christianity and "religion"

I have heard more then a few people he claim tha christanity is not a religion, but instead a "lifestyle" or something else.

here is the place to prove that this is indeed true. if you can.

stu

ps mak sure to define the terms that you will be useing. like what is a religion exactly etc.

__________________
One day it was announced by the Master that the young monk Kyogen had reached an enlightened state. Much impressed by this news, several of his peers went to speak with him.
"We have heard that you are enlightened. Is this true?" His fellow students inquired.
"It is," Kyogen answered.
"Tell us," said a friend, "how do you feel?"
" As misrerable as ever," replied the enlightened Kyogen.

----- A Zen proverb

Boy, I'd never be able to prove that; Christianity passes all the tests I can think of to be considered a religion, or at least a family of religions.

However, some people don't follow it that way; they go to church because there's potlucks and a social group, and politely ignore the weird things the funny old guy says. I guess they've got a "lifestyle", not a "religion".

Religion is what exists beyond the visible world, it is differentiated from philosophy in that it operates through faith or intuition rather than reason, and generally including the idea of the existence of a single being, a group of beings, and eternal principle or a transcendent spiritual entity that has created the world, that governs it, that controls its destinies, or that intervenes occassionally in the natural course of its history, as well as the idea that ritual, prayer, spiritual exercises, certain principles of everyday conduct, etc. (ref. websters encyclopedic unabridged dictionary of the english language.)

Being a Christian means one that follows Jesus' teachings or one who exemplifies his/her life after the teachings of Christ. (ref. Websters encyclopedic unabridged dictionary of the english language)
Saying that, one could access that Christianity is indeed a religion but it is ALSO a lifestyle.

To be a Christian is to have a new life in Christ, meaning your old way of thinking and living is passed away specifically if that life was not consistent with the teachings of Jesus Christ. Which in most cases, the life one lived before he/she became a Christian was not consistent with the teachings of Christ.

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Missy

"here is the place to prove that this is indeed true. if you can. "

*chuckles* okay, come visit me for a day and I'll show you its my lifestyle.

Christianity is not just a lifestyle it is also a relationship.

__________________
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:1-2)

Faith in Christ is not belief without proof, it is trust without reservation.
I have found no greater joy, than to live totally surrendered to Jesus Christ.

ok but it is a religion first you made it your lifestyle...

I suppose my point is you cannot seperate christianity from religion as some have done here when they were loseing debates...

stu

__________________
One day it was announced by the Master that the young monk Kyogen had reached an enlightened state. Much impressed by this news, several of his peers went to speak with him.
"We have heard that you are enlightened. Is this true?" His fellow students inquired.
"It is," Kyogen answered.
"Tell us," said a friend, "how do you feel?"
" As misrerable as ever," replied the enlightened Kyogen.

----- A Zen proverb

what is a religion?

Religion is what exists beyond the visible world, it is differentiated from philosophy in that it operates through faith or intuition rather than reason, and generally including the idea of the existence of a single being, a group of beings, and eternal principle or a transcendent spiritual entity that has created the world, that governs it, that controls its destinies, or that intervenes occassionally in the natural course of its history, as well as the idea that ritual, prayer, spiritual exercises, certain principles of everyday conduct, etc. (ref. websters encyclopedic unabridged dictionary of the english language.)

I stated this earlier in an above post.

__________________
Sometimes I wish I could just do everything I am supposed to do from the beginning but alas I am just a human..
To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
All I can say is thank God for grace because without it.. I would be DOOMED.
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Missy

I think religion can be more defined as a manmade structure and design of an idea. Christianity in it's pure form is not really a religion but faith and knowing that the bible is the word of God.

Denominations that add structure and tradition to Christianity would be a religion to me.

Also a religion could also be found in other forms of Superior being beliefs, such as Buddism, Hinduism, and any belief that has a man made structure.

I don't know you practice one I don't. you might have a better idea then i do.

i think of it as anything that is a foundational belief about atelogical queastions that is unchangeable because of its dogma and scriptures. usally a deity is involved but not always.

so along those lines could you please respond to the orginal question of the thread. and start another if you wish to discuss the full defintion of religion.

peace
stu

__________________
One day it was announced by the Master that the young monk Kyogen had reached an enlightened state. Much impressed by this news, several of his peers went to speak with him.
"We have heard that you are enlightened. Is this true?" His fellow students inquired.
"It is," Kyogen answered.
"Tell us," said a friend, "how do you feel?"
" As misrerable as ever," replied the enlightened Kyogen.

----- A Zen proverb