Why do (most) Baptists not want to tell you what religion they are?

Question

For example: You'll be talking with someone about religion. You'll ask, "What religion are you?" They'll reply, "I'm Christian." ('Christian' is not a religion. It's a belief system.) Only after pressing them will they tell you, "I'm Baptist." Is it something their religious leaders tell them to say? I've seen both Romanian, Hungarian, and American Baptists all do the same thing.

In my question, replace the word religion, with the word "church". And don't get hung up on semantics.

Answer 1

Because not all "Baptists" are the same, and a lot of people hear the word "Baptist" and think they know what that means. For example, in America there are "Southern Baptists," "American Baptists," "Swedish Baptists," and "Conservative Baptists"--to name a few.

These designations generally show what conference of churches an individual church chooses to associate with (if any) and a doctrine of faith they ascribe to. But even within these conferences, there can be incredible differences in what the churches will be like. Some churches can be very traditional in style and others much more contemporary. Preaching style might be completely different. How the church leadership is structured can vary from church to church as well.

So . . . people don't want to be labeled "Baptist" and have assumptions made about them even if they associate with the name "Baptist." And to most Baptists, "Baptist" is not their religion but a denomination they associate with.

Although I have often attended a "Baptist" church (I am attending a different church right now), if you asked me what "religion" I am, my answer would confound you as well because of what I think of when I hear the word "religion." To me, "religion" is what men and women do in striving to reach God. But Biblical Christianity is different. God came to us and bridged the gap Himself through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. I'm not stuck, then, in any one "religion" (or denomination) in the sense you ask the question, because I can be a part of any church that believes in the Bible and in Salvation by Grace, through faith in Jesus Christ. Although I know the doctrine of faith of the church I am attending now, I don't even really know the actual name of the denomination--it's not important to me.

Answer 2

It's because the world has the view of Baptists as Bible-thumping, in-breeding rednecks who have the collective IQ of a dog. While this is not true, the hostility and bias against Baptists as the result of a few notable big mouths (Jerry Falwell comes immediately to mind) Baptists are not recognized as being sane, intelligent people.

As far as Christian being a belief system, the early church did not have denominations and were referred to as Christian (see Acts chapter 11). So I disagree with your assessment that Christianity doesn't fill the bill. And to take it one step further, I attend a Baptist church but do not consider myself to be of any denomination. How then should I answer your question? That I am a Christian who attends a Baptist church? Many non-denominational churches are actually Baptist churches but don't use that affiliation either because they choose to be independent of any corporate body or because of the bias a vitriol I spoke of in the first sentence. So if I went to a non-denominational church would you expect me to answer that I am non-denominational? Does that make it a denomination?


EDIT:
Interesting that you said not to get hung up on semantics when your stipulation was the semantics that started it all. :-)

Answer 3

I'm sorry to differ with you on this but Christianity is the religion...being a Baptist is only being a denomination (aka division) of Christianity. There also happens to be about 40,000
to 50,000 different protestant denominations to pick from.

Most members of the Baptist church will tell you they're a Christian if asked about their religion. And they are correct.

Answer 4

I always thought that Baptist was just a denomination within Christianity. Christianity IS considered a religion. I don't think they're deliberately trying to hide their denomination, but Baptists have gotten such a bad reputation (especially Southern Baptists lol), and maybe they're afraid people are going to laugh and disregard everything they say if it becomes known that they're Baptist. I really don't know why Baptists catch so much heat.....every denomination has their own quirks.

Answer 5

Y'know, the Baptist churches are probably the "loosest-denominational" of the Christian religions. They attend the "Baptist" church and practice the "Christian" faith and religion.

It's not uncommon for Baptist churches to splinter into other churches either for evangelism or disagreement. Because of this, they have probably learned not to show too much "loyalty" to their local church leaders. It's kind of the nature of their beliefs!

Answer 6

You poss your question wrong is why, and they ponder what you are asking,
1. Christianity is the religion 2.Protestant is the sect 3. Baptist is the denomination.
I know no Baptist that are afraid of saying what they are, after Catholics, Baptist are next in world membership.

Answer 7

Perhaps because it is the right thing to do. They are christians first, and baptists second. I am a non denominational christian, with freinds in many churches. I have not found a difference with any of them, with the exception of roman catholics. Most say first, that they are christians. Why? do you consider this a bad thing.

Answer 8

Thanks for the good laugh... I couldn't stop laughing at this one... I've seen some ignorant questions but this one takes the cake...

You said: "(Christian' is not a religion. It's a belief system.)" That's like saying cooked chicken isn't food, it's something you eat...

Christianity IS a religion... That's exactly what a religion is, it's a belief system... you have no idea what you are talking about...

You really should think about what you are saying so you don't look like such an idiot next time...

Answer 9

I dont this its shame most of the time. I am not a Baptist but I think being a Christian is much more important than which denomination you favor. Really they are right to do that, we should be Christians first and foremost. The denominational lable wont be getting us into Heaven.

Answer 10

Evidently, you have been talking to the wrong people. I am proud to publicly declare I am of the Southern Baptist Faith, Baptized, and a member of the Glasgow Baptist Church