Why do Christians hate the word, Religion?

Question

The Websters dictionary defines religion as, "1b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance; 4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith."

I don't know any Christians who say that they aren't religious and don't practice what the word "Religion" stands for.

I think most Christians don't understand the word "Religion."

By the definition of the word, all Christians are "religious." Maybe their form of religion isn't the same as others, but they're religious none the less.

From a non-religious or secular view point, anybody who acknowledges a deity and orders their lifestyle by that belief is a religious person.

Don't you agree? How about it fellow Christian? Can you admit that you're religious no matter how much you want to avoid the "sterotypes"?

Answer 1

Hmm. You and I must travel in different circles. I never met a Christian who had any particular problem with admitting he was "religious."

Aside from being a bit pompous when applied to yourself, it describes a person who engages in religious worship/activities.

Answer 2

Why would Christians, or anyone for that matter, care about the labels that you try to put upon them?

If it makes you feel better, call then what you want. I doubt that they are going to change the way that they think, feel, or believe just because you decided to define what they do into a certain category.

Protestant Evangelicals usually hate the term "religion" because it suggests mindless, joyless ritual. Protestants tend to be more spontaneous in their worship, and they tend to view thier interaction with God as more "personal" than just an imposed ritual.

Answer 3

I'm religious in many people's eyes. I'd rather be religious in God's eyes -

James 1:27 (New International Version)

27Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Many people miss what we're trying to say when we say we're not religious! We are talking about something deeper - a real relationship that we have with the Living God and the Lord Jesus. "Religion" is usually used in a generalized sense and many people can be religious without ever having the personal experience so we don't like to use that phrase. All people are religious even atheists. They worship the god of themselves.

Answer 4

Oh I fully understand the word religion. But then I will say it is a relationship. As for me it is one, that is between me and God.
Honestly, after yesterdays sermon at church, I can see what you are trying to get at. It is the Christianeze that has confused others.
It is like me saying " Yesterday at church, with the fellowship of the Body of Christ. The spirit of the Lord rained down on us, filling us with the living water."
What word picture did most of you get??
Now I will turn that sentence around...
"At church yesterday, it was an encouragement to be there. As I had alot of good times with my friends. And the Lord blessed the whole time spent together. "
Which is more open, honest and barrier free? Christians, if they want to be able to help the world. Need to see the world as something not out to get us. But a place that might like to have the encouragement and compassion we have to offer.

Answer 5

I don't know that I'd agree that Christians hate the word religion but i think that the word religion, as it it generally used today, is such a broad term that applies to so many religions (i know, i'm not supposed to use the word in the definition). I think that Christians perfer to speak of salvation because that is a more specific term refering to the plan of salvation that God has set up for us through the death, burial, and resurection of Jesus Christ.

Answer 6

Our society has a way of taking innocent words & turning them into something different. Consider the word "gay." What do YOU think of when I say it? You think of a homosexual person. The dictionary has even recently added that definition for that word but that's NOT what it originally meant. This is what it USED TO mean:
gay /geɪ/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[gey] Pronunciation Key -
adjective, -er, -est, noun, adverb
–adjective 1. having or showing a merry, lively mood: gay spirits; gay music.
2. bright or showy: gay colors; gay ornaments.
3. given to or abounding in social or other pleasures: a gay social season.
4. licentious; dissipated; wanton: The baron is a gay old rogue with an eye for the ladies.
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My point being that words change. The definition of words change. The word "religion" has become a dirty word because it signifies that one is tied to a particular organization rather than God. i.e. someone is Catholic or Jewish or Muslim. We can get so caught up in the practice of "religion" that we lose sight of the meaning of the word. The truth is that if we are born again children of God we are all one "religion" & that is saved and yes, we are religious.

Answer 7

in spite of the way it makes you sense, in case you persist with a spectacular being (and an invisible one at that) you're following a faith. no count number what proportion cases you're saying you "have a dating!" and which you're no longer religious or have a faith all people else knows you're a non secular guy or woman who's much greater divorced from actuality that different religious human beings. Why do you sense this style? i could say that's cos some fundies available are so reason on spreading the lie that atheism is a faith you do no longer choose something to do with regardless of you think of atheism is approximately ... and easily to assist you to be attentive to - in a nutshell an atheist is somebody who would not have confidence in gods of any breed. concern and lack of awareness are useful weapons interior the palms of clever conmen. you're being scammed. "a faith is a set of straightforward ideals and practices oftentimes held by ability of a team of individuals, frequently codified as prayer, ritual, and spiritual regulation. faith additionally encompasses ancestral or cultural traditions, writings, historic past, and mythology, to boot as very own faith and mystic adventure. The term "faith" refers to the two the indoors maximum practices on the subject count number of communal faith and to team rituals and communique stemming from shared conviction." take care of the reality. ~

Answer 8

I don't know any Christians who hate the word religion...

A religion can be anything (pagan, Buddhist, JW).
Christianity means you have been saved by Jesus and are living with God in your heart. Yes, I am religious and I practice my 'religion' (in fact I'm one of those fundies you've been warned about!) but more importantly I am a Christian--there is a difference.

Answer 9

It's only a minority of Christians who hate the word "religion", namely, Protestants, and mainly evangelical Protestants. Catholics have no problem with the word. It's a simple word with a clear, obvious meaning. I suspect that Protestants who are very adamantly opposed to the word are just trying to differentiate themselves. It's a way of trying to say that their particular brand of religion is especially pure, or something.

Answer 10

I AM A RELIGIOUS PERSON!!!

do u care? Nope...But I like 2 be called Christian cuz its defines what kind of religious person I am. I do understand and when i am asked I say my religion is Pentecostal. Happy?

Now, God Bless You.

Answer 11

I don't know what kind of Christians you run with but all the Christians I know, including myself, have no problem admitting they are religious.