{"id":4637,"date":"2018-02-13T11:58:58","date_gmt":"2018-02-13T17:58:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/?page_id=4637"},"modified":"2023-03-11T08:30:51","modified_gmt":"2023-03-11T14:30:51","slug":"making-a-name-for-yourself","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/thewaywesee.com\/religiondetoxnetwork\/religion\/religion-is-not-faith\/pride\/making-a-name-for-yourself","title":{"rendered":"Making a Name for Yourself"},"content":{"rendered":"

CREATING A RELIGIOUS IDENTITY<\/strong>
\nFrom the beginning of time, religious people have employed physical identifiers such as clothing and other adornments to make a statement about their religious status. Despite the ebb and flow of religions, the tradition of visually identifying with a religious movement remains strong today. Here are a few examples of how people (both clergy and laity) of various religions have branded<\/a> themselves with clothing, jewelry and behaviors (adornments):<\/p>\n

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STUDY TIP: The last page in this series of pages<\/a> contains a large, random collection of religious people, past and present, who are distinguished by their clothing, adornments, and postures. Most, even those found in foreign cultures, are easily recognizable because these images have been successfully branded into public consciousness after years of public exposure.<\/p>\n

Religious institutions, both large and small, would not survive unless they had good reputations that they consciously work to develop and promote. They do whatever they can do to establish and increase their public images (i.e. reputations). Similarly, religious leaders would not be able to get jobs or attract faithful followers who will purchase their religious products or services unless they look good and unless people say nice things about them. Doing the right religious things (e.g. wear the right clothing and ornaments, use the right language, practice the right behaviors, etc.) is necessary to establish and maintain success in the religious world.<\/p>\n

Branding of a supposedly spiritual religion with material props (e.g clothing, jewelry, buildings, etc.) and body behaviors (including speech) is a practice primarily intended to communicate personal god-likeness (i.e. spirituality) with other mortals and has no positive effect on God who looks only at the heart — not on external appearances.<\/a><\/p>\n

STUDY TIP: See\u00a0Place Where God Will Place His Name <\/a>for understanding of God’s attitudes about the heart.<\/p>\n

Clothing and physical religious activities, therefore, are all matters of the fleshly religion — not faith<\/a>. Since they are represented as evidence of faith, however, they are fake faith<\/a>.<\/p>\n

In God’s eyes, such physical displays of fake faith are nothing more than prideful, showmanship designed to gain influence and favor with people.<\/p>\n

STUDY TIP: See this link for understanding of religious pride.<\/a><\/p>\n

While public displays of religion yield positive results within a religious community, they also have the negative effect of creating distance from others who do not subscribe to a particular religion. They are nothing more than remnants of ancient tribalism<\/a> tendencies by which groups of people organized themselves for religious, social, economic and security purposes. These displays have no positive influence on the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and do nothing to improve or enhance a believer’s relationship with him or with non-religious peope. They obstruct the goal of unity and oneness that God desires for his people.<\/a><\/p>\n

STUDY TIP: See\u00a0Favoritism and Partiality<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Jews, Christians, and all other religions, including those that do not believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, have branded their traditions with various clothing styles and behaviors that make them distinct and recognizable. The intent behind branding is to make a statement to current and potential adherents of the particular tradition, and to the community at large, that the one who wears these items and exhibits certain behaviors is a spiritual person who is associated with that tradition and with the god of that religion.<\/p>\n

Of course that is not what religionists will say about their clothing and behaviors. They put a spiritual spin on their reasons by claiming that what they wear are expressions of devotion to God and are vehicles for drawing close to him.<\/p>\n

STUDY TIP: This link<\/a> and video does a good job of communicating the rationale that all religions apply to explain why they wear their unique clothing and perform their rituals.<\/p>\n

The truth is that religionists who depend on outward appearances to represent inner spirituality operate in the flesh and not in the spirit. They have been deceived by religious leaders into believing that outward, physical objects and behaviors actually connect them to God and display that connection to others. Religious leaders who teach about such things are frauds preying on ignorant people who desire a meaningful connection with the spirit world.<\/p>\n

