Why do Christians claim that their religion is not a religion?

It's just a minority attempting to redefine a word for the majority.

Of course Christianity is a religion. The only reason to claim otherwise, other than ignorance, is to try to claim it is better and more deserving of rights and freedoms than other religions.

As soon as people point out that there is no such thing as a protected "freedom of relationship" they go back to claiming it is a religion.

It's a religion when it is convenient.

You're fighting to establish a circular argument, poster. The Bible nowhere says that Christianity is a set of tenets and practices. James wrote that looking after the needy and keeping oneself uncorrupted by the world was true religion, but what he meant by that was that this is what those do who have committed their whole lives to Christ. All one needs to do is believe, really believe that one's sins are taken away by Christ, and act on that belief. Those actions are loving people in ordinary situations, at home, school, office or wherever. True, Christians come together, but there is no particular day, place or format for them to keep to. They pray, read their Scripture, teach and sing, any way they want to. Creeds and rituals are for others- posers, of which there are millions, as prophesied.

The real problem today is that few take sin seriously. There would be fewer posters on this site if that was not so.

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Christianity is not about tenets and practices. It’s not a set of laws to be obeyed, or a creed to be accepted. It's not a religion to be followed or a social order to be lived.

Being a Christian means completely identifying yourself with the person of Jesus Christ; not following an organized religion or observing certain holidays or rituals. It means that Jesus means more to your heart than any person or institution on earth.

It's a love story written in blood on a cross of wood. All you have to do is believe it. The New Testament contains lots of guidance on how to return this love with words and actions but none of it is required for salvation and in fact it's only desired as an expression of gratitude.

The fact (and truth) is that man makes definitions. Therefore by man's definition, it is "correct" to refer to Christianity as a "religion."

Now the truth. (Noting a fact and the truth are not synonymous):

-- Man designed religion as a way to connect to or reconnect himself to a higher power, creator, god, supreme being, etc.

HOWEVER...

God beat man to the punch... Before the foundation of the world, God had already designed all things including a way to reconcile man to Him after Adam sinned: The way is Jesus.

By accepting Jesus and what He did on the cross we are not only reconciled with God but also adopted by Him as His children and made joint heirs with Christ.

This is not a "claim" but a valid relationship and is experienced by believers. Of course, Christians do not expect non-believers to (fully) understand. Just as I would not expect anyone to fully understand the personal relationship I've had with my parents and other family members.

****TRUTH: Religion is man initiated --- Relationship is God initiated.****

Whether or not you (solely or collectively) believe, have faith in and/or accept this truth of is your prerogative.

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Note: Another truth... Had man decided to call a belief system/faith/religion something like "biscuit," it still wouldn't change what it is. "A rose by any other name is still a rose."

x

That's news to me. I'm a life-long Episcopalian and the last time I checked, Christianity was a religion.

They say it is a relationship with God because then it means that they don't have to pray regularly, go to church regularly, read the rule book (Bible), pay tithes, or even follow the rules.

It makes being a Christian a whole lot easier.

I think there's a stigma attached to the term 'religion' now. Funny enough, I know a lot of Christians who call themselves "Jesus followers" because there's now a stigma attached to the term 'Christian'.

It's just semantics.

This is possibly the most annoying Christian trait of them all. Almost every girl in my grade at school keeps saying 'I'm not religious, I'm Christian'! It's so retarded!.

Christianity is NOT a religion. It's a relationship with Jesus.

Atheism, on the other hand, IS a religion because it requires the MOST faith because you have to believe EVERYTHING is a result of a COMPLETE ACCIDENT.

Well, I have a belief. I believe in everything the Bible teaches. It's scriptures and inspiring words of Jehovah God. I would say that Jehovah's Witnesses live a way of life. Because of the way we live by the laws of Jehovah God.

Have a great one.