Being a religious Christian is good

[Wynona]

I hear a lot of people speaking badly about religion. They usually say the word as if it's only empty rule following.

I now see this as yet another sign that we (at least here in the west) don't read through the entire Bible or even the New Testament.

Religion isn't always bad.

James 1:27
King James Version
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

I am both spiritual and religious. Pure religion is helping those in need from faith, not a sign of self-righteousness or pride.

 

[Stumpmaster]

I hear a lot of people speaking badly about religion. They usually say the word as if it's only empty rule following.

I now see this as yet another sign that we (at least here in the west) don't read through the entire Bible or even the New Testament.

Religion isn't always bad.

James 1:27
King James Version
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

I am both spiritual and religious. Pure religion is helping those in need from faith, not a sign of self-righteousness or pride.

True. There is nothing in James 1:27 about the ton of other religious observances that some are burdened with. You can eat fish on Friday without seeming irreligious or impious.

 

[Windmill Charge]

I am both spiritual and religious.

I've never understood this saying.
Christianity is about Jesus those who talk about spirituality usually mix all sorts of pagan no sense in with their religion of Christian rituals.

It's how we interact with Jesus that is important.

 

[Wynona]

I've never understood this saying.
Christianity is about Jesus those who talk about spirituality usually mix all sorts of pagan no sense in with their religion of Christian rituals.

It's how we interact with Jesus that is important.

Hi there! Would you say Christianity is not spiritual? Or does the saying make you think of people who mix pagan stuff in?

 

[marks]

I hear a lot of people speaking badly about religion. They usually say the word as if it's only empty rule following.

I now see this as yet another sign that we (at least here in the west) don't read through the entire Bible or even the New Testament.

Religion isn't always bad.

James 1:27
King James Version
27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

I am both spiritual and religious. Pure religion is helping those in need from faith, not a sign of self-righteousness or pride.

I agree!! As long as we look to Scripture to define what our religeous observance is.

Much love!

 

[Windmill Charge]

Hi there! Would you say Christianity is not spiritual? Or does the saying make you think of people who mix pagan stuff in?

Christianity is not just spiritual, it is also about how one lives, it affects ever area of ones life.

 

[Wynona]

Christianity is not just spiritual, it is also about how one lives, it affects ever area of ones life.

I suppose I usually think of both. My pet peeve phrase is "spiritual but not religious". I dislike how often Ive heard that one.

 

[Rita]

I dislike the word religious , but not because of the word but because of what it has come to mean within society. When someone defines me ‘ as being religious ‘ they mean, I believe in God and go to church and am a goody goody. They use the term for anyone that goes to church and follows certain rules.
I prefer to be known as a Christian, someone who follows Christ.
I left the denominational churches because I could see a difference, and felt a conviction, about how many man made rules had crept in, being religious - doing things a certain way because you are told to by someone else. Now the latter comment is truth but for me it was man that dictated the rules.
i.e sitting in rowes, having communion every month on the first Sunday, having notices then prayer, then a hymn, then the sermon, another hymn ect ect. Only the pastor, and who he decides to speaks,
membership where the congregation decides if you are worthy enough to join , you can only do certain things in the church if you have proved yourself ( ridiculous when you move and have to start all over again. …………
Now don’t get me wrong, there has to be structure, but it was something I started to feel was false !

 

[Windmill Charge]

I suppose I usually think of both. My pet peeve phrase is "spiritual but not religious". I dislike how often Ive heard that one.

I agree. If one is serving and worshipping God or gods, then one is being religious.
The thing about Christianity is that our " religion " does not save us, it is there to help us worship God.

 

[Stumpmaster]

I suppose I usually think of both. My pet peeve phrase is "spiritual but not religious". I dislike how often Ive heard that one.

My experience of so called Pentecostal/Charismatic assemblies has included their use of the word religion as a pejorative.

During my time with them they repeatedly showed their aversion to solemnity and reverence with religious fervour.

Of particular annoyance to some of influence and authority were "religious spirits", from which supposed harbingers were exhorted to be delivered.

One beloved pastor could not preach without slipping into a belaboured regurgitation of his previous messages against religious spirits.

We loved him but had to shake our heads at how religious he was in doing this.