STUDY TIP: See\u00a0Religion is Deception.<\/a><\/p>\n

This article will show that the practice of branding to advertise religious status, and a religious service or product is as common in religious organizations as it is in commercial enterprises. Purveyors of all kinds of goods and services, religious and otherwise, need to develop consumers’ trust and confidence in their brand in order to stay financially viable . They all need to attract new consumers and keep their old ones or they will lose out to the competition. And when that happens, they will suffer loss of status and income. It is all about self-interest. And the key to survival is branding.
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\nDISPLAYING THE BRAND<\/strong>
\nVisual recognition is the key to branding. That is why all the famous products have simple, recognizable logos. <\/a> Companies design and publicize their logos and put them on their products because they are good for business. The same is true for religions and for religious people.<\/p>\n

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Just as it is wise to brand products and services, branding is also a well-accepted practice in the business of religion. Religious branding is not, however, is not promoted or endorsed by God. Jesus made several succinct statements about public displays of righteousness.<\/a> While he made few direct references to clothing, he made his point well that any public display of righteousness is not to be done.Of course it is true that there will be public audiences of some acts of righteousness because much righteousness occurs in relationships where we act out God-likeness for the benefit of others. There is no benefit to others, however, when pseudo spiritual people try to show off how spiritual they are by their clothing, adornments and religious behaviors. The only people who benefit in these examples are the ones who create a good impression on people by displaying their brands publicly. That impression is designed to enhance their standing in the community. \u00a0There is no direct benefit to God that comes by wearing religious clothing.<\/p>\n


\nBRANDING THE WIND<\/strong>
\nUnique religious clothing, buildings, speech and behaviors are strongly associated with particular religions. There is a curious disconnect in this practice, however, because religions which purport to be effective in communication with the spirit world commonly employ material, man-made artifacts (clothing, jewelry, buildings, symbols, names, etc.) to represent spiritual qualities or concepts. Thus, supposedly spiritual people always employ natural objects to make statements about their spiritual condition. The use of anything physical to represent something \u00a0spiritual<\/a> is a practice that directly contradicts the claim to spirituality.<\/p>\n

STUDY TIP: By definition, “spirit”<\/a> has no form, and cannot be seen or touched. Spirit is like the wind<\/a> which can only be heard. The works<\/a> of the spirit<\/a> of God are observable only in the hearts<\/a> of New Covenant disciples who hear God’s voice.<\/p>\n

In the case of Judaism and Christianity, it is absurd to try to demonstrate spirituality (god-likeness) through physical\/material means. To do so is a clear indication of lack of understanding of what it really means to be created in God’s image. It is also contrary to God’s standards of faith.<\/a><\/p>\n

While the Bible clearly says that we are created in God’s image (i.e. spirit), we cannot escape the fact that we also have material bodies and live in a material world. Exactly why God created a system with this tension is unclear. What is clear, however, is that Jesus is not of this world and that those who are truly spiritual should be only minimally in the world <\/a>also. Therefore, God is constantly trying to wean his people off their affections for the material world and redirect them toward the truth of their spiritual reality. To affirm that direction and discourage his people from investing too heavily in worldly things, God has given ample warning about the future of all things material.<\/a><\/p>\n

With these spiritual basics in mind, it is obvious that people who try to represent spirituality through anything worldly (i.e. physical or material) do not know that God has spoken specifically against representing holiness through clothing<\/a>. Therefore, any person who attempts to outwardly represent a spiritual nature with material objects or behaviors provides clear evidence that the worldly (i.e. material) nature is still the predominant nature in that person’s life. And, contrary to their intent, such efforts make more of a statement about their worldly (i.e. fleshly\/natural) nature than their spiritual nature.<\/p>\n

That being the case, what are we to make of people who wear certain types of clothing or jewelry, and\/or who engage in certain types of physical behaviors (words, postures, motions, etc.) to represent their spirituality? The first thing we know is that they do not know their Bible very well.<\/p>\n

