Why is Christianity defined, by the world, as a religion, when Christians proclaim it's not a religion?

Question

We claim it's a relationship with God, but yet, people still say it's a religion - why is this?

Answer 1

I guess because since it's the only true religion there is and it was first then other religions were made to escape God with false doctrines, people try to hide the truth and/or make christianity look bad by declaring it a religion with divisions of mormonism, catholicism, etc. even though it is it's own and cannot be divided because it's true and the other religions try to attach themselves to it because they're evil and try to use christianity as a shield when they get blamed for their faults as christianity has no faults when it is in it's truest form.

Answer 2

every faith claims itself NOT a religion, some call themselves a path, some call it a communion with God etc.

The bottom line is, it is just a word or label. If a society named a table ..CHAIR.. they would call it a chair even if another society calls it a Table.

Is it really THAT important to proclaim a non-religion? I think one of the beauty of Christianity is the faith, discipline and perseverence that many of their followers show, even amidst the heat of persecution... so whether its called a religion or relationship or not... the qualities expressed from its teachings are really all that matters in the end.

Answer 3

thanks to bypass Mindy, seem at you! :) basically Jehovah's Witnesses meet all of what you listed. There are a lot more desirable than basically those 8 issues yet when any faith might want to satisfy basically 3 of the flaws listed that is a miracle and Jehovah's Witnesses meet all 8. The 8 belongings you printed is basically "a funny tale" to those who're no longer authentic Christians yet are of Christendom. Myro and that i both deliver you vast HUGS (we study your different question positioned up too BTW). Agape

Answer 4

I am a Christian and have been for 19 years now and I consider Christianity a Religion. You must be talking ti the wrong people.

Answer 5

Just a couple of weeks ago I was told that by a pastor at a conference; he could have been from any number of religions, as it was a multifaith gathering. I see this phrase as a point that Christians are trying to make, and I understand that point. But I agree with you, it is a religion.

Answer 6

By definition, a religion is any response to a deity.

By scriptural reflection, religion et al is man's attempt to reach out to God or a god(s).

In order to accept that limitation, and thus refer to Christianity as a relationship as opposed to a religion, you must be a Bible student, and you 'can't be reading someone else's mail', if you know what I mean.

Answer 7

Because they don't have a relationship with God.

But we should be technically Religious, just not in forms and ceromonies.

Jam 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Answer 8

I'm a Christian and am not afraid of calling it a religion. However, at the core of orthodox Christian doctrine is the belief that salvation is found not in religion but in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Answer 9

Religion is a form of rules and rituals with the thought of pleasing or appeasing an unapproachable god and in some way through acts or actions earning his favor. Religion believes that "the best you can do is good enough." Religion can't seem to believe in a sovereign God who has already done all that is needed for the individual to be reconciled to Himself. Has provided for the power to meet the demands of His loving ways and blueprints for life that He guarantees will produce the fruits of righteousness, love, joy and peace.

Christianity is not a religion, it is a way of life. Christianity is not a set of rules to obey, it is a relationship to nourish. The very name identifies its followers as "Christ's Ones."

The true followers of Jesus have not just joined a church, they have made a thoughtful, conscious, life-changing decision to give up their normal, God-given life for the life of a slave, a servant of the most-high God. They have chosen, by faith to be children of God rather than to remain children of the world and the devil. Many have forsaken their earthly family to join the family of God. The true believer has experienced the pangs of worldliness and has felt the hot breath of the enemy on his neck. He has run for refuge into the arms of the One who has overcome those dangers.

The true believer has been captured by divine love only to be freed from worldly passion. He has been transferred from the domain of darkness into the Kingdom of God's beloved Son.
True Christians are not better than others, they are just forgiven. The true Christian doesn't gloat over his victories, he groans for those he has left behind. The true Christian is ever mindful of his past estate, and gloriously thankful for his present condition, often willing to express his gratitude to anyone at any time.

True Christians are motivated by the love of God and energized by the power of His Spirit. They would never consciously do anything to bring disrespect to the name of God, but rather seek to glorify Him in all their endeavors.

The true Christian lives by FAITH, trusting implicitly in the written word of God and continually seeks wisdom for discerning truth from error. The true Christian's HOPE is not in his ability, his talents, or his resources, but in the exacting promises of a trustworthy God. Ever mindful of God's unconditional LOVE, the truly redeemed one still strives to please Him in all that he does.

Answer 10

You can call a rose a potato, but it's still a rose.

Edit: More specifically, the tenants and beliefs of the bible are a religion; if you can have all that without being a Christian, fine, but then find something to name that.