I'm not religious, I have a relationship with God.

[Francis Drake]

Apparently, he means that what he supposes to be his mental connection to God or his appreciation of God is all that's necessary for him.

Unfortunately, that theory is contradicted on page after page of the Bible, so if he is a believer in some impersonal "higher intelligence" that he calls God, it has almost nothing to do with Christianity.

I heard God speak to me long before I heard the gospel. I knew he lived in my heart long before I heard that preached.

 

[Francis Drake]

A lot of people who say that they've known God without having had any guidance about who he is are really saying that they've known (or felt) that there IS a God, not necessarily the only true God but just the concept.

That's exactly what an Anglican would say.

 

[bèlla]

That's exactly what an Anglican would say.

Lots of truisms. But the word reigns supreme.

Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

~bella

 

[Albion]

That's exactly what an Anglican would say.

Many people barely know how to spell the word A-n-g-l-i-c-a-n, let along pronounce it, so I've gotten used to folks who likewise haven't a clue about what the people of the church are like.

 

[ozso]

Well, you may not identify with any of these specific denominations, but the fact that you are a Christian means you are religious in the sense that you believe in Christ and his teachings in a way that has a lot in common with others who also say they are Christian. That is in contrast with the person described in the OP who was complaining that religion is just man's interpretation of God, which is a much stronger statement than merely saying he isn't into organized religion. I think that person would object to the bible itself and say that it too is just man's interpretation of God. I don't think you believe that, so you probably don't have that much in common with the beliefs of that person. (We would have to get more information from the OP to know for sure.)

I've heard Christians say they aren't religious, meaning they're not into the man-made traditional liturgical and ceremonial litanies and trappings of religion.

Am I the only ones who's heard the expression uttered by real Christians: "it's not a religion, it's a relationship"?

 

[Albion]

I've heard Christians say they aren't religious, meaning they're not into the man-made traditional liturgical and ceremonial litanies and trappings of religion.

Am I the only ones who's heard the expression uttered by real Christians: "it's not a religion, it's a relationship"?

I have plenty of relationships and all of them involve doing things with the other person(s), doing things for them that they have asked for and vice-versa, and doing it well and correctly. I really cannot think of any of my relations who don't ever want to interact with me, except for nice thoughts.

 

[NBB]

I have plenty of relationships and all of them involve doing things with the other person(s), doing things for them that they have asked for and vice-versa, and doing it well and correctly. I really cannot think of any of my relations who don't ever want to interact with me, except for nice thoughts.

God wants to interact with us closely.

 

[ozso]

I have plenty of relationships and all of them involve doing things with the other person(s), doing things for them that they have asked for and vice-versa, and doing it well and correctly. I really cannot think of any of my relations who don't ever want to interact with me, except for nice thoughts.

How the term "religion" is viewed differs between mainstream and mainline Christianity. In mainstream Christianity that word has taken on a derogatory connotation. That's probably also a reflection of Sola Scriptura.

 

[Albion]

God wants to interact with us closely.

And one of the ways he does that is via the sacraments, which Jesus both commanded and showed us personally.

But yet we have people who call all of that just "manmade" traditions and rituals, etc. They choose to stay apart from the fellowship of any Christian congregation even though the Bible also directs believers, for several important reasons, to rely upon and participate in such fellowship.

 

[NBB]

And one of the ways he does that is via the sacraments, which Jesus both commanded and showed us personally.

But yet we have people who call all of that just "manmade" traditions and rituals, etc. They choose to stay apart from the fellowship of any Christian congregation even though the Bible also directs believers, for several important reasons, to rely upon and participate in such fellowship.

I agree in that congregating is very important.
I don't see the connectio with this and the saying in the OP though.
If you go by dictionary Definition of religion | Dictionary.com
Being christian is more than beliefs and practices etc, is receiving from God too, and depend on him etc. and being treated by him to change your character etc.

 

[ozso]

And one of the ways he does that is via the sacraments, which Jesus both commanded and showed us personally.

But yet we have people who call all of that just "manmade" traditions and rituals, etc. They choose to stay apart from the fellowship of any Christian congregation even though the Bible also directs believers, for several important reasons, to rely upon and participate in such fellowship.

The Roman Catholic Church probably says Anglican Protestantism broke away from proper religious adherence.

 

[Albion]

I agree in that congregating is very important.
I don't see the connectio with this and the saying in the OP though.

Well, I do appreciate that point, yes. The way the OP was worded, there was room for readers to interpret the facts in slightly different ways, and I think we saw that in the various replies.

Being christian is more than beliefs and practices etc, is receiving from God too, and depend on him etc. and being treated by him to change your character etc.

Of course, and I agree. But when someone says "it's a relationship, not a religion," he's ruling out part of what you just said should be included.

 

[Albion]

The Roman Catholic Church probably says Anglican Protestantism broke away from proper religious adherence.

So why would what the Roman Catholic Church says about it matter?

 

[lsume]

I heard a person who appeared to be Christian say this. What does this mean? He said religion is man's interpretation of God, where relationship with God is God without man's interference. But it seems to me, because men wrote the bible, without religion you don't get the Bible, and without the Bible you don't get Jesus; so how do you get to Jesus without religion?

Christ shall appear a second time to those who look for him. Also, no man knoweth The Father but The Son and those to whom Christ reveals Him too. These very powerful Truths are Spiritual.

 

[Ken-1122]

Thanks for the responses, they have been very informative. I may not be able to respond to them all, but I will try

 

[Ken-1122]

He is referring to religion as participating in formal, standardized practices and rituals as a means of worship and participating in sacraments whereas his relationship with God is this person's way of describing his personalized experiences with God and how God inspires and nurtures his soul or spirit.

Would you say this is the type of Christian who doesn't believe in going to Church with other like minded believers and worshiping?

 

[Ken-1122]

It sounds like he places a primacy on relationship with God rather than institutions or traditions. Oftentimes people esteem these more than their neighbor. They’re a demigod of sorts.

~bella

So probably prefers not to go to church, but keep his belief private?

 

[bèlla]

So probably prefers not to go to church, but keep his belief private?

Private in what way? Does he discuss God at all? If yes, do you think he's referring to Christianity or a different religion?

 

[Ken-1122]

By FAITH! . Well, you did ask so let me tell you. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.

Yeah; and that's the part that didn't make sense to me. If the Bible is the word of God, but man wrote the bible, wouldn't that make the bible man's interpretation of God according to what he said? But if he doesn't read the bible, how does he get the faith by hearing the word of God?

 

[Ken-1122]

Private in what way? Does he discuss God at all? If yes, do you think he's referring to Christianity or a different religion?

He is definitely Christian. As a matter of fact, in a previous conversation he said Christianity is not a religion, it is about having a relationship with God.