Wednesday, 18 June 2008
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Being Religious vs. Being a Christian
by mr. pine
I remember having a conversation with a friend where he started by saying,"Let me ask you something - you're religious, right?" I replied, "No, I'm a Christian."
Then he looked at me quizzically and restated, "Yeah, so you're religious..."
I then went on for about ten minutes about the subtle difference between "being religious" and "being a Christian" for me. In the end, he wasn't convinced and forgot what he was going to ask me anyway.
I know what nonreligious people mean when they call people "religious." They use that word because it has the least potential to offend. You can call a Christian, a Mormon, a Muslim, a worshipper of Odin, or a devotee of Beelzebub "religious" and cover your bases. But for me, it's the broadness of the definition and the connotation of the term that make it insufficient.When you think of someone who is religious, you see things that they do: meditate, read some holy text, or attend some form of worship gathering. But this means that anyone doing these sorts of actions could be called religious. The connotation of "being religious" is that you are defined by these actions - not by what you believe in. Yes, actions are a natural outlet for your values, but at the same time, actions can be completely divorced from what is in your heart and soul.
I don't want that to be the extent of people's understanding of me. I don't want to be lumped in with that group because in many ways people act religious to actually avoid the true cost of following Christ. I think many Christians are satisfied with just being religious. It means that we can go through some motions and fool ourselves into thinking that our "Christianity quota" has been met. We can feel better about ourselves by pointing to how many things we do that look religious enough, and all the while not have it touch who we are at heart.
It's not about what we do. It's about who (and whose) we are. Once we realize that, the ironic thing is that it comes out in what we do.
So to my Christian friends... are you simply satisfied with "being religious?" If you are, it doesn't matter what you believe in. You're wasting your time. Being religious is preventing you from being a Christian.
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Comments (41)
yup, btw, do you happen to know what the bottom three and the center symbol are from? just curious.
Amen! Well said!
Christianity is not just another religion.. it's a personal relationship with our Lord and Saviour!!
God Bless,
Sara
I used to try to be "religious" because that was what was expected of me at the church. It took moving to my current church and getting to know Jake (my youth pastor who moved away in October) before I really realized being Christian had nothing to do with what songs you sang or what you wore to church. I had always known that in the back of my head, but when I really started living it I became so much more happy and content with my life.
It's always annoying when I get the "religious" comment. But I find it even more annoying when people find out I'm Christian so they immediately assume I'm Catholic, even though I'm not even close to Catholic. (No offense to Catholics.) I guess it's just much more convinient for people to lump uyou into a category rather than find out what you're individual beliefs are.
Very good....it is about a personal relationship with Jesus
So true...religion has no power to save, only a personal daily walk with Christ, following His leading will bring that sweet saving grace into our lives and make us true Christians.
I'm glad to see a couple commentors stole my thunder already. The popular connotation of "religious" involves the belonging to a group, carrying a label. Christianity is personal. It's a connection and relationship between one Savior and one forgiven sinner.
Very, very well-said...
"Just sitting in church does not make you a Christian anymore than sitting in a garage makes you a car."
-Billy Graham
Well said. I sometimes hate the fact that people consider Catholics
Christians. Even though I do acknowledge that there are quite a few
Catholics that have a deep love for God, I hate being confused with
those people who call themselves "non-practicing Catholics." In my
opinion, you might as well not even call yourself a Catholic or a
Christian if that's the case. But I guess as Christians we have to be
open to bring some clarity to those who are looking for answers and not
just label non-believing people as "ignorant." Afterall, they're taking
the initiative to ask and it won't really help if Christians approach
in a less than light hearted manner.
oooh yes! i was just thinking about this yesterday. people see me and consider me "religious" but that label makes it seem like i'm just doing these meaningless activities, which would be considered religious, and doesn't look at the actual BELIEFs. now i don't consider myself "religious" and i take offense to that label... no "religion" for me, please, just a personal REAL relationship with Jesus.
I may be wrong but it seems like religion has to do with human performance while Christianity in its true form is about allowing God to do the work...or perhaps co-laboring with God. But basically the gist is the "I can't do it on my own thing" which I find very few places except maybe AA. Anyway, am I wrong? I dunno.
