What is the difference between religion and Christianity? Religion is man-centered, while Christianity is God-centered.

In Isaiah 4:8 God’s Word says, “The grass withers, but the Word of God stands forever.” God’s law has no room for compromise, while man-made laws (religion) leave room for different views.

It was evident, recently, after the death of Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts. The former archbishop of St. Louis, Raymond Burke, charged Cardinal Sean O’Malley

of Boston with being under the influence of Satan, “the father of lies.”

The archbishop’s remarks came after Cardinal O’Malley’s decision to permit and preside over a funeral Mass for the late pro-choice senator. Cardinal O’Malley made this statement, “In the strongest terms I disagree with those who believe that Kennedy did not deserve a funeral Mass.” He added, “We will not change hearts by turning away from people in their time of need and when they are experiencing grief.”

A news article in the Nov. 16, 2009, issue of TIME magazine by Amy Sullivan, stated that the dispute between the two priests threatens to split American Catholics.

Archbishop Burke, a staunch pro-life Catholic leader in 2004, first made national headlines when he said he would deny Communion to pro-choice Democratic presidential candidate, John Kerry.

In June 2008, Burke was unexpectedly transferred to the Vatican. Removed from the political scene in America did not stop him from saying that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops was responsible for pro-choice Obama’s victory because it voted to approve a document suggesting that Catholics could consider issues besides abortion when deciding to vote.

I agree with the archbishop about his stand on abortion; however, I disagree that anyone should be deprived of a religious ceremony before burial. Nothing we do after a person’s death will determine where they spend eternity. Religion can’t save anyone. Only Christianity (a personal relationship with Jesus) can.

If you have any questions or comments, please write to Get High on Life, P.O. Drawer U, Reserve, LA 70084, call (985) 652-8477, or e-mail: hkeller@comcast.net.