Look at what happened in Mark 7: Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashed, hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands often, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders.
4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables. 5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, ‘Why walk not your disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashed hands?’
6 He answered and said unto them, ‘Well has Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, ‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
8 For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things you do.
9 And he said unto them, ‘Full well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your own tradition. 10 For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother; and, Whoso curses father or mother, let him die the death’:
11 But you say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, ‘It is Corban’, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever you might be profited by me; he shall be free. 12 And you suffer him no more to do anything for his father or his mother;
13 making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which you have delivered: and many such like things do you.
14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, ‘Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. 16 If any man has ears to hear, let him hear.’
17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. 18 And he said unto them, ‘Are you so without understanding also? Do you not perceive, that whatsoever thing from the outside enters into the man, it cannot defile him;
19 Because it enters not into his heart, but into the belly, and goes out into the draught, purging all meats? 20 And he said, ‘That which comes out of the man that defiles the man.
21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
Hell, as a place of eternal conscious torment is a mere tradition of men. To most evangelicals, traditions are more important than the word of God himself. Shame on all who accept this dogma without researching it for themselves! How can we believe what is against the direct words of Jesus?
Notice John 5:39 ‘Search the scriptures; for in them you think you have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And you will not come to me, that you might have life. (Note that we must all come to Jesus to get life.)
41 I receive not honor from men. 42 But I know you, that you have not the love of God in you. 43 I am come in my Father's name, and you receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him you will receive.
44 How can you believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from God only? 45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuses you, even Moses, in whom you trust.
46 For had you believed Moses, you would have believed me: for he wrote of me. 47 But if you believe not his writings, how shall you believe my words?’
He was confronting the religious leaders of his day the Scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees... the Sanhedrin who made up their own rules rather than trusting in God alone as the ultimate authority.
Jesus revalidated the ‘Old Testament’, but as then, people today do not want it anymore. They want their own ways instead of Gods.
They want to control the parishioners and scare them with Hell Fire. Shame on them! They want to be free to do as they please, yet still feel ‘right with God’. But he will not tolerate or condone an attitude like that. To rebel like that is to un-believe and trust in mere mortals. We must trust God and him alone, for there is no one else who is our Savior.