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Is Christianity Religion or No Religion? - 12/21/2008 8:51:06 AM
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kingdust
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I hear many Christians say that Christianity is not a religion but a relationship.
Tell me why Christianity is not a religion or why it is.
I want to hear how other people think about that.
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I am an English as Second Language person and love corrections, kind or unkind, positive or negative, with love or without love, which I am grateful of. Just GIVE!
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RE: Is Christianity Religion or No Religion? - 12/21/2008 12:13:25 PM
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TrustingGod
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Relationship. God wants a relationship with me and not simply allegiance - following His set of rules. Just like I want a relationship with my son because he chooses to love me not because he has to.
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RE: Is Christianity Religion or No Religion? - 12/21/2008 12:56:47 PM
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delete123
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Christianity is a personal relationship with God
Religion/ous can be anything.
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RE: Is Christianity Religion or No Religion? - 12/21/2008 2:25:36 PM
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ta_mosquito
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http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/religion
1 a: the state of a religious <a nun in her 20th year of religion> b (1): the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2): commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2: a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3 archaic : scrupulous conformity : conscientiousness
4: a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
I consider Christianity a religion.
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LibriVox: acoustical liberation of books in the public domain
(Avatar: Turkeys are all saying "Moo")
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RE: Is Christianity Religion or No Religion? - 12/21/2008 3:08:42 PM
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armydude
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quote:
ORIGINAL: delete123
Christianity is a personal relationship with God
Religion/ous can be anything.
I can agree with this. Christianity is about a relationship IMO.
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As much as it's possible, learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough to make them all yourself.
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RE: Is Christianity Religion or No Religion? - 12/21/2008 3:11:53 PM
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OLEEguacamole
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Christianity is the only religion based on truth and relationship with the true and living God.
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there's life in a pit.
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RE: Is Christianity Religion or No Religion? - 12/21/2008 6:58:57 PM
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cynthia
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Christianity is certainly a religion. That doesn't mean that a Christian doesn't have a relationship with the living God.
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RE: Is Christianity Religion or No Religion? - 12/21/2008 10:14:09 PM
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sunshine4God
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I consider Christianity a relationship,not so much a religion.
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Matthew 5:16.
"Let your light so shine before men that they will see
your good deeds and glorify your Lord".
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1551456458&ref=profile.I finally joined!!
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RE: Is Christianity Religion or No Religion? - 12/22/2008 2:39:16 AM
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growingseed
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Jesus was trying to tell the disciples that the outward appearence of religious acts didn't mean that the heart had changed. Religions are those that appear to have a relationship with God by outward comformities, whether they be ceremoninal, traditional, or ritual, none of these things matter when it comes to having a relationship with the father, and only through the son can this happen anyway.
To be a disciple of Jesus when applied to our lives soon in time will appear to others as if we are religious. A relationship with Jesus allows us to have a fellowship with the father before we can earn it, it's through our obedience that he will work through us and that is what others will see, and assume that we are religious.
Religion - outside - no heart change
Relationship - inside - heart change.
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RE: Is Christianity Religion or No Religion? - 12/22/2008 10:02:50 AM
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ta_mosquito
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Scripture refers to Christianity as a religion. The Apostles made no such distinction as we do today.
1 Timothy 5:4
James 1:26-27
While I agree that we're in a relationship with our Creator, I don't like the attitude that we cannot use the word "religion" for our set of beliefs, adherence to our beliefs, commitment to our faith, etc. as this IS the definition of "religion."
_____________________________
LibriVox: acoustical liberation of books in the public domain
(Avatar: Turkeys are all saying "Moo")
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RE: Is Christianity Religion or No Religion? - 12/22/2008 11:13:48 AM
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URForgiven
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We do have the perfect example of the most perfect religion...and that is Judaism. There is, nor could there ever be, a more perfect religion.
The one common denominator all religions share is the premise that by being part of that religion and adhering to its principles, you will make yourself acceptable to God. There is only one religion that is ordained by God as qualifying in that respect...and that is Judaism.
Unfortunately for man, we are simply not able to do what is required of God to make ourselves acceptable to Him. Even when we are told explicitly how and what we must do, as we are in Judaism, we find ourselves unable to do so. The problem is not with Judaism, it is the perfect religion, the problem is with man.
Religion is mans attempt to make himself acceptable to God. Christianity is God making man acceptable to Himself.
Christianity is the antithesis of religion. Christianity is not a set of rules to keep, it is not a moral code to follow...Christianity is a person...Christianity is Jesus Christ.
Christianity is God Himself coming to man in the person of Jesus Christ to do for man what man simply could not do for himself...make man perfectly acceptable to a perfect God. When we receive Christ we are transformed into a new creation in Him, and we can never be who we were again. That is a relationship of the most intimate kind. It is union of our spirit with the Spirit of God, and it is a union that will exist eternally.
Peace
_____________________________
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3
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RE: Is Christianity Religion or No Religion? - 12/22/2008 11:30:55 AM
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Eutychus
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ta_mosquito
Scripture refers to Christianity as a religion. The Apostles made no such distinction as we do today.
