I have written the following "R's of Religion. It is interesting to discover just how conducive the English language is with this religious and theological richness. Many of the terms, concepts, and their associated thought patterns are from the Bible or based on the Bible. But many people of other faiths too may agree, and if asked, may even be willing to subscribe to these principles, in the spirit of spiritual goodness and nobility and moral goodness before all human beings. But any are free to disagree with any of the points, of course, since these following statements are not my laws to mankind, but submitted for purposeful spiritual, religious, and moral reflection.
R – Rebellion
We confess that we can have a rebellious spirit or attitude towards God and/or
We confess that we can have a rebellious spirit or attitude towards God and/or
earthly authorities, which arises from in our own corrupted nature, and we
need God’s help to turn our hearts and minds to Him and love God and other
human beings as we should be loved, and respect authority.
R – Remorse
When we learn that we have done wrong, especially serious wrong including
When we learn that we have done wrong, especially serious wrong including
The emotional, psychological, or physical injury of another person, we should
Feel bad, or remorse and sorry, and this helps to lead us to acknowledge our
wrong, apologize, offer recompense, or repent as appropriate.
R – Repent
We repent of our sins and gross wrongs, which means to change our way
We repent of our sins and gross wrongs, which means to change our way
Completely, turning away from the wrong and turning to good.
R – Refrain
We refrain our hands, feet, tongue, and mind from evil, violence, perversion,
We refrain our hands, feet, tongue, and mind from evil, violence, perversion,
Rape, molestation, robbery, murder, other crimes, sexual immorality,
Adultery, riotous living, and other gross wrongs.
R – Resist
We resist evil, temptation, bad forces upon/in our lives and beings
We resist evil, temptation, bad forces upon/in our lives and beings
R – Receive
We receive all of God’s blessings, spiritual and material, and receive all His
We receive all of God’s blessings, spiritual and material, and receive all His
Nurturing, love, encouragement, and instruction which molds our character
And lives into better human beings with spiritual wholeness, and we receive
His words for growth toward spiritual maturity for the journey that God has
Placed us on, with a destiny toward Him.
R – Reconcile
God reconciles with humans knowing the help we need. God has made a
God reconciles with humans knowing the help we need. God has made a
Way to reconcile with all humanity, according to the Bible. By God’s goodness,
We desire to be reconciled to God, recognizing our help and need for Him
And our inability to reach His standard. Likewise, we strive to live reconciled
With other human beings who we may have wronged and to live a life of
Forgiveness and reconciliation.
R – Restore
Seeking to reconcile with other human beings in this life also helps to bring
Seeking to reconcile with other human beings in this life also helps to bring
Repair and restoration to damaged relationships. God is in the restoring-
Business, and His ultimate plan is to restore the whole earth, where all sin,
Corruption, wrong, will be wiped out, and the earth will be brought to a
Beautiful, pure, paradisiacal state.
R – Remember
We remember all the good things in our lives, all that God has done for us
And all the good things our parents, grandparents, and other people have
Done for us.
R - Reverence
We revere the Divine because God is worthy of all reverence, worship,
We revere the Divine because God is worthy of all reverence, worship,
Praise, thanks, and honor, and for all He has done for us. May we also
Help to lead others to revere the Divine too.
R – Righteousness
May the righteousness of God be enlightened in our hearts, minds, and
Spirits, that we desire to live in it, and not shy away from it because of
Our corrupted nation, and long more and more to live in God’s eternal
Righteous kingdom.
The R’s of People Which Should Never be Associated with Religion
R – Retaliation
The feeling and thoughts of seeking retaliation for a wrong by another
Person or group of people is a rather natural feeling, arising from our
Base corrupted human nature. Pure religious ideals, principles, and morals
Never lead a human to seek retaliation for wrongs. Exceptions may be
Found in a few texts in a sacred book such as the Quran, but context is very
Important to understanding the meaning and rightly interpreting it.
R – Revenge
Similar to retaliation, a human being, through the festering of bad feelings
Similar to retaliation, a human being, through the festering of bad feelings
Towards a human being or group of people from the perceived wrong, is
Also not to be associated with pure or true religion. Revenge is also from
The base and corrupted nature within human beings, and reactionary,
Whereas pure religion preaches forgiveness and reconciliation.
R – Retribution
Retribution, as I’ll define here, is a judicial term that a judge will determine
That a sentenced, convicted person is to pay for their crime to the victim
Or victim’s family. This kind of retribution in this temporal, civil realm should
Not be associated with pure religion. There is the theology of divine
Retribution which speaks to the spiritual realm, in distinction to the human-
Temporal realm that these three R’s are addressing.
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