Where in the bible does Jesus speak against religion?

Question

Some Christians say they don't belong to a religion because they have a relationship with Christ, which is what Jesus wants. They say other Christian sects are wrong because those Christians belong to religions and aren't really Christian because Jesus doesn't want his people in a religion. Where exactly in the bible does Jesus speak out against religion?

Answer 1

Hsa 5:7 For they have betrayed the honor of the LORD, bearing children that aren't his. Now their false religion will devour them, along with their wealth.  

Jam 1:27 Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.  

Answer 2

Jesus *strongly* denounces those who *falsely* claim to worship the true God:

“*Many will say* to me: ‘Lord, did we not prophesy, expel demons, & perform many powerful works in your name?’  Yet I will confess to them: *I never knew you! Get away from me*, you workers of lawlessness. --Matthew 7:21-23  

"You hypocrites, Isaiah aptly prophesied about you: ‘This people honors me with their lips, yet their heart is far removed from me. It is in vain that they keep worshiping... because *they teach commands of men* as doctrines.’”  --Matthew 15:7,8  

"“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees [the false religious leaders of his day, which correspond to those of today], hypocrites! because you resemble whitewashed graves, which outwardly indeed appear beautiful but inside are full of dead men’s bones and of every sort of uncleanness.  In that way you also, outwardly indeed, appear righteous to men, but inside *you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness*." --Matthew  23:27,28  

"...[Jesus] went on to say to them:

“You are from the realms below; I am from the realms above.

You are from this world; I am not from this world." --John 8:23

Also compare: Mt  24:24-25 / Mr 13:22;  Ac 20:30; 2Co 11:13-15; Ga 5:19-20; Col 2:8; 1Ti 4:1-3; 2Ti 4:3-5; 1Th 5:21; 2Pe 2:1-3; 1Joh 4:1; Jude 4   http://watchtower.org/bible/index.org

However, Jesus was NOT trying to indicate that his followers should not be organized, for God's dealings throughout history with mankind show otherwise.  This is explained very well in the article:

"Should You Belong to a Church?"

- How God Dealt With People in the Past

- God has long dealt with his people as an organized group.  

http://watchtower.org/e/20040601/article...

"Can I Worship God in My Own Way?" :

- A Need All of Us Share

- Why Are People Leaving Traditional Religions?

- Is "Private Religion" the Answer?

http://watchtower.org/e/20020422/article...

"Which Religion Should One Choose?"

-  True Christians Then and Now

- The Benefits of Right Association

http://watchtower.org/e/20040601/article...

"...Let us consider one another to incite to love and fine works, *not forsaking the gathering of ourselves together*, as some have the custom, but encouraging one another, and all the more so as you behold the day drawing near." --Hebrews 10:24-25

Answer 3

huh i didnt know that. wait, does that mean that evryone who believes in jesus is aithiest? hm, never knew this. thanks for this question :)

Answer 4

Some christians do not know the meaning of religion.  Some, the fundies, don't even understand the Bible,,,and they claim they are the only true christians.

Answer 5

God never created religion. religion is man made. that is why God sent Jesus. to establish a relationship with it through Jesus. religion is all about rituals and traditions...Jesus never practiced or even talked about rituals and traditions...therefore, it's man made.  

Answer 6

Point out to me where in the Bible Jesus says there should be religion.

Answer 7

Matthew 23  speaks of the problem he had with the religious Pharisees, They were the most religious and failed to understand that it goes beyond being religious. They followed the rules but failed in God's wisdom and faith, He would rather have faithful followers than religious people who have man law knowledge but lack in knowing God's Grace.Jesus never taught a religion but a faith.

Answer 8

jesus had nuthin against ones belief. he just didn't like the way they taught it.  And what they believed in. But he never said they couldn't believe in what they choose to.

Answer 9

In just about anywhere in any of the gospels where wouldn't you find Christ verbally slamming the religious "authorities"?

Answer 10

you may need to talk to a pastor on this one but when Jesus comes back he is coming back after "his church" not a religion

Answer 11

I don't know chapter and verse (I'm sure others will quote them), but Jesus lashes out several times at the religious leaders of his time.  I don't think he was against religion per se.  After all, he was a Jew, and one who followed the spirit of the law of Moses.  He spoke out against the corruption and the hypocrisy of the Sadducees and Pharisees, the two leading groups of the Jewish faith at that time, who preached one thing and did another.

Answer 12

He speaks out against the Pharisees often. In essence, he was speaking out about how they were hypocrites and that looking good on the outside meant nothing when the inside was still sinful. This could be considered speaking against religion because one can be "religious" without truly being filled with the spirit of God.