False Religion Corrupts The Conscience

In the Bible book of Revelation, false religion is seen as a symbolic harlot called Babylon the Great. Her teachings have distorted the moral sensibilties of many people and have caused them to hate and even act violently against those who have different beliefs. In fact, according to Revelation, God holds false religion primarily responsible for the blood "of all those who have been slaughtered on the earth," including God's own worshipers.- Revelation 17:1-6; 18:3, 24.

Jesus warned his disciples of the extent to which false religion would distort the moral compass of some when he said: " The hour is coming when everyone that kills you will imagine that he has rendered a sacred service to God." How morally blinded such violent individuals are! Jesus said: " They have not come to know either the Father or me." ( John 16:2, 3)

Not long after Jesus spoke those words, he himself was murdered at the behest of some religious leaders, who were able to reconcile their crime with their conscience. (John 11:47-50) In contrast, Jesus said that his true followers are identified by the love they have among themselves. But their love is still more expansive, for it reaches out even to their enemies. - Matthew 5:44-48; John 13:35.

Another way false religion has sabotaged the conscience of many is by pandering to whatever morality, or lack thereof, that happens to be in vogue. Foretelling this, the apostle Paul said: " There will be a period of time when they will not put up with the healthful teaching, but, in accord with their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves to have their ears tickled." - 2Timothy 4:3.

Nowadays, religious leaders tickle people's ears by saying that sex outside of marriage may be acceptable to God. Others condone homosexual acts. In fact, some clerics are themselves actively homosexual. An article in the British newspaper The Times stated that "thirteen openly gay clergy" have been elected to the General Synod of the Church of England. When church leaders abandon Bible morality and their churches do little about it, what standards should their parishioners adopt? It is little wonder that millions are thoroughly confused.
How much better it is to be guided by the beaconlike moral and spiritual truths taught in the Bible! (Psalm 443:3; John 17:17)

For example, the Bible teaches that neither fornicators nor adulterers "will inherit God's kingdom." (1Corinthians 6:9, 10) It tells us that males and females who change "the natural use of themselves into one contrary to nature" are "working what is obscene" "in God's eyes. (Romans 1:26, 27, 32)

These moral truths are not the fabrications of imperfect men; they are the inspired standards of God, which he has never repealed. (Galatians 1:8; 2Timothy 3:16) But Satan has other ways to sabotage the conscience.

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