'Why I Hate Religion But Love Jesus' Creates Controversy On YouTube (VIDEO)

One man has taken to YouTube to express his views on Jesus and religion. His verdict? Jesus trumps religion, hands down.

The video, titled "Why I Hate Religion But Love Jesus," has already surpassed 2 million views just two days after it was posted on Jan. 10. And the controversial topic has generated an onslaught of more than 30,000 conflicting reactions in the video's comments section.

Jefferson Bethke, the video's creator, draws on his own experiences and the Bible to argue that "Jesus and religion are on opposite spectrums," when people don't practice what they preach.

"Now let me clarify: I love the church; I love the Bible, and, yes, I believe in sin. But if Jesus came to your church, would they actually let Him in?" Bethke asks in his video message.

But not everyone is convinced by Bethke's message.

YouTube user gmmg93 wrote:

I hate religion???? I heard you babbling on for about 4 minutes PREACHING about Jesus which is at the heart of what Christianity is. Not only is this statement convoluted, but false.

While some users are questioning the validity of his critique of the church, others argue that Bethke is essentially promoting his own religion, whether he admits it or not.

YouTube user EmpiricalTruth wrote:

I'm confused. You first start by saying you hate religion, but then start speaking about Christianity. Ummm...isn't that a religion? Or should the title of this ridiculous video be "Why I hate every other religion not called Christianity.

You be the judge.

Comments

[annedyth]

10:32 AM on 07/22/2012

I guress I respect Jesus, which is different from worship...

[Brady McElligott]

02:34 PM on 06/10/2012

I think this kid is definitely on the right track; now he needs to keep on track and not get sucked back into the swamp of tradition.

[amr9243]

06:20 PM on 05/05/2012

This kid speaks the truth. There is a HUGE difference between religion and christianity no matter how you try and spin it. Jesus is the only way to heaven, no matter how hard you try to be good. Jesus already paid the price for our sins. Christianity is having a personal relationship with Christ, not following a set of rules. I am a christian, but i refuse to say i am religious because i am not and will never be! Religion follows the church and pastor's rule, christianity follows the bible, god's words! Religion is man made, christianity is God made.

[griffin0411]

11:59 AM on 04/29/2012

I cannot believe how blind you people are, you are really not listening to his message. There are hypocrites in all religions, you listen but you do not do (Practice what you preach) if you don't have the relationship with Jesus and follow the clear path he puts us on and seek Gods face and not the world we are doomed. You can have decals on your car or wear a shirt that says i love God and Jesus but if your heart is not right than your doing God an injustice. You have to learn how to separate from Gods words to the false Prophets. You have to becareful of the message your Pastor is teaching you, remember he is still a man and twist things around. Ask God in prayer in the name of Jesus to help you with that, Jesus has helped me countless times and I didn't deserve it. He paid our sins at the cross but we just can't keep asking him whenever we need something he's our friend, father who deserves respect he wants you to constantly talk to him in private. May God have mercy on us all. Trust keep the faith and trust God and Jesus but not on man.

[ST1953]

10:32 PM on 02/09/2012

The tragedy of Christianity is that it has been turned into a religion..it is not...all religions say "do"...Christianity says "done".....all religions set up rules whereby one makes himself"worthy"...Christianity says we are "made" worthy by Christ's sacrifice for us...there is nothing we have to do, indeed there is nothing we "can" do but accept God's amazing grace...If we'll stop trying to to change ourselves by willpower and phoniness, God's Spirit will change us if we will trust Him...Christianity is literally a possesion...a possesion of The Holy Spirit...like Paul said..We'll "find" ourselves doing the things that please God..god is not interested in spiritual imitation which is what religion is...he is interested in spiritual fruitition...modern day religious pharisees are still stumbling over that....listen to their reaction...as Jesus said.."blind guides" some things do not change over 2000 years

ST

[scarymemo]

11:58 AM on 02/05/2012

Sounds like just another Jesus Freak to me.

[Vincient Huey Booker]

03:01 PM on 11/02/2012

Yes, and its great!

