In the beginning the church was a fellowship of men and women centered on the living Christ. Then the church moved to Greece, where it became a philosophy. Then it moved to Rome, where it became an institution. Next, it moved to Europe, where it became a culture. And, finally, it moved to America, where it became an enterprise.
– Richard Halverson, Former Chaplain of the U.S. Senate
Kinnaird 
I wonder if this particular business model or enterprise is now becoming a bit obsolete… to be honest, I think it is. Thanks for sharing, Scott.
I personally believe religions are replaced from generation to generation, but are consistent in their various components which includes a mix of good news as well as mythologies, dogma and yes, manipulation.
Religion is supposed to be the vehicle one uses to discover one’s preexisting relationship with God. But, far too many people cross the river then forget the objective of their journey. So, after crossing the river, arriving at their destination, they continue to carry the boat around on their back, mistaking the boat for their relationship with God.
We shouldn’t reject sage advice just because of these human traits. We just have to backtrack through time, rejecting enterprise, parsing out cultural traditions and institutions, and re-embrace the philosophy and example of the carpenter’s son Jesus who had a whole lot of good things to say about how to live a life.