Why do people constantly say the following:?

Question

"Christianity is not a religion.It's a belief."

"I don't believe in religion.I have faith."

"Don't call me religious.I am faithful."

Statements like these are just splitting hairs.Christianity is a religion.Albeit there are many denominations of it.But it is all a religion.Faith, in fact, is part of the definition of religion and so to have faith in a God and follow religious texts (the Bible, Koran,Torah) and to go to places of worship are by definition to be a person who practices and is a part of religion.

If you doubt that you should actually see the dictionary definition of religion.

So, why do people try to split hairs and differentiate the meanings of the word "faith" from the word "religion" even though there is no difference?

re·li·gion
noun

1.Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.

1A .A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.

2.The life or condition of a person in a religious order.

3.A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.

4.A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion

I referenced the dictionary for the definition of "religion" and not my opinion of what that word means.

Answer 1

I once asked them if their refusual to use the word religion meant they were not expecting FREEDOM of religion.

They didn't seem to like that question.

Answer 2

You have to be a believer to understand what they are saying. What they mean is, they do not follow some customary practices because they are religious. They mean that they have real faith and relationship. In the Christian community, religious means someone who does all the "right" things such as church attendance but has no real belief in their heart. But yes, Christianity is a religion.

Answer 3

Obviously, Christianity is a religion. When people say this they are trying to make a point about the way they live thier lives. They are trying to get rid of a stereotype that is associated with "religion". Religion is usually associated with rules and rituals and a set of religious practices. Christ came to give us a personal relationship with God that permeates our entire lives. The things we do are in response to the relationship, not because we are following a set of rules or rituals. Religion is also associated with heridity. Someone might be Catholic or Jewish becuase their family is, but they don't practice their faith in daily life. Someone who is living their live based on their relationship with Christ is not claiming a religion based on what their parents believed. They are living out a relationship with Christ. They hope that you will understand that when they say "it is not a religion". Of course, Christianity is a relgion.

Answer 4

you are right to say that Christianity is by definition in a dictionary a religion- and if you are studying religion it will be included- but for us who follow Christ is much more than a series of beliefs that we follow- it is a personal relationship with the One true living God- Religion as defined by man- is a set or rules made up by man. Relationship is defined by God as personal between the Savior and the ones He saves. That is what it is to me.

Answer 5

Religion=religare=rejoin God....
Christianity is now corrupt,after 2000 yrs of irreligious leaders,who turned it into profitable business,forced belief,by eliminating other faiths by the sword...
The original teachings of Christ is to love the Father....and so love all other creatures,as well as animals,as Essenes-from which Jesus came- were lovers of animals and nature.
Jesus even asked to love ennemies!
As the continuous karma makes reincarnations unlimited...

You should use the web to search for all the history of the church,even if it's horrible,and also for the original teachings,still present inspite of change by demoniac leaders.

Answer 6

Well, the root cause of this over the last 40 years or so are people like Rosie O'Donnell, pro-choice "Christians", "gay"
Catholics, and such as that.

You see Rosie O'Donnell pounding on religion all the time, why? Because she does not want to destroy religion, she wants religion to be forced to change so that she can insert a new set of morals. And it is that simple. The same as most people that pound on religion. ( btw, Rosie O'Donnell is Roman Catholic)

Answer 7

I think they "split hairs" to avoid the conatation that today's religious denominations have placed on it's participants: hypocricy, conflict, etc.
I think they confuse religious with spiritual.
You can be spiritual without being of a religion.
Christianity is a broad term for the many sects of "Christ Following" organized religions. Just as Islam is a broad term for the Allah organized religions.

Answer 8

The description you sited for religion is man made. Religion is man's attempt to serve and please God with rituals, rules and traditions. Religion is man's own unsuccessful ability. Many Christians do think that it what they do that pleases God for their salvation.

Jesus is God's way of reaching down to man with love, forgiveness and fellowship. Jesus is a personal relationship not a religion. He is a person. It is what He did that appeases God's requirement for our salvation, not what we do.

New Testament Religion:
James 1:27 says, Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Answer 9

well what would you call me?

i believe in a god, but have no religion.
i despise the bible and all religious texts.
and i dont go to a church.


there is a difference between religion and having faith.
religion is a group of people who share a belief- a system, an order...
having faith doesnt mean you have a religion.

are you saying that you think its impossible for someone to believe in god and not have a religion?

its like saying since you believe in rights for animals you need to be a member of PETA.

Answer 10

I think that is a more recent, non-denominational way of separating from mainline Protestant and Catholic teaching. It is a modern "just me and Jesus" kind of thinking that is very different from the church of the early believers. It is unfortunate that there is so little unity in Christianity today and I think it should be a goal of all who call themselves followers of Christ.

Answer 11

When I notice that the majority of people here are willing to acknowledge a pantheistic, neopagan tradition as religion then I'll happily use that word here. Until then I'm going to steer clear of it.

For better or worse it has Abrahamic connotations here in R&S.