Many believers live under the constant threat of persecution, which tends to intensify during times of ethnic unrest. In recent years, both ethnic violence and religious persecution have been on the rise. Interestingly, as the number of religions increases, so does the violence associated with them. This raises a fundamental question: if there is only one God, how can there be countless religions?
This simple question sheds light on a deeper truth—there is no inherent connection between God and religion. If God had indeed created religion, it would have been clearly mentioned in the foundational chapters of the Bible, particularly in Genesis 1 and 2. Yet, there is no such reference.
So, if religion did not originate from God, where did it come from? History suggests that religion often began when individuals had unique experiences or insights—whether spiritual, emotional, or intellectual—and institutionalized them. Over time, such patterns solidified into organized religions, and this process has continued steadily for centuries.
Even in the age of modern science and education, the formation of new religions has not ceased. For instance, U.S. millionaire Bryan Johnson has recently proposed a framework he calls “Don’t Die,” which he describes as a new religion aimed at helping humanity transition into the age of artificial intelligence. This reminds us of historical figures like the mughal king, Akbar, who also founded a religion during his reign.
With so many religions and no proper record of their origins, it becomes increasingly clear that religions are human inventions—not God’s creations.
I Am The Way
Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going, so how can we know the way?” Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. – John 14:5-6 (NIV)
Jesus came to us in the flesh, just as we are in the flesh, to reconcile us with His Father. The very use of the word reconciliation implies that at one point, we were already united with God. Adam and Eve once walked with God until they disobeyed Him and lost His image within them.
God later sent His Son, not only to reconcile us but also to show us the way back to the Father. After Jesus rose from the dead, His disciples received Him in the form of the Holy Spirit. Empowered by the Spirit, they began to guide both Jews and Gentiles on the path to God the Father.
In ancient times, Jews and early believers worshiped God within a temple, where only the priest could enter the Holy Place on behalf of the people. He would perform rituals at the outer altar and then periodically enter the sanctuary to intercede for their sins. These religious systems and rituals restricted ordinary people from approaching God directly.
But when Jesus died on the cross, the curtain in the temple that separated the people from the Holy Place was torn in two—from top to bottom—symbolizing that the barrier between God and people had been removed. This tearing of the veil on earth was a reflection of what took place in the heavenly realm. Through Christ’s sacrifice, all who genuinely seek God now have direct access to Him.
Jesus did not call us to follow Him blindly; He clearly revealed the path He was taking. However, religious traditions have often misinterpreted this, teaching that salvation is attainable only through adherence to a specific religion. In truth, God has made a way for all people—salvation is not limited to any one religion, but is available to everyone who follows the way Christ has shown.
Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. – Hebrews 10:19-22
Tent Of Meeting And The Temple
In ancient times, as God led His people by pillars of cloud and fire, they carried with them the Tent of Meeting. Wherever they camped, the tent was set up according to the instructions of the Law. It served as a sacred space where the people could seek God’s guidance when they were lost and draw strength for their ongoing pilgrimage.
However, once the Israelites transitioned from nomadic life to becoming citizens of an established kingdom, they began to forget the true purpose of the Tent of Meeting. King David, feeling convicted that he lived in a grand palace while God had no permanent dwelling, desired to build a temple for the Lord. But God did not permit David to build it. Instead, the privilege was given to his son Solomon. Endowed with divine wisdom, Solomon constructed a magnificent temple and, during its dedication, offered a noteworthy prayer that associated the presence of God within the temple.
Over time, this temple became associated solely with God’s presence. From Solomon’s day to the present, people have continued building grand places of worship—temples, synagogues, churches—believing that God resides within these structures. As a result, many have restricted their spiritual engagement to these buildings, often limiting their worship to Sundays, while spending the rest of the week blending in with worldly ways and continuing in sin.
Thus, the journey of faith, meant to be a daily walk with God, became confined within the walls of religious institutions. People stopped following the path Jesus showed when He told Thomas, “I am the Way,” and instead were taught to seek God inside buildings, rather than through Christ Himself. This deviation has led many to mistakenly equate participation in religious rituals with the path to eternal life.
