For Christians that consider themselve non-religious?

Question

This question is completely serious- I really have always been curious:
What makes you feel your "walk with Jesus" is not religious?

You read the same book as other Christians.

Your church has a male leader: Jesus

You follow pretty much the same rules as each other

Most of you go to church

These are all qualifications for religion. If you call yourself a Christian how can you say you are not part of the Christian religion? Obviously people go about their practice differently, but do you see what I mean? Honestly it sounds to outsider like you just consider your path better than other Christians.

Is there a real reason for these claims?

Don't tell you how to define what you believe? Religion is a word that has a definition in anthropology. Don't use words that have definitions if you are uncomfortable with negative responses about your incorrect use of said words.

Ok CJ you should realize that language only works when definitions are agreed upon. That word already has an official definition, so if you use it, that definition will come to people's minds.

Answer 1

well .. i consider christians of every religeon my brothers and sisters and reject dwelling on the things that seperate them into groups of varying doctrines ... you can still call me religeous if u like ...

Answer 2

Well, I think this is one of those matters of definitions getting skewed. I'm one who says this, so I'll try to explain my reasons.

In my mind, the word religious has come to mean people that mindlessly go about a series of rituals. For example, I had some co-workers who were fasting junk food for Lent. I didn't grow up in a church that did that, so I asked them why they did it. They couldn't answer the question. To me, those people were religious. They were just going through the motions, not understanding why, maybe trying to reserve themselves a seat in heaven thru a formula. Most churches thru out history have hit a point of being ritualistic, or religious in this way.

The difference for a follower of Christ is that there are no rituals per say. Yes, we go to church, but the main part of life is to simply listen to the Holy Spirit during the day and follow His leading. That tends to make for a very interesting and varied life, full of risk and adventure.

If you ask me what religion I am, I'd say Christian, but if you ask me if I'm religious, I'd say no. I hope this kind of makes sense. As I said, it's just a matter of what perceptions are raised by the word in the minds of those I'm talking to.

Answer 3

I am a Christian and tend to view religion negatively. You see when I read the Bible I see numerous examples of God being displeased with man's religion. By religion I mean any acts that are supposed to make us acceptable in some deity's eyes.
The first religious act in the Bible is Adam and Eve's attempts to cover up with fig leaves. God rejected that. Then Cain offered a 'religious' sacrifice according to his own common sense, which God also rejected. While Moses was talking to God on Mt. Sinai, the 'religious' people decided to honor God with a golden calf, you remember the results. When Jesus came he was especially mad at the religionists. Religion, or our 'good' acts are often used by people as an excuse not to face the sin issue in our lives. The 'religious' pharisee pointed to the tax collector and boasted before God thanking Him he's not like that man, but received no justification. Whereas the tax collector who knew he wasn't worthy of anything begged for forgiveness and has received it. I see Christianity not as a religion, but primarily as a relationship with God through Christ. If you have dealt with sin, repented of it and received Christ into your heart and made him your lord, you don't need a religion. But if you haven't done so, no religion will help you.

Blessings,

jack

Answer 4

I've seen a LOT of Sunday Christians and lackluster pagans and atheists that don't question everything. Answer: No and yes, depending on the person. I am VERY religious and spiritual. More so than a lot of Christians I know. I view it as religion is the basic beliefs and rituals. Spirituality is the Faith part and the desire to work the religion. Some get caught up in "legalistics" - others by "feeling the spirit" and shutting off their minds. I think that goes by a case-by-case evaluation.

Answer 5

It is a line I draw in the sand to distinguish my very personal spirituality from the human-organization-based "religion" that many seem to follow. Chrisitianity as an organized religion seems particularly drawn to dogma, which I find objectionable.

I guess when I say I am not religious, what I really mean is that I don't entirely buy in on any established school of theology. My beliefs are very simple. No train of tortured logic will be leading me to attack science education, kill for Chist, etc.

Answer 6

I Walk with Jesus in REALITY, not Religion.

Look here:
you are a spirit--you have a soul--you live in a body

Religion takes place in the Soul has nothing to do with the Spiritual Realm.
Religion can make you FEEL good and make you Think that your o.k. (going to Heaven).
Religion can not Recreate your spirit (Save you)

When you get your Spirit Recreated (Saved, by Asking Jesus to Save you), YOU (a Spirit) gets Translated into the Kingdom of GOD (The Parallel Invisible Spiritual Universe that Co-Exists with Our Visible Universe) and your Mind is Opened Up to Understanding and Believing Spiritual Things that are IN THAT UNIVERSE (Kingdom of GOD).
That is Called REALITY.
Not religion.

Answer 7

Religion in general tells people what they must DO to please God. Faith in Jesus tells us what God has DONE for us to make it possible to have a RELATIONSHIP with God through Jesus' sacrifice on the cross for our sins.
Why do people PERFORM their religious activities? Is it because they KNOW their sins are forgiven and they have a relationship with God that will never end...or are they told by their religious leaders that they have to keep PERFORMING? This is the SLAVERY of religion to tell people that they need to perform endlessly.

Jesus came to set us FREE from the performance burden that will never save us anyway. All we have to do is ACCEPT Jesus as our Savior and Lord, repent of our sins and then can ENJOY a relationship with Him day by day.

Why do born again Christians go to church? To worship God together and praise him for the wonderful work He has done in their lives, and to encourage one another and share the love God has put in their hearts for one another.

Answer 8

How many modern day churches teach that they must pick up their cross and follow Christ?

The churches of today, are worldly, and apostate.

That doesn't make me better, or more smart, it just means God has given me the Holy Spirit byway of rebirth unto Him.

Come out of her my people, is what He calls to His bride, that you be not partaker of her sins.

Answer 9

Then your daily life is a "religion", since you follow routines and go about them.

Answer 10

this question is for sectarian,where as i am just individual human being,same as billions r on this planet,no difference at all.