A couple weeks ago I posted the spoken word video Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus, which has now surpassed 16 million views. Catholic priest Claude (Dusty) Burns aka Fr. Pontifex responded by creating a video of his own titled Why I Love Religion, And Love Jesus. He makes some great points, so in the interest of equal opportunity, have a look.
I think it’s great the way both videos have stirred thought and conversation about Jesus and religion. What do you think?
Heya Paul! I think the main issue here is a difference of understanding of what is meant by the term “religion.”
When Jefferson in his first viral video says religion he’s talking about a system of behavior that it aimed at making us right with God. And that is very much what Jesus came to do away with as Paul explains so well in Galatians.
If religion is seen as any spiritual interaction with a deity then, sure, Jefferson’s video doesn’t make much sense.
Chris, I think you’re exactly right. And that’s why I think it’s great that both of these videos were made and are being widely seen.
We’ve got 2 very different understandings of what religion is in this country (and the world) because people have had 2 very different experiences with religion. Some have experienced lifeless religion created to conform behavior while others have experienced life-filled religion that flows from a relationship with Jesus and desire to follow Him and become more like Him.
Often these 2 groups of people don’t understand each other at all and can’t talk about Jesus or religion because their experiences and understandings of religion are so different. I hope these 2 videos help to bridge that gap.