Why do people say there are False religions when the word Religion means 'a way of life?'?

Question

Does this mean people are getting religion and faith mixed up?Has faith means 'something you believe in'.And how can you have a 'false' religion when for example you brush your teeth in the morning religiously (remember religion means a way of life.)?

Look in the dictionary.

MsV-Don't get your Knickers in a twist.
I also covered this in my religion and philosophy classes when I was doing my A levels

Answer 1

Where in the WORLD did you get the thought that the word "religion" has the meaning, "a way of life"?

religion

c.1200, "state of life bound by monastic vows," also "conduct indicating a belief in a divine power," from Anglo-Fr. religiun (11c.), from O.Fr. religion "religious community," from L. religionem (nom. religio) "respect for what is sacred, reverence for the gods," in L.L. "monastic life" (5c.); according to Cicero, derived from relegare "go through again, read again," from re- "again" + legere "read" (see lecture). However, popular etymology among the later ancients (and many modern writers) connects it with religare "to bind fast" (see rely), via notion of "place an obligation on," or "bond between humans and gods." Another possible origin is religiens "careful," opposite of negligens. Meaning "particular system of faith" is recorded from c.1300.
"The equal toleration of all religions ... is the same thing as atheism." [Pope Leo XIII, Immortale Dei, 1885]
Modern sense of "recognition of, obedience to, and worship of a higher, unseen power" is from 1535. Religious is first recorded c.1225. Transfered sense of "scrupulous, exact" is recorded from 1599.

I looked it up not only at dictionary.com - but within Hebrew and Greek scripture dictionaries and find no such meaning.

From a Christian biblical perspective, "religion" as shown within scripture is:

Jam 1:26 If anyone thinks to be religious among you*, [and yet] does not bridle [fig., control] his tongue _but_ deceives his heart [fig., inner self, and throughout book], the religion of this one [is] useless.
Jam 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before [our] God and Father is this: to be caring for orphans and widows in their affliction [and] to be keeping oneself unspotted [fig., uncorrupted] by the world. (Analytical Literal Translation)

Faith from a Christian perspective is this:

Heb 11:1 Now faith is [the] assurance [or, substance] of [things] being hoped for [or, being confidently expected], [the] confident assurance [or, proof] of things not seen. (Analytical Literal Translation)

Answer 2

As I am sure Erlampo knows, etymology is not the same as definition. Try comparing the etymology of "dominos" to its definition. Usage determines meaning. I think your suggestion to look up the word in a dictionary is fine but when trying to define such an amorphous word as "religion" one should seek its definition from various dictionaries and religious encyclopedias. If you will do so you will find that most authorities include some reference to the transcendent in their definitions. This is what separates religion from philosophy and self-help. Since not all of the concepts of the transcendent can be reconciled it follows (unless one is hopelessly postmodern) that at least some religions are not true. As an example, pantheism and monotheism can not both be true. One must therefore be false.

Answer 3

Brushing your teeth with 100 grit sandpaper would be wrong as in dangerous.

The God of the Bible outlined the one way of worship acceptable to Him and what is detestable to Him. He pointed out there would be people coming from under rocks claiming to speak for God and misleading many.

When you find a liar, you don't keep quiet about it. On the news, they report theives who use scams to steal from people. Nigerian bank scams, Katrina construction scams are only two of many. A religion teaching false doctrine while claiming to be Christian, why be quiet about that?

If the Bible says God's name is Jehovah in black and white, and a religion claiming Christianity denies it; they are false. If they teach the soul is immortal and the Bible clearly states the soul dies, they are false. If a religion mixes something of pagan origin with Bible teaching, the Bible declares them false and obsene.

Being a true Christian IS a way of life. To live it as God approves we must have nothing to do with false religions.

Answer 4

Unbiblical Doctrines
The fundamental doctrines of Christendom are based not on the Bible but on ancient myths—those of Greece, Egypt, Babylon, and others. Teachings such as the inherent immortality of the human soul, eternal torment in hellfire, purgatory, and the Trinity (three persons in one Godhead) are not found in the Bible.

For example, consider the teaching that bad people will be tortured forever in a fiery hell. How do you feel about this idea? Many find it repugnant. They find it unreasonable that God would forever torture humans, keeping them in excruciating pain. Such a fiendish idea is contrary to the God of the Bible, for "God is love." (1 John 4:8) The Bible is clear that such a teaching 'had not come into the heart' of Almighty God.—Jeremiah 7:31; 19:5; 32:35.

I'm getting this information right here; http://www.watchtower.org/library/pr/article_04.htm

Please click on the link and enjoy what the Bible really teaches!

Answer 5

Well, it could be a false teeth your brushing on. And no matter what it is still is a false teeth.

Answer 6

Religion does NOT mean "way of life." The etymology is as follows:
[Middle English religioun, from Old French religion, from Latin religiō, religiōn-, perhaps from religāre, to tie fast.
In other words, it refers to bonds or shackles. Religion means enslavement.