ight Houseight HouseReligous Fanatics
Definitions
We’ve all heard the term, “religious fanatic”. It is often if not entirely, used in a derogatory manner to characterize a person who is passionate in regard to their religious beliefs and practices. Since the term is most often used in a derogatory manner, the implication by use of the word, “fanatic” is that such a person is not simply passionate about their religion, but that they are “too” passionate about it, or that they take it more seriously than they should.
The questions addressed here are; Is there such a thing as a religious fanatic? If so, what truly is and is not a religious fanatic? These are more complex questions than they appear on the surface. The complexity lies in the fact that the word “religion” or “religious” is a matter of context. There is the true definition of the word and there is the common yet inaccurate definition of the word.
The true meaning of religion is such a broad term that it encompasses every spiritual belief and practice from witchcraft to the born again Christian and every thing in between.. Religion is simply a set of beliefs and practices having to do with spirituality. All spiritual beliefs and practices whether they be right or wrong is a form of religion. “Religious” means simply having to do with religion, but it can also be thought of as practicing or living strictly in accordance to the religion that one believes.
Sometimes when a person is saved and thereby becomes a Christian, he may be identified by some as “getting religion”. By the same token a person living the Christian life may be referred to as “being religious”. Considering the true meaning of “religion” as described in the previous paragraph, this description of a born again child of God as being religious or getting religion is terribly inconclusive. When a Christian is identified as being religious, he is being put in such a broad category that he is being placed in the same category as Buddhists, Muslims, and even witches. Christians may indeed be religious just as these people of other faiths, but that the category of religious does not make the distinction of being a truly born again child of God. As my pastor puts it, “religion will not get you one inch off the ground, but “salvation” will take you all the way to glory.”
The Misconception
Now that a clear definition of religion and the distinction between religion and salvation is established, the topic of religious fanaticism can be addressed in context. I believe that in most cases when a person uses the term “religious fanatic” they are speaking in the context of being too passionate about their faith and commitment to service and obedience in serving God. When the term is used in this context, it is completely void of truth. Simply stated, it is impossible to be too passionate in any way about our savior. He is worthy of all our praise and more. The Lord should be the very center of every Christian’s life. There is no such thing as taking the bible too seriously. We will be judged out of this book in accordance to how we have kept His commandments and how close we have lived according to His teachings. There is no such thing as living close enough to these principles. God’s standard is perfection. There is no room for even the slightest compromise. Total dedication, total compromise, total obedience is required of every born again child of God. It is true that we do not live up to these expectations, but that does not negate the obligation to do so. We must strive to live in the center of His will and when we fail and fall short of meeting that obligation (as we do every day) we are to repent and seek His forgiveness. I have stated before in many articles and teaching documents and it bares repeating here that the Christian life is not a life of perfection, but a life of repentance for not living that life of perfection.
In regard to the zeal and passion we have in praising our Lord and lifting up His name, He is worthy of it all. Consider that Jesus left the splendor of Heaven to live among men a life of perfection and without sin so that he could ultimately die in our place. Consider all he suffered for us when he was crucified. He was whipped with a cat of nine tails which is a whip with pieces of glass, stone and metal braided into the tassels to inflict the most pain and do the most damage. His back was plowed up with this cat of nine tails for forty nine lashes. He was surely a bloody mess when the whipping was finished. They also plucked out his beard. Think on how that would feel. They smote him with their hands to the point that his eye ball was hanging on his cheek.. They cursed him and spat on him. Although the movies obviously can not show it, he was stripped naked when they nailed him on the cross. This was done for humiliation. They stretched his battered naked body out on the cross and drove nails through his feet and wrists. When he asked for water as he was dying they gave him soured wine. As he hung there on the cross, they pierced his side with a spear. They mocked him as he was dying. Eventually he died there on that cross of shame.
This was the price he paid for our redemption. It is because of what was done to him on the cross that we may be forgiven of our sins and avoid an eternity in Hell. He paid the price for us that we could not pay ourselves. He paid our sin debt on the cross. It was a debt that he did not owe, for he indeed did live a live without sin. He took our place on that cross. It was our sins that held him there.
Jesus had thousands of angels encamped around him waiting for his call and they would have rescued him. He CHOSE to remain on the cross and to suffer and to die because he loved us enough to pay this great price for our redemption. How is it possible to praise him too much for what he did for us? This is just one reason why in this context, the term “religious fanatic” is a term without merit.
So what most of the world calls a religious fanatic is often a Christian being what a Christian should be. The world doesn’t really have a problem with Christians so long as they are luke-warm compromising and uncommitted Christians. It is when a Christian shamelessly and openly praises his savior and stands firm on the teachings of God’s word that the world frowns on them and labels them a religious fanatic. Lord, may I be a religious fanatic in the eyes of this world, so that I may be a good and faithful servant in the eyes of my Heavenly Father!
The Real Religious Fanatics
While it is impossible to be too passionate concerning our service and commitment to the Lord, a person can place too much emphasis on rituals, formalities, and ceremonies. This is especially true when these religious exercises overshadow or take precedence over the importance of simply living a dedicated and God centered life. These would be the only true religious fanatics. This is not to say that certain religious practices such as communion, feet washing, and baptism are not important. They are all acts of obedience for the born again children of God. However when these things are done with the false understanding that they produce righteousness rather than being done as the result of the righteousness of Christ imputed toward us, then they are the acts of religious fanaticism..Jesus told us that if we bring our gift to the alter and then remember that we are in discord with our brother, that we are to leave the gift and first be reconciled with our brother before we offer our gift.
23Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy brother hath ought against thee; 24Leave there thy gift before the altar, and go thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.
Matthew 5:23-24The principle being taught here is that the sacrifice brought to the alter (a religious ceremonial practice) is meaningless if the person offering the gift is living contrary to the will of God. It is a matter of priorities. God also rejected Cain’s sacrifice because his heart was not as it should have been. All religious practices are secondary in importance to living a godly life according to the teachings of His word. No religious ritual can cover up or make up for sin that is in our lives. Only true and sincere repentance is acceptable to God for restoring ones fellowship back with Him.
You act so righteous and you look so pious
You always pay your tithes
But there’s a rock in your heart and a fire on your tongue
And there ain’t no love in your eyes-Charlie Daniels-
New Pharisees
Steel Witness Album
Conclusions
What the world sees as a religious fanatic is most often a Christian striving to live as close as they can in accordance with God’s word. There is no such thing as being too passionate or zealous about our Lord, our salvation, or God’s promises to us. The only true religious fanatic is the one who places more emphasis and importance on religious practices than practicing the teachings of God’s word in their day to day life.
Carl
© Copyright 2007 Carl Light (Copy as is with reference to source with permission)
