"Striking Paradox"

Even secular commentators have noted religion's failure to convince, to inculcate true values, and to resist the inroads of secularism.  In his book Out of Control, former U.S. national security advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski wrote:  "It is a striking paradox that the greatest victory for the proposition that 'God is dead' has occurred not in the Marxist-dominated states . . .but in Western liberal democratic societies, which have culturally nurtured moral apathy.  In the latter, the fact is that religion has ceased to be a major social force."  He continued:  "The hold of religion on European culture has greatly waned, and Europe today-even more so than America-is essentially a secular society."

What did Jesus say about the Jewish clergy of his day?  "The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the seat of Moses [to teach the Torah, the Law].  Therefore, all the things they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds, for they say but do not perform."  Yes, religious hypocrisy is nothing new. -Matthew 23:2, 3.

The fruitage of false religion condemns it.  The rule given by Jesus is so applicable: "Every good tree produces fine fruit, but every rotten tree produces worthless fruit; a good tree cannot produce worthless fruit, neither can a rotten tree produce fine fruit.  Every tree not producing fine fruit gets cut down and thrown into the fire.  Really, then, by their fruits you will recognize those men." -Matthew 7:17-20.

If the religions of Christendom were conscientiously to apply the Christian discipline of disfellowshipping, or excommunication, for all the lawless acts committed by those claiming to be its members, what would happen?  What would happen to all  the unrepentant liars, fornicators, adulterers, homosexuals, swindlers, criminals, drug peddlers and addicts, and members of organized crime?   Unquestionably, Christendom's rotten fruitage makes it fit only for destruction by God. -1 Corinthians 5:9-13; 2 John 10, 11.

The general assembly for the Presbyterian Church in the United States admitted:  "We are facing a  crisis terrible in its proportions and implications. . . . Between 10 and 23 percent of clergy nationwide have engaged in sexualized behavior or sexual conduct with parishioners, clients, employees, etc."  A U.S. businessman summed up the point quite well:  "Religious institutions have failed to transmit their historic values, and in many cases, have become part of the problem."

Jesus' denunciation of religious hypocrisy holds true today as it did in his time: "You hypocrites, Isaiah aptly prophesied about you, when he said,  'This people honors me with their lips, yet their heart is far removed from me.  It is in vain that they keep worshiping me, because they teach commands of men as doctrines.' " (Matthew 15:7-9) Paul's words to Titus also describe our modern situation:  "They publicly declare  they know God, but they disown him by their works, because they are detestable and disobedient and not approved for good work of any sort." -Titus 1:16.


Jesus said that if a blind man guides a blind man, both fall into a pit.  (Matthew 15:14)  Do you want to come to an end with Babylon the Great? Or do you want to walk in straight paths with your eyes open and enjoy Jehovah's blessing?  The questions that now confront us are: Which religion, if any, produces godly fruitage?  (Jehovah's Witnesses, from my observation and research) How can we identify the true worship acceptable to God? -Psalm 119:105.

Next time: WHY TRUE WORSHIP RECEIVES GOD'S BLESSING

The Watchtower, 1996