Pope Warns of "Do It Yourself Religion"

The pope has started a series of talks specific for the Year of Faith during his weekly addresses. His talk this past Wednesday, October 17th, focused on the threat of "Do It Yourself Religion" which is the result of religious relativism. This can occur when Catholics pick and choose which teachings of the Church they wish to follow and also in Protestantism as well when the Christian takes a "Me and Jesus and My Interpretation of the Bible" approach to spirituality.  Either way, the result is  "My Religion" and not the faith that was handed down by the apostles.  Burger King Christianity if you will.

"Often Christians don't even know the central core of their own Catholic faith -- the creed -- thereby leaving room for a certain syncretism and religious relativism," Pope Benedict said.
"Without a clear idea of the faith's fundamental truths and the uniquely salvific nature of Christianity, "the risk of constructing a so-called 'do-it-yourself' religion is not remote today."

"Where do we find the essential formula of the faith? Where do we find the truths that have been faithfully handed down and make up the light of our daily life?" he asked.

He said the answer is the creed, or profession of faith, which needs to be better understood, reflected upon and integrated into one's life.

Christians need to "discover the profound link between the truths we profess in the creed and our daily life" so that these truths are allowed to transform the "deserts of modern-day life."

Prayer: Lord Jesus, lead me in your truth and guide me with your Holy Spirit through the Church you have built on Peter and the apostles. Give me the grace to avoid the temptation to decide for myself what is correct and necessary to believe. In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Amen

The Nicene Creed

I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.