Diagram of Religion vs. Relationship with God

            Some folks have asked me to clarify what exactly do I with God" thinking that I am against the church, temple, etc. "truth" of who God is. The following diagram I think will


                                        "RELIGION"
                               (Christian perspective)

                    Man has a relationship w/ organizational 
                    church which tells man who God is and how 
                    God wants man to live.   Man has no interactive
                    communication with God other than study
                    of God's Word as interpreted by church
                    leadership.


Man <--------------------> Church <-------------------- God 



                    The organizational church has an
                    exclusive understanding and relationship
                    with God for the benefit of the man!  Man 
                    lives by the guidance of rules/laws as
                    interpreted by church leadership.

mean by the difference between "religion" vs. "relationship  
which I am not so long as it is teaching/preaching the 
explain the difference between the two in a simple way!


                          "RELATIONSHIP with GOD"
                              (Christian perspective)

        Man has a personal relationship w/ God 
        thru Jesus Christ which includes dialogue 
        communication both ways.  This occurs thru 
        the Holy Spirit and by the Word of God.



Man <----------> Jesus Christ <-------------> Father God
   |                                 |
    \    <----------> The Holy Spirit & the Church


       The Holy Spirit and the organizational church 
        support and enhance man's own private
        relationship with God thru Jesus Christ.  Man lives
        by following the voice of the Holy Spirit as well
        as thru revelation received thru the study 
        of God's Word by the Holy Spirit as well as other
        human teachers. 
.