I'm not religious............

[markdrums]

This thread was inspired by Dani's thread "What is a Christian". (Thanks for the spark sister!!!)

I've had many, many people ask me throughout my life, "Are you religious?" or "Are you a religious person?" My answer was always, "Yes I am."

However; not long ago I realized something, I'm NOT "religious".... I'm a CHRISTIAN! Yes, there IS a difference.

Religion is only a generic term for a person's specific belief system, values, rituals, traditions, etc. Thus, you can lump a LOT of things into that category.... (Including "atheism"... and whether atheists like it or not, it IS a religion of sorts, by definition.)

So, the last dozen times or so that someone asked me the question, "Are you religious?" my answer has been, "No, I'm not religious... I'm a Christian. Would you like to know the difference?"
And the response has always been a slightly puzzled look, followed by, "Yeah. What do you mean?" (Or something along those lines.)

When I explain what makes being a Christian different from any other "religion" or "religious belief," it's easy to tell when the proverbial light bulb clicks, and that person really gets what I'm saying.

It may not make make a difference to everybody, but at least that little seed has been planted, and maybe they'll have a better understanding of what Christianity is.
Maybe they'll do more research out of curiosity, or to genuinely seek the truth... OR... maybe they'll just brush it aside & go about their way.
Who knows?

But the point is, now they have something to think about, and the choice is up to them.

[Athanasius]

I'm both religious, and a Christian, with a few 'modifiers'. I don't see enough of a distinction between 'religious' and 'Christian' to qualify as one over the other. What is the distinction you're drawing?

[Dani H]

Well, in Acts, the disciples beliefs and practices are called a "religion".

Acts 25:18+19
When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I supposed, but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.


Judaism there is also called a religion:

Acts 26:5
They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.


Then there is self-imposed religion:

Colossians 2:23
These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

Then there is useless religion, practiced by people who can't/won't control the words that come out of their own mouths:

James 1:26
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.


Then there is the pure and undefiled religion that has to do with helping take care of orphans and widows and to not allow the world to taint a person:

James 1:27
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

So what is religion? Not according to cultural definition that has branded everything religious as automatically "bad" ... but according to Scripture?

Seems to me that the biblical definition of "religion" has to do with a set of beliefs and practices, specifically as they relate to worship of deity.

thrēskeia

1) religious worship

a) esp. external, that which consists of ceremonies

1) religious discipline, religion

[Servant89]

Well, in Acts, the disciples beliefs and practices are called a "religion".

Acts 25:18+19
When the accusers stood up, they brought no accusation against him of such things as I supposed, but had some questions against him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.


Judaism there is also called a religion:

Acts 26:5
They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.


Then there is self-imposed religion:

Colossians 2:23
These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.

Then there is useless religion, practiced by people who can't/won't control the words that come out of their own mouths:

James 1:26
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.


Then there is the pure and undefiled religion that has to do with helping take care of orphans and widows and to not allow the world to taint a person:

James 1:27
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.

So what is religion? Not according to cultural definition that has branded everything religious as automatically "bad" ... but according to Scripture?

Seems to me that the biblical definition of "religion" has to do with a set of beliefs and practices, specifically as they relate to worship of deity.

thrēskeia

1) religious worship

a) esp. external, that which consists of ceremonies

1) religious discipline, religion

Thank you Dani. I used to say I am not religious, I was wrong. I am certainly trying to be religious (in accordance to Scritpure). Thanks

Shalom

[andrew_no_one]

Last week at work a co-worker called me over saying "Andrew, come over here! You'll want to buy this, it's REALLY RELIGIOUS!" When I went over to see what he was taking about, he had a statue of a mermaid in his hand. "Dave....what are you talking about?" I asked. He responded with: "Doesn't she look like the virgin Mary?"
The Lord showed me how miserably I was failing this man and I have since resolved to do better.

