I have a hard time seperating God from religion, how do you do that?

Question

To me it seems difficult to do. It's like saying I believe in King Richard the Lion Hearted but not in medieval history...

Or, I believe in the universe being infinite, but not the science that tells us why...

maybe those are bad comparisons, but either way I have a hard time seperating the two.

Answer 1

Me too, I think it is because the only way most people are exposed to "god" is through a religion of some kind. I just stick to atheism, it makes sense and doesn't piss me off.

Answer 2

Well, for me it sort of went like this:

I became cognizant of religion as a child. This is almost unavoidable unless you live in a vacuum. My parents went to Methodist church every Sunday. I went to Sunday School and then joined them for the adult service each Sunday as well. As I grew older and began to ask questions about the inaccuracies of the Bible my parents suggested I visit other churches and explore the world of religions that were out there. I did this for over 20 years. At one point I converted to Catholicism, only to leave the church two years later when I realized I had joined because I had become tired of searching, my husband was Catholic, and it sort of felt good to be a part of something instead of a constant questioning critic.

When I left the church it was because I "woke up" again and I felt irritated that I had let my mind go slack simply because I was tired of thinking about it. I knew what I believed in my heart, but I had never thought to look beyond organized religion. One day I bought and began reading a biography of the founders. I discovered that many of them were Deists, something I had never come across. I investigated it and was thrilled when I discovered that Deism reflected all of the conclusions I had already drawn throughout my life. Deists do not hold a belief in or need for organized religion. I am now at peace with it all, though sometimes I question why I had to find a corresponding theory to reflect what I already thought in order to feel fully secure about it.

God and religion are separate for me, finally. It was a long road but one I am very glad I walked down.

Answer 3

Dear Selnyk,

Here is a book that will help you separate God from religion. It's free and on line. So, do a little research.

Authentic Christianity - Ray C. Stedman
http://www.raystedman.org/authenxnty/

Answer 4

To me, there is obviously a Creator. I can't deny that. However, I don't think He/She's so arrogant and petty that He/She requires bow-down worship. We acknowledge and appreciate God through our actions toward others. I believe evil shows itself in the form of religious bigots, among other ways. Religion is power over people, through man-made rites. It's simple: control the people, control the money.

Answer 5

Why would you need to seperate the two. Of course its easier for me to coorelate God with relationship than with religion since most religions are man made.

Answer 6

Yes it is but it is just the way they approach God,They base it on your actions and the way you conduct yourself.When it is all what Jesus has already done for us and our actions are byproducts of a relationship with God and not as a means to have a relationship with God.Many in church honor Him with their lips but their hearts are far from Him.Because they are offended that they should have to put on a goody two shoes act in front of others,When if fact that's not what God wants.He wants us to humble ourselves, not try to make ourselves self Righteous.That's putting what Jesus did for us to naught.Take care and May God Bless You.

Answer 7

God is God. God exists whether or not there is religion. Religion is the institutionalized worship of god or gods. Humans think they need religion to "know" god(s). They don't. God doesn't require religion or worship. God is above all that.

Answer 8

Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.


If anything can do it, the Word can...

Answer 9

Religion is man's search for God.

Christianity is God's search for man.

Isaiah 9:6, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

Answer 10

Religion is just a way, invented long back, to tell us about the unknown(God). Nobody is sure whether it's true what our religion tells us.