Does Religion Matter

My protestant friends and family believe and would say so categorically that religion isn't important. It is the personal relationship with God and the confession of faith that matters. And it is the Bible alone that has the sole authority. Then, there is the viral video of "I am spiritual but not religious". And Pope Francis often reiterates that even atheist can go to heaven.

Yes, I can imagine some people going to heaven. And I understand the teaching of the Church regarding salvation outside the Church. And I really like to leave that unto God to choose who He would allow to enter heaven. But all these can leave one asking, does religion matter?

I remember posting this question to Bishop (now Cardinal) Tagle in the Word Exposed Discussion Board: "There are good and bad atheists. There are good and bad Protestants. There are good and bad Moslems. There are good and bad Catholics. And so on... I guess you would know where this is leading to... does religion matter?"

Bishop (Cardinal) Luis Antonio Tagle answered it in his TV show (Youtube) "The Word Exposed". I can not recall his verbatim answer but I remember that he pointed out that it is better to ask if it is his/her Christianity (atheism, Protestanism, and so on) that brought about the goodness in that person. The crucial thing, too, is the question of Divine Revelation.

If one truly believes that the Catholic Church was and is Divinely instituted by God, why wouldn't we want to be a part of it. And if God deems it necessary to institute a Church or a Religion, then, He has a purpose for doing so. The Church has a commission from God - to be the bearer of the deposit of Truth and to make it available for all peoples and all nations.

Sometimes we can not see or feel the divinity of the Church. Seems like Jesus is asleep as the storm rages and shakes the boat. Even at such times, we continue to plea and to trust in Him.

Does religion still matter? An excerpt on love over dogma from Archbishop Emeritus Oscar V. Cruz (with my emphasis):

"Does genuine love in fact belittle, undermine or underrate dogma? Is genuine dogma not in effect the product of real love? Is there a contest between true love and solid dogma? Does love lessen the dogma about the existence of God, the dogma that Christ is true God and true Man. The dogma that there is heaven and inferno, salvation and damnation – among many other dogmas? One thing is to love all men – saints and sinners alike. Quite another is to love criminality and vice, graft and corrupt practices, war, killing, and destruction".

"In other words, according to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, there are only Two Commandments: Love of God and Love of Neighbor. But both loves in no way say that the truth – such as a dogma – may be loved less. Why? Because God is Truth – a dogma. Because the truth is that man is created from the Image of God – a dogma. In other words, there is no contest between dogma and love."

So when people dismiss religion because we are saved not by dogma but by love, we can agree. We are saved by a love borne out of Truth. A way of love which is a way to life. For God is love and He is also the Way, the Truth, and the Life. God saves, Amen.