Next we see clearly that such people have a limited understanding of what it means to be spiritual. If the people who wear clothing or adornments that are commonly associated with religion were really spiritual they would understand that it is impossible to capture, contain or represent the Spirit of God by their own efforts or with anything material. They would also know that God is not fooled or influenced in a positive way by such adornments. If they understood these truths, they would also understand that efforts to represent spirituality with physical adornments of any kind are vain endeavors — at least as far as God is concerned. And yet, it is common among all religions, including Judaism and Christianity, to represent spirituality with clothing and behaviors that have cultural spiritual associations.<\/p>\n

Taking a not-too-close look at the Bible we can see that Jews and Christians have no good excuse for their ignorance on this issue. For example, the Bible says clearly that we are made in God’s image.<\/a> And yet people continue to try to embellish God’s glory in themselves with various kinds of physical adornments.
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SUBTLE IDOLATRY***<\/strong>
\nThe way we see it, people adorn themselves primarily because they do not understand nor believe that God’s glory resides in them<\/a>. They do not get that God’s glory is internal and not external. And then, lacking that understanding, they do the best they can with material things to bring glory to themselves (i.e. make themselves look attractive) in the eyes of other people who similarly lack understanding of when and how God invests his glory in people. The result is the common practice of using clothing and other creations of man (jewelry, words, postures, music, church buildings, ministries, etc.) to somehow represent God and his glory. It is a broken, futile system. No wonder God warned his people about making idols<\/a>. He is well aware of his glory and he knows full well that man’s attempts to represent his glory will do more to turn people away from him than draw people to him.<\/p>\n

STUDY TIP: See Religion is Idolatry for a deeper understanding of idolatry.<\/p>\n

Unfortunately, poor translations of scriptures have left people grossly ignorant of what God had in mind when he warned about making idols. People who read the prohibition against “molten” or “graven” images or gods immediately think about gods like the golden calf and other physical idols made out of wood or metal worshiped by pagans. Deceived by these simplistic definitions of idols, they think that they are sinless with respect to God’s commandments about idolatry because they would never think of making, owning or worshiping such a physical object. A closer inspection of the original scriptures reveals, however, that God had much more in mind when he warned about creation of such images.<\/p>\n

The words “molten<\/a>” and “graven” (depending on which version of the Bible you read) for example, do not refer only to metal objects. In the original Hebrew, they also include anything crafted by man. And “make<\/a>” and “cast” are not words limited to working with metal or wood. The meaning is broad enough to include any tangible or intangible creation. The definition of “image<\/a>” is also broad enough to include a woven covering such as a veil, which is a type of clothing. Even the concept of an “idol<\/a>” is broad enough to include anything that is good for nothing or worthless.<\/p>\n

Even in the New Testament, the definition of “idol<\/a>” is broad enough to include any object, real or imaginary, that represents a likeness of some kind. Regardless of what the image is, if it is meant to represent God in any way, God finds it to be a false god and it is to be avoided.<\/p>\n

But, we need to ask: If it is not God that people are representing, what do they represent by their external adornments? The answer is simple enough: For each religious tradition, and the culture in which it exists, clothing and behaviors are the imagined ideals of what a truly spiritual person should look like.<\/p>\n

In other words, people create and adopt their outer adornments and behaviors \u00a0to reflect the cultural ideal of what spirituality should look like in the material world. Since people lack a visible image of what God looks like, and since they want to be recognized as Godly, they do their best to create a worldly substitute that speaks, more or less, of godliness. Not yet convinced that true spirituality has no material qualities, they do the best they can to represent spirituality with what they know best: material objects and other manifestations (i.e.clothing, jewelry, buildings, symbols, names, music, words, etc.) of the physical world.<\/p>\n

