Like it or not, religions cause human beings to become non-persons. Religion is God to those who stand in pulpits and those who sit in pews. Individuality is foreign to the concept of religion and churches. The church world does not want anyone who thinks or asks questions, they only want those who comply and are willing to shut-up.
Even though ever human being on earth has a unique personality and should have the God given right to express that personality, the church world only wants group-think, group molding, group compliance, group obedience, group followers and no independent thinkers.
Anyone who attends church is stripped of being a person, because once anyone becomes a member of a particular branch of church theology, that person is no longer an individual, but a piece of clay, molded together with others, and they all become clones of their leader.
Church is group theology, group think, group worship, group tithing, group doctrines and group bowing before the pastor, elder, bishop or priest. On the other hand, for those who find a way to break free from the chains and bondage of this group mentality, they become FREE IN CHRIST, and Jesus came to set the captives free.
Jesus does not require group worship, group tithing, group bowing before preachers, group indoctrination by pastors, group religious festivals, group church going, group this and group that, where everyone is no longer a person, just a part of a religious program, called "church."
The clergy/laity system of the church world is a box, where those involved travel within that box and never outside of it. The laity of course are the pawns and the "professional" clergy are the benefactors of the free $cash that flows like a river into their bank vaults. All of course in the name of Jesus Christ, as if those who preach are always preaching the Gospel to the world.
So then, if you are a church goer, you have lost your individuality and have become a group with others, and you are no longer a person, you are a group. Strange indeed, because Jesus Christ taught that individuals follow Him, and groups have nothing to do with it.
Van Robison