Why does Les dislike the word religion?
The word religion is disliked because Scripture consistently uses it in a bad light; it denotes corrupt systems, as with the Jews' religion that Paul profited in. The only possible exception is James, where being religious includes bridling the tongue, but generally it is a bad word.
Les explains that he detests the word religion because the Bible always uses it in a bad light. He notes a possible exception in James, where being religious includes bridling the tongue, but for the most part the word religion in Scripture is a bad word. Paul wrote that he profited in the Jews' religion, which was a bad, corrupt system; Saul of Tarsus was a Pharisee of the Pharisees, corrupt in the religion and merciless toward those who opposed it, dragging them into dungeons or committing them to stoning. Les also recalls Paul calling a high priest a whited sepulcher.