One such example is the sacrament of communion. Many believe that partaking in Holy Communion—especially offering it to the dying—ensures eternal life. This misunderstanding persists because Paul made it mandatory for the believers to genuinely participate in the Holy Communion to spare them from falling asleep.
“For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.”
—1 Corinthians 11:29-31 (NIV)
This teaching seems to contradict Paul’s assurance to the Romans:
“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.”
—Romans 8:1-2 (NIV)
These verses illustrate how the abundant grace of God has been reduced to mere ritualism. What was once a mobile Tent of Meeting—a symbol of pilgrimage and progress in faith—has now become static, bound by ceremonies and tradition. Another example is baptism, which instead of being a beginning of the journey with Christ, is often treated as a final spiritual achievement. This mindset encourages people to settle in religious observance rather than truly following Jesus day by day. The foundational truths of faith are now more often recited than lived.
Believers Living Under Threat
In the Old Testament, prophets were often put to death because the kings could not tolerate the truth God spoke through them. They believed that by silencing the messenger, they could eliminate God’s message. Similarly, in the New Testament, John the Baptist was beheaded for speaking the truth. After Jesus’ resurrection, Stephen became the first martyr, giving his life for proclaiming God’s love and faithfulness.
With this history in mind, many believers today fear death for their faith in Jesus. Anticipating this fear, Jesus said:
“Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
—Matthew 10:28 (NIV)
Jesus was not urging us to fear God out of terror, but rather to place our fear in the right perspective—not to be intimidated by human opposition, which can only harm the body. Fear rooted in God’s authority should lead us to boldness, not dread. God, who offered His only Son as a sacrifice for our sins, is not seeking to destroy our souls, but to save them.
However, when communal violence arises, many Christians panic and pray for protection—not necessarily because of their faith in Christ, but because they belong to a religion labeled as “Christianity.” In truth, such violence often stems not from a hatred of Christ’s teachings, but from religious identity clashes. People are targeted not for their faith in Jesus, but for their association with a particular religion. This should not be confused with biblical martyrdom.
In some regions, governments impose laws that prohibit religious conversion. Many believers view these laws as threats and pray for their removal. But if we examine this through God’s perspective, we realize that God is not confined to any religion, nor did He ever establish one. Salvation was never meant to be tied to religious affiliation, but to relationship with Him through Christ. Hence, promoting one religion over another as “God’s religion” and striving to increase its followers does not align with the heart of God.
Dying because we belong to a certain religion or community cannot be equated with biblical martyrdom. Such persecution is rooted in human divisions—whether by caste, creed, or politics—and while painful, it does not carry the same spiritual significance as dying for the truth of Christ.
Until we learn to distinguish between biblical persecution and communal or religious conflict, we will continue to misunderstand the nature of suffering for Christ. True persecution, as described in Scripture, arises from standing for the truth Jesus taught, not from belonging to a particular religious group.
Persecution In The True Sense
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 5:10 (NIV)
This reminds us of an important truth: not all suffering is for the sake of righteousness. Religious systems, being human constructs, are primarily concerned with preserving their traditions and values. But when we choose to walk in God’s truth, even amidst opposition, we are not consumed by fear. Instead, we find joy, knowing that we are walking in alignment with His will.
God never promised us a life free from suffering, but He is able to transform our suffering into a source of joy. That is why Paul encourages believers to find joy even in the midst of trials. He did not claim that his sufferings had disappeared, but rather testified that he continued to endure them—and overcome them—with joy.
For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have. – Philippians 1: 29-30 (NIV)
If it is God’s purpose, He may allow us to suffer for His glory granting us the strength to bear it. If not, He continually reassures us with His words: “Do not be afraid.” We are not called to die for a religion, but to live—and, if necessary, to suffer—for the truth that brings true freedom.
The Jordan Valley 
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