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I concur with allodial; it all depends upon how one defines "religion". Some come from a position of angry detest due to the legalistic, ritualistic, hypocritical, etc. manner in which most religion is practiced. I for the most part agree, although not as vehemently as some who hurl absolute disgust towards the uniformed and temporarily lost/ignorant souls who are not yet in FULL cognizance of God's truth and knowledge. I reserve that vitriol for those who DO FULLY KNOW and yet choose to deceive and rebel, since that is a direct affront to our Father in Heaven.

Stating that everything in scripture is allegorical is akin to esoterism/gnostcism; these are the same sentiments put forth by this ilk:

material/matter = ALWAYS BAD

spiritual = ALWAYS GOOD

Nothing can be further from the truth. There are those who have never taken on flesh who will perish forever. There are those who were born of flesh who will reign over those who were not.

The end game is a global Eden, an actual Kingdom on earth, whereby our Lord and King Jesus The Christ will reign forever together with man whom God created in His image for that purpose.