[countmeworthy]

Ok...since I seemed to have left a bad taste on some people's thoughts...may I ask what everyone thinks their definition of religion is ?

Just so everyone understands... I do not snub people who go to church. I do not look down on people who are Catholics, Baptists, Lutherans..etc...

When I pray quietly, I sometimes fold my hands and close my eyes. I would kneel if I could. To some, my actions would be considered religious. When my neighbor told me he was nervous about giving a homily, I told him I was sure he was going to deliver it just fine. He thanked me for having confidence in him because he didn't have it in himself. I told him to ask the Holy Spirit to anoint him so when he spoke, it would be the Lord speaking through him. He was soo pleasantly surprised at my answer.

So while I am against "religion", my definition is not what the LC or LSM taught us it was. Religion to me is the motions people go through without contacting the Lord or having a Relationship with God.

Growing up, I was very RELIGIOUS. I believed in God. I prayed. But I did not know HIM. My religion taught me about GOD but did not teach me to have a relationship with HIM. And my friends who were never in the LC, who were raised Catholic and now have a relationship with the Lord, reading and praying the Word of God, have said to me How is it were taught to pray and to believe in God but never explained to us that we needed to have a relationship with Him ?!?" I had never knocked the RCC to them. In fact, I am very thankful to the LORD I was raised as a CATHOLIC ! I have my reasons that I won't explain here. I am also very grateful to the Lord for having led me to the LC in the 70s. I am equally if not more HAPPY I am not in either of those instituations.

So would you all be so kind as to share with me YOUR definition of religion ?

Thanks.

Carol