what is the difference between having faith and being religious?

Question

and along with that, can u have either one without the other? ty in advance for the answers.

Answer 1

Having faith is an internal gesture while being religious is an outward expression. In ideal case, the latter is a product of the former. And such person is congruent.

For Christians, faith by itself -- if not accompanied by action, is dead (James 2:17). In other words, a person doesn't really believe in something unless he acts it out.

If only outward expression is present, it is called hypocrisy.

Answer 2

The difference with faith and religion is semantics and viewpoints. There are some religions that teach doctrine that is NOT biblical. From that aspect, that would be religious. However, there is nothing wrong with being part of a religion (or denomination) as long as that religion follows the Bible completely. For example, there are some religions that don't practice love. That would be religious. If that religion would repent and practice love, then they would be operating biblically.

Having faith is simply trusting God and following his commandments and not the commandments set by the church. Just find a church that practices that and you are all good.

Answer 3

having faith can be a very wide concept which may apply to having faith in super natural powers, some guardian force etc. in regard to monotheistic religions having faith means the belief in the existence and powers of god.
to be religious means not only the belief in god but also the belief and the practice of some or all of the religious obligation of a certain religion in the beilef that the practice of this is the right thing to do and can help you in your life or afterlife

Answer 4

Both are different.

Having faith is applicable for all. For belivers as well as non belivers.

But religious is applicable only for believers in God.

Believing in the Self and God is more than just believing in God or having faith.

But Believing in the Self as God is the ultimate in faith.

That leads to Self realisation. The very purpose of human birth. For all.

Answer 5

My view would be having faith doesn't necessarily mean you subscribe to certain rituals and teachings but you still hold a belief.

Been religious means that you follow a very structured way of life and believe in the teachings of which ever book your chosen religion follows.

Answer 6

HAVING FAITH IS BELIEVING IN SOMETHING U CANT SEE BEING RELIGIOUS IS BEING A IDIOT

Answer 7

Did Jesus really Live?..........Yes
How is there proof?..........The Bible
When will we tell If what we believe is True?.......Judgment Day

Answer 8

Being religious is being like the Pharisees in Jesus' days. They were very "religious" people as exemplified by this parable Jesus gave us.

Luke 18:10 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. 11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. 12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. 13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. 14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

Jesus said that people like that were religious hypocrites but He didn't condemn them for their religious practices but for their lack of being godly men all of the way through.

Matthew 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

Faith on the other hand is trust in God's promises and the atoning sacrifice of Jesus as payment for our sin debt. Faith results in religious observances that are in line with the teachings found in the Bible, like....

Attending church and fellowshipping with the other saints - "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:23-25

Personal holiness - "For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5

Doing good deeds in Jesus' name - "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

...but all of these things come from a heart of love and gratitude that come from faith in the grace of God and are not just external ritualistic actions designed to impress men.

"Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven. Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth: That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:1-4

So faith does not exclude "religious" participation at all. However not everyone who shows up at a church and goes through the motions has saving faith. Some people show up at church and go around telling people how they should live their lives as they secretly struggle to live up to their own standards because they don't have faith in God and the gift of Christ and are struggling to be justified in God's sight by religious activities like the Pharisees. I feel sorry for people who go to church but never come to faith because they will most likely hear these dreaded words..." I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity."

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Matthew 7:21-23

On the other hand a person who "claims" to have faith but their life doesn't include any "religious" context has deceived them self and their "faith" is dead.

"What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:14-26