Well said. You know you can wax your car religiously, does that make you religious? It really is WAY too broad of a term.
Very true, but being religious is not the only extreme we need to be wary of.
so true.
I actually think I'm kind of "religious". I'm trying hard to be a real Christian though, I know thats what counts.
so pray for me, friends =)
I don't fit the bill of religious. I'm not the type of person that knocks on every neighbor's door to talk to them about faith. Much as I try, I'm currently in a trough were Bible reading is concerned. It's not like passing out tracts to a certain number of strangers will get me anywhere closer to Jesus that I am, prayer already does that. Religious is a works system, Christians have a faith system.
AMEN! Thank you for being so honest about this. It's not about religion but relationship. God is a relational God who loves us and wants to spend time with us. God bless you:)
Yes you are right, As a Christian we have to walk the talk. My answer to who ever asks me if I'm religious is " No, I have a relationship with Jesus Christ, " I am a Christ follower, Because my love for Jesus I want to practice the fruits of the Spirit, and have a servant heart, for His Glory.......
Well, most of my friends, when they call me "religious", are usually trying to pay a compliment. I think it's inaccurate to say that I am NOT religious; even though the term falls short of describing the tension and depth of my faith, yes I do go to church, I do Christiany things, etc. I've found that sometime it just puts people off a good discussion by moving towards a semantic tangent... but then sometimes it raises a better discussion to clarify. It's like when people ask me if I'm "Oriental"....
My youth group leader at my church often says that. He has taught me a lot, and I have learned a lot.
This is a really good explanation. (I might just have to use some of the pointers as defense whenever my atheist friends talk about religions)
Well, since every single commentor has said differently, I'm probably wrong here, but it seems to me that this is a little reductionistic. A false dichotomy perhaps, for you philosophy buffs?
It is quite common today to be "spiritual, but not religious." Or to describe Christianity as "a relationship, not a religion." This implies that religion and following Jesus are contradictory. They are not. Indeed, the precepts of most religions are present in Christianity: prayer, assembly, rites of service, etc. The proper thing to say is that Christianity is not merely a religion. Or perhaps, Christianity is a true religion.
I know it's just a minor distinction, but it's a little bit of a pet peeve of mine. When we claim that our practices are not religious, even though they have all the hallmarks of religion, we look disingenuous at best, foolish at worst. Moreover; it's simply not true, James describes true religion as taking care of widows and orphans, Paul lays out specific ordinances regarding the adminstration of the Lord's table, the qualifications for deacons and pastors, how to properly employ spiritual gifts, etc. etc. etc.
I agree that the relationship with Christ is the most important thing, and it certainly should be emphasized over "religious" aspects of the faith, but to say that Christianity is not a religion, in my opinion, is just plain wrong.
Well, what about being "spiritual"? These days I get people asking me whether I'm "spiritual".
I was a non-Christian and I never liked religion. I don't like being labeled as religious or spiritual. It's like being labeled as a rule follower or in-tune with my inner self - which has nothing to do with God. God was the one who came after me and I heard Him enough to respond back. Being a Christian involves God in my daily life, activities and all my relationships.
Non-believers know that I'm a Christian, so they'll start saying, "oh, don't you have a religion or something?" Either I stump them or it's an ice-breaker to share the Gospel with them (which is usually the case) by saying "I don't like religion so I don't know what you're talking about".
Good post!
It's not a religion, but a relationship. :)
@manhouser@xanga - after reading this I think I agree with you. It's a bit dangerous to only say it's a relationship since you still are compelled (or need to) do certain things to be considered a true Christian. There are certain rituals (like the Lord's supper) that all Christians should (and according to Paul...must follow)
in a sense it is a false dichotomy. Perhaps people don't like to say it's a religion because of the "lack of freedom" it implies. but to say it isn't merely any other religion people say it's more of a relationship then anything else out there
@Conartist@xanga - LOL, normally when people assume that I'm catholic, I tell them I'm an Irish Protestant so I eat Catholics for breakfast. :D Some find this funny, others do not.