And that is the way it must be because God is spirit and his form cannot be imagined or replicated. Lacking any hints from God about how he (God) looks, and therefore lacking any real idea of how they should look if they are created in his image, they have done what men tend to do: They create images (each according to what his imagination suggests) of what they think a godly person should look like. The result of this process is the multitude of styles and adornments that we see in the pictures included at the end of this article. More to the point, we have a multitude of idols\/images created by well-meaning but ignorant people. And even more significant than that, we have people violating God’s commandments regarding the creation of images of any kind<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But many will say: “But wait! I don’t worship the clothing or the person who wears the clothing!”<\/p>\n

To that we say: Oh really? Then why do you give honor, deference, reverence and even money to people who wear such clothing? Why do people, even people who are not otherwise religious, tend to default toward deference in their attitudes and behaviors toward clergy who wear clothing associated with a variety of religious traditions?<\/p>\n

Maybe you don’t prostrate yourself before pastors or priests in clerical collars and black frocks, and maybe you don’t kiss the ring of a leader who has a title (Apostle, Prophet, Reverend, etc.), and maybe you don’t bow when you meet people who list their academic degrees (MDIV, Doctor, etc.) behind their name, but most people tend to at least watch their language in the presence of such people and treat them with a kind of holy deference. And most who attend church will not resist giving money when the pastor in front of the altar says it is time for the morning offering.<\/p>\n

The way we see it, these are all examples of worship directed to living persons who have earned the status of “idol” in the eyes of some people. Such holy people may presume to be representing God, but that does not mean that they deserve this kind of honor and deference. People who receive such honor and deference apparently consider themselves to be of a higher rank than Barnabus, Paul, Peter and unnamed angels who refused to allow anyone to bow down to them<\/a>. By wearing certain clothing and adornments they invite the kind of deference that equates with idolatry. And the same is also true for those who give such honorific treatment. In other words, the giving and receiving of deference that is inspired by clothing or adornments is modern day idolatry.<\/p>\n

Perhaps the best-known examples of such deference are found in the Roman Catholic Church. Here we see religious clothing and posturing in the extreme, and here we see hyper-respectful, even idolatrous behaviors (bowing, kneeling, kissing rings, etc.) verging on worship.<\/p>\n

But the Catholics are only one example of what is common in Christianity. Consider for example Pentecostals and Charismatics who respond to a leader (pastor, apostle, prophet, evangelist, etc.) who has given an altar call. They stand in a worshipful attitude with eyes closed and arms extended ready to receive a blessing, a prophecy, or a touch of the Holy Spirit. Or consider the common practice in liturgical denominations that administer the sacrament of communion. They also go to an altar, bow down, open their mouths, and gratefully receive bread and juice, or wine, from their spiritual leader. In all cases, people have somehow come to ascribe to their leaders unique spiritual qualities (commonly called gifts) that enable them to impart something spiritual to their followers at any time at any place. And it all happens because of external adornments of one kind or another (clothing, titles, degrees, etc.). It is all idolatry.<\/p>\n

Exhibition of such idolatrous behavior is not limited to formal services in a church building. There is within the Christian community a thriving industry that inspires hundreds of thousands of people to travel far at great expense to hear their favorite teacher, prophet, apostle or musician. Not only will they pay for gas and a hotel, but they will often pay registration fees to be in that leader’s presence for a single event and gain a blessing of some kind (typically an emotional response that is interpreted as a spiritual touch of God) from the spiritual leader or artist. And then, after getting to the event, they will often purchase books, teaching videos and music cds that the visiting spiritual dignitary has produced. It is all big business, and it works because these spiritual leaders are idolized.<\/p>\n

We do not deny that God does work through people to accomplish his will, but that happens only as God determines and whatever he does through people will not be observable with human eyes or ears because the results will be spiritual and in the heart. If anyone assumes that any one person will be able to exercise those spiritual qualities (typically called “gifts” by admiring followers) anytime they want, they are grossly misled about how God works. More to the point, they have been deceived into believing that the person can function with spiritual authority at will, under any circumstance.<\/p>\n

