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Is It Necessary to Belong to an Organized Religion?

Is It Necessary to Belong to an Organized Religion?

The Bible’s answer

 Yes, because God wants people to gather for worship. The Bible says: “Let us consider one another so as to motivate to love and fine works, not forsaking our meeting together.”​—Hebrews 10:24, 25, footnote.

 Jesus indicated that his followers would form an organized group when he said to them: “By this all will know that you are my disciples​—if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:35) As a primary way of showing this love, disciples of Christ would associate with fellow believers. They would be organized into congregations that meet regularly for worship. (1 Corinthians 16:19) Collectively, they would form a worldwide brotherhood.​—1 Peter 2:​17.

More is needed than just belonging to a religion

 While the Bible shows that people should gather to worship God, it does not teach that a person can please God by just being a member of a religion. To be approved by God, a person’s religion must affect his everyday life. For example, the Bible says: “The religion that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after orphans and widows in their tribulation, and to keep oneself without spot from the world.”​—James 1:​27, footnote.