One of the most difficult things for secular people to get past when it comes to embracing religion is the fruit that religion has born over the centuries. Richard Dawkins, a professor of Oxford University and devout atheist, describes the dangers inherent in religion in a recent television program. He lumps Jews, Muslims, and Christians together in terms of posing the same threat to the world, which is, as he puts it, “feeding a murderous intolerance throughout the world.” The evidence is not hard to find to support such a claim. The Holy Land today is perhaps one of the most dangerous places to be in terms of a sustained hatred and violence. Historically, religion has often been a large factor in wars.

It is hard to argue with Dawkins’ observation on this point. In fact, he is simply stating what so many – even in the Bible belt of America – have come to believe. Even those interested in finding God and Jesus are turning away from the church as a step toward finding him, because they don’t believe he can be found there. To many, the church seems filled with self-righteous people intolerant of others who don’t see things like they do. As much as I hate to admit it, they are often right in their assessment.

But, to reject Jesus (as Dawkins does) or the church (as others do) based on such evidence would be a mistake. Why? Because the thing you rightly want to reject is not Jesus or the church, but the religion you associate with it. That’s what Jesus does.

Jesus curses a fruitless fig tree, and in so doing rejects religion as the way to know God. So must we.

Mk 11:12-25 The Withered Fig Tree – Discussion Guide