There's something elusive about the spiritual freedom the Church promises to those who come through its doors. The Church preaches God's unmerited favor towards humanity and then adds lists of duties we must perform to keep God happy. "If you love God," pulpits say, "you'll go to church, obey the clergy, tithe, witness, and get more people into church." Feeling like we have no other choice and fearful of reprisals from God, as Church members we perform our religious obligations and feel ashamed and guilty when we fail to meet the Church's expectations. The cycle is never ending; we feel guilty and shameful when we fail in any of our religious obligations. When we feel guilty, we try harder and rededicate ourselves to God but always end up back where we started-feeling guilty for failing him in our duties. Soul Rape identifies the elements of organized religion, its services, and its leadership, which work in concert to make and keep loyal members, using guilt and shame as the driving forces. The book shows how walking with God should be simple and free from religious obligation. No more religious obligation means no more: Religion, Going to Church, Clergy, Sermons, Tithing, Church Politics, Shame, or Guilt.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Needed Balance for the Institutional Church,
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This review is from: Soul Rape: Why People Hate Going to Church, Distrust Clergy, Avoid Religion, Keep Searching for God, and the Revolution They Started (Paperback)
Soul Rape is definitely taking more ground in the 'revolution'. It is well written and Shean Smith has supported his conclusions with Scripture and reliable bibliography. Is this book for everyone? Probably not. But it will benefit those that hunger and thirst for righteousness both preacher and pew sitter alike. Yes, Shean's imagery is a little graphic at times but so is Scripture when our relationship with Christ is at stake. The message of Soul Rape is that we must not substitute religion for our relationship with Christ. I quote: "There is no substitute for Jesus; he is our only Rabbi and Teacher". I believe that Soul Rape will empower the reader to freely know Christ by eliminating the encumbrances of religious leaders which are so often warned against in the New Testament.
On this subject I also recommend: Corinthian Elders Who is Your Covering?: A Fresh Look at Leadership, Authority, and Accountability
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Interesting,
This review is from: Soul Rape: Why People Hate Going to Church, Distrust Clergy, Avoid Religion, Keep Searching for God, and the Revolution They Started (Paperback)
The author raises many questions which now need to be answered by the reader. Worth the read if you're capable of challenging your long-held beliefs.
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God's Spirit, Sunday School, Concluding Remarks, New Testament, Emissary To Adversary, Great Commission, Christ Jesus, Enough And Long Enough, Church Fathers, Roger Williams, Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Christ's Spirit, Invitation Church Can Never Give, The Bloody Sword And Its Sheath, The Window To The Soul, Follow the Rabbi, Second Century, Son of Man, George Barna, Golden Rule, Law Of Retention, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, The Wind of Change, Grand Rapids Browse Sample Pages:
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soul rape Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
God's Spirit, Sunday School, Concluding Remarks, New Testament, Emissary To Adversary, Great Commission, Christ Jesus, Enough And Long Enough, Church Fathers, Roger Williams, Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary, Christ's Spirit, Invitation Church Can Never Give, The Bloody Sword And Its Sheath, The Window To The Soul, Follow the Rabbi, Second Century, Son of Man, George Barna, Golden Rule, Law Of Retention, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, The Wind of Change, Grand Rapids Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | Table of Contents | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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