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callmeChris
Guest
We all see these comments and beliefs almost every day? What’s the best way to tackle these anti- church philosophies?
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fhansen
Guest
God is the goal, rather than religion-and it is possible to get the two confused. But religion is the vehicle to the goal, if by religion we mean the Church. So we don’t need to shoot the messenger, we just need to be open to the message and it’s purpose.
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funion987
Guest
This is in no way easy or quick, but for these kinds of remarks, a solid background in apologetics is probably your best bet. There’s hundreds of books out there about Catholicism and its history, and you can find scores of information on the Catholic Encyclopedia or from the tracts and forums here. I expect you are already aware of this.
For me the more I know about our faith, it seems more and more obvious that Church is the way to God.
For me the more I know about our faith, it seems more and more obvious that Church is the way to God.
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Ubenedictus
Guest
i’m the arguing type but in arguments like this i really prefer to say ‘i dont argue my faith’ this may not be the best approach but a religion vs God argument makes me tired (sucks life out of me) u just cant place God and religion in a war 'cos they are friend and allies and not enemies. I can’t do it on my own so God provides a mean thru which i can reach him. The church is not a barrier she breaks the barriers we made for ourselves. . . NOW I’M REALLY TIRED.
Ubenedictus
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phoooiee
Guest
“You can’t judge a medicine by those who profess it works, but rather by those who take it.”
Any evidence that religion produces wrongdoing can be countered by demonstrating that those responsible were also not living according to Church teaching.
Any evidence that religion produces wrongdoing can be countered by demonstrating that those responsible were also not living according to Church teaching.
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KenChute
Guest
Read Romans 12 and 13. It’s spells it out quit clearly
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Barbkw
Guest
I hear this a lot on the protestant evangelist channels. And, it always leads me to believe that they are wanting the money that local Churches otherwise would be receiving.
Very deceitful and sinful.
Plus, the protestant public who gooble up this television “goo” have another reason to avoid public worship.
Which many already don’t do, as there’s no formal requirement to attend services as the primary and neccessary way to keep the Sabbath holy.
I attended a “Casting Crowns” concert in my area. All was well, until the last 15 minutes when the lead singer gave his “homily”. I could not believe it when he started to ding on “religious” people who attend public worship services.
Very deceitful and sinful.
Plus, the protestant public who gooble up this television “goo” have another reason to avoid public worship.
Which many already don’t do, as there’s no formal requirement to attend services as the primary and neccessary way to keep the Sabbath holy.
I attended a “Casting Crowns” concert in my area. All was well, until the last 15 minutes when the lead singer gave his “homily”. I could not believe it when he started to ding on “religious” people who attend public worship services.
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grasscutter
Guest
When people say they are spiritual but are against organized religion, one can rebut by asking if “disorganized” religion is preferable. 
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Andromedus
Guest
I am always annoyed when I hear statements like this: ‘‘I am not religious but I love Jesus’’, ‘‘Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship with God/Jesus’’ und so weiter.
While I do understand them in a way it always makes me puzzled when people say it. They probably say it because they don’t want to be associated with the bad stuff some people has done in the name of religion (or perhaps not done) but it still annoys me.
It is like if I would create a new political party and then say that ‘‘we are not politicians, we just want to give people a better life!’’ or ‘‘Stalin was a bad person, Stalin was a politician therefore politicians are bad, but I am not bad person so I am not a politician!’’. Or rather, since Christianity is 2000 years old, it should be something already existing, imagine if someone said ‘‘Liberalism is not a political ideology, it is a cry for freedom!’’ or something else. I am bringing up the subject because I saw this video just a moment ago.
youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY
The guy might have a point or two but he could have done so without the statement that Christianity is not a religion.
However, what do you think of this phenomenon? Personally I think that most people saying things like this are Evangelicals and some other forms of Protestants, but I have heard Rastafarian guys saying similar things so it is not only them. Sometimes you hear people saying that Buddhism is not a religion but in my experience it is mostly people who are not Buddhists themselves. I have never heard a Catholic saying something like this though. But do you know of some other groups where it is common for people to say things like this and what do you think of the phenomenon? Do you like statements like this or do you think that they are just weird or are you indifferent? And what do you think about the guy in the video?
While I do understand them in a way it always makes me puzzled when people say it. They probably say it because they don’t want to be associated with the bad stuff some people has done in the name of religion (or perhaps not done) but it still annoys me.
