Why don't people know what religion means?

Question

"Religion" does not mean "rules and dogma."
If you believe in God, you are religious, no matter what you THINK "religion" means.
Religion is the worship of a supernatural being, as defined by webster.
For christians, the bible says: "Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." James 1:27.

Just because some religions have rules, doesn't mean religion IS rules. You can't seperate faith or spirituality from religion. Why are people trying to?

Answer 1

people confuse religion with fanaticism.

there's a saying: God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts

Answer 2

Umm - just because you believe in God or Goddess does not necessarily mean that you worship that God or Goddess.

Just because you say that religion is defined in one way only doesn't make it so. Spirituality does not always lend itself to worshipping anything, and may only have the belief that there is something out there besides humanity.

Spirituality lends itself to the belief that we have a spiritual nature and that may not include a deity. Religion tends to set the tone that there is some form of deity to worship in a set ritualistic way in accordance with some form of guidelines or order.

Answer 3

I know what religion means. I went to a Christian church from the time I was an infant until I was old enough to know the difference between superstition and fact.
You're right when you say " the worship of a supernatural being". There's the problem. For all of us who believe only in the natural world, supernatural is simply superstition.
So now you know what religion means " a follower of superstitious fantasy ".

Answer 4

Religion is a way of life.
Everything in the world has laws starting with the universe itself, its all based on physics. Without law it would be constant chaos.
The world had natural law before any formal religions came into the picture, it can't survive without laws.
People have gone off to the wilderness and tried to live without them for a while, but even out in the wilderness you find you have to come up with rules for activities within a group.
Spirituality gives the law a greater meaning.

Answer 5

Rules and regulations are often set up to control people. Control means power. People are so weak and gullible, so removed from their true center that they need worldly like institutions just to put them on track. Ultimately, the truly mature and spiritual individual transcends all the fluff and finds real faith and freedom. Think of religion as 3 levels: The lowest form is superstition, then religion, then faith.

Answer 6

Your whole premise was destroyed by what you used as proof. Clearly if your faith, beliefs or spirituality do not involve worshipping a god they can very easily be separated from religion by your own definition.

"Religion is the worship of a supernatural being, as defined by webster."

Answer 7

And, you are absolutely right. If anyone knew me in real life from Y/A they wouldn't know that I am a Christian unless they asked me directly and even then my answer would be short and sweet. My religion tells me to not lie, cheat, steal, kill, do onto others as I would have them do unto me, etc.

Funny to is what some people here say about Christians, being this way or that way. I have many Christian friends.
Most of them I couldn't even tell you if they go to church or not. Or even what religion they are. I have Jewish friends that I know to be Jewish not because I asked them but it is just one of those things I happen to know. I have some friends that say they are atheist and that is fine with me, I do not try to tell them anything to change their minds.

Answer 8

Yes, I do. I do what I choose in life. I don't belong to a religion . That's man made. USA is ruled and laws all come from the bible so the unbeliever has to obey GOD Laws. If not killing would be fine to do. GOD BLESS

Answer 9

Actually, one definition of "religion" refers to how man relates to God. Some Christians are then uncomfortable with the term since they believe that their eternal salvation is based upon God's act towards them (and this despite their actions toward him).

Romans 5:8

Answer 10

I disagree with your definition of 'religion'. Religion, to me, is that set of principles upon which you base your life. Budahism is a religion yet it does recognize any god. Druids worship nature and yet is considered a religion. Atheists worship knowledge and themselves without any recognition of a higher, supernatural power.