Why do so many Christians refuse to use the term "religion" to describe their, uh, well, religion?

Answer 1

Several possible reasons:

1) Since early American history, Christian Evangelicalism has tried as much as possible to distinguish itself from an older, more "corrupt" system they saw in some European expressions of faith. This effort represented a strong desire to reach through the dry ritual and attain a more authentic faith that went beyond mere dogma. In short, to diminish the work of Christ to that of a bureaucratic "system" is seen as a perversion of what Jesus had intended. In this sense, popular language in Christian circles today draws out this difference with the common phrase, "It's not religion, it's a relationship."

2) There is a more "secular" way that "religion" is used to denote just any faith expression at all, Christian or otherwise. As such, to the secular-minded, there really is no such thing as "false religion". Although a sociological account does not set out to consider whether any particular religion is true or false, it can still be argued that a trivializing effect nonetheless occurrs when what is meant to be a very real experience is reduced to a mere sociological phenomena. The sociological assumption about "religion" in the human race reduces it to a mere human-generated pattern of social behavior; but this, of course, doesn't do justice to how Christianity understands itself at its core. In this sense, Christianity seeks to distinguish itself from just "a" religion, but as THE authentically genuine article, which implies there is really only "one" religion, and many impostors.

Answer 2

Religion generally refers to a system of beliefs shared by many people. I believe what I believe for reasons of my own which have nothing to do with what someone else believes. A religion can be anything that someone purports to be the cause of the foundation of the universe by whatever means were used to accomplish it, and can refer to a body of persons who agree that cause was responsible for it. I don't mean this to be taken the wrong way, but I believe what I believe and I don't care if anyone else does or not. I think I'm right, I present my case and let the hearer (or reader, as the case may be) make up their own mind. If they don't agree, that's fine. So, I have a blief, not a religion, since my beliefs are very personal, and very few Christians would agree with everything I believe.

Answer 3

In Chritianity there are many different religions which were founded and established either true religion or false religion. When you say Christians you are generally speaking on all religons in the world. There are those religions who claimed to be Christians but in truth and in fact, they are not.

To determine a true Christian religion, extra care attention is needed. The following are hints for a true religion:
1.teachings and doctrines are solely on the bible
2.no belief on traditions which are not on the bible
3.Not doing bad things, like stealing, killing of people robbing,fighting with each other.
4.faithful to God
5.going to the gatherings on religion like the Prayer meetings, Worship prayers and Thanksgiving to God
6. Not drinking liquor and not smoking cigarette
7,avoidance of the temptation of the evil spirit
8.avoiding bad words to utter, kindness
9 Not forgetting God God loving person
10. For women having long hair and never cut
11. dressing in orderly manner
12. do not allow prostitution. do not allow adultlery
13. and many others which are not against the law of God
jtm

Answer 4

Religion is a word that means certain things to people. It makes them immediately turn off on the subject typically.

The relationship of me with God is spiritual. It's not about all the stuff that people typically associate Christianity with. God is real, and He doesn't get any good thing out of many religious practices. Most of which are based upon other religions, especially those practiced by the Roman Catholics.

So I would remain as true to the word of God as I can. And will not worry about certain days and certain ritualistic practices. Calling my relationship with God 'religion' to me is like calling a $100 dollar bill 'paper'.

Answer 5

Most probably because they do not understand RELIGION. Only if they understand the religion they can describe it to others and convince them about their religion, I mean Christianity here. Pouring in money, purchasing poor people or converting them to Christianity is not Religion -

Answer 6

Because religion brings about the image of mindless superstition. Many Christians don't see there faith as religion, but as a relationship with God. It's a lifestyle. Religion just seems like a collection of superstitious habits. Hope this helps.

Answer 7

Heron: - Beautiful question ! Although I can't speak for everyone, I can give you my reasons. There are two approaches to God - one approach is futile; whereas, the other approach is effective. The first approach is "religion". Religion is a man-made or man-devised means to attempt to worship God with legalistic or moralistic rituals or practices. A good example of this religious approach were the religious leaders in the days of Jesus Christ, namely, the Pharisees. These Jewish Pharisees, were highly educated practitioners of the Old Testament Laws. They even, had added their own sets of laws called the Talmud. When Jesus Christ came on the seen, these Pharisees challenged Him [Jesus] on His actions concerning the Law. It came to the point where they [Pharisees] conspired to murder Him [Jesus] and ultimately, they did, at the hands of their Roman captures. The religious approach to being both, accepted and approved of by God ultimately led to their [Pharisees] becoming self-righteous, legalists, with a "holier-than-thou" attitude based on EXternal ritualistic practices and observances.
The second approach to being accepted and approved by God, the Father, is achieved by relationship - spirituality. This occurs when a person is "called" (see: John, 6th Chapter, verse 44) by God, into a relationship though Jesus Christ. This relationship promotes INternal changes in the mind of the Christian based on love. Love expressed firstly, to God, the Father, and secondly, to ones neighbour; thus, love fulfills the law. Remember; the law is spiritual; therefore, it requires a spiritual love to fulfill a spiritual law. This whole process can be summed up in SPIRITUALITY. This is a very brief summary.

Answer 8

Christianity is an act of faith. We believe in Christ and are saved and thereby then called 'christians'. The term "religion" seems to appeal to a much broader spectrum. Physical acts characterize a religion. But ask me if I want to be called religious and I will downright dismiss because I would rather prefer you to ask me if I have faith because faith is me, it's my life and everything.

Answer 9

Christianity is NOT a religion. It's a relationship with Christ! There are too many people claiming to be a Christian when you know by their words and actions(their fruits), that they have NO relationship with Jesus! They are the "religious" Christians!

Answer 10

I brush my teeth "religiously" every day, that doens't mean I worship the brush or the paste, ya know :)

It's not a bad thing to call it a religion, I guess, but religion could refer to anything. Faith in Christ is specific. It is fully trusting in the saving work of Christ. So Christians like to be specific about it. Make sense?