I frequently come across posts where people try to clarify that they are not religious, rather they are "saved" or "born again". Why do they say this? Is this a popular idea being taught in a few churches right now? If you say "I'm not religious" and then say you're Christian, what's the deal?
Webster definition of religious:
1 : relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity
2007-01-20 01:28:08 · 18 answers · asked by neil_ritz 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Because they have convinced themselves that they do not follow a 'religion' , they follow the only truth there is (ie. "I'm not religious, I'm righteous") , therefore, it can not be 'just another religion' to them,
which would make them feel somewhat inferior, so they say they are not religious because they don't follow a 'religion'
they just worship a book and profess love of their prophet (who they have a "relationship with"),
they also think their "church" started when christ died on the cross, if you can believe it.
edit: for the most part, it also seems it is a most recent American Protestant manifestation to separate themselves from the first established Christian Church formed around 160AD: the Catholic Church.
2007-01-20 01:32:09 · answer #1 · answered by janesweetjane 2 · 2⤊ 5⤋
Because religion is a high order abstraction not fully defined by Webster; and there is no agreement in terms among people on this venue. And for the following reasons.
1. Webster has more than one definition of religion, depending on the edition (time) and market for their publication.
2. People who respond here, if polled, will most likely not accept all of the definitions as given by Webster without some changes.
3. Many "born again" Christians (they don't all agree on what that means) see religion as the social, political and economic structures or organizations built up on religious history but having no current purpose other than the perceived goals of the organization. Should be called big business, not religion.
4. In the study of comparative religions, or personal devotion within religions, you will find different views of reality and experience which require specialized vocabulary that you will never find in Webster.
5. Not last and not least: The word 'religion' is a higher order abstraction. In addition to being more complex; these words gain their meaning in personal, family, group, regional and technical use. Each of these abstract words is loaded with emotional content that varies from person to person and from social group to social group. Not so abstract. Butter, Milk, Cheese. Somewhat abstract, Chair, Pencil, Desk. Very abstract, Religion, God, Love, Spiritual, etc.
A simple answer to your question is that many who are 'born again' take their definition of religion out of the Bible and not out of Webster's. Much like an attorney might make refererence to Black's Law Dictionary while all you know of that word is what you read in Webster.
2007-01-20 11:17:17 · answer #2 · answered by Tommy 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Religion can mean anything.You can worship Satan and that is a religion.Being born again or saved is coming into a personal relationship through Jesus. the religious people are the ones that killed Jesus. Religion will send you to hell but the only way to heaven is to be born again by the holy spirit in to Jesus Christ.
2007-01-20 09:50:08 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It all goes back to what each person's definition of being religious means to them. Born again Christians who say that they are "not religious" usually mean that their faith is not based upon ritualistic formulas and the keeping of God's laws in order to obtain salvation on judgment day.
Instead a person is saved by grace through faith in the work of Jesus Christ on the cross and when they are "born again" by receiving God's Holy Spirit they enter into a personal relationship with Jesus that comes from the inner spiritual renewal of their hearts.
The purpose of saying that they are not "religious" is to distinguish between what many people consider "being religious" to mean, ie outward legalistic behavior as opposed to inner renegeneration by God.
2007-01-20 09:39:14 · answer #4 · answered by Martin S 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Religion is a man-made organization. For example, the Catholic religion has offices, a Pope, a non-profit status, etc.
The same with the Baptists, Episcopals, etc. They all have one or more central offices, regulations, and set beliefs.
If you truly follow the Bible, you will not get too involved in this because these religions are all man-made. It should just be the believer and God, nothing in between.
2007-01-20 09:49:55 · answer #5 · answered by CassieKay 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We are not interested in being "religious" . The Pharisees of the New Testament were "religious". We are expected to have a relationship with Christ. Religion takes on all the trappings that man has added over the years. Christ wants us to come to Him on a personal level.
2007-01-20 09:34:24 · answer #6 · answered by polly j 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Once again. John 3:3 explains it all.
Jesus said to Nicodemus ''I assure you,unless you are born again, you will not see the Kingdom of God''
You see, religions are man made, many of them requiring useless rituals and sacraments they (falsly) believe leads to salvation. Whereas, Ephesians 2:8,9 is as plain as day when it states salvation is a GIFT from God. You can never EARN a gift, all you have to do is accept it. Faith in Christ is a way of life, not a religion.
Sorry, but my belief is in the Truths of the Bible, not in Websters.
2007-01-20 09:33:39 · answer #7 · answered by Jeff C 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
In my view, being "religious" means that one believes dogma or doctrine, as set by a church they believe in. Being a Christian or "born again" means a whole different thing. It means believing in Christ as your Savior and Lord and all that He stands for, and believing that He will come again. It also means having a personal relationship with Christ, meaning that you don't have to go through a Priest or Rabbi or anyone else to confess sins.
2007-01-20 09:40:23 · answer #8 · answered by Big Bear 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They conceive that "religious" means that your acts of devotion are merely traditional; i.e. going to church, praying, etc etc as if it is all rituals and not a personal relationship.
They consider their devotion as a relationship, where everything is motivated by love.
2007-01-20 09:37:41 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Mainly because I believe I am not per say a religious person but a righteous person ( because to me Jesus and his disciples are who I follow not a denomination) and that is what to me makes me righteous.I don't really care what Websters says I am.
2007-01-20 09:34:16 · answer #10 · answered by jackiedj8952 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