Is Christianity a "religion?"

[IGotQuestions]

I have heard many Christians separate ‘religion’ from Christianity. Why?

 

[CompSciGuy]

This is my opinion: I think a lot of evangelicals make this claim in order to try and set Christianity apart from other religions. The people who do this often point to other religions being overly burdensome with lots of rules and what not, whereas they focus on the grace aspect of Christianity. I think that this is a very dishonest approach as it attempts to hide the fact that Christianity does require us to repent and change our lives. The Bible even says that we have to repent in order to be saved. I think also people will say that Christianity “is a relationship, not a religion” because they think it will appeal to an increasingly secular culture. Everything about the claim that Christianity is not a religion is dishonest. Evangelical Christians believe in God, in the Bible, and actual divine revelation and doctrine, including sin, heaven and hell. If that isn’t a religion, I don’t know what is. And I think that secular-minded people see right through this charade. If you are going to promote Christianity, you should do it through an example of holiness and a genuine preaching of the gospel through your life, not a cheesy tagline.

 

[Wannano]

This is my opinion: I think a lot of evangelicals make this claim in order to try and set Christianity apart from other religions. The people who do this often point to other religions being overly burdensome with lots of rules and what not, whereas they focus on the grace aspect of Christianity. I think that this is a very dishonest approach as it attempts to hide the fact that Christianity does require us to repent and change our lives. The Bible even says that we have to repent in order to be saved. I think also people will say that Christianity “is a relationship, not a religion” because they think it will appeal to an increasingly secular culture. Everything about the claim that Christianity is not a religion is dishonest. Evangelical Christians believe in God, in the Bible, and actual divine revelation and doctrine, including sin, heaven and hell. If that isn’t a religion, I don’t know what is. And I think that secular-minded people see right through this charade. If you are going to promote Christianity, you should do it through an example of holiness and a genuine preaching of the gospel through your life, not a cheesy tagline.

Right, and if you are going to promote Christianity, you should do it through an example of holiness and a genuine preaching of the gospel through your life, not by merely being religious…

 

[MiserableSinner]

I have heard many Christians separate ‘religion’ from Christianity. Why?

All Christianity comes from a religion. The Catholic Church! God gave the Holy Bible to the Catholic Church.

If someone separates from this specific religion, they separate themselves from the fullness of the truth (God’s Revelation to Mankind and His Will for us). In reality, they are separating themselves from Christ in a sense. Maybe not fully, maybe partially, but still separation.

 

[fbl9]

Right, and if you are going to promote Christianity, you should do it through an example of holiness and a genuine preaching of the gospel through your life, not by merely being religious…

Can you explain what it means to be `merely religious

 

[LaughingBoy1503]

I have heard many Christians separate ‘religion’ from Christianity. Why?

A lot of people make up their own definition of religion. I was always told growing up as a protestant, by my Grandma, that Christianity was not a religion. Her definition of religion was "“A bunch of people who get together who believe in the same thing” but Christianity to her was a “Faith” not a “Religion” even though even Christians get together with others who believe the same way that they do.

Christianity is by definition a religion. You also have to remember that a lot of evangelicals tend to believe that Catholics are relying on “religion” instead of Jesus to be saved. Hence the famous evangelical line to Catholics “Religion is not going to save you.” Their definition of “religion” seems to be “Rules, rituals, non essential devotions, repeating of prayers such as when praying The Rosary, Liturgical worship” ect, ect, ect.

Basically, any type of worship that is different from their type is “Religion” even though even the most bland protestant worship service is also considered religion no matter how much they want to deny it.

Here is a quote from a guy who claims God hates religion
“But relationship with God cannot be found through religion. In fact, religion is the biggest roadblock to seeking a relationship with God. Religion is simply Man trying to reach out to God by doing something that he thinks will please God”

What are evangelicals doing when they have their “praise and worship” services? What is trying to have a relationship with God if not a attempt to reach out to God to please him?

Hence the problem that too many people make up their own definition of religion. One only need look in a dictionary to learn how religion is truly defined. No more, no less.

 

[Wannano]

Can you explain what it means to be `merely religious

Good question, I have to go for a couple of hours so my quick response is along the lines of being something different inside the church building than you are once you leave.

 

[Starwarsfan2]

It’s a religion and a relationship

 

[ComplineSanFran]

God gave the Holy Bible to the Catholic Church.

This is a side note, but I wonder why I keep hearing this sound bite, as it were. In all reality, God gave the Bible to the Jews. Christianity added the Gospels, some history, and letters to it.

 

[John_Martin]

This is a side note, but I wonder why I keep hearing this sound bite, as it were. In all reality, God gave the Bible to the Jews. Christianity added the Gospels, some history, and letters to it.

Actually, God’s People selected their Scriptures, enlightened by the Holy Spirit to recognize what writings were inspired by God. The Church did not “add books”, but evangelists and apostles kept writing, as the People of God shifted to center in the Church from its center in the Jews, and the Church (inspired by the Spirit) recognized and authorized certain of the writings as being inspired by God, therefore Scripture.

