[thecavemaster]

That is where the Bible stands. That is what God's Word tells us to do. I apologize to you for the mass of people you've seen who claim to be christians represent God fallibly. Billy Graham once said that 75% of the roll - membership - of our churches in America will never see Heaven. Seeing many churches split over the color of carpet or the amount of money in the budget saddens me as well. The Word of God even says that not all of the people who claim to be followers really are. Some do it for the reputation, some for obedience to parents, and some for other crazy reasons.

However, with all those bad examples, there are the few that are faithful. There are the few that follow with all their heart, mind, soul, and strength. The Bible says, "The Harvest is great, but the workers are few."

I couldn't agree with your statements here more. Religion really can poison everything. Jesus said, "Religion that the father sees as good and pure is to take care of widows and orphans in their distress." Christ didn't come to establish a new religion, but to amend the sins of man and establish a new relationship with the Father.

Every religion I have studied has truth and beauty in it. Those who walk closest to the true fire of their faith are often labeled heretics by the dominant culture (see jesus).