Why is Christianity NOT a Religion?

xDenax · Mar 12, 2010

I hear many of my friends state that Christianity is not a religion, it's a relationship. However, the criteria for Christianity seems to fit very well with the definition of "Religion". Also, I don't think Christians are the only people on earth who get to have a relationship with God. So I am wondering, if your opinion (if you are of this opinion), why is Christianity not a religion? Does it really just come down to Jesus?

Chesterton · Mar 12, 2010

xDenax said:
I hear many of my friends state that Christianity is not a religion, it's a relationship. However, the criteria for Christianity seems to fit very well with the definition of "Religion". Also, I don't think Christians are the only people on earth who get to have a relationship with God. So I am wondering, if your opinion (if you are of this opinion), why is Christianity not a religion? Does it really just come down to Jesus?

Personally I think you're right, it's a religion, and nothing wrong with that. Some people just have a hang-up about the word because they see it as implying things like empty ritualism. I understand these people's point, but it's possible to get a little too creative with semantics sometimes.

ephraimanesti · Mar 12, 2010

xDenax said:
I hear many of my friends state that Christianity is not a religion, it's a relationship. However, the criteria for Christianity seems to fit very well with the definition of "Religion". Also, I don't think Christians are the only people on earth who get to have a relationship with God. So I am wondering, if your opinion (if you are of this opinion), why is Christianity not a religion? Does it really just come down to Jesus?

MY BROTHER,

The word "religion" has gotten a bad press, and those who have, by God's Grace, developed a close and loving relation with our Lord tend to shy away from it. i am not one of them.

"Religion", in my dictionary, is defined as "the belief in a superhuman controlling Power, esp. in a personal God entitled to obedience and worship; the expression of this in worship." Christianity is certainly that--and MUCH more, given that "belief" does morph into a relationship for those who seek it.

You are correct that Christians are not "the only people on earth who get to have a relationship with God; Jews also enjoy the same privilege, although the fullness of their relationship with God--Y H W H becoming Abba--is yet to come, given their failure to accept Jesus their Messiah when He was incarnate among them.

i hope this answered your question.

BE BLESSED!

ABBA'S FOOL,
ephraim

ChaplainWoody · Mar 12, 2010

YES! Jesus, Himself said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Light, no man comes unto the Father, but by Me."
Chaplain Woody Woodruff

Adoniram · Mar 12, 2010

By the strict definition of the word "religion," Christianity would fall within it's scope, as an "institution" to express belief in a divine being. However, there is a difference between the "religion" of Christianity and all other religions.

Christianity was instituted by God, in the person of Jesus Christ, who personally reached out to man and provided him with the means to have a relationship with God. All other religions were instituted by man, and in them, man strives to reach God by means of his own power and works.

With Christianity, God has already done the work (the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ), and believing in that work is what is required for salvation. With man's religion, the work is done by men (usually in the form of trying to do good works), and can never be enough to satisfy the requirements for salvation.

ebia · Mar 13, 2010

Christianity is the true religion of which all the others are shadows (at best) or parodies (at worst).

Sketcher · Mar 13, 2010

I disagree with that cheap labeling of Christianity. It is a religion. Yes, Jesus did the heavy lifting so that we could have a relationship with God. Yes, we are saved by faith rather than by good works. But any relationship with God is going to have undeniably religious elements - faith, prayer, and obedience. Faith is how we trust God. Prayer is how we communicate with God. Obedience is how we love God. Each of these religious actions performs a relational function. Is Christianity a relationship with God? Yes. But it also has plenty of religion to make things work.

I agree with Ephiram, that "religion" is a word that has gotten bad press - but changing the semantics won't make it any more appealing to the people who don't like "religion." Christianity is what it is, no matter what you call it, so people might as well call it by its right name and not get into false advertising that people won't buy into anyway.

drich0150 · Mar 13, 2010

As it has been said many many times already Christianity is a religion, or at least it can be. If you look at the actual definition the word centers around a set of beliefs or practices one has for God. In other words it is a system of rituals we have instituted to connect with God. For some that system in of it self becomes their god, and in order to obtain true righteousness one must approach that "religion" as God.

Basically one must follow the tenements or practices perfectly, otherwise you loose or never had true faith. This is why some believe that their specific denomination is "The way truth and the life, and that no man will come to the Father except through the doors of one of their approved congregations."

I believe that when your friend says that for her Christianity is a relationship and not a religion, she is saying that for her religion is a means to an end, and not her one true God. The focus is more on God rather than all of the little religious observances we sometimes have to find God.

