2 major points raised:

1. The heirarchy of the church.  The big 3 (Islam, Jewish, Christian) have become very much churchianity not religion, in so many ways.  The main one being the philosophy entrenched in a book for the followers.  This give ultimate power to the ministry to weild its ugly hand of rebuke and ostrization.

2.  The money collected by churches.  At one time to be tax free was a necessity for small groups to own and maintain a church building.  It has now become unweildy with wealth and no charity.  In Canada to be a church you must be incorporated as a non-profit, charitable status.  The way of most churches certainly does not fit this bill.

So yes, on those fronts, I, too, would say religion is not a good thing.  But I give to you a question:  What is our alternative?

Do you truly believe that the world is done in by religion or the lack of spirituality that permeates it?

And on that note, where was the spirituality found before the recent spate of self-help gurus and books - which by their nature are about money too?

Everyone walking their path on their individual spirituality just doesn't cut it either.  There has to be some consistency in what is considered spiritual.  Look deeply into some of the current habits and practices and say that it is a better alternative to the religions?  

I don't find it so, people going off half baked on any theory that suits their fancy and using the trance word to give it credability.  Does anyone consider that the spirit guiding us is no better than our own efforts at spirituality?  And how many half aware individuals are bringing 'wisdom' from spirit in place of their religion or its practices?

God bless, J

The non profit tax exempt standing of a Faith Based Organization was generally 501(c)4 faith base org .
The non profit dealings I had a problem with was charitable trust : tax exempt organized trust : 501(c)6
and the non profit new grant group with ways the internet may offer non Federal Grant.s I recommend :
will be : Green Grant Forum and Faith Base Community Group based on the grassroots program with uh
Faith Based and Community Initiative.s [FBCI] formerly run by govern official: Hein .  Now a US Obama
Admin(istration) Housing and Urban Committee new economy advisor will want to begin the way FBCI 2
may offer new NetRoots Community Initiative and Faith Base Non-Profit Accord with OFA [known as the
Organizing for America group supporting non-profit ecological grassroots basis of free network] . Newer
FBCI 2 affiliate at The White House .. what I refer to as : Capital House_\|/_ ., will be :@: Gov 2.0 NET2
Green Grant NetRoots associate wanting Faith Based Urban Refurbishment . . . known as the Green OFA .  all rumors.  Evard