Christianity is Not a Religion

I realize this thread says for christians only, but on my word I am not here to argue, I simply need christian-only input.

"Christianity is not a religion" is something I've heard for many years, but I don't really understand what it means beyond the obvious, and the reason I don't understand that is because it's a statement that runs contrary to the definitions of what constitutes a religion.

So, I have assumed it has another meaning, or a manner of seeing/hearing it that puts it into a different context, almost like (best example I can think of) a preposition like "into." For example, "I walked into a wall," vs "I walked into a room."

Can someone help clear this up?

 

Are you the same guy who wanted to murder everyone who ate apples, and said Christians all think alike?

 

Your statement is clear enough. People told you things about certain terms that do not match the common definition of those terms. What is there to clear up?

You are the salt of the world. That is, you give the world all the flavor it has for you.

 

You should ask the people of who you heard this why they said it. If you didn't hear it on this forum it's unlikely somebody can explain it here 'cause it seems a nonsense statement indeed.

 

I can't imagine what it would be, if it wasn't a religion. I've heard the same thing said about Zen Buddhism - and I think you could make the argument that Zen could be practiced aesthetically, without any supernatural belief. And I suppose the same argument could be said for Christianity, except that Christianity is so God-centered that I think it would very difficult to do so.

I am a Christian, and I do consider Christianity a religion. My definition of any religion includes any belief system that is spiritual and supernatural in nature. That may be too broad for some - but I don't care. So by this definition, I don't consider Atheism a religion. A belief? Yes. A religion? No.

If another Christian told me that Christianity was not a religion, I would respectfully disagree, just as I would if a non-Christian made the same statement.

 

You been talking to some evangelical fanatics? I think that is what they claim.

Anyways, it's just interpretation just like the rest of the "christian faith".

 

I'm sorry, I had hesitated to add this part as I pondered the obvious replies and possible directions the conversation might go, when this isn't really my main question.

What I've always been told is that, "It's not a religion, it's a relationship [with god,]" or something very close to. That doesn't really change my question though, because it's the first part that really grips my attention.

I understand that what they're (christians who say this) trying to say is that they have a relationship with their god, so it's ... different, but I guess that's where I go blank. Don't all [deity] based religions have a relationship with their respective gods, particularly monotheistic religions?

 

We always choose with a guide. Nothing really to do with religion per say.

 

It may be a relationship with God, but it's still a religion. This is the kind of stuff that really annoys me about a lot of churches/clerics, and it has something to do with exclusivity, exceptionalism and, frankly, arrogance. I've never seen a passage in any of the Gospels that depicted Jesus bragging or looking down his nose at people who didn't believe what he or his disciples believed. Jesus didn't attract people to him by going around shouting "I'm right, you're wrong" - he did attract quite a bit of attention with his actions, miracles, charity and forgiveness. He didn't discriminate against the poor, the diseased, or the sinful - in fact, he went out to them, sought them out.

I see a lot of Christian churches acting like exclusive country clubs these days, I see them circling the wagons instead of engaging the world outside the church and doing good, charitable works that don't necessarily involve aggressive recruitment, or recruitment at all. I see too much "which church do you go to?", and too little "what did you do to help someone in need today?" Jesus was a big fan of charity and a champion of the have-nots, in fact, I'm pretty sure that if Jesus was out walking around and preaching, healing and saving people in the living flesh today, the Christian - Right would call him a straight up wacko, pinko-commie. I know that religion, especially Christianity, has become a dirty word for much of the left - which I think is unfortunate, because I think social justice (charity), love, TOLERANCE and forgiveness is the essence of how Christ wants us to interact with each other as human beings - not with crusades and holy wars, inquisitions and all manner of violence and evil done by Christian extremists. I don't think Muhammed would approve of the actions of Muslim extremists either. I don't even like the word "extremist" - because it implies fanaticism, and I think killing another human being in the name of religion, but without any truly spiritual purpose - goes beyond extremism into perversion of religion. In both cases, I see the self-serving influence of human greed, not God, at work there.

 

He is probably referring to this guy..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY"]Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus || Spoken Word - YouTube

 

If anything is a religion, Christianity is. It has all the usual characteristics: belief in the supernatural, creeds, clergy--who could ask for anything more? Some might question whether or not Buddhism, Jainism or Taoism are religions because they lack belief in a deity. But I don't think you could find a book, journal or website that would say Christianity is a religion. Check it out.

You may have heard somebody trying to make the distinction between religion and spirituality--the former referring to institutions and doctrines, the latter referring to experiences of the numinous. Christianity can be both. Or maybe your sources are theologically sophisticated enough to be referring to theologian Karl Barth's criticism of Christians who worship Christianity instead of Christ--i.e., the social, religious, and institutional aspects of religion and what it does for believers as opposed to God who transcends these human frameworks.

BTW, this site isn't just for Christians. It's the Sanctuary that has that distinction. Your comments are welcome here.

 

Yeah, they are trying to make the argument that religion is a structure, an organization whereas Christianity is a "personal relationship in Jesus Christ"--like that young confused guy in the video. Okie, I think you give your average "Christianity is not a religion" person too much credit.

The response I like:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ru_tC4fv6FE"]Why I Love Religion, And Love Jesus || Spoken Word - YouTube

 

Too much credit indicates a loan with interest. The only meaningful credit for our purposes is forgiveness.

 

The "I love Jesus" guy doesn't realize that cults of personality are basically religions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBo7Z_abiLE"]I Hate Religion, And Jesus Too - YouTube

The concept of Jesus and forgiveness is not only a religious concept, they have faith he was divine (a common agenda based on fantasy), but also has a really flawed morality loophole that allows it's believers to justify breaking their own moral code. It gives me chills to think that this corrupt morality is what our North American laws are based on.

 

OP believes Richard Dawkins feces is divine sacrement.

 

jesus cream

 

relaxxx guy doesn't realize that human beings are devotional by nature, devoted to their own good. Where their treasure lies, there is their heart also.
Are you saying that to have a spouse is basically a religion?

Jesus is a historical figure. Forgiveness is a practice for perceiving phenomena
as they are rather than as we believe or suspect they are.

Who are "they"?

Which flawed morality loophole is that?

The criminal justice system exists for the mitigation of fear. You can rest easy or put on a coat.

 

Ugh, Jesus Christians of course!

Their flawed morality loophole is they can sin pretty much all they want and all will be forgiven. "Jesus died for my sins" is a subconscious message practically begging for sin. Christians are EXPECTED to sin, it's the whole process of forgiveness through Jesus Christ our fucking savior!

Hello, I'm ultimately only accountable to my imaginary deities!


I'm really a non-religious Christian Atheist! I think there was likely a man named Jesus Christ who was a rebel and possibly even an illusionist, and most likely delusional... He was put to death and became a legend and through exaggerated anecdotal stories became a religion. I do not think his stories have the slightest proof of God, I don't think he possessed any supernatural powers, and I don't think his mother was a virgin...

 

I fucking love this video lol

 

I know of no reliable definition for that term.

You believe in something called sin? The admonition put forth by jesus is go and sin no more.

There is another position that states the measure we give is the measure we receive.