Christians: in your opinion, what does it take for a spiritual practice to be considered a "real" religion?

Question

For example, I know that some Christians concede that Hinuism, Islam and Judaism are "real" religions, even though they don't consider them to be the path to heaven, but still do not even consider that either WIcca or paganism are real religions.

If so for you, why?

Answer 1

In the United States the religion of Wicca is federally recognized and should be protected by the letter of the law. Ha ah ha ha ha. Every marginalized group must fight for it's right to exist and breath it's own air, this has not changed since the days of Sumer and Akkad when the Women were priestesses of Nannar/Sin the god of the Moon. All things ebb and flow, this is the way. The days of the celibate Father who creates without the messy chaos of the dark feminine are numbered but be nice to the knee-jerk reactionary right wing professed Christians anyway, love your enemies a great teacher and Sun king once told me. keep asking lady!

Answer 2

I'm not Christian. I'm Wiccan. But I thought I'd throw my 2 cents
in anyway. The Supreme Court has not come to any
definitive agreement as to what constitutes " religion ". It has
mostly been decided on an individual basis , in state and
district courts. Pretty much unanimously, and for First
Amendment purposes, Wicca is considered a religion.
Although alot of Christians would disagree. I do find it
interesting when reading all the definitions of our religion by
Christians, that it's obvious that most have not read or
researched Paganism. Most of these opinions appear to
be just bits and pieces of what they have heard from other
un-informed people. One thing that I try to do when discussing a subject is to either speak of what I've read or
researched or , in the event that I DON'T know about a
subject, I will concede that I don't know much about it. So
forming an opinion about a subject of which we know nothing,
is like a woman explaining what it's like to be a man, or
visa versa.
Zvoruna

Answer 3

I think for Christians, it's the old "You can have any color you want, as long as it's Christian." Maybe in a spirit of political correctness they'll condescend not to mention that members of other religions are going to hell, but that IS the theory. There's only one religion, which is Christianity - that is to say, the particular brand of Christianity to which the particular person making the statement happens to belong.

But that's not really what you mean. Why are wicca and "paganism" not considered to be "religions" at all? Mainly, I think, because they're historically newer (although based on the old nature religions). Few Christians would consider Scientology to be a real religion either.

Answer 4

The two qualifying aspects of ANY religion as a "real" religion are (1) a sincere faith in that particular religion's deity(ies), and (2) the active worship of said deity(ies). Since there are people who actually believe in the pantheons associated with Wicca and the various pagan pantheons, all of these qualify as "real" religions: worship is happening.

"Worship" is often misunderstood as a group activity only. In reality, "worship" is a particular lifestyle based on one's individual understanding/belief in God/gods. It is the submission of the self to the standard(s) set by the deity.

The only time a religion would not be considered "real" would be in the case of a made-up religion, like something made up for a movie's plot. Conan the Barbarian prays to Crom, for example, but since both characters are fictional, that particular religion is not "real".

--Christian

Answer 5

Religion is generally defined as a belief in a deity and practice of worship, action, and/or thought related to that deity. Loosely, it can also mean any specific system of code of ethics, values, and belief.

I'm not sure what you meant by "real" religion. If you were asking when a spiritual practice can be defined a religion, it would be when it fits the definition above.

If you were asking when a spiritual practice becomes a way to God, then there is only one way. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6)."

I hope this helps.

Answer 6

A religion is just a cult that got uppity. This applies to Christianity as much as any other religion. Lots of worshippers and around for a long time? Religion. Handful of believers and only around for the last ten years? Cult. That's the entire difference.

Answer 7

The difference between a religion and a cult is mostly just staying power. And paganism isn't really a "religion" or a path...there needs to be some sort of unity in terms of belief and paganism is just too general a term.

Answer 8

existence is lots a attitude of starting to be, bodily, to a factor and persevering with on interior, emotionally, intellectually with greater preparation and spiritually. each and every answer seems to hold greater question. existence is unquestionably one of those entertainment because of the fact of ever looking new preparation and new insights. some attempt to freeze it and say it is technological information or it is faith, a physique of info. the 1st element my chemistry instructor mentioned is that technological information is a attitude of searching for actuality and ideas for doing that. "seek for and you shall discover", "understand the actuality and the actuality will set you loose." understand would nicely be seen contemporary modern-day as in save on understanding the actuality. In each and every journey, see the actuality and how it pertains to you, what you're doing and is it what you choose to be doing. existence seems to be in the approach. Fundamentalism in faith and technological information seems to be freeze. What the police inform you whilst they arrest you. some might arrest us. Even fundamentalist atheist might say have self assurance the way we do. do not seem into the perplexing, i'm happy have been i'm. delight is critical. greater important than progression for the guy for a time, yet i'm to not happy with that concept for society as an entire inevitably. enable definitely everyone pass on the p.c.. they require today, yet staying in a single place can get incredibly uncomfortable after a jointly as additionally. all of us could pass quicker or later. i won't be able to stay in a single church and hear one or 2 preachers' perspectives perpetually. What experience can that make? Jesus despatched his disciples out into all the international like a verify sends a toddler out into existence, yet once you're delicate at abode, hi, do what you like. which could be in basic terms the element for you, your base, yet to make no progression everywhere you're, nicely, i won't be able to stand that. Judaism replaced right into a nurturing place for faith. i think it is all meant to improve to overhaul the full earth as spirituality is doing now, even technological information is analyzing it. In Joel he mentioned, "i visit pour out my spirit on all flesh." In some techniques a 31 advert view of the international is irrelevant because of the fact the international turns.

Answer 9

Yes, I'd love to know this too, Christians. Some of you seem to think you have the right to define terms for the rest of us, like when you tell us our deities are all really "Satan."

--Wiccan

Answer 10

Religions are like noses.........

Its the relationship that matters with the One that matters.