Why Religion, Why Christianity

[KingJ]

In discussion with atheists the question of 'why religion' comes up and with agnostics 'why Christianity'.

Why pursue a religion? Why not just ''be good'' and ''enjoy your life away from religion''. How do you know Christianity is the truth?

The answers to these are actually very simple.

Why religion:

A person with a working brain can grasp they are a creation. Can grasp intelligent design. Wanting to know and be known by our Creator is / should be as natural as a baby suckling for the first time. A better question to ask and one that is more deserving of an explanation is ''why not religion?''.

Why Christianity:

Jesus changed the world. If there is even a 1% (or less) possibility that God lay His life down for our sins John 3:16 / showed the greatest act of love possible (John 15:13) we should surely desire to further investigate it.

When someone is after God's heart (Rom 12:9) / drawing close to Him, He pays us a visit. We draw close to God, God draws close to us James 4:8. God reveals Jesus to us 1 Cor 12:3. IE Christianity is God's doing.

 

[Brother-Paul]

Christianity is NOT a Religion, though sadly some denominations have made it so.

- Religion is man’s attempt to reach God
- Christianity is God’s attempt to reach man
- Therefore, Christianity is not a religion.

Religion is 3 R's - Rules, Rituals, Rewards.

Christianity has commandments yes, but sacrifices and offerings I do not desire, and we are saved by Grace through faith.

 

[saginon]

Christianity is NOT a Religion, though sadly some denominations have made it so.

- Religion is man’s attempt to reach God
- Christianity is God’s attempt to reach man
- Therefore, Christianity is not a religion.

Religion is 3 R's - Rules, Rituals, Rewards.

Christianity has commandments yes, but sacrifices and offerings I do not desire, and we are saved by Grace through faith.

You believe what you read from others. Christianity most certainly IS a religion.
James 1:27 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.

 

[Brother-Paul]

You believe what you read from others. Christianity most certainly IS a religion.
James 1:27 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 aware of the verse in James but I still stand by this...

- Religion is man’s attempt to reach God
- Christianity is God’s attempt to reach man
- Therefore, Christianity is not a religion.

Religion is 3 R's - Rules, Rituals, Rewards.

Look at the world religions, rules, rituals and rewards, man's attempt to reach God, and get people to be better people by rewards when you get to heaven.

Look at true Christianity, do good and seek no reward, love one another as I have loved you, I have come that you may have life.

No religion can these things, they are trying to reach a God who is not living, some with self made prophets.

God, our Living God, revealed all things through the prophets 'before they occurred' so that we know when they happen God said they would, He planned them ahead of time.

Jesus is Lord to the Glory of God the Father.

 

[saginon]

I am aware of the verse in James but I still stand by this...

- Religion is man’s attempt to reach God
- Christianity is God’s attempt to reach man
- Therefore, Christianity is not a religion.

Religion is 3 R's - Rules, Rituals, Rewards.

Look at the world religions, rules, rituals and rewards, man's attempt to reach God, and get people to be better people by rewards when you get to heaven.

Look at true Christianity, do good and seek no reward, love one another as I have loved you, I have come that you may have life.

No religion can these things, they are trying to reach a God who is not living, some with self made prophets.

God, our Living God, revealed all things through the prophets 'before they occurred' so that we know when they happen God said they would, He planned them ahead of time.

Jesus is Lord to the Glory of God the Father.

No matter how you cut it, Christianity is a religion and a world religion at that. In my view saying it's not is simply the opinion of one trying to disconnect the religion of Christianity to the others. Doesn't work for me but can understand why it does for others.

 

[Brother-Paul]

No matter how you cut it, Christianity is a religion and a world religion at that. In my view saying it's not is simply the opinion of one trying to disconnect the religion of Christianity to the others. Doesn't work for me but can understand why it does for others.

If Christianity is to be 'classed as' a religion, it is pure religion. Doing the will of the Father, following Jesus and what he has taught us.

James 1:27
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.
To follow Jesus in all we do, think, say and pray.

- Religion is man’s attempt to reach God
- Christianity is God’s attempt to reach man
- Therefore, Christianity is not a religion and for those that consider it to be a religion, it is pure and undefiled.

The emphasis here is on the comparison of what is classed in this world as a religion. The first two lines sums it up perfectly.