The truth is that the ability to perform spiritual wonders for the benefit of others on demand is limited to God alone.<\/a> Therefore, whenever these Godly qualities are assigned to a person (living or dead) as inherent and unchangeable, due to the inherent righteousness or goodness of the person, we have real evidence of idolatry.<\/p>\n

The way we see it, these examples all constitute worship<\/a>. It may begin benignly with external adornments, but it usually evolves to some degree of worship. And when it does, it is pure idolatry.
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REACHING FOR GOD THROUGH PHYSICAL EFFORT<\/strong>
\nThe concept of commercial branding of goods and services is a relatively recent phenomenon accelerated with the industrial revolution and consumerism. Regarding religion, however, it has been practiced since the Tower of Babel when an entire city of people sought to make names for themselves by building a tower that would reach to heaven<\/a> (i.e., reach God as the one who resides in heaven). Ever since then, people in all cultures around the world have used physical items (clothing, structures, rituals, etc.) to attract attention to themselves and their man-made, pseudo-spiritual endeavors. In the Bible, these are generally called “high places<\/a>” with the interpretation that they symbolically refer not to physically high places but to structures (both tangible and intangible) that are established and maintained for prideful, self-exalting purposes as in the case of the builders of the Tower of Babel.<\/p>\n

Only a little imagination is required to see the transition from the Tower of Babel to a religious structure or organization in these modern times. Both are man’s creations conceived in ignorance of the obscure motive of making a name for one’s self. On the surface it appears to be a well-intended spiritual motive, but in reality, the motive for branding is self-interest. In short, it is all about pride in the appearance of being religious.<\/a><\/p>\n

Along with recognition as a well-branded image usually comes status and often income. Religious clothing and behaviors are employed to polish spiritual imagery that confirms legitimacy and standing as individuals or organizations that have a special connection to God. So ultimately it comes down to money. And yet, people continue this practice despite God’s ongoing efforts to destroy these physical manifestations and scatter the people who build them.<\/a><\/p>\n

Creating a brand for a religious institution that presumes to represent God is absurd as well as blasphemous. God is spirit — not a product or a service. People who market themselves as purveyors of spiritual products or services are not at all like God.<\/p>\n

To try to label or contain God with material distinctions (i.e. clothing, postures, music, buildings, corporation, etc.) is disrespectful of the one who created the universe and everything in it. And when various religious organizations market themselves and compete with one another with claims of being the only or best place to connect with God, that is the height of arrogance. It is little wonder, then, that God would destroy all high places that people build to show off their spirituality<\/a>.<\/p>\n

This common practice of religious branding raises serious questions about who these religious people are and what the organizations they represent are really promoting. Is it God, the individual or the organization? If God saw fit to destroy the Tower of Babel, we can only conclude that the motives for such efforts were rooted in self-interest. He was not deceived by the Babylonians’ lofty language that claimed a desire to reach out to him. Similarly, God is not fooled by clothing or titles or fine-sounding articles of incorporation or mission statements that purport to serve him. We must always remember that God looks at the heart of man — not at outward appearances or behaviors.<\/a><\/p>\n

People who brand themselves with various material, physical distinctions are ultimately branding themselves and their respective organizations. They may think it is about God, but their hearts are deceitful<\/a>. In effect they are little Babel-like cities trying to make names for themselves so others will want to be part of their community and support it in some way. This is true for Christians as well as other religions.<\/p>\n

Most Christians have an ulterior motive in wearing their Christian brands: They want others (especially other Christians) to know that they are Christian. That is why they employ recognizable clothing, jewelry, words and postures that are historically associated with Christianity. Jews, of course, are similarly motivated.<\/p>\n

