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99:6.1 [[Sectarianism]] is a [[disease]] of [[institutional]] [[religion]], and [[dogmatism]] is an [[enslavement]] of the [[spiritual]] [[nature]]. It is far better to have a [[religion]] without a [[church]] than a church without religion. The religious [[turmoil]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century twentieth century] does not, in and of itself, betoken [[spiritual]] [[decadence]]. [[Confusion]] goes before [[growth]] as well as before destruction.

99:6.1 [[Sectarianism]] is a [[disease]] of [[institutional]] [[religion]], and [[dogmatism]] is an [[enslavement]] of the [[spiritual]] [[nature]]. It is far better to have a [[religion]] without a [[church]] than a church without religion. The religious [[turmoil]] of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/20th_century twentieth century] does not, in and of itself, betoken [[spiritual]] [[decadence]]. [[Confusion]] goes before [[growth]] as well as before destruction.

99:6.2 There is a real [[purpose]] in the [[socialization]] of [[religion]]. It is the [[purpose]] of [[group]] religious [[activities]] to [[dramatize]] the [[loyalties]] of [[religion]]; to [[magnify]] the lures of [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_56#56:10._TRUTH.2C_BEAUTY.2C_AND_GOODNESS truth, beauty, and goodness]; to foster the [[attractions]] of [[supreme]] [[values]]; to enhance the [[service]] of [[unselfish]] fellowship; to [[glorify]] the [[potentials]] of [[family]] life; to promote [[religious]] [[education]]; to provide [[wise]] [[counsel]] and [[spiritual]] [[guidance]]; and to [[encourage]] group [[worship]]. And all live [[religions]] encourage [[human]] [[friendship]], [[conserve]] [[morality]], promote [[neighborhood]] welfare, and [[facilitate]] the spread of the [[essential]] [[gospel]] of their respective [[messages]] of [[eternal]] [[salvation]].

99:6.2 There is a real [[purpose]] in the [[socialization]] of [[religion]]. It is the [[purpose]] of [[group]] religious [[activities]] to [[dramatize]] the [[loyalties]] of [[religion]]; to [[magnify]] the lures of [https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_56#56:10._TRUTH.2C_BEAUTY.2C_AND_GOODNESS truth, beauty, and goodness]; to foster the [[attractions]] of [[supreme]] [[values]]; to enhance the [[service]] of [[unselfish]] fellowship; to [[glorify]] the [[potentials]] of [[family]] life; to promote [[religious]] [[education]]; to provide [[wise]] [[counsel]] and [[spiritual]] [[guidance]]; and to [[encourage]] group [[worship]]. And all live [[religions]] encourage [[human]] [[friendship]], [[conserve]] [[morality]], promote [[neighborhood]] welfare, and [[facilitate]] the spread of the [[essential]] [[gospel]] of their respective [[messages]] of [[eternal]] [[salvation]].

99:6.3 But as [[religion]] becomes [[institutionalized]], its [[power]] for [[good]] is curtailed, while the [[possibilities]] for [[evil]] are greatly multiplied. The [[dangers]] of [[formalized]] [[religion]] are: fixation of [[beliefs]] and crystallization of sentiments; accumulation of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vested_interest vested interests] with increase of [[secularization]]; tendency to [[standardize]] and [[fossilize]] [[truth]]; diversion of [[religion]] from the [[service]] of [[God]] to the service of the [[church]]; inclination of [[leaders]] to become [[administrators]] instead of ministers; tendency to form [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sect sects] and [[competitive]] divisions; [[establishment]] of [[oppressive]] ecclesiastical [[authority]]; [[creation]] of the [[aristocratic]] "[[chosen-people]]" [[attitude]]; fostering of false and exaggerated [[ideas]] of [[sacredness]]; the routinizing of religion and the petrification of [[worship]]; [[tendency]] to [[venerate]] the [[past]] while ignoring present demands; failure to make up-to-date [[interpretations]] of religion; [[entanglement]] with [[functions]] of [[secular]] [[institutions]]; it creates the [[evil]] [[discrimination]] of religious [[castes]]; it becomes an intolerant [[judge]] of [[orthodoxy]]; it fails to hold the interest of [[adventurous]] [[youth]] and [[gradually]] loses the saving [[message]] of the gospel of [[eternal]] [[salvation]].

99:6.3 But as [[religion]] becomes [[institutionalized]], its [[power]] for [[good]] is curtailed, while the [[possibilities]] for [[evil]] are greatly multiplied. The [[dangers]] of [[formalized]] [[religion]] are: fixation of [[beliefs]] and crystallization of sentiments; accumulation of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vested_interest vested interests] with increase of [[secularization]]; tendency to [[standardize]] and [[fossilize]] [[truth]]; diversion of [[religion]] from the [[service]] of [[God]] to the service of the [[church]]; inclination of [[leaders]] to become [[administrators]] instead of ministers; tendency to form [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sect sects] and [[competitive]] divisions; [[establishment]] of [[oppressive]] ecclesiastical [[authority]]; [[creation]] of the [[aristocratic]] "[[chosen-people]]" [[attitude]]; fostering of false and exaggerated [[ideas]] of [[sacredness]]; the routinizing of religion and the petrification of [[worship]]; [[tendency]] to [[venerate]] the [[past]] while ignoring present demands; failure to make up-to-date [[interpretations]] of religion; [[entanglement]] with [[functions]] of [[secular]] [[institutions]]; it creates the [[evil]] [[discrimination]] of religious [[castes]]; it becomes an intolerant [[judge]] of [[orthodoxy]]; it fails to hold the interest of [[adventurous]] [[youth]] and [[gradually]] loses the saving [[message]] of the gospel of [[eternal]] [[salvation]].

99:6.4 [[Formal]] [[religion]] restrains men in their [[personal]] [[spiritual]] [[activities]] instead of releasing them for heightened [[service]] as kingdom builders.

99:6.4 [[Formal]] [[religion]] restrains men in their [[personal]] [[spiritual]] [[activities]] instead of releasing them for heightened [[service]] as kingdom builders.

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_99 Go to Paper 99]</center>

<center>[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_99 Go to Paper 99]</center>

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>

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[[Category:Paper 99 - The Social Problems of Religion]]

[[Category:Paper 99 - The Social Problems of Religion]]