It is like if I would create a new political party and then say that ‘‘we are not politicians, we just want to give people a better life!’’ or ‘‘Stalin was a bad person, Stalin was a politician therefore politicians are bad, but I am not bad person so I am not a politician!’’. Or rather, since Christianity is 2000 years old, it should be something already existing, imagine if someone said ‘‘Liberalism is not a political ideology, it is a cry for freedom!’’ or something else. I am bringing up the subject because I saw this video just a moment ago.
youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY
The guy might have a point or two but he could have done so without the statement that Christianity is not a religion.
However, what do you think of this phenomenon? Personally I think that most people saying things like this are Evangelicals and some other forms of Protestants, but I have heard Rastafarian guys saying similar things so it is not only them. Sometimes you hear people saying that Buddhism is not a religion but in my experience it is mostly people who are not Buddhists themselves. I have never heard a Catholic saying something like this though. But do you know of some other groups where it is common for people to say things like this and what do you think of the phenomenon? Do you like statements like this or do you think that they are just weird or are you indifferent? And what do you think about the guy in the video?
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followingtheway
Guest
That’s because this is an exclusively Newline/Evangelical Protestant belief. I usually use this Bible verse to combat this belief…
[BIBLEDRB]James 1:27[/BIBLEDRB]
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FabiusMaximus
Guest
It’s essentially just nonsense talk by people who want to profess to be spiritual without all the baggage that institutionalized religion supposedly carries. They attack “religion” but imply its necessity by delving into some kind of “spiritual” activity, and proclaiming that somehow it’s not a religion and/or that they’ve discovered some kind of nice new philosophy they can follow, as if they made some kind of extraordinary discovery. Yet when you pay closer attention to it, their “spirituality” just reveals huge flaws.
My old church still has that slogan. “Christianity is not a religion - it’s a person! A relationship with Jesus Christ.” Just a silly attempt to water down Christian truth and not appear like an institutionlized religion.
To a person like that, I would simply respond: You do indeed have a religion - it’s called Christianity, despite your attempt at fooling yourself.
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Andromedus
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Yep, but you can find this belief among Rastafarians too so it is not only Evangelicals.
I think Paul use the word ‘‘religion’’ about Christianity on some occasion/s, if its not a mistranslation or something like it of course, but I don’t know a word in Greek, or at least not more than a few words, so I can not say how it is.
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CallMeCatholic
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His point (I believe) is that we should love Jesus & worry less about denominations. My friend posted this on my Facebook wall & a lot of people liked it. I guess I don’t know what to think or say. I will always be a firm Catholic, so I can’t say I wholeheartedly agree. Just wanted to get your opinions.
youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1IAhDGYlpqY#!
youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=1IAhDGYlpqY#!
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Luvtosew
Guest
Christianity is a Religion
a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith
a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
2. a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects: the Christian religion; the Buddhist religion.
3. the body of persons adhering to a particular set of beliefs and practices: a world council of religions.
4. the life or state of a monk, nun, etc.: to enter religion.
5. the practice of religious beliefs; ritual observance of faith
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LoyalViews
Guest
How many times have I heard those ridiculous escuses?
You can not love without practise, therefore, how do they love Our Lord if they’re not religious?
If Christianity isn’t a religion, what is it? It certainly isn’t the latest flavour of biscuits.
Similar to the “I’m spiritual but not religious” claims.
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Newsy
Guest
Obviously someone who loves Christ, but is ill informed.
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djforce888
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anodos
Guest
I have been hearing the “religion is a dirty word” oftener and oftener, even from conservative sources like Moody radio (which I had previously pegged as being a station that wouldn’t fall for that.) “We don’t need Religion - we need Christ!” Without Religion, how can we tell who or what Christ is, or what we ought to do with him? Right religion encompasses right doctrine concerning Christ. Its just unreasonable to suggest that Christ and Christianity need to be seperated. 
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yellowbird
Guest
There is a video that keeps getting posted and shared on Facebook -
youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY
Why I hate Religion but love Jesus.
He claims Jesus was always opposed to Religion and he makes a bunch of other ridiculous claims about religion.
youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY
Why I hate Religion but love Jesus.
He claims Jesus was always opposed to Religion and he makes a bunch of other ridiculous claims about religion.
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Thaelros
Guest
I honestly feel really bad for him and everyone who follows suit. That ideology is the result of being uneducated in church history.
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