Unveiling the Truth About Organized Religion

Understand the lack of faith and disillusionment in today's religions.

Have You Heard The Bad Story?

We really want to tell you the good story! But first, we really have to tell you the bad story about the system that many know as church. A typical churchgoer reports, “They pretend to preach the truth and we pretend to listen. It’s a shallow charade.”

An early American slogan was, "No king but King Jesus!" They didn't want another religious dictatorship. People fled to America for freedom of religion – freedom from man-made religion. They were fleeing from oppressive denominations in Europe, but the denominations all followed.

After hundreds of years and as many new sects have been started, people are becoming increasingly dissatisfied with organized religion. Today’s denominations don’t act like Jesus. Some act with excessive contempt and unloving attitudes. Most are just big businesses - turning a profit on people’s emotions. They compete with social programs and social clubs.

A spacious church interior with wooden pews leading towards the altar. There are tall walls with modern design and a large cross hanging at the center. Soft light filters through narrow stained glass windows on the sides, creating patches of colored illumination. The altar area is minimally decorated with religious symbols, and the atmosphere is serene and contemplative.
A spacious church interior with wooden pews leading towards the altar. There are tall walls with modern design and a large cross hanging at the center. Soft light filters through narrow stained glass windows on the sides, creating patches of colored illumination. The altar area is minimally decorated with religious symbols, and the atmosphere is serene and contemplative.
An interior of an old church with a domed ceiling showing signs of decay. There are several religious icons and images displayed on the walls and an altar area covered in pink fabric. The ceiling has peeling paint, and the walls are partially exposed with brick showing. A single person stands in the foreground, facing the altar.
An interior of an old church with a domed ceiling showing signs of decay. There are several religious icons and images displayed on the walls and an altar area covered in pink fabric. The ceiling has peeling paint, and the walls are partially exposed with brick showing. A single person stands in the foreground, facing the altar.
A simple, wooden church interior with rows of empty, worn pews facing a central altar. A large cross hangs on the wall above a minimalist pulpit against a backdrop of muted, aged wood. Natural light softly filters through tall, rectangular windows lining both sides of the space, creating a serene and contemplative atmosphere.
A simple, wooden church interior with rows of empty, worn pews facing a central altar. A large cross hangs on the wall above a minimalist pulpit against a backdrop of muted, aged wood. Natural light softly filters through tall, rectangular windows lining both sides of the space, creating a serene and contemplative atmosphere.

Are you one of them?

Are you part of the growing movement of people who are increasingly:

  • Skeptical of organized religion?

  • Pursuing genuine spirituality?

  • Over the traditions of men?

  • Ready to make a difference?

There’s nowhere else to flee. We must take a stand!

Man-made religion is consuming people’s focus, efforts, and resources with the traditions of men. Bureaucratic religion is out of touch with reality and out of line with the Bible. It fails to help people develop their gifts and become godly leaders, leaving them biblically illiterate, enslaved to sin, and in a state of perpetual spiritual immaturity. Who wants to depend on hypocrites to tell them what to think?

An expansive, ornate church interior featuring soaring arched ceilings and intricate stained glass windows at the far end. The dim lighting casts a serene and reverent atmosphere across the wooden pews, which are mostly empty. Ornate columns line the walkways, and a few people sit in quiet contemplation.
An expansive, ornate church interior featuring soaring arched ceilings and intricate stained glass windows at the far end. The dim lighting casts a serene and reverent atmosphere across the wooden pews, which are mostly empty. Ornate columns line the walkways, and a few people sit in quiet contemplation.

Did Jesus or His apostles teach organized religion?

When Jesus walked the earth, the religious and political powers feared He would try to set up a kingdom. He said, "My kingdom is not of this world." And, "The kingdom of God is in your midst." It's a spiritual kingdom, not a physical one composed of religious and political powers.

Jesus said: "This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far away from Me. But in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men. Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men. You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition." (Mark 7:6-9)

Organized religion hated, persecuted, and murdered Jesus, His apostles, and other disciples. It was quite the drama! (You can read all about it in any good translation of the Bible.¹) Jesus condemned the organized religion of His day because, among other things², they had turned biblical Judaism into a business enterprise³, just as so-called "Christian" organized religion has done today.

