Religion has a social function: it serves to help people behave correctly, according to established ethical principles (although that effort may appear to be misguided at times).

The most effective way to get people to behave the way you want them to is to make them feel good about desirable behavior, and feel bad about undesirable behavior.

The notion of feeling powerless is merely the reflection of the insight that the ego is, indeed, quite powerless. It is in relinquishing the ego, and reconnecting with the divine, that true power lies.

Although I pretty much grew up as an atheist, and was a believer but not a church-goer all through my 20's, 30's and 40's, I now am attending a church with my husband most weeks. I find comfort in the rituals and most are uplifting. I like the aura or atmosphere in the place and get strength from it, the music is beautiful and the place is full of caring and helpful people. I just enjoy it. There is nothing wrong in admitting I am not the greatest thing to ever come into the universe; it doesn't bother me. I understand what you are saying and I think I used to feel the same way, but after giving church a chance, I am enjoying it so much. I don't find anything there that hurts me with my LOA work, but everyone is different!

That is because of the confusion between being religious and being spiritual, my church is a spiritual church, and we strongly believe through Jesus we have unimaginable power and authority.

To non-believers they may say but you humble yourself to God, how can you have any power or authority? The answer to this has to do with when we say "I am powerful, I can do this and I can do that, me me me" we are really expressing the ego self so when a Christian says I am nothing, weak powerless, we are killing that ego self and becoming far more than we could ever imagine through God. We are trampling on the flesh and saying this is nothing, I am nothing but a vessel for God and God is the true self, I give up and surrender to his will and control. In this giving up and surrendering is to be found the greatest treasure of who we really are.

I spent maybe a half hour casting out devils and demons for a friend, it changed her whole life, I didn't do this by my authority and command but God's authority and command.

Since many are non-Christians that come upon this but the movie Star Wars is worldly popular, the closest thing to being a Christian I can point to for surrender is when OB-One Knoby willing let Darth Vader strike him down, he said "if you strike me down I shall become more powerful than you will ever imagine." In the film he becomes one in the Force, but for real with Christians giving up and surrendering to God is becoming one in God.

Hello...

Putting "religions" aside, this question demonstrates exactly why any spiritual belief system based on POSITIVE THINKING is contrary to the Bible. The Bible describes man as having a 'fallen' nature because of SIN. Man can only recognize his 'fallen' nature through NEGATIVE THINKING. He must become aware that he is spiritually sick. He must become aware that he needs to be healed. This is why Jesus Christ is called the 'Physician' [Mark 2:17]. Through his blood sacrifice, He makes you whole again. Thus, in the Bible, the POSITIVE THINKING begins only AFTER you become BORN-AGAIN.

How can a man ever recognize his sinful state if he is constantly in the POSITIVE THINKING mode? By always THINKING POSITIVELY, he will never discern that he suffers from a spiritual sickness called SIN. By always THINKING POSITIVELY, he will continually believe that all is well with him when the Bible says the contrary.

In order for the Law of Attraction to function, you must stay focused on the POSITIVE so that you can attract what you desire. In order to be BORN-AGAIN, you must focus on the NEGATIVE state of your spiritual condition before GOD. These are two opposing thought processes which can never converge.

Thank you for allowing me to share this Biblical perspective.

Concerned Citizen