What Shall We Say Then? (Lost Post from January)

I made a statement to a man I consider a friend the other day about the state of religion. We both came from a particular organization that was borderline cultic. I'm not using hyperbole or being dramatic, but that's what it felt like. As a Christian, we are to "Love the Lord with all our hearts, souls, and strength," however a majority of the time was spent peddling a doctrine, rather than the love of Christ. So many rules and regulations; how was I supposed to truly experience God among so many restrictions (most on the wrong side of absurdity)? At one point the dice in the Monopoly game was going to send you hell because to the leadership, dice represented gambling and corruption. Women couldn't wear pants or makeup, going to the movies was a sin, and the list went on.
As a kid, you don't think much of this stuff. As an adult, you can't help but wonder, "Why aren't people running the other way?" Don't mistake what I'm saying - I'm all for Holiness, but I don't believe Jesus rescued me from the oppression of sin to oppress me further.
Holiness is about leading a life that glorifies God and shows the world, at large, there's a better way to do things. Living under the lordship of Christ shouldn't be tedious, dreadful, or burdensome. It should be a life of glorifying the Creator. Each person's relationship with Christ will be different. We'll walk the same road, but at varying paces. Gifts will be diverse, revelations will be ever-present. Jesus said, "People will know you're my disciples by the love you have (and show) each other." He said nothing about being the most gifted, most educated, most pious, or about demeaning those who don't believe as you.
We have a lot of growing to do and a shorter time frame than before. The un-churched, as well as the backslider (I loathe that word) are watching to see what we're really about - and it's not about a doctrine.