Genuine religion and its aims Atheism Agnosticism and Christianity

The separation of the Church and State which was preached and advocated for by Christian reformers and philosophers like John Wycliffe, Martin Luther, William Tyndale, and John Locke have been an invaluable blessing to western civilization and the societies influenced or colonized by the west. This has given rise to tolerance and religious liberty/pluralism. Nonconformists or dissenters are no longer hunted and burned at the stake for rejecting the dogmas and beliefs of the established church. The barbaric and inhumane practices of violent crusades, witch-hunts, forced conversions, and the execution of suspected or accused sorcerers/witches is now a thing of the past. The public reading, interpretation, and translation of the Bible into various languages is no longer prohibited or hindered by elitist corrupt clergymen.We have experienced how the deeply-seated Christian faith/convictions, love, commitment, and toil of men like John Newton, William Wilberforce, John Wesley, Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Lord Ashley Shaftesbury, Charles Spurgeon, Dwight Moody, Martin Luther King Jr., and Billy Graham, just to name a few, have brought an end to the great suffering, poor living/working conditions, unjust exploitation, oppression, and enslavement of untold many. Their sense of morality, their reverence of God, their personal relationship with him, and their desire to please God convicted the world of its sins, cruelty, and injustices. Their frequent calls to repentance became the conscience of society and brought salvation to God's lost sheep.Although Christianity is a fast growing faith today, and about 33% of the world's population and 70% of westerners profess Christianity; Holiness has become an unfamiliar and foreign concept/lifestyle to very many people. Atheism and/or agnosticism are believed by some to be a mark of enlightenment and have ushered in moral degradation and godlessness. The Bible is readily twisted and misinterpreted because too many people are ignorant its contents and its definition of religion. People do not understand anymore what it means altogether to be Christian - a disciple of Jesus, and what that word entails. The essence or meaning of the faith has largely been misplaced or forgotten.Hucksterism, animism, spiritualism, superstitions, and the doctrines or selfish ambitions of men are often disguised as Christianity in the form of "organized religion" which has led many into spiritual bondage and mental slavery.The Community of Christian Friends is happy to present you our ancient faith and the truth of the Scriptures in the beauty of its simplicity, purity, and in the faith of Christ's first apostles. Kindly read, be blessed, and make a positive difference graciously in the service of God.