Morgan Guyton<\/a> writes about the toxic nature of Christianity quite often, and sadly, the place I have seen it most is in \u201cGod\u2019s house\u201d.<\/p>\nReading Paul\u2019s letters, it is clear to me that \u201cIt is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.\u201d (Galatians 5:1) Paul isn\u2019t talking about returning to a life of sin; he isn\u2019t warning against backsliding toward debauchery and drunkenness. Paul is saying don\u2019t let your faith become so obsessed with rule-keeping that you forget to embrace the God of Jesus!<\/strong><\/p>\nSpeaking of the religious leaders of his day, Jesus called them, \u201cwhitewashed tombs\u201d. He said, \u201cThey tie up heavy loads and put them on men\u2019s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.\u201d (Matthew 23:4)<\/p>\n
For many people I know, Christianity has been boiled down to morality. It has become a way to ensure you skip eternal damnation. It\u2019s a list of do\u2019s and don\u2019ts, but there is no real freedom. Many Christians have traded the yoke of slavery for the yoke of religion, and both are dead.<\/strong><\/p>\nMy heart breaks as I see the ways some churches treat their own members. Not outsiders, insiders<\/i>! Those who have committed their lives to walking with Christ for eternity and are doing their very best to embrace a local community of faith and follow in the footsteps of Jesus. But at every turn, they are berated, belittled, and remain broken, due to a system that enslaves the children of God. And I wonder, what happened to proclaiming freedom for the captives, hope for the downtrodden, and joy for those who have come to know Christ?<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re wondering if it\u2019s time to find a new faith community, here\u2019s a list of 9 ways to know for sure that you are part of an oppressive church.<\/p>\n
Hint: Click CONTINUE.<\/span><\/strong>
\n<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"9](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/705\/2016\/07\/download-1024x768.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
1. There is no adventure, no questioning of authority or theology, and faith has no room for doubt.<\/p>\n
2. Your goal in life is to appease your pastor and never inconvenience Jesus. You live in constant fear of what the leader of your flock would think if you did a certain thing or asked a particular question. You filter your social media constantly. Maybe you post something and five minutes later take it down, because, \u201cWhat would Brother Jones think if he saw that?\u201d<\/p>\n
3. The Holy Spirit has been described as a \u201cstill small voice\u201d and nothing more. A spiritual conscience. There is no wonder, no danger; it is all predictable and comfortable.
\n<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"9](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/705\/2016\/07\/download2-1024x769.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
4. Jesus seems more like the enforcer of the brethren rather than a friend of sinners.<\/p>\n
5. Christianity seems more like a certificate of deposit at the bank. You pay your tithes, obey the rules, stay near the church as much as possible, and one day, near the end, you can retrieve all the little trinkets of your predictable, and sanitary faith. And the measly amount of interest you received? You better tithe on it.<\/i><\/p>\n
6. Church is about building a sterile environment where legalistic morality reigns.
\n<\/p>\n
\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"9](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/705\/2016\/07\/download3-1024x684.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
7. Your pastor is untouchable, surrounded by \u201cyes men\u201d who only appeal to his ego.<\/p>\n
8. Church feels like a boarding school. And your pastor is the headmaster. Mind the rules, don\u2019t be tardy, wear the appropriate uniform, memorize the Alma Mater, and never question that the Superintendent in the sky is always watching.<\/p>\n
9. Instead of asking, \u201cHow does Jesus define the Church?\u201d Your question has always been, \u201cHow does my church define Jesus?\u201d<\/p>\n
\n
![\"9](\"https:\/\/wp-media.patheos.com\/blogs\/sites\/705\/2016\/07\/9ways-to-knowyoure-inanoppressivechurch.png\")
<\/p>\n