I know Weinberg is an Athiest and he hates religion, but the quote was true, at least IMO. Look through history at all the evil done to our fellow man and most of the time it is done in the name of religion. I guess I'm an optimist in that I believe most people tend to do good. It doesn't take much to convince bad people to do bad things, but for good people to do really bad things just package it in the name of religion, then watch out.
God does not require us to be religious, He wants us to follow the example of Christ and to be molded as His children, letting Christ live in us. Religion is a man made institution, an institution that does some good and some bad, but is not of God. The Lions club, masons, girl scouts, etc. all do good things also. There is hundreds if not thousands of religions in the world, God is not a God of confusion. Religion is an institution of confusion. If man did not follow religious leaders and lived for Christ the misery done in history to our fellow man, in the name of religion would be much less. Come out of her, my people, that you be not partakers of her sins.
Where is the Good News preached? In Churches? What is good about being told to accept Christ as our saviour and being "saved" or burning in hell for eternity? What is good about being taught that the majority of mankind and our own families will be tortured for eternity? What is good about a god who is a bigger monster than any of the most evil men in history? And they claim it is fair and good? The good news is Christ is the saviour of all man, no chains no bindings, no heavy yoke or burdens, He did it because of His love for us, just follow and let Him do the heavy stuff. Where in Ray's teaching is a burden put upon us? Ray just teaches the Good News and love of Christ. The same message that the original Church taught until man corrupted it.
But, I know all is of God, and religion is used for His purpose. You can call this post religious/church bashing, but sometimes you need to call a spade a spade. Some of the best people I know are church goers, I came out of the church also. But if a bad leader preached to them to do bad things far too many would follow, using religion as their excuse.
But what do I know?
Craig