A spacious church interior with high ceilings and rows of wooden pews. Stained glass windows line the upper walls, casting colorful light into the space. A large, vibrant mural depicting a religious scene is featured prominently at the front, above the altar. Several people are seated, engaged in prayer or reflection.
A spacious church interior with high ceilings and rows of wooden pews. Stained glass windows line the upper walls, casting colorful light into the space. A large, vibrant mural depicting a religious scene is featured prominently at the front, above the altar. Several people are seated, engaged in prayer or reflection.
Inside a grand church with a high ceiling and stained glass windows, a religious ceremony is taking place. A priest in white and red vestments stands before the altar, surrounded by other clergy members. Above, a large crucifix is visible along with a decorative depiction of a dove. Gentle light filters through, creating a misty effect around the altar area.
Inside a grand church with a high ceiling and stained glass windows, a religious ceremony is taking place. A priest in white and red vestments stands before the altar, surrounded by other clergy members. Above, a large crucifix is visible along with a decorative depiction of a dove. Gentle light filters through, creating a misty effect around the altar area.
A dimly lit church interior with ornate decorations and high ceilings. Sunlight pours in through a window, illuminating an elderly man standing near the center of the aisle, with rows of empty chairs on either side. A few other figures are seen in the background, and religious icons and flags flank the altar.
A dimly lit church interior with ornate decorations and high ceilings. Sunlight pours in through a window, illuminating an elderly man standing near the center of the aisle, with rows of empty chairs on either side. A few other figures are seen in the background, and religious icons and flags flank the altar.

All pretenses aside, organized religion (aka institutional religion) is ultimately all about the man-made organization and typically includes many of the following:

  • formally established and enforced traditions, doctrines, or creeds of men

  • systematically arranged and controlled rituals, ceremonies, liturgy, or stage show designed to manipulate spectators' emotions

  • charismatic leader, hierarchical titles⁴, or bureaucratic clergy structure notorious for abuse, corruption, and power struggles

  • business name, branding, corporate charter, board of directors, or 501(c)(3) government sanction

  • money collected for institutional overhead expenses including staff salaries and real estate rent, mortgage, or maintenance

In the Bible, church isn't a building and there's no pulpits or pews. These institutional trappings are designed for show - with performers and spectators, unbiblical clergy and laity³. Pristine Christianity had no law but love, no creed but Christ, no property but personal hospitality.

¹ Do this for yourself: Pretend you don't know anything about Christianity - forget everything you think you know about it - and read the teachings of Jesus and His apostles (read the New Testament) as if you were there! Trouble reading? Listen! All options are readily available and free online.
² Matthew 23
³ Matthew 21:12-13, Mark 11:15-18, Luke 19:45-48, John 2:14-16
⁴ Most translations of the Bible, including many that are otherwise mostly accurate, contain much terminology that supports organized religion at the expense of translation accuracy. If you've been reading the Bible for long, you may feel almost betrayed if you compare your favorite translation with the Literal Standard Version (LSV).

Seriously? Forget the Costumes!

Many people want to make a difference, but are ill-prepared because of the pervasive leave-it-to-the-experts propaganda. This mentality has impacted society in a lot of bad ways, with families probably hurt the most.

The priesthood of all believers is a biblical concept that is rarely emphasized by those whose paycheck or social status depends on unbiblical perceptions, those who are most aggressively opposed to the spiritual revolution.

  • Do you long for a meaningful life?

  • Are you failing to connect with God?

  • Do you understand your beliefs?

  • Are you a struggling spiritual leader?

  • Is your spiritual growth stagnant?

  • Are you ready for spiritual revolution?

We don’t want to build another sect.

The Jesus 4 King Project provides encouragement and help for individuals and families to take responsibility for their own spiritual growth rather than depending on “professionals.” Many of your relationships will be enhanced and you will be prepared to make a difference in your community and world.

We provide thousands of man-hours worth of free resources to help individuals help themselves and others to grow spiritually and be engaged/involved in meaningful ways.

Do you want to make a connection with God and better understand what you believe? Do you want to spend time with close friends and get encouraged and inspired to help others?

There’s a spiritual revolution afoot!
We want to build you!

This may be a defining moment in your life!

First, you’ll increase your faith and get plenty of cheer when you get The Good Story eBook & Audio. The Good Story was told by the first century church! It is broken down into five short stories and tells what went wrong in The Rest of the Story. In the eBook you’ll also learn how simple it is to start enjoying a highly relational home church. Get them free at: http://Jesus4King.org

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