Defining religion

Kaejo

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Main Entry: re·li·gion
Pronunciation: ri-'li-j&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English religioun, from Latin religion-, religio supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from religare to restrain, tie back -- more at RELY
Date: 13th century
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
- re·li·gion·less adjective


Main Entry: occult
Pronunciation: &-'k&lt, ä-; 'ä-"k&lt
Function: noun
Date: 1923
: matters regarded as involving the action or influence of supernatural or supernormal powers or some secret knowledge of them -- used with the
 
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rwc109

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There is Israel, the somewhat tragic counter-example of God who , for their trials will all be redeemed [Ezekiel chapter37] and then there is a countles multitude 'grafted in as new branches' to the old olive tree of Israel....that is the sum of true 'religion' of God Almighty....then there is the still unrevealed ending, sealed to those who enter the spirit....can anyone who really loves and who knows that God is no respecter of persons really doubt that through love, our God WILL save ALL His creation? [in case there should be foolish doubters, He swears it by Himself [Isaiah 45:21-23]

Zec 4:12 And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?
Zec 4:13 And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
Zec 4:14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the LORD of the whole earth.
 
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Papist

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fablesarereal said:
religion's problem is that it spends too much time defining and not enough time doing.

I'm sorry that that's been your experience.

It is not the way it should be, as James said.

I have sometimes experienced that too. However, Paul warns us against it in 2 Tim 2:16.

"Have nothing to do with godless philosophical discussions -- they onlylead further and further away from true religion."
 
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Havoc

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Christianity, even as a "personal relationship" certainly does fit the definition as given. Sorry folks but you can't change what a word means just to make your religion more "special".

If your practice and beliefs are not a religion, simply because of a "personal relationship" with the Divine, then neither are innumerable other belief systems, which also have a "personal relationship" with the Divine, including Witchcraft.
 
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Heathen Dawn

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Papist said:
The argument that "Christianity is not a religion" is pretty spurious, naive and offensive.

I have some sympathy with it, though. &#8220;Religion&#8221; has connotations that Christians want to avoid, such as soulless ceremony and Pharisaical sticking to the letter of the law. In that way, I&#8217;m opposed to religion myself.
 
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Doctrine1st

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Heathen Dawn said:
I have some sympathy with it, though. “Religion” has connotations that Christians want to avoid, such as soulless ceremony and Pharisaical sticking to the letter of the law. In that way, I’m opposed to religion myself.
Well if that's what they're trying to avoid there's always Buddhism.
 
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Arthra

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I think there's a need for oragnized religion ....without somekind of organization, we wouldn't hear about the great teachers of mankind.

People dislike organized religion because they involve some responsibility and you need to particiapte regularly... So it's easier for them just to put down what they don't like in a church or organization and have no responsibility...

So, from my view if you are truly an adherent of a religion it's also your responsibility to set about improiving for other people.

Instead of holding yourself aloof from it, involve your self in it and improve it from the inside. There is a deeper meaning of religion of returning to your roots and I think this applies spiritually as well... The great religions in my view have a common divine origin.

- Art
 
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