They may believe that they do these things to enhance their relationship with God or Jesus, but it is really about enhancing their relationship with people — especially others who share their religious beliefs. Wearing the brand of a particular denomination or movement is the key to acceptance, and they want to be accepted and valued.
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\nWHY PEOPLE ADORN THEMSELVES<\/strong>
\nFirst, it is important to remember that neither the adornments nor the behaviors are necessary to communicate with the particular god that the person worships. (That may be less true in pagan or occult religions, but those religions are not our primary concern here.) In the case of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, he does not look at the outer man<\/a>, but looks at the man’s heart<\/a>. People who understand this about God know that God always knows what needs to be known about them. There is nothing that he learns from their words, clothing, adornments or behaviors that he does not already know. And knowing that, they should not find it necessary to try to communicate to God anything about their spirituality.<\/p>\n

That being the case, what should we conclude from the practice of wearing certain kinds of clothing and apparel and engaging in religious worship rituals? The first conclusion we come to is that people who try to communicate their spirituality through clothing or behaviors (words, postures, rituals, etc.) that have religious symbolism are ignorant. They lack understanding of a basic principle of how God works: He does not look at the physical person, he looks at the heart.<\/a> And if they don’t understand that, they have been wrongly taught by religious leaders. We could also say that they have not studied their Bible. They may have read it and memorized portions of it, but they have not studied it to understand how God works.<\/p>\n

The second conclusion is that they may know a little about how God works but still employ the practices of their religion of choice anyway because it is in their best interests to do so. They are emotionally, and perhaps financially attached to that religion (denomination) and find the idea of separation from it abhorrent and scary. Separation from the religion of their fathers and friends is such a scary thought that they would not even consider doing something different even if they learned from the Bible that what they were doing was not what God wanted them to do. For these people, the teachings and practices of the religion have an idol-like influence. In other words, the religion has become an idol that displaces the One True God. Such people should take Jesus’ words to the Pharisees about following traditions<\/a> to heart.<\/p>\n

Thirdly, we find that there is a category of people who just want to be known and accepted as spiritual people with a deep connection to God. Typically this occurs within the religious tradition into which a person is raised, but it can also be a tradition that they have adopted later in life. Either way, they find comfort in the affirmations others give them regarding their piety<\/a>, and\/or they comfort themselves with the knowledge that they are faithful to observe religious laws<\/a> associated with their religion of choice. Once again, religion and it’s \u00a0associated trappings (clothing, traditions<\/a>, etc.) have become idols (gods) that must be served in order to maintain a sense of security that should be provided only by God.<\/p>\n

Finally, we need to acknowledge that many are motivated by money. The plain truth about religion is that it is a big business and that it does promise great financial rewards for those who can successfully market themselves through it. And we all know that creating a godly impression \u00a0through clothing and other external features is a significant aspect of branding.<\/p>\n

Regardless of how people come to practice a tradition, they may or may not know the truth about what the Bible says about spirituality. For them, the truth is not as important as the tradition and the measure of esteem, comfort and income they might receive from others who perceive them as spiritually connected to God and who reward them for their faithfulness to observe the rituals of the tradition. They have observed what others do that is regarded as spirituality. Then they adopt and practice those behaviors and put on those adornments and clothing that earn acceptance, and perhaps a reputation of a kind, as a spiritual person. Such affirmations are powerful motivations to continue practicing a specialized behavior. Some people learn to be clowns, some learn to be tough guys, some learn to be sexy, others act intellectual and some learn to be spiritual, but they all do it for the same reason: They want to be loved and accepted.<\/p>\n

What it all boils down to is that people do these things to make some kind of name, or reputation for themselves. And it works whether they are born into, or find, or create, a community of like-minded believers who can easily recognize their common interests and then relate to each other appropriately. It is all about establishing their desired place (hopefully a high rank) within the religious community. Looking at it all honestly, it could be said that they are self-serving hypocrites who have learned to gain favor for themselves through their clothing and other religious behaviors. Along the way, the truth about what God says or wants is subordinated to the rules of the religious tradition. This is more evidence of idolatry.<\/p>\n

