An alleged Christian contributor to this forum stated in one answer that:-
"Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship with our Savior."
What are we to make of that statement?
2007-09-03 04:13:08 · 23 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Its a religion . If something looks like a duck, quacks like a duck,and walks like a duck, then chances are its a duck.
2007-09-03 04:21:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 2⤋
I can see the standpoint of those who want to put a divide between the essence of Christianity, and its practice as a religion.
Christianity could work as a religion even if it's core doctrines were not objectively true.
Belief, habit, ritual, community, power structures...
All serve to make a religion work, and Christianity isn't an exception in this regard.
(Humanist observers will maintain this is *all* that is going on, however powerful and self-sustaining it may be)
Even those who insist that true Christianity is a personal relationship with a living (though more than human) individual
generally acknowledge that many who call themselves Christians are in fact following a religion, and have not understood or experienced the full sense of Christianity that they hold to.
Which leaves the last point: are those who claim to have encountered Jesus, and to have a personal relationship with him correct, or have they mistaken their religious experience?
On that there remains a massive divide, though naturally those who are convinced are convinced.
I remain sceptical on a least a couple of grounds:
I've had utterly convincing subjective experiences which proved to be utterly misleading.
And those who claim to have been given the one Holy Spirit are nothing like immune from fundamental division, one from another.
(Witness the appointment of the American bishop in Uganda today, and the rhetoric on both sides of that chasm)
(And from these very responses , the reply:
"God is a genius in that He only wants a few people out of this world. "
I wonder how many people, who would say they know Jesus, would agree?)
Ex-Christian Atheist... And don't anyone try to tell me I wasn't a Christian.
2007-09-03 13:27:13 · answer #2 · answered by Pedestal 42 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A Christian is a follower of Jesus Christ, it can also be a religion for those who don't follow the teachings of an organized group! My organized religion is Baptist! Anyone who believes and follows Christ is a Christian, therefore has religion.... organized religion is broken down into groups:
7th Day Adventists
Protestants
Catholics
Baptists
Lutheran
Brethren
Mennonite
Pentecostal
Jehovah's Witness
These are NOT part of Christian religion, but are considered organized religions:
Wiccan (dealing in witchcraft)
Pagan
Satan worshipping (demonology)
Buddhism
Muslim
Kebbalah
and there could be some others that I am unaware of!
2007-09-03 16:39:23 · answer #3 · answered by Linda M 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are an Invisible Spirit (look just like your Body)
You have a Soul
You Live in a Body
Being a Child of GOD ( or what you call Christianity) takes Place when You (a Spirit) gets Recreated (Born-Again).
This happens in the Spiritual Realm only---the Soul and Body do not get Recreated when you get Saved.
Religion happens in the Soul and Body. Religion has nothing to do with getting your Spirit (the Real You) Saved (Recreated).
Religion cannot Recreate your Spirit in the Spiritual Realm.
2007-09-03 14:22:21 · answer #4 · answered by maguyver727 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It's the kind of thing that many religions say. If you go to study Christianity as university, you will find it under the Arts in the section called religion.
2007-09-03 11:21:22 · answer #5 · answered by Therapon 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I don't even understand what that means. That is like saying water isn't a liquid, it is a collection of atoms of the same element above the freezing temperature and below the evaporation temperature.
But seriously, simply believing that God is real or that Jesus is his son does not make your a follower of a religion. but there is more to Christianity than that. Ask these people if they ever go t church, celebrate holidays or perform any rituals.
2007-09-03 11:24:27 · answer #6 · answered by Don't Fear the Reaper 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Christianity is in general all of those who worship Jesus Christ. They are all in that group whether they agree with each other or not.
A christian relationship? Why do we christians bash ourselves and each other by saying my relationship with Christ is better than yours?
[i rolled on floor an laughed out loud quite a bit]
2007-09-04 06:09:28 · answer #7 · answered by TfourL 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christians are religiously obedient to the virtues, practises and teachings (Christianity) of the character Jesus Christ from a story book, the bible.
The stories are the savoir of the book and not any one character the savoir of us!
Harry Potter also has a significant religious following (as does football), but not our saviour! I don’t think so! Our saving is in our own hands and not in any one book!
Jesus Christ, Harry Potter and football are all examples of religions along with thousands of others!
Sorry folks but it’s my opinion.
2007-09-03 14:30:18 · answer #8 · answered by M-Squared 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Christianity Is a Reality
Not a Religion
Because We Serve the Living God
Religions are created by people. Christianity was created by God through Christ. Therefore, Christianity is a reality.because our God is a reality.
2007-09-03 11:26:35 · answer #9 · answered by David G 6 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Some Christians believe it's not a religion for the simple fact that Jesus taught us to love and obey God. He did not come to bind us down with rules and laws.
2007-09-03 11:31:02 · answer #10 · answered by Bad Boy 300 3 · 5⤊ 2⤋
Its a fact. you don't have a religion with your wife or husband do you? No you have a relationship. So the same goes for God through His Son Jesus, He longs for a relationship with us. A friendship. The amazing thing is you can have that same friendship with Him too.
2007-09-03 11:24:17 · answer #11 · answered by Smart_Guy 4 · 3⤊ 2⤋