Am I a Religionoholic?
This quiz can help you learn more about your use of religion and whether you may have a religion problem. I call this test the PDIT (Pharisee Disorders Identification Test) and this test has been developed by me.
Choose one answer for each question, and then write the number in parentheses next to your answer on the line to the right of each question.
| 1. How often do you have to find fault with another persons understanding of a Bible teaching? | _____ |
| (0) Never
(1) Monthly or less (2) 2 to 4 times a month (3) 2 to 3 times a week (4) 4 or more times a week |
|
| 2. How many times have you accepted another’s opinion of scripture that restricts or controls people rather then looking up the Biblical facts and coming to your own understanding? | _____ |
| (0) 1 or 2
(1) 3 or 4 (2) 5 or 6 (3) 7 to 9 (4) 10 or more |
|
| 3. How often do you have conversations about other congregations concerning if they are scriptural and if you can or can not fellowship with them? | _____ |
| (0) Never
(1) Monthly to Annually (2) Weekly to Monthly (3) Daily to Weekly (4) It is up to me to defend the Bible always |
|
| 4. How often during the last year have you opened your mind to the possibility that silence does not necessarily forbid but that it might only mean that God has no opinion on the matter? | _____ |
| (0) Always(1) Often
(2) Once (3) A few times (4) Never, I must defend the Bible always |
|
| 5. How often during the last year have you failed to help others because it would or might require funds from the “Church Treasury”? | _____ |
| (0) Never
(1) Less than monthly (2) Monthly (3) Weekly (4) Daily or almost daily |
|
| 6. How often during the last year have you sat in church on Sunday and during the week passed judgment on other people as sinners and therefore untouchable and unworthy of your time? | _____ |
| (0) Once or less
(1) Monthly (2) Weekly (3) Daily or almost daily (4) Church funds are not for sinners |
|
| 7. How often during the last year have you gone about doing good for the soul sake of others without regard for your own wants? | _____ |
| (0) Daily or almost daily
(1) Weekly (2) Monthly (3) less then Monthly (4) Never |
|
| 8. How often during the last year have you gone about doing good for the soul sake of others outside of your church without regard for your own wants? | _____ |
| (0) Daily or almost daily
(1) Weekly (2) Monthly (3) less then Monthly (4) Never |
|
| 9. How often do you cause unjustified suspicion or bitterness in others when you share what you believe concerning church or the Bible? | _____ |
| (0) Never
(1) Less than monthly (2) Monthly (3) Weekly (4) Daily or almost daily |
|
| 10. How often do you feel the Bible needs to be defended even though Jesus said not even the Devil will prevail against His church? | _____ |
| (0) Never
(1) Less than monthly (2) Monthly (3) Weekly (4) Daily or almost daily |
|
| Now add up the numbers in all the boxes. Write the total here. | _____ |
If the total is 8 or more, you may have a religion problem. You may want to talk with your mental health professional or an abuse counselor to get help.
What Causes Religionohism?
Religionohism is caused by a combination of factors: environmental, peer, traditional and psychological. Religionohism often runs in families. This is partially due to constant repetitiveness of Religionohism training.
Although family up-bringing is often involved in many cases of Religionohism; children of religionoholic parents do not necessarily become religionoholics. In addition, people with no family history of the disease can develop religionohism.
Environmental factors that may affect this development of abuse and religionoholism include:
- influence of family and friends;
- cultural attitudes and practices;
- ease of obtaining beliefs from hearsay; and
- blindly following others word for Biblical things
When people become dependent on religion their brains change in ways that keep them dependent, such as having over-powering cravings for the control of others who do not agree with them or see things their way. These things make the disease worse. Religionoholism is strongly associated with self-righteous attitudes, verbally violent outbursts, strong cravings to make opinion law and emotional abusive behavior.
To be free from Religionoholism, one must take an active role in learning how to live with the following characteristics in their life.
- Do good unto ALL people – even those who are not of your faith;
- Hold fast to what the scriptures say and not to what preachers say;
- Be hospitable with a humble heart;
- Be gentle and not argumentative;
- Be open-minded to other’s thoughts and concerns;
- Stop being full of pride about your own opinions’ of scripture;
- Become the Good Samaritan in everything you do;
- Examine yourself daily to see if you are acting as Jesus did or as your will desires; (remembering that Jesus went about doing good)
- Smash your ego, self-centeredness, and self-righteousness before you push anymore people away from God with your arrogance.
- Pray and mean it in the morning, night and throughout the day that you be shown what God’s will is for you in every step you take in life;
- Remember that the Bible says that if we say we love God; yet show disrespect to the other people in our lives (even when they are not like us) – then WE are liars;
- Do goodwill unto ALL people – even those of your faith who do not agree with your understandings or opinions.
Hugs and blessings,
Guy
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