Why is Their Such Religious Confusion?

Originally there was not a bible like we have today. The bible is a collections of stories and letters written by PEOPLE. There were never chapter and verse divisions like we have now. It was never meant to be a rule book or a code of conduct book. We don't even know for sure who wrote much of it. It is a book of opinions and experiences of many different people. This is why there is so many different interpretations of the bible and differing opinions of various spiritual communities and denominations.

The bible points us TO the truth which is its real purpose!I have a love and respect for the bible and it is a great blessing in my life but I really wish we could stop wounding people with our dogmatic interpretations of it. When people quote chapter and verse to prove someone else wrong it is important to remember that it is not necessarily the truth they are proving but merely THEIR interpretation of what they think the bible is saying. Our interpretations many times are based on our culture and our western approach to the bible.

The bible originated in an eastern culture which must be taken into consideration when we endeavor to interpret it. Christianity has become very westernized through the centuries and misunderstanding about it abounds. Can we simply have a rational conversation about the bible without using it as a point of contention? Can we find a way to communicate with each other in a respectful and loving manner? Jesus said to the Pharisees and Sadducees, “You are only interested in the outside of the cup but are inwardly dead(separated).” This is a warning to us about what happens when we claim exclusive right to truth. These two sects were battling each other back then claiming to have THE TRUTH and kept putting people into spiritual bondage with their petty rules and dogmatic teaching which held no life giving power in them.

We can better assist each other through humility and understanding which is the ground from which we can experience the truth of Jesus teachings. Our 'rightness' can block our awareness of the beauty of the Christ Spirit. This can become the 'arrogance of our spiritual ignorance'.