[vboo91]

06:52 PM on 01/31/2012

Honestly who cares if this guy only believes in Christianity, so what he's right no matter what religion he may or may not be promoting!!

[iamkim34]

09:20 PM on 01/25/2012

Religion was created by Satan, not Jesus! Most Christians are so ignorant of this fact. Not to mention the false doctrine that is preached from (almost) every pulpit in the so called "Christian" churches in this country. If you want to learn about the true Word of God, find the right teacher....Jesus can teach you better than any preacher. Open up your bible and read it yourself instead of being lazy and requiring others to explain it to you. If you must have a teacher and don't feel confident that you can actually reach Jesus, try BD Hyman http://www.bdhyman.com/ she has tons of tapes you can purchase that'll explain it all in simple terms. She is also as on The Wheatland channel every Sunday afternoon. This kid found Jesus, I hope you will too.

[WYO PROUD]

09:03 AM on 01/23/2012

I think faith based religions are the problem. Fact based religions are 360 degrees from those dogmatic institutions.

I came across this insightful website a few months ago. Caused me to update my micro bio on Huff post.

http://www.churchofreality.org/wisdom/welcome_home/

[Liturgy]

04:40 PM on 01/22/2012

Good story - but it is actually: "why I hate religion but love selling watches for Jesus" http://liturgy.co.nz/wanna-serve-jesus-buy-this-watch/8428

[Gerry Wieder]

05:55 AM on 01/22/2012

You know of course that the "c" in "rap" is silent.

[Liturgy]

09:52 PM on 01/21/2012

I wonder if the viral video is actually a watch ad. See here http://liturgy.co.nz/wanna-serve-jesus-buy-this-watch/8428

[Young Christ Follower]

05:45 PM on 01/19/2012

Pure and undefiled religion:
http://mypresenttense.wordpress.com/2012/01/19/simple-faith-a-pure-and-undefiled-religion-hate-the-game-not-jesus/

[SoldAmerican]

06:00 PM on 01/18/2012

The real answer is here people. The GOOD NEWS..the real GOOD NEWS.. Spread this GOOD NEWS to everyone.

De-Baptise yourself.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/18/europeans-de-baptize-church_n_1214256.html?ref=religion

[Gavin Scott]

06:57 AM on 01/19/2012

You are still confusing Christianity with Christian Churches. Jesus is not the church.

[SoldAmerican]

10:06 AM on 01/19/2012

IS this Church or christianity?

Christiani­ty was not content with erecting an altar of its own. It had
first to destroy the pagan altars. It was only in virtue of this
passionate intoleranc­e that an apodictic faith could grow up. And
intoleranc­e is an indispensa­ble condition for the growth of such a
faith.

[Gavin Scott]

07:55 AM on 01/18/2012

Christianity and a Church are not the same thing. Many Churches claim to be Christian, but this young lad has a point worth pondering ... not criticizing. The human institutions are a failure and, in a sense, are hospitals for the sick. But the key message of who Jesus is, is spot on! It is the Good News. Self-righteousness of believers does more harm to any institutional church. GK Chesterson: "Self-righteousness is the characteristic sin of those who are good, but not yet perfect."

[SoldAmerican]

11:23 AM on 01/18/2012

Christianity is eviI.. not matter how you dice it

The fundamental principle of christianity is the following

--------------------------------------------------------------------
Christiani­ty was not content with erecting an altar of its own. It had
first to destroy the pagan altars. It was only in virtue of this
passionate intoleranc­e that an apodictic faith could grow up. And
intoleranc­e is an indispensa­ble condition for the growth of such a
faith.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

You can trace the entire history for the last 2000 years and see the horrors done by chiristianity... its based on the above passage. The churches are just conduits for collecting monies to do what is called of christians... that is to destroy other religions and faiths and be intolanrt towards others beliefs.

[SoldAmerican]

11:59 AM on 01/18/2012

The only way this young man can save his soul is, if he rejects the Nice creed / The religious supremacy of Christianity... not just the church.

[SoldAmerican]

11:59 AM on 01/18/2012

I meant, he needs to reject the Nicene creed and evangelism.