[Athanasius]

Last week at work a co-worker called me over saying "Andrew, come over here! You'll want to buy this, it's REALLY RELIGIOUS!" When I went over to see what he was taking about, he had a statue of a mermaid in his hand. "Dave....what are you talking about?" I asked. He responded with: "Doesn't she look like the virgin Mary?"
The Lord showed me how miserably I was failing this man and I have since resolved to do better.

That's an opportunity, not sure if I'd say as a result of failure.

[andrew_no_one]

That's an opportunity, not sure if I'd say as a result of failure.

Dave's a work in progress...scatter enough seed and pray the Lord makes one grow. If he doesn't come around soon we may be doing "Roman roads".

[Athanasius]

Dave's a work in progress...scatter enough seed and pray the Lord makes one grow. If he doesn't come around soon we may be doing "Roman roads".

The 'point' I was making is that I've had people assume all sorts of things about me, irrespective of how act around them. I consider it an opportunity, not necessarily a failure. 'Conservatives' consistently think I'm liberal, while liberals consistently think I'm conservative. I've had Christians think I'm unsaved, and the 'unsaved' refuse to believe I'm a Christian - all because I didn't fill that mold of what a 'true' Christian is.

[Spike]

Can you blame the 'unsaved', really? Often, Christians portray themselves as so amazingly uptight it's a wonder they can breathe. Anything and everything is 'contaminated', somehow, so sinful that if they touched it they'd keel right over and die right then.
There's a saying in my neighborhood: 'So heavenly bound she ain't no earthly good.' I've seen those Christians, and they're kinda sad, really, because they're running people away from church with their attitude. I've worked with some youth in my time who were homeless because of being gay or whatever -- it was a mazing how eager they were to be around me when they realized that, while Christian, I wasn't going to beat them over the head with a bible. They were more likely to take me into their confidence because I knew how to shut the heck up and listen, instead of throwing bible verses at them.

Did I agree with their choice? No, not really. But I first saw them as His children, and their sins were no worse than mine.

Of course, there was also the fact that it was the gay community that supported and helped me when I needed it -- the Christians wouldn't do it unless I behaved in a certain manner.

I wasn't buying it then, and I don't buy it now. Probably why I get a lot of, "Are you REALLY a Christian?"

Yeah, of the 'Remember the Log in my own eye" kind.

[Limskj]

You did the right thing . If Jesus gave no condemnation before giving a blessing even before His death, I am sure He will not condemn them as well.

[hoosierlady61]

When I have ever been referred to as "religious" by a non-Christian, most usually it is with a kind connotation. However, when I am referred to as a "Christian" by most non-Christians, it carries a VERY negative connotation. In our society, especially here in America, a religious person isn't much of a threat. After all, most everybody has a religion. However, most of our secular society HATES Christians...some because of our own misrepresentation of Christ, and some because of what we stand for. Either way, I think it requires more strength in today's culture to call yourself a Christian than it does to simply call yourself religious.

The first century church had to make that choice too. They knew siding with Christ and His followers could cause some major reactions. The martyrs were willing to call themselves Christians. I only mention this in light of my own self-examination. I am asking myself, "Do I desire to take the flack for being known as belonging to Christ?" Lord, strengthen me to stand with YOU.

Let me also add, "Lord, teach me to represent who you TRULY are."

[paradiseinn]

I like to use the word "faith" instead of religion....*and now i fade back into lurking mode for the next two years*......MUHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[paradiseinn]

no but seriously, i was just asked the other night about being religious and i always say that faith is a better word to describe me, the word religious reminds me of a sit,stand,kneel type thing. The word faith means more, to me anyways.......I haven't read through everyones posts, so i hope im not mirroring what someone else said.

[markdrums]

I get what you're saying... I'll see if I can expound on what I mean.

For me it's kind of a way to get someone's attention with a small amount of "shock value" in my immediate response. But, I want to make sure they know that being "religuous" doesn't necessarily mean "Christian", and explain exactly why that is.

Realistically, I guess my response would be "not JUST religious"..... but it doesn't have that attention grabbing effect.... ya know??

[Dani H]

Listen, whatever works to get somebody's attention and opens the door for you to tell them about Jesus. Go right on ahead, brother.