Christianity's not a religion? WHAT?!?

[Loverling]

Probably one of the most famous bible verses is
John 3:16

New International Version (NIV)


16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

This basically means that in order go to heaven (have eternal life) you need only do one thing; believe. That is why I believe that Christianity is not meant to be religious. Yes, there are many dos and don'ts in the Bible, but that doesn't mean that if you perform the "don'ts" you'll go to hell.

Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

A lot of the time when I think of religion I think of "works" that must be done in order to reach the "goal", whatever the goal may be. The reason I believe that Christianity is not religion is that no matter what works you do, you will never be separated from God's love, you will never exhaust His grace. You cannot perform good works to guarantee a place in Heaven, you merely need to believe.

[GunsmithKitten]

Loverling

Probably one of the most famous bible verses is
John 3:16

New International Version (NIV)


16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

This basically means that in order go to heaven (have eternal life) you need only do one thing; believe. That is why I believe that Christianity is not meant to be religious. Yes, there are many dos and don'ts in the Bible, but that doesn't mean that if you perform the "don'ts" you'll go to hell.

Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

A lot of the time when I think of religion I think of "works" that must be done in order to reach the "goal", whatever the goal may be. The reason I believe that Christianity is not religion is that no matter what works you do, you will never be separated from God's love, you will never exhaust His grace. You cannot perform good works to guarantee a place in Heaven, you merely need to believe.

Yet you still have to live your life a certain way, as being truly saved by Christ and allowing him into your heart "changes you". Thus, works do matter in a roundabout way.

And besides, accepting Christ IS an active deed and work, thus, Christianity requires at least one.

Also, "When I think of religion" doesn't mean s**t, sister. If you got a problem with the definition of "religion", go take it up with the English language, because Christianity still counts as one.

[GunsmithKitten]

Fall For Fame

Yes, even Jesus was baptized, which is nothing more than a public display of our faith, as many other rituals. ]

you have rituals and a belief in the supernatural and the afterlife. You my friend, are part of a religion. Like I said above, if you have a problem with it, take it up with linguists and those who compile dictionaries.

[JM-Big]

Galswintha

Christians believe in God, follows the Bible with all its "thou shalt's and "shalt not", go to church every Sunday, yet it's not considered an organized religion? How is that possible? It's not spontaneous; there are churches everywhere. So how can it only be a relationship with Jesus Christ and not a religion?

Because it is impossible to be perfect, your question is asking, "hey their suppose to be perfect." We all know that is not true.

[Fall For Fame]

GunsmithKitten

Fall For Fame

Yes, even Jesus was baptized, which is nothing more than a public display of our faith, as many other rituals.

you have rituals and a belief in the supernatural and the afterlife. You my friend, are part of a religion. Like I said above, if you have a problem with it, take it up with linguists and those who compile dictionaries.

I'd bite into your face...

I don't have a problem with the label. After all, that's all it is. Doesn't make my belief anymore wrong than not believing in an afterlife.

... just to be close to your eyes.

[jaden kendam]

Loverling

A lot of the time when I think of religion I think of "works" that must be done in order to reach the "goal", whatever the goal may be. The reason I believe that Christianity is not religion is that no matter what works you do, you will never be separated from God's love, you will never exhaust His grace. You cannot perform good works to guarantee a place in Heaven, you merely need to believe.

re·li·gion noun ri-ˈli-jən

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
— re·li·gion·less adjective
See religion defined for English-language learners »
See religion defined for kids »

merriam-webster.com

Sorry, but Christianity fits the definition of religion.

Loverling

You cannot perform good works to guarantee a place in Heaven, you merely need to believe.

Have you read the parable of the goat and sheep?

[Loverling]

GunsmithKitten

Loverling

Probably one of the most famous bible verses is
John 3:16

New International Version (NIV)


16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

This basically means that in order go to heaven (have eternal life) you need only do one thing; believe. That is why I believe that Christianity is not meant to be religious. Yes, there are many dos and don'ts in the Bible, but that doesn't mean that if you perform the "don'ts" you'll go to hell.

Ephesians 2:8-9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

A lot of the time when I think of religion I think of "works" that must be done in order to reach the "goal", whatever the goal may be. The reason I believe that Christianity is not religion is that no matter what works you do, you will never be separated from God's love, you will never exhaust His grace. You cannot perform good works to guarantee a place in Heaven, you merely need to believe.

Yet you still have to live your life a certain way, as being truly saved by Christ and allowing him into your heart "changes you". Thus, works do matter in a roundabout way.

And besides, accepting Christ IS an active deed and work, thus, Christianity requires at least one.

Also, "When I think of religion" doesn't mean s**t, sister. If you got a problem with the definition of "religion", go take it up with the English language, because Christianity still counts as one.

Yes, I understand your points. I will think on them. Though I don't quite consider accepting Christ as a work or deed. When I accepted Christ it was not a deed that I performed, it was a connection that was established between my Lord and myself. A connection is not a work, it's something that kind of just happens.

Can the dictionary define everthing? Is it reasonable to think that EVERYTHING religion entails can be in a dictionary defintion?

[Loverling]

jaden kendam

Loverling

A lot of the time when I think of religion I think of "works" that must be done in order to reach the "goal", whatever the goal may be. The reason I believe that Christianity is not religion is that no matter what works you do, you will never be separated from God's love, you will never exhaust His grace. You cannot perform good works to guarantee a place in Heaven, you merely need to believe.

re·li·gion noun ri-ˈli-jən

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
— re·li·gion·less adjective
See religion defined for English-language learners »
See religion defined for kids »

merriam-webster.com

Sorry, but Christianity fits the definition of religion.

Loverling

You cannot perform good works to guarantee a place in Heaven, you merely need to believe.

Have you read the parable of the goat and sheep?

I see. I will think on this as well.