do you think that Christianity is a religion?

Question

people say it is not and that it is a relationship with Christ.

Answer 1

It really depends on the individual Christian. I have met many "Christians" who think they are such because they go to mass or church every Sunday. Then there are those I meet who have a walking, talking, daily relationship with their Lord and Savior.

So it depends on who you are talking to, really. The contrast can be seen clearly by these two statements by Jesus in the gospels...

Religion:
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven." - Matthew 7:21

Relationship:
And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. - John 10:4

Answer 2

It depends. I consider it a relationship with Christ. But the overall belief that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah is a religion. Christianity is personal though, and everyone has a relationship with God, whether they acknowledge that or not. It is your individual relationship with Christ that people refer to when they say that it is a relationship.

Answer 3

It depends. Some people go to church, and act all good and such, but when it comes down to it, Christianity is their religion. To people who actually accept Christ in their heart and strive to be better, it is a relationship to be lived, not a religion to be practiced.

Answer 4

I believe that it is a relationship with Christ.

Religion comes with a set of rules and regulations. I do what the bible says because i love Jesus, and what to what he wants me to do becuase he deserves my attention. Rules you have to follow; you dont nessesarily have a choice.

Answer 5

Christianity means little christ's. so call it what you will, it is a way of life to me, I am a born again Christian, being born again Spiritually means I have a personal relationship with Jesus in my Heart. His Holy Spirit lives with me in my soul and spirit and guides me thru this maze we live in, I am still a sinner but the stains have been washed away. Jesus died on a cross for you and me, beaten and tortured, a Perfect man, Sacrificied so that me and you might live. Jesus paid it all. He now calls upon all men and women to repent and be born again, read John 3:3 and Matt.4:17, you canbe saved right now, you can have all the wicked things you ever did washed way, just ask Jesus into your heart and make the decision for yourself whether Christianity is a religion or not. Are you willing to confess to Jesus you are a sinner? Are you willing to confess him as Lord? If you are then just pray this Prayer of faith believing in Jesus with all your heart and soul and you will be born again, just pray Dear Jesus, I know and confess that I am sinner in need of salvation. I believe you died on a cross at calvery and arose from the grave to wash away my sins, I ask you right now to come into my heart and save me, I pray this Prayer believing in the name of Jesus Amen. If you prayed this prayer with a sincere heart you are now a child of God, rejoice that your name is written in the Lambs book of Life. Jesus will now send his Holy Spirit to come and live in your heart and guide you into all truth. If you made a decision for Christ or have any questions, Please send me an email, God Bless YOU!!

Answer 6

I think what people who say this about Christanity are trying to do is separate Christanity from other religions. Christanity should rightly be separate from other religions, but it is a religion. IT IS THE PURE AND TRUE RELIGION.
To have a pure religion one must believe that God is real and true and he wants us to choose him as our God. In doing this we must separate ourselves from other religions. Thus, people would say it is not a religion, but a relationship.
Hope this helps.

Answer 7

I still say it is a religion, and a relationship.

Edit:
Response to Shiny:

Most modern day Christians do believe in a miraculous birth. Of course there are some that do not, but I am sure that there are some Muslims that do not believe it either.

Next, Jesus did in fact proclaim His divinity.
“Again the high priest asked him, "Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?" "I am," said Jesus. "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven." The high priest tore his clothes. "Why do we need any more witnesses?" he asked. "You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?" “Mark 14: 61-64

In this verse, Jesus answered I am, the people of His day obviously took this as Him declaring himself God, as they crucified Him for blasphemy.

As for your next section, I don’t want to sound rude, but I wonder if you have ever actually read the Bible. Most of your verses are taken out of context, which makes me think, and this is just my opinion, that you received those verses from someone else and did not look at them in context yourself.

John 10:29 does in fact say that the Father is greater than all. Verse 30, however, states that Jesus and the Father are one, thereby meaning that the Father is not greater than Jesus.

The full verse of Matthew 12:28 reads: “But if I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.” Meaning that He was driving them out by His own name, which is God.

Again, with Luke 11:20, the full verse reads: “But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come to you.” Stating that Jesus was God.

As for your next section, I agree that Jesus said that but fail to see how that causes a split between the two religions. Please explain more, as I am willing to learn if we are interpreting differently.

Yet again, we come to some disagreements over the context of Bible verses. In John 14, Jesus had originally been talking about something said in the Old Testament. He was reminding His audience of that at this point, not simply saying, “I don’t think for myself.”

In John 17, Jesus did say that God the Father sent Him. This does not mean however, that He himself was not God. A few verses later, Jesus said that He was with the Father in the beginning. In the beginning, only God existed, so if Jesus existed, He must be God.

While Jesus did say that you must obey the commandments in verses 16 and 17, this is not the whole story. He was using it to show that certain people insist on having to do things to earn salvation. In verses 28 and 29, He also said this, “I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.”
In response to your next section, I simply have this to say. Verse 25 states, “David said about him: 'I saw the Lord always before me.’”

Mark 12:29 actually supports the idea of the Christian trinity. I do not know how much you, or anyone else reading this, know about the trinity. It is not the belief in three gods, but in one God composed of three parts. This idea is supported in the Bible, as we agree that God the Father is God, I have already shown where Jesus was shown to be God, and there are many verses where the Holy Spirit is referred to as God.

As for your section on God’s oneness, I feel that I have already discussed this and there is no need for further detail.

I agree that idol worship is condemned. However neither of us is saying that Jesus is an idol, and as such, even if you want to say that Jesus isn’t God, worshiping Him still would not be idol worship. I am confused as to why you included this, and further clarification would be much appreciated.
I would encourage you, and anyone else, to read the New Testament, or at least the Gospel of John. If you have any questions, or would like to tell me that I am wrong, feel free to email me at: [e-mail].

I will leave you with one final thought. There is nonreligious historical record of Jesus declaring Himself God. This means he was one of three things. Either He was a liar, which means He could not be a prophet; a lunatic, which means He could not be a prophet; or He was who He says He was, Lord. You cannot have a liar or a lunatic as a prophet, so if Jesus is prophet, he must also be Lord.

Answer 8

It is a religion. Religions are relationships with their Deity so even that is not new. People just like to feel special.
SD

Answer 9

It's both.

Answer 10

more of a mental illness.


cheers!