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 Posted: Thu Dec 21, 2006 8:22 pm
I have grown up believing that Christianity is different than religion, and that is what I believe. But recently, my friend gave me a whole essay on why it is a religion. This is what she said:
it contains minorities Presbyterian, etc; but Christianity by definition is one who believes in God and that he sent his son that's the difference between Christianity and Islam they don't believe that god hasn't sent his son yet.
Christianity is an Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as described in the New Testament. Although Christians generally characterize themselves as monotheistic, the one God is most commonly, but not universally, thought to exist in three persons, called the Trinity. Christians believe that Jesus is the Messiah of the Jews as prophesied in the Old Testiment. It encompasses numerous religious traditions that widely vary by culture, as well as thousands of diverse beliefs and sects; over the past two millenia, Christianity has been grouped into three main branches: Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantidm. Collectively, it is the world's largest single religion, with over two billion followers. Religion is sometimes used interchangeably with faith, and is commonly defined as belief concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine, and the practices and institutions associated with such belief.Occassionally, the word "religion" is used to designate what should be more properly described as a "religious organization" -that is, an organization of people that support some religion, often taking the form of a legal entity.
I really did not know what to say. If anyone has an opinion on this, I would love to hear it.
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Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 8:16 pm
It sounds like to me she is describing it from the organization stand point. She is describing the religion of Christianity, not the faith. Athough, she claims that "Religion is sometimes used interchangeably with faith, and is commonly defined as belief concerning the supernatural, sacred, or divine, and the practices and institutions associated with such belief." Which is debatable in that the definition of some of those words are kind of vauge and cause a bit of miscomunication.
I like to break it down like this. There is religion, and there is faith. Both very vague words that share a meaning, a system of religous belief. This is what she ment by them being interchangeable. Which by common definition is true, but then what word do you use to describle religion in the sense of a system of beliefs(in the written/offical sense of the word belief) and practices, and then faith as in the trust and confidence in something. So, I like to use them as different words in order to clear up miscommunication.
That said, the religion of Christianity is what you see on the outside; the doctrine, the rules, and practices, the physical side of Christianity. On the other hand, the faith of Christianity is what is on the inside of each person that follows Christ; the trust and belief that there is a God that sent His only son Jesus Christ to wipe away our sins.
Now that you see where I'm coming from let me just say that Christianity is a religion formed out of the faith in God and Jesus Christ. Let me know if you wish me to clarify further on this or anything else.
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Posted: Mon Dec 25, 2006 1:54 am
yes, christianity, as the world views it, is a religion
yet for us, it's not merely just a set of beliefs and practices
because the point is a relationship with God our Father mrgreen
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Posted: Wed Dec 27, 2006 8:39 pm
I think kiufei put it as well as I could. It's a relationship with God, and traditions don't matter as much as just knowing, following, loving, and trusting in God. 3nodding (But it's also important to obey what He commands us to do. 3nodding )
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Posted: Thu Dec 28, 2006 11:21 am
kiufei yes, christianity, as the world views it, is a religion
yet for us, it's not merely just a set of beliefs and practices
because the point is a relationship with God our Father mrgreen woo goo kiufei ^^
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Posted: Mon Jan 01, 2007 6:15 pm
Christianity is more then just a religion. It's a relashionship between you and God.
And a special friendship you have only between you and him.
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Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 12:07 pm
If someone wants to call Christianity a religion, then there's something you need to know:
There are only 2 religions in the world, 1 grace-religion, and the rest works.
Really, I don't like to refer to Christianity as a religion just because it puts it in the running with all the other beliefs and philosophies, when in reality it is the truth and all the rest is false.
A relationship yes, but more precisely a covenant relationship.
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