Saying NO to religion?

Religion, as found at Merriam-Webster online...

Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English religioun, from Latin religion-, religio supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from religare to restrain, tie back -- more at RELY
Date: 13th century
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

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trying my best to live my faith, which makes me Christian

Kenneth

 

Up until the 1950's, we commonly used the word religion in reference to the Christian Religion and it was an acceptable word. The old writers of the great theologies, Hodge, Strong, Berkhof thought nothing of using the great word, religion.

I refuse to surrender a very good word, and use it regularly when talking about the Christian Religion.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Theres so much false religion in the public eye these days, that many are affraid of the word religion. When even Paul wrote about what pure and perfect religion is, if he were going to condemn it, he wouldn't told us what it is. (can't remember all the verse so maybe someone else will)

 

I believe this is what you are looking for.

This is indeed pure religion, but what one must remember is that religion in and of itself does not save. It is Christ that saves. The world today relates anyone carrying the Christian name as part of that "religion" and that is what we are trying to distance ourselves from, not the religious aspect of carrying out our faith.

~Lorelei

 

The word in James where we see "religion" is the greek word threskeia which means "the act of worship". While the simplest definition in English for religion is the same, the sociological definition is a bit broader, implying not just worship, but the institutionalized customs and traditions associated with it.

I don't consider myself as "religious" as I do "spiritual", since one's "religion" is nore outward, and one's "spirituality" is more inward.