1 Timothy 5:4
James 1:26-27
While I agree that we're in a relationship with our Creator, I don't like the attitude that we cannot use the word "religion" for our set of beliefs, adherence to our beliefs, commitment to our faith, etc. as this IS the definition of "religion."
I get from James 1:27 that biblical religion is not like the world would describe it, either then or today.
Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
That, to me, suggests that God's definition of religion is not about rituals or activities wiyhin a church building setting, but in our relationships with people (horizontal) and with Him (vertical).
_____________________________
Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." -John 6:29
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RE: Is Christianity Religion or No Religion? - 12/22/2008 11:37:52 AM
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deborlie
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Just my thoughts and why I believe:
Christianity is a FAITH
The term religion does not fit, it makes it kin to all other religions, where Christianity is above and beyond. It has relationship that no religion offers, but it is even more than that. It takes faith to have that relationship. It is truly separate from being a religion. The term 'Religion' smacks of law of some sort.
People were not called Christians until (I think it was in Antioch). It was a later date anyway.
Help me with 1 Tim 5:4 In my Bible, it doesn't mention the term "Religion".
But with James 1:26, 27 My take on that is dealing with the times. The book was written after the resurrection but still under the influence of the law. James did not have the knowledge of the workings of Faith, to him it was a religion very much like others of the time with the exception he now deals with a resurrection, a promise, that other religions didn't have. He was applying his faith based on a Jewish perspective, not in Paul's perspective as we tend to do today.
Remember Peter saying about Paul's writings: (in 2 Pet 3:15, 16) "in which somethings are hard to understand." Even Peter couldn't get his hands around it.
Well, I've been long winded. Just expressing and sharing my thought, for whatever it is worth.
I did take a different angle and I do hope that didn't break any rules by doing so.
Blessings to all.
BJ
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RE: Is Christianity Religion or No Religion? - 12/22/2008 1:48:29 PM
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drmark
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quote:
Religion is mans attempt to make himself acceptable to God. Christianity is God making man acceptable to Himself. Well stated, URF! I've also heard that Christianity is the only religion in which God seeks and finds man, not like all the others where man is seeking to find God.
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Jeremiah 31:31-34. The time is NOW, fellow saints!
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RE: Is Christianity Religion or No Religion? - 12/22/2008 9:04:18 PM
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figmentPez
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I have some questions for those who don't believe that Christianity is a religion:
How do you define religion?
- Is this definition consistent with common usage of the word and/or the dictionary definition?
- Is your definition consistent with the way scripture uses the word religion?
How do you define relationship, what does it mean to have a relationship with God?
Is it possible to have both religion and relationship?
_____________________________
I make this challenge to all Christians:
Read Daniel 7:13-14
And tell me: Who do you say that the Son of Man is?
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RE: Is Christianity Religion or No Religion? - 12/22/2008 9:08:22 PM
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figmentPez
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quote:
ORIGINAL: URForgiven
Christianity is the antithesis of religion. Christianity is not a set of rules to keep, it is not a moral code to follow...Christianity is a person...Christianity is Jesus Christ.
If there are no rules to keep, then what is your response to these verses?
James 1:25
But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
John 14:21
"He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him."
1 John 2:3-4
By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
If it is all about Jesus Christ, but not rules, then why does scripture, at least in part, define knowing Jesus Christ by keeping what He has commanded us to do?
_____________________________
I make this challenge to all Christians:
Read Daniel 7:13-14
And tell me: Who do you say that the Son of Man is?
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RE: Is Christianity Religion or No Religion? - 12/22/2008 11:34:01 PM
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URForgiven
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quote:
ORIGINAL: figmentPez
quote:
ORIGINAL: URForgiven
Christianity is the antithesis of religion. Christianity is not a set of rules to keep, it is not a moral code to follow...Christianity is a person...Christianity is Jesus Christ.
If there are no rules to keep, then what is your response to these verses?
James 1:25
But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
John 14:21
"He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him."
1 John 2:3-4
By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, "I have come to know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
If it is all about Jesus Christ, but not rules, then why does scripture, at least in part, define knowing Jesus Christ by keeping what He has commanded us to do?
Take Christ out of Christianity and you will have religion, as you have beautifully pointed out.
Peace
< Message edited by URForgiven -- 12/23/2008 12:03:32 AM >
_____________________________
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3
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RE: Is Christianity Religion or No Religion? - 12/23/2008 12:40:24 AM
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LCannon
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If one defines 'religion' as a system of belief then any 'religion' is only as good as the practitioners. If one defines a 'relationship' to any person, teachings and obedience I need to see the fruit of a changed and changing life experience. Jesus claimed he was(is)the Son of the Eternal God, Jehovah, and proved he was(is)by his obedience, service and Resurrection. The difference between the two are more semantics then substance; the crucial factor is the person, his teachings and(prefect)obedience that I would(should)emulate them in sacrifice and Victory.