As to Christianity being a religion, a religion is a facet of a “people”, not the being of a people. Christianity is a People. And this People has a religion as a facet of their being, this People practices a religion, so that what they know in their soul, the soul of Christ, is materially present in the world. When we pray, words spoken to God are materially present in the world, rather than only in the hiddenness of the soul that knows union with God and wants to hear that union voiced. etc.

If Christianity were a religion, our being would be “American” (or whatever), and as Americans we would have a facet of us that practices a religion.
But we are Catholic (all the Baptized), who live in America (or wherever), and part of what we make materially real in America as a People called Christian is acts of Faith, acts of Hope, acts of Charity, all acts of supernatural Virtue infused in us.

 

[Kmon23]

In an increasingly secular and modern society that has different ideals, such as expressing oneself, freedom, etc., it’s not surprising. To set Christianity apart amongst all the other religions, Christianity rises above being a religion and becomes something better. Hence the “I have a relationship” and “I hate religion,” as if religion is a past and inferior thing to the liberation of grace and faith. Especially with modern evangelical/low church Christianity, it sets itself apart by speaking of how it functions oppositely of organized religion with burdensome rules and doctrinal teachings.

Of course, to say it is not a religion is the refusal to acknowledge its definition and is instead just trying to appeal to the modern world that it is something better than the inferior “religions” which do not liberate the person.

Not to say that they aren’t sincere because we are meant to have a relationship with Christ. But it’s definitely an extra layer of connotations to the word “religion” to differentiate itself from other faith traditions.

 

[GEddie]

Of course it is.

“Religion” is simply a means of “re-tying” our life to God. That is where the word came from.

ICXC NIKA

 

[Peter_J]

This is my opinion: I think a lot of evangelicals make this claim in order to try and set Christianity apart from other religions.

Yes, I too know of such people, but to be honest I don’t encounter them very often. More often I’ve encountered people who see “Christian” as an adjective that describes many religions. (Hence you’ll hear about “Christian religions” and “non-Christian religions”.)

 

[eazyduzit]

I have heard many Christians separate ‘religion’ from Christianity. Why?

The reason is that we are dealing with 2 different approaches.

Religion is man seeking God. Seeking to be righteous.

Christianity is God seeking man, and providing righteousness.

The difference between Christianity and all religions is GRACE.

Our God is El Shadai, the God who provides.

 

[Peter_J]

The reason is that we are dealing with 2 different approaches.

Religion is man seeking God. Seeking to be righteous.

Christianity is God seeking man, and providing righteousness.

The difference between Christianity and all religions is GRACE.

Our God is El Shadai, the God who provides.

You sound unfamiliar with Judaism. (No offence.)

 

[LaughingBoy1503]

The reason is that we are dealing with 2 different approaches.

Religion is man seeking God. Seeking to be righteous.

Christianity is God seeking man, and providing righteousness.

The difference between Christianity and all religions is GRACE.

Our God is El Shadai, the God who provides.

Here is the definition of religion

Full Definition of religion
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

here is more

re·li·gion
rəˈlijən/
noun
the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.
“ideas about the relationship between science and religion”
synonyms: faith, belief, worship, creed; More
a particular system of faith and worship.
plural noun: religions
“the world’s great religions”
a pursuit or interest to which someone ascribes supreme importance.
“consumerism is the new religion”

I like what you said about Christianity, but it appears you have a different definition of “religion” than The dictionary I just looked up. So, to you, Christianity is not a religion?

 

[Stillsosola]

Well I think Christianity or Catholicism is a way of life you can be baptized and formally join a region but your behavior, values and prayer life is really what makes you christian hmm like this say someone is raised catholic but they don’t have inner feelings or prayer life or even a true belief in God you can’t really say they are Christians just church members

 

[CompSciGuy]

Saying that Christianity is not a religion because of grace is like saying that a cheeseburger is not a burger because of cheese. The fact that grace exists in Christianity does not make it less of a religion or take away the religious aspects. Also, Wannano, your definition of being religious is inaccurate, that is what is called being a hypocrite. You don’t have to be religious in order to be a hypocrite either. Just take a look at a lot of secular humanists, especially the prominent ones. Many of them are hypocrisy incarnate.

 

[CompSciGuy]

Good question, I have to go for a couple of hours so my quick response is along the lines of being something different inside the church building than you are once you leave.

This is what I was referring to in my last post. This is not the definition of being religious, this is called being hypocritical. No, they are not the same thing.

 

[rcwitness]

It depends how we define “religion”. The attempt by many evangelicals, is to demonize the term. According to their definition, I agree that if our religion is a “Law of Works” which St Paul warns condemns us, it is not Christianity.

According to English dictionary definitions, it’s particular beliefs, practices and worship of God upheld by individuals and/or a group. This proper definition actually fits Christianity and all of its separated bodies.

So Christianity is a religion and there are distinct religions within the religion of Christianity. But all valid Christians are of the Christian religion. We are of the Christian religion AND the Catholic religion.