I believe in God but I'm not religious

[Dan the deacon]

It does depend on the audience for sure. I got tired of my mom calling faith-based movies “religious” so I suggested she ask her pastor if he was religious

I am sure a lost man would call me religious. But he'd be as wrong about it as his future without Christ.

 

[Saint Steven]

I am sure a lost man would call me religious. But he'd be as wrong about it as his future without Christ.

I think this requires some tact. Otherwise we can be quite off-putting to those who don't speak Christianese.

If someone asked me if I was religious, I wouldn't correct them.
They probably want to know if I believe in God and attend church.
That is not a declaration of war.

Ripping them up one side and down the other is probably not the way to get them into the kingdom.

 

[Tolworth John]

To me you can't say anything more lukewarm than this line

It is not just luke warm it is pointless as James 2:19 says:-"You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder"

In saying this they are less than demons.

 

[Dan the deacon]

I think this requires some tact. Otherwise we can be quite off-putting to those who don't speak Christianese.

If someone asked me if I was religious, I wouldn't correct them.
They probably want to know if I believe in God and attend church.
That is not a declaration of war.

Ripping them up one side and down the other is probably not the way to get them into the kingdom.

I agree that we should not answer such a question with a yes or no answer. At a Christian site, it's another situation . Or it should be. Pure religion is easier said. Pure religion is love.

 

[Saint Steven]

I agree that we should not answer such a question with a yes or no answer. At a Christian site, it's another situation . Or it should be. Pure religion is easier said. Pure religion is love.

Even here on this "Christian site" we are seeing quite a variety of reactions to this. Even believers are not all on the same page. Should we expect more than that from unbelievers?

 

[W2L]

Religion is full of strife. Protestant verses Catholic verses others. Im not religious like that. I reject all that nonsense. I could fight for what i believe in but no one listens so its futile.

 

[Resha Caner]

The phenomenon of people in the US saying they are spiritual, but not religious goes back to the Baby Boomers in the 80's, at least. I think my grandparents generation, the ones that fought in WWII, would find that incomprehensible.

I don't think it's a new phenomenon. My first memories come from the late 1960s/early 1970s, and the whole "spiritual" thing was prominent among the hippies. Then, I used to spend a lot of time with my grandmother, and she told me stories about the "spirits" craze of the 1920s (Houdini, et. al.). Then IIRC static electricity machines were all the craze during 18th century spiritualism ... and on and on it goes.

 

[DamianWarS]

I understand that. Don't be so quick to take things personally.

no worries I didn't take it personally but thanks for clearing that up.

 

[Dirk1540]

People say this line so much its starting to make me wonder if being religious is a bad thing? Or do people say this because they want to cover themselves incase the person isn't a believer? To me you can't say anything more lukewarm than this line and I hate to see people say this because it really gives a mixed message and its confusing to know what you actually believe.

When I hear people say this I just translate it as I believe that God does exist but there is no revelation, and all religions are delusional and just made up.

 

[Gwen-is-new!]

I would ask someone who says: "I believe in God but I'm not religious", what they mean by that.

It gets down to definitions.
- What do you mean, "believe in God"?
- How do you define "God"? (which god)
- What do you mean, "not religious"?

There are a whole myriad of different answers to these basic questions that will tell you a lot about what they actually mean.

Don’t forget “what do you mean by spiritual”. I am flat out afraid to tell someone I am that.

 

[Pat4Jesus]

People say this line so much its starting to make me wonder if being religious is a bad thing? Or do people say this because they want to cover themselves incase the person isn't a believer? To me you can't say anything more lukewarm than this line and I hate to see people say this because it really gives a mixed message and its confusing to know what you actually believe.

This is a "cop-out" that makes them feel good without changing their life style {often a sinful life-style}

I have long been intrigued by this position because it comes so very close to grasping that God DID create the entire universe so that His humanity; who alone are rational on planet earth, could, would and should see that all of this is FROM God.

These Souls are sooooo close and yet SO VERY FAR from God and salvation.

And WE need to pray for their conversions,

May God guide our life paths,
Patrick

 

[W2L]

This is a "cop-out" that makes them feel good without changing their life style {often a sinful life-style}

I have long been intrigued by this position because it comes so very close to grasping that God DID create the entire universe so that His humanity; who alone are rational on planet earth, could, would and should see that all of this is FROM God.

These Souls are sooooo close and yet SO VERY FAR from God and salvation.

And WE need to pray for their conversions,

May God guide our life paths,
Patrick

Are you broadbrushing these folks? How do you know that is the reason for all of them?

 

[Saint Steven]

It's no wonder that no one wants to talk to us about religion.
Look at the way we carry on. As if we are completely offended by the topic.

Personally, I'll get into a spiritual discussion with anyone.
"I believe in God, but I'm not religious." is a valid conversation starter.
"Hmm... that's interesting. Tell me what you mean when you say that?"

 

[Dan the deacon]

Even here on this "Christian site" we are seeing quite a variety of reactions to this. Even believers are not all on the same page. Should we expect more than that from unbelievers?

I have stopped expecting people to believe or think like me. I know I don't have a pattent on the truth and know for sure I can be found to be wrong on matters. It happens to often not to know it.

 

[W2L]

Pure religion is simplistic. Feed widows and orphans, and keep ourselves unstained by the world. It doesnt get much more simple than that. The Lord said His yoke was light and His burden easy. Why does man make religion so complicated?

 

[Dan the deacon]

Pure religion is simplistic. Feed widows and orphans, and keep ourselves unstained by the world. It doesnt get much more simple than that. The Lord said His yoke was light and His burden easy. Why does man make religion so complicated?

Yes. It is love.

 

[ubicaritas]

I don't think it's a new phenomenon. My first memories come from the late 1960s/early 1970s, and the whole "spiritual" thing was prominent among the hippies. Then, I used to spend a lot of time with my grandmother, and she told me stories about the "spirits" craze of the 1920s (Houdini, et. al.). Then IIRC static electricity machines were all the craze during 18th century spiritualism ... and on and on it goes.

Spiritualism is another thing altogether. Spiritualists even created their own churches eventually, and became a bit of an organized movement.

But you may be right about it starting with the hippies. They were very skeptical of institutions and advocated "dropping out". By the 80's many of them were established in their careers and starting families and many of them didn't see a point in joining mainstream religious institutions.

 

[W2L]

Yes. It is love.

Yes
John 14:23 Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me.

 

[W2L]

Spiritualism is another thing altogether. Spiritualists even created their own churches eventually, and became a bit of an organized movement.

But you may be right about it starting with the hippies. They were very skeptical of institutions and advocated "dropping out". By the 80's many of them were established in their careers and starting families and many of them didn't see a point in joining mainstream religious institutions.

Spiritualism is also following the Spirit.

 

[ubicaritas]

Spiritualism is also following the Spirit.

No, spiritualism in the sense I'm talking about is dealing with seances, mediums, etc., formalized into an organized religion. Down here in Florida there is a whole town full of that stuff called Casadega.