My Issue With Religion

Recently I was again faced with someone who has an issue with religion. The encounter reminded me of my own issue with religion. The MSN Encarta dictionary defines it thus:

re·li·gion [ ri líjjən ] (plural re·li·gions)
noun
Definition:
1. beliefs and worship: people's beliefs and opinions concerning the existence, nature, and worship of a deity or deities, and divine involvement in the universe and human life
2. system: an institutionalized or personal system of beliefs and practices relating to the divine
3. personal beliefs or values: a set of strongly-held beliefs, values, and attitudes that somebody lives by
4. obsession: an object, practice, cause, or activity that somebody is completely devoted to or obsessed by

These are very clinical definitions at best. But they are the types of definitions to which people on the fence about God cling. Anytime issues of faith enter the political arena, for instance, the attack on "religion" will rear its head with intellectuals leading the attack. I continually hear it cited that church and state must remain separate; that freedom of religion means that it is all inclusive. What we need is to break away from religion. From my observation, those who get disgruntled with organized religion and use it as an excuse to choose for themselves what or whom they will follow, if anything, are relying too much on the standards that PEOPLE set. This is a dangerous prospect. What I would like to see is less listening to people and more listening to the God of the universe; the God of ALL creation. Stop waiting on people to set the parameters for how "religious" one needs to be or what "religion" to follow. People cannot be depended upon for ANYTHING. In fact, a gross percent of the time we just screw it all up. This is why we need to get away from religion, and focus on God. It's all about your relationship with Him. "But", some will ask, "how can I have a relationship with someone I cannot see, and thus do not completely believe in?" My best answer to that would be to read your Bible. Follow what it instructs. Your relationship with God will improve. Stop putting your stock in the ones who build the buildings we call churches, and paint the paintings of bearded men on clouds for whom they also have never seen. Put all your stock in the God of the Bible, and do it with your heart; not your eyes. If your perspective on Him doesn't change after that, you may be unchangeable.