Excerpts from "The Difference between Good & Bad Religion" by Msgr Frank Wissel [SPIRITUALITY FOR TODAY, Aug 2006, Vol 11, Issue 1]

... Jesus' problem was not religion against irreligion. Both he and his opponents believed in the same God, studied the same scriptures, worshipped in the same temple, observed the same feast days and accepted the same basic doctrines.

The conflict between Jesus and his opponent was not one of religion against another religion, such as Judaism against Christianity, or Christians against Muslims. It was a family feud. It was a disagreement within the same religious tradition. All faiths have conflict with something and someone in their religious faith.

One cannot distinguish between good religion, and bad religion by merely checking the labels. If it happens to be our particular brand, that makes it good. If it wears any other label, that makes it bad. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Good religion is deeply committed to meeting human need, whenever and wherever it may be found. That objective is always high on its list of priorities.

When a family is out of work and out of food, good religion will be there with a sack of groceries and a word of encouragement. When hearts are broken, good religion will be there to share the grief. When sin has devastated a life, good religion will be there to care, to understand and, if need be, to forgive.

Jesus said: "The greatest among you will be the one who serves the rest." A serious commitment to practise service is one difference between good religion and bad religion.

Good religion and bad religion - the world has too little of one and too much of the other.

What kind is yours and mine?

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what kind is yours and mine? it's strange to pose that question to people who share the same belief in Him. In Him. IN HIM. not anything else. as the writer says, it's a family feud. sad.