I only believe in the "ideal" of Christ. I believe being good is necessary to help us all survive and evolve. It's an evolutionary trait, to be "good" and not kill our own kind on purpose for nonsensical reasons. Life on earth follows this principle, except for one...
And the reason we violate this code of life, is because we blindly follow corrupt people, based on our birth-religion.
It's fine to have a faith, something you like to dream about, something you want to strive for, a code of conduct that is good for all...
But it's evil to have a religion, if you can't let it go when necessary. Because that's what the hoaxsters out there are preying upon. You're unblinking devotion to a religion that you were born into.
If someone was born Jewish, they're highly likely Jewish. If someone is born Christian, they're highly likely Christian. If someone is born Hindu, they're most likely Hindu... ETC.....
Religion should not be based on what you were born into. This is why religions commit genocide, to wipe out all the other religions. Faiths should be based on studying the world and the cosmos, and the history of both, and determining meaning and truth from those studies.
But it's not! It's based on what you're born and brainwashed from birth into, 99.5% of the time!
I got news for ya, we are all brainwashed. It only comes down to what you choose to wash with.
As far as selling out to a particular religion or religious personality, I agree. Those who put other people or organizations ahead of Christ are wrong. That is called idolatry.
Oh, and stop blaming others for your faults. You would still have your faults even if you were the last person on earth. The sad truth is, our nature is flawed.
As far as genocide goes, you don't need a religion for that. History proves this out. In fact, today the unborn are rounded up and murdered in the millions. Why? Because secular humanists don't see the difference between man and the animal kingdom. To them, man is just a glorified animal that can be herded around like cattle and killed if need be. Why not? We do this to animals every day. If nothing separates us from the animal kingdom other than higher intelligence, it stands to reason we will simply start being treated like animals.
Genocide is about two issues, money and power. Neither have to do with religion unless a particular religion is focused on both. in the end, no one gives a damn what you believe, just so long as it does not threaten their power base. You know it, and I know it.
And yes, we are all sheep, just like the Bible indicates. We tend to adhere to the morality of authority figures in our lives, no matter who they may be. That is why when slavery was legal in the US, the consensus was that it was OK, even though not ideal. However, centuries later being made illegal, the notion of slavery seems absurd to us. Likewise, when abortion was illegal, the majority consensus was that it was immoral. However, after decades of being made legal, the consensus has swung the other way. Now abortion is viewed as OK, even though not ideal. And when it comes down to it, abortion is all about money. It is a billion dollar industry that groups like Planned Parenthood rely on as a cash cow. In addition, society and parents enjoy a higher standard of living knowing they can just abort a child verses having to pay for them. It is no different from how people used to sacrifice their children to their gods. They did so in order to have better harvests or success on the battle field. It is just how mankind is wired. The love of money truly is the root of all evil.
To sum up, yes, we are sheep, so choose your shepherd wisely.