Affiliation with Institutions

Here is an article published regarding Americans' increasing resistance to be affiliated with religious institutions. This has been a hot issue for a long time. In fact, it may even be seen as a given in many circles of Americans that one would believe in God and even consider oneself a Christian, but openly attack the institutions of Christianity.

Let us ask the question and see where it leads. What is wrong with belonging to a religious institution?

• It takes effort even when I am drained of energy.
• It requires I mold my thinking to someone else's
• I am judged based on the reputation that others have amassed
• I have to tolerate and even get along with others who I may not like
• It is one more commitment in my already overly busy schedule
• I feel like I am expected to perform when I go to a service, especially during worship
• I cannot help thinking criticisms about others at the gatherings
• While the preacher is speaking I am thinking about other things that are more personal and important to me

These are some realistic reasons one might avoid affiliation with a religious institution. Now comes the hard part: reflecting. Let us think about these and return to them in the next post.