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'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' (Joshua 1:5)
''Let the very worst thing come to pass[and]even there,
especially there; His hand will hold.' -Elisabeth Elliot-
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RE: Is Christianity Religion or No Religion? - 12/24/2008 1:12:06 AM
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OLEEguacamole
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quote:
ORIGINAL: deborlie
Just my thoughts and why I believe:
Christianity is a FAITH
The term religion does not fit, it makes it kin to all other religions, where Christianity is above and beyond. It has relationship that no religion offers, but it is even more than that. It takes faith to have that relationship. It is truly separate from being a religion. The term 'Religion' smacks of law of some sort.
the term faith can also relate to other religions. one can have faith in the wrong god, or faith that there is no God.
the word religion more closely means regular or ceremonial worship. there are many religions, many things and personas to put faith in.
the word "religion" has meaning to others that are in a faith or religion and we see that even the bible speaks of God in the context of other beliefs and says things like, "God above all gods". it makes sense and makes a point to those that practise or have knowledge of other gods. this language is used even though there are no actual real deities.
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there's life in a pit.
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RE: Is Christianity Religion or No Religion? - 12/24/2008 1:19:45 AM
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OLEEguacamole
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quote:
ORIGINAL: ta_mosquito
I think a lot of Christians think "religion" is an ugly word (as evidenced by these posts, also), so there's got to be an alternative for Christianity. Personally, I think saying, "It's not a religion; it's a relationship" is another Christianese catch-phrase that makes the non-Christians roll their eyes.
IMHO, of course. 
i think that it is also confusing to unbelievers. it doesn't really have a "God above all gods" flavor, elevating God, it sounds more like, "our belief system is superior to yours." the message we want to convey is that "the true and living God is available, to you."
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there's life in a pit.
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RE: Is Christianity Religion or No Religion? - 12/24/2008 9:54:06 AM
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URForgiven
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quote:
ORIGINAL: OLEEguacamole
quote:
ORIGINAL: ta_mosquito
I think a lot of Christians think "religion" is an ugly word (as evidenced by these posts, also), so there's got to be an alternative for Christianity. Personally, I think saying, "It's not a religion; it's a relationship" is another Christianese catch-phrase that makes the non-Christians roll their eyes.
IMHO, of course.
i think that it is also confusing to unbelievers. it doesn't really have a "God above all gods" flavor, elevating God, it sounds more like, "our belief system is superior to yours." the message we want to convey is that "the true and living God is available, to you."
I should think that without being quickened by the Holy Spirit, everything about Christianity will be confusing...and even with that quickening, there is apparently still much confusion that remains.
Do we change the truth to a lie, to suit those who are deceived and so deceive them further? Do we denigrate the truth by poo pooing it with the broad stripe of "Christianese", thereby relegating the truth to the ever growing dung pile of political correctness?
Christianity is not a "belief system", and because it is not it cannot be compared to anything else in this world. Unless we recognize that Christianity is Christ, that it is Him living in and through us...then we have nothing to convey to anyone.
Peace
_____________________________
"Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit,
are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?" Galatians 3:3
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RE: Is Christianity Religion or No Religion? - 12/24/2008 9:55:49 AM
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kingdust
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Liveloved
Once again, URF has said what I think. 
And to be a keeper of God's word IS all about relationship. A word keeper allows God's word to penetrate and accomplish the interior heart work that conforms us to Christ's image. It is far deeper than obedience. Being a keeper of God's word is to take Christ into one's heart. The opposite of this is what Jesus described this way, "My word has no place in you." The word place literally means 'makes no progress'. (John 8:37)
And hey, good to hear from you, kingdust! Haven't seen or heard from you recently. You have been missed by me. Bless you & may you know Jesus more and more in the New Year! Liveloved
Hi, liveloved,
Thank you for your blessing.
I brought up the issue of religion or relationship because someone mentioned this issue in other thread.
I thought it is an interesting topic to talk about.
I agree that Christianity can be said as relationship, not as religion, because it has a lot to do with father-children relationship.
However, it can only be valid 'in house'.
Just a step outside of the house, no one understand such term because it is not a common language out there.
I also don't mind to use 'religion' for Christianity because basically the worship of God is the religious act that other people clearly understand.
Just like other religious people gather together in their house of worship, we get together in churches to worship God of Abraham and His Son Jesus along with the Spirit of God.
Yes, they utilize 'faith' in whatever they think is deity or worthy of worship or honor, just like we do in God of the Bible.
They also have their own holy books, just like we have 'the Book', the Bible.
They have their own laws or code of conduct, just like we have the Ten Commandants plus all sort of do's and dont's.
So, why should we feel bad about using the word 'religion'?
Is 'true religion' not good enough to describe our relationship with our Father in Heaven?
I think 'relationship' in place of religion should only be the 'in-house language'.
We should use the word 'religion' free of guilt outside of the house, I guess.
Do I sound too secular to use the word 'Christian religion'?
_____________________________
I am an English as Second Language person and love corrections, kind or unkind, positive or negative, with love or without love, which I am grateful of. Just GIVE!
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