Non-denominational Christians, I don't understand?

Question

You say you are not a religion, but you have:

1. A sacred text
2. Ritual (Wedding and Baptism, and death ceramonies, hymns (Lord I Lift Your Name on High" counts!) Communion, etc
3. Religious holidays such as Easter, Christmas, etc.
4. Male, usually full time leaders/authority figures
5. Large #'s of followers
6. Attempts to petition supernatural spirits (in this case Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit) on your behalf.


Your church fulfills all requirements to be a religion. Don't you see?
This is not an attempt to discredit you, or your spirituality.
I just want to set the record straight. Non-denominational churches are just another sect of Christianity. If you really had no religion, you would worship in private.

The rituals you protest against in other churches are just replaced by new ones of your own.

Meeting every Sunday in itself is a ritual. Prayer is a ritual.

How can you say your church is not a religion? And why is this something followers of your church brag about?

Answer 1

I don't think non-denoms believe that they are not a religion. At least I've never heard anyone say that.

Answer 2

Being a non-denominational Minister, My concept of my faith is universal. The word Catholic means Universal but the Catholic church does consider it's self the correct sect of religion to follow. This differs with Protestant churches because they are a sect of religion with many denominations. Catholicism does not seem Universal to me. Universal to me is the freedom to choose from all religions for study and worship. I do not hold to one sect of religion yet I follow and teach the words of Jesus. I find meaning in the sacred scriptures of Islam, Buddhism, and Hindi Religion. In the church I belong to which is called, The Sanctuary of the Beloved, we honor all paths to God and can choose our own practice. I personally have dedicated my Life to Jesus the Christ, but I also enjoy reading and studying other religions and cults. We don't get hung up on the word New Age. That term was meant to denote the Age of enlightenment, not all the catch all back yard darkness and Pagan verity, but I have and will study them. I think you misunderstand the term Non-denominational.
It is not a religion. Only a designation that the church may not be sectarian so we may not have a denomination. The Religion or the Spirituality is a choice and not confined to one of the verity. One Priest may decide to teach Reiki Healing where another may teach about crystal healing. Many sects of Christianity teach against such New Age practices, but they are old practices from the past and not of a New age at all. Another term for Non-denominational is Interfaith. So if someone says they are non-denominational, then you must ask what religion do you fallow. Some like myself will say, basically Christianity and Spirituality many facited.
Rev. TomCat

Answer 3

You are describing the actions of a denominational church. Church was started by groups of christians getting together to escape persecution and tell about the good news and encourage one another. Obviously the church has changed alot since then. But the most important thing about christianity is the relationship between me and Christ. Everything else is only there to strengthen my walk or encourage me. I could still be a christian without following any of the things you mentioned above. That is what makes christianity different.

Answer 4

Good Point!
Sorry that i don't have an answer for you, but i am starring the question. I was just curious! Would an Ecumenical church be considered the same thing? They do meet on regular basis, but make references to every text and offer thoughts and opinions on the circumstances of the world today. They also have symbols to acknowledge each and every known religion and have a wonderful library with books about everything from the Egyptian Book of the Dead, to Modern Day Witchcraft.....Just kinda wondered what your thoughts were on this?

Blessed Be

Answer 5

But mine aren't always the SAME as yours

Our text maybe similar (I like KJV not NIV)

If I stick my whosegow into her thingamabob, WE ARE MARRIED no ritual other than THAT is required

Especially if we make baby

Baptism, I've never found John

Maybe one day I will

but My MOTHER had me dipped in water as an infant.

I have different days of the week for SABBATH

AND I TRY not to WORK on those days if I can!

I pray where and when I want to, not in some building.

So, basically, I am more free-form than you. You are a subscriber to SOME HUMANS concept of how it should be, you have NOT come to the conclusion on your own.

You are a SHEEP

You follow the tail in front of you

I follow Jesus and HE WENT TO THE DESERTS AND MOUNTAINS to seek his religion, not some BULIDING

And when he DID go to the building he TURNED OVER TABLES and DROVE OUT the whosegows!

Answer 6

Non-denominational does not mean 'non-religious.'

A non-denominational church is simply a local assembly of people who agree to some common code (call it a religion, that's ok) but they are not part of a larget organization of dozens, hundreds or even thousands of siimlar churches. No heirarchy, overseers, etc.

It's kind of like a college football team that's not part of the Big-10, PAc-10, or any other athletic conference. They still play by the same rules (we hope) and can even get along with other teams. Can even play in Bowl games.

Answer 7

Non-denominational churches are autonomous. They do not unite in structured organization to promote an agenda or to enhance solution of physical concerns. The Bible is accepted as the only authority for the church to follow and all matters are held up to the light of God's word to eliminate the practice of preaching man-made doctrine.
The church consists of those who have been saved by Christ, whether of that particular body of believers or of another congregation. Notice in the Bible references to the church at Ephesus, the church at Corinth, the church at Smyrna, etc. All are the church, both separate and united. The structure of the congregation is intended to follow the teachings and examples of the original churches founded by the apostles (the disciples who were eye-witnesses of Christ).
My own studies led me through the Restoration Movement of the early developmental years in the U.S. This movement was an effort to filter man-made doctrine from that which is easily determined by Bible reference as truth. Non-denominational churches are neither Catholic nor Protestant.
The largest number of these in my country call themselves the Church of Christ or the Christian Church. Be aware that there is also a denomination called the Church of Christ. One of the basic formulas used by the church is "where the Bible speaks, we speak; where the Bible is silent, we are silent."
There are no several interpretations of scripture. You either interpret or misinterpret. The children of God have entered into a special relationship with Him.

Answer 8

I go to a nondenominational church. Of course Christianity is a religion. We are a bible teaching church. That's about it. All the other stuff you're listing, I'm puzzled about. we don't go around criticizing anyone. We just love Jesus, and want to learn the word of God.

Answer 9

non denominational churches are a religion. they just have different beliefs than the other branches of Christianity (Presbyterian, Methodists, Lutherans etc) . the founder of the non denominational church didn't agree with all of the other standards the other churches had. (for example the Methodists believe in woman pastors.)

Answer 10

re·li·gion /rɪˈlɪdʒən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ri-lij-uhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
no, non denoms are not really a sect, they are just Bible based Christians, not pentecostal, baptist, methodist, catholic, but strictly Bible based.....also, we meet on saturdays too and you don't have to pray if you don't want to. also, I don't like the "religion" term it's more about where your heart and soul are.... good observation though, very thought provoking!

Answer 11

I have never heard anyone say that non-denom is not a religion. It simply isn't of the major denominations. We are still Christians, just not specifically baptists, presbyterians, methodists, etc. Where did you hear that we're not a religion? You're right, it's just another branch of Christianity.