Especially for leaders of each tradition, clothing serves to establish rank and authority for others inside and outside the tradition. When that recognition is made, there is a tendency to defer to the leader as a person of exemplary spiritual standing with the god that the leader worships. This distinction is good, of course, for the leader because praise, social deference and income, or financial favor, generally accompany recognition as a leader. Others who are not leaders also benefit from the recognition they receive from adherence to their chosen brand (tradition) of religion. They may not have leadership positions, but they earn the rank of “saint” because of their faithful piety in observing religious traditions. Their reward is not financial, but it still feeds their needs for acceptance and recognition as a spiritual person.<\/p>\n


\nGOD SAID: “DO NOT DO WHAT OTHERS DO”<\/strong>
\nMany times God told Israel to avoid doing the things that other religions do<\/a>. That strong exhortation still applies to both Jews and Christians today. It applies with respect to all kinds of behaviors, including religious practices such as clothing and postures. It also applies to the practice of branding if other religions practice it — and they clearly do.<\/p>\n

The pictures below give a sample of the kinds of things religions around the world have done to brand themselves. Many of them do not associate with the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, while others do claim to have such an association. Regardless of their claims, if they choose to brand their religion with distinct apparel and behaviors (i.e. brand characteristics), Jews and Christians should not do the same kinds of things because God said that they should not do those things. And even if there are sects of Judaism and Christianity that choose to brand themselves with external, material distinctions, what others do is not license to do the same. Clues for proper behavior should come from God only. Just because someone else is doing it, and the fact that it is a long-standing tradition does not make it legitimate in God’s eyes. In fact, to carry that point further, if Christians choose to do the same kinds of things that other religions do, it is sin. That is what God said. Jesus also had a few choice words about following traditions <\/a>that should be a caution to people who are strongly invested in a religious tradition.
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LABELS REINFORCE BRANDS<\/strong>
\nWithin each religious organization there are various tiers of leaders with titles. Titles are labels that establish a person’s legitimacy to serve in that position of leadership. Examples of such labels within Christianity include: Pastor, Reverend, Father, Sister, Pope, Apostle, Prophet, Deacon, Bishop, Elder. This link<\/a> provides an extensive list of labels for most well known religions in the world.<\/p>\n

Christian Leaders who have attained academic degrees will typically include the abbreviated name of their degree in written communications. This link<\/a> provides an extensive list of academic degrees within Christian denominations and ministries.<\/p>\n

It is a major disconnect within Christianity that leaders who are trained in Bible knowledge will brazenly apply these labels and titles to themselves despite Jesus’ clear exhortation in Matthew 23:1-12<\/a> that his followers should not be called father, master, or even teacher. It is so common a practice that it seems as though leaders somehow think that this exhortation should not apply to them. Worse than that, no one else seems to find any fault with the practice either. Thus, people in a church or ministry will freely call their leaders teacher, rabbi, and other honorific names that affirm a superior standing within the congregation. These names, along with social deference shown to people with titles, show clearly that people, especially those who have the titles that separate them from the general body, do not take seriously what the Bible says about divisions in the body of Christ<\/a>. They may call themselves Christian, but they show no evidence that Jesus’ words apply to them. They may all be very religious, but they are not Biblical <\/a>as most of them will claim to be.<\/p>\n

What we have in this community of religious organizations with its labels and titles is another example of doing what other religions do in direct defiance of what God said<\/a>. We have self-proclaimed leaders and followers subtracting from the word of God and not feeling any shame about it. In titles and labels we have adornments of an intangible kind that are designed and employed to make the wearer look good just like physical adornments are worn to enhance physical attraction and earn favor of one kind or another.<\/p>\n

The way we see it, this all discredits the legitimacy of the organization, its leaders, its followers, and any ministry that it claims to provide. Just like leaders who claim to be followers of Jesus but who blatantly disregard Jesus’ teachings, they fail to live up to the label (Christian) they have assigned to their corporate identity. If the government monitored such things, they could be accused of false advertising.<\/p>\n

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LANGUAGE IS VERBAL CLOTHING<\/strong>
\nSome people use clothing and jewelry and postures to attract attention and brand themselves as spiritual. Many more skip the clothing and use their language for the same purpose. Here are some examples of religious language:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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