Emmy · Mar 13, 2010

Dear xDenax. Christianity is a Religion, as well as a loving Relationship with our Heavenly Father and and our Christian brothers and sisters. Loving Relationship because Love is our most important trait and goal. God is Love, Jesus died that we might live, His Love for us reconciled us to God, and our 2 Commandments are: 1) Love God wih all our hearts, with all our souls, and with all our minds. 2) Love each other, as Jesus has shown and taught us. Repent and exchange our old selfish and wilfull character INTO loving our neighbour, all others, friend or foe, As we love ourselves. Best shown in treating all we know or meet AS we would like to be treated. Follow our Saviour, whose Blood has redeemed us, back to our Heavenly Father, to live with for eternity. I say this humbly and with love, xDenax. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

sb81 · Mar 13, 2010

xDenax said:
I hear many of my friends state that Christianity is not a religion, it's a relationship. However, the criteria for Christianity seems to fit very well with the definition of "Religion". Also, I don't think Christians are the only people on earth who get to have a relationship with God. So I am wondering, if your opinion (if you are of this opinion), why is Christianity not a religion? Does it really just come down to Jesus?

I believe the term "religion" is used in ways that really skew it's meaning.

"Religion" at it's core is simply a specific set of beliefs and philosophies about our existence and way of life.

People without a specific set of beliefs and philosophies about our existence and way of life are agnostics. And even then, they may have some beliefs in place but not others.

I assume your friends are attempting to get past the "religion" stigma that is heavily in place today when in reality, anyone with a specific set of beliefs and philosophies about our existence and way of life could be considered to have a religion.

There indeed is also a sense of strong relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, but Christianity is most definitely a religion.

aiki · Mar 14, 2010

Also, I don't think Christians are the only people on earth who get to have a relationship with God. So I am wondering, if your opinion (if you are of this opinion), why is Christianity not a religion? Does it really just come down to Jesus?

If what Jesus taught is true, then Christians are the only people on earth who have a personal relationship with God. Jesus said:

"I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man comes to the Father but by me." (Jn. 14:6)

"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (Jn. 3:36)

If Jesus is God as he claimed to be, and the things he says in the quotations above are true, then no Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Jew or any person of any other faith, has a real relationship with God. Such a relationship can only come by way of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. This is the core message of Christianity.

As others have already explained, Christianity is indeed a religion, which is centered on the person of Christ.

Peace.

ezeric · Mar 19, 2010

Where the confusion is, is what does 'Christianity mean' not so much
what does 'religion mean'.

Christianity means 'CHRIST in' - as Paul said "Christ in you the hope of glory"
A true Christian is someone that has given up trying to do good, trying to
follow the rules and let someone else come into his life and live through him.

Sadly, many have made Christianity more like rule following and when that
happens its you living the 'lie life' and not JESUS living 'abundant life' through
you. Making christianity in many cases a religion.

Religion meaning to bind or place somone under an obligation.
Latin religiosus, from religio

JESUS said 'take my yoke - its easy and my burden is light'. Matthew 11:30

When animals worked (in those days) they were often 'yoked together'
sharing the load, with one being the lead (taking the brunt of the load).
JESUS is saying, 'yoke with me' or 'connect with me' its easy! its load is light!

Why?

Because HE is taking the load, and you just got to stay with HIM.

Religion, put us in the position where we must do (whatever we are
told to do, by the institution or what man says).
We are taking the load.

It sounds noble - its sounds strong but its nothing else but PRIDE and SIN.
Because we are really saying - "I dont need JESUS, I can live this life well
enough and make GOD happy".

The LORDS way, is simply to trust HIM to do it and believe HE
is living through you.

In fact if its you doing it - its sin.
You must use faith to rest in what HE has done!
Whatever is not of faith is sin! Romans 14:23

-Eric

katautumn · Mar 19, 2010

Christianity is a religion. It's an Abrahamic religion. With that said it is also a relationship. A person cannot be a Christian without having a close, personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Christianity isn't about the pomp and fanfare. Being dunked under water or sprinkled on the head, partaking of the Lord's Supper, having hands laid on you, going to church, etc. is not what allows Christ's salvation to cover you. It's the acknowledgment that you need Him. And that's where the relationship comes into play.

98cwitr · Mar 19, 2010

it's a religion...anyone who says otherwise is trying to only give a sugarcoated perspective. Face the truth head on....

Jpark · Mar 20, 2010

Never mind.

brinny · Mar 22, 2010

xDenax said:
I hear many of my friends state that Christianity is not a religion, it's a relationship. However, the criteria for Christianity seems to fit very well with the definition of "Religion". Also, I don't think Christians are the only people on earth who get to have a relationship with God. So I am wondering, if your opinion (if you are of this opinion), why is Christianity not a religion? Does it really just come down to Jesus?

You are not a Christian, yet you attempt to define a Christian's heart relationship with their God? Really?

Why is Christianity NOT a Religion?

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