 

[KingJ]

- Religion is man’s attempt to reach God
- Christianity is God’s attempt to reach man

Now that is true!! Well said.

 

[saginon]

Derailing the thread. Maybe ask a mod to post your post in a new thread.

Say that to the one who said Christianity is NOT a religion.

 

[KingJ]

Say that to the one who said Christianity is NOT a religion.

Brother Paul made a profound statement in post # 9. I agree 100% with it.

As I say in my OP, God makes us Christians 1 Cor 12:3, Matt 16:16-17. Christianity is God trying to reach us. Religion is not entirely bad. Sure there is truth to us trying to reach God as James 4:8, James 1:27 as you quoted and many more examples. Like Rom 12:9, Matt 16:24. But religion is us trying to reach God. Which Christianity is not.

Christianity is walking in the finished work of the cross. A Christian is a new creation. Not trying to be a new creation.

 

[Brother-Paul]

Brother Paul made a profound statement in post # 9. I agree 100% with it.

As I say in my OP, God makes us Christians 1 Cor 12:3, Matt 16:16-17. Christianity is God trying to reach us. Religion is not entirely bad. Sure there is truth to us trying to reach God as James 4:8, James 1:27 as you quoted and many more examples. Like Rom 12:9, Matt 16:24. But religion is us trying to reach God. Which Christianity is not.

Christianity is walking in the finished work of the cross. A Christian is a new creation. Not trying to be a new creation.

If I may add the following brother...

John 15:16-17 (NKJV)
16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
17 These things I command you, that you love one another.

 

[saginon]

Brother Paul made a profound statement in post # 9. I agree 100% with it.

As I say in my OP, God makes us Christians 1 Cor 12:3, Matt 16:16-17. Christianity is God trying to reach us. Religion is not entirely bad. Sure there is truth to us trying to reach God as James 4:8, James 1:27 as you quoted and many more examples. Like Rom 12:9, Matt 16:24. But religion is us trying to reach God. Which Christianity is not.

Christianity is walking in the finished work of the cross. A Christian is a new creation. Not trying to be a new creation.

Like it or not Christianity IS a religion! I don't know who came up with the idea that it is not but it's not true. It's only some CHRISTIANS who believe it's not!

 

[linker01]

In discussion with atheists the question of 'why religion' comes up and with agnostics 'why Christianity'.

Why pursue a religion? Why not just ''be good'' and ''enjoy your life away from religion''. How do you know Christianity is the truth?

The answers to these are actually very simple.

Why religion:

A person with a working brain can grasp they are a creation. Can grasp intelligent design. Wanting to know and be known by our Creator is / should be as natural as a baby suckling for the first time. A better question to ask and one that is more deserving of an explanation is ''why not religion?''.

Why Christianity:

Jesus changed the world. If there is even a 1% (or less) possibility that God lay His life down for our sins John 3:16 / showed the greatest act of love possible (John 15:13) we should surely desire to further investigate it.

When someone is after God's heart (Rom 12:9) / drawing close to Him, He pays us a visit. We draw close to God, God draws close to us James 4:8. God reveals Jesus to us 1 Cor 12:3. IE Christianity is God's doing.

In add to that, most "religions" is one that have to do things to please that god. But in christianity it was God who gave everything for us.
So in a sense christianity is the way to go.

Blessings.

 

[keepthefaith84]

Christianity is NOT a Religion, though sadly some denominations have made it so.

- Religion is man’s attempt to reach God
- Christianity is God’s attempt to reach man
- Therefore, Christianity is not a religion.

Religion is 3 R's - Rules, Rituals, Rewards.

Christianity has commandments yes, but sacrifices and offerings I do not desire, and we are saved by Grace through faith.

(I believe that) Religion is not necessarily a bad thing as it can be an expression of a persons devoted faithfulness, unfortunately when religion becomes the main focus ie those rules, rituals and outward traditions override Gods will then it becomes an idol of sorts.

 

[newname]

Man made religion is bad. I thought religion meant just serving God. I always get that song in my head when I see the word religion.

 

[Christ4Ever]

To answer the Why's.
It's all about Jesus the Son of God.
There is no other in or out of religion that can be found that can compare to my resurrected Jesus.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
YBIC
Nick
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