You would think that something Jesus began, and thousands followed, would not be the thing that we are all now rejecting. When we read about the early church we wonder why our churches are not like that. I have come to the conclusion that the majority of churches I have attended bear very little resemblance to the church I read about, and in fact many bear a striking resemblance to cultic groups.

People are held by fear (thats why it feels bad when we leave) and guilt, the organised religion called christianity is simply a replacement of the old temple worship system with High Priest and Altars. The gospel preached is a gospel of law and not a gospel of grace, people are a commodity and a resource to feed the ‘church’ machine.

Jesus never changed the worship system whilst on earth, the jews still worshipped at the temple after he had gone despite the curtain being torn in two, and he has not changed it since (he has set up counter worship though). Mankind likes the old legal way, getting to god under our own steam, building our own Babel, and for the last two thousand years the church has been industrious in its attempt to sew the temple curtain back together.

Letter Author's Survey Responses

Which best articulates your current affiliation with the church?
I left the church and don't plan on going back.
How would you characterize your current spiritual expression?
I belong to another religion/philosophy other than Christianity.
What were your attendance habits at your previous church?
I was there once a week or more.
How would you describe your prior church involvement?
Volunteer - Served in a church ministry.
How old are you?
40 something
Where do you live?
Scotland