Christianity: A RELATIONSHIP not a religion. Faith counts.

"Religion is man's thinking that there is something he can do to save himself," This is nonsense. A religion is a collection of beliefs shared among a group. That's all. Christianity is a religion no matter how you slice it. Everyone who believes in a divine Jesus Christ is a member of the CHRISTian religion. Simple as that.

I agree with you some - that there is nothing that a person can do to save themselves - as most Christians believe you have to "do this" or "do that"..."don't do this" and "don't do that". But there are some Christians out there who believe that there is nothing man can do in order to protect himself or to "reserve" his place in heaven. They are just far and few in between. But I am with you that most Christians fall pray to alot of garbage and ritual that just puts fear and control into them and also empties their wallets at the same time. Maybe its the terms that people are clashing on. I would say that 99.9% percent of your typical organized religion is about ritual....maybe the term spiritual should be used since it is about a belief and feeling - rather then practices and rituals.

Religion IS the things we try to do to save ourselves, all the things we do outside of a relationship with Christ. Also, when some people get to heaven, they are going to meet others there whom we will be surprised to see. There will not be some we expect to see. Because in the end, it is only God who knows a person's true allegiance and love, whether it is for Jesus or for some other substitution for religion.

I am filled with joy to hear that you came to the LORD even after so much over discipline. Thank you for participating in my discussion. Long time no see you, heather, and glad to see you again!

He watches over us even in the times we are not looking for Him. And when we seek Him He is closer than any family member or friend can ever be here to us on Earth. We carry Him inside us, and we are in His hand. It is a physical mystery, but spiritually it makes perfect sense. I am so thankful for the provision and presence that is with me every day through His Holy Spirit, a gift of Jesus' sacrifice for us.

It is early morning and your comment is the first one I read. I wish everyone could feel how I feel every morning full of joy with the promise of a new day ahead filled with God's love. I always thank him for keeping me safe throught the night and giving me another day.

If folks go around trying to compare their churches, assuming you mean denominations, then they will be so busy comparing that they aren't taking the time to see and cherish the real meaning of what God wants to offer. If, however, we really all believe in Christ and hold to that, then indeed it will not make any difference what denomination we follow. If we all believe in and follow Christ then we will exhibit love and caring and the purest of beliefs, and then we won't have time to criticize or compare because we will be too busy loving.

I agree.

I know a man who claims to be a devout Christian and yet says he is sure we will stand in lines waiting to get into heaven according to what church we attended. Like you say, it's not the denomination or name of the church that qualifies us for a place in heaven, it is solely the claim of the blood of Christ and His grace.

If you want to get specific than substitute the word DO for the word PRACTICE. Christianity does not require BELIEF so much as it requires ACCEPTANCE, if you want to be that specific. After all, BELIEF implies enough intelligence to understand what it is all about, and we can only understand God on our imperfect human level, never fully grasping the detail of His being and His Love. I agree with you that there is a simple definition for the word, mere intellect, but there is the heart and soul side of Christianity that is beyond what is in a word, beyond what a brain can make logical. It is absolutely true that some people are focusing to much on rituals, some relying on the habit of church going, some relying on the opening of the Bible, rather than relying on accepting the deep underlying meaning and the gift from God that is available to them.

"If you want to get specific than substitute the word DO for the word PRACTICE." Okay, if you want to, but that doesn't change the meaning at all. A religion is made up of tenets, beliefs, etc....not actions. You don't "do" a religion. "Christianity does not require BELIEF so much as it requires ACCEPTANCE, if you want to be that specific." No, that is the exact opposite of what is correct. Theism of all kinds requires belief a.k.a. faith, which in this context means considering something true without evidence. "Acceptance" implies that something has already evidenced/supported itself, and that you are accepting that evidence in order to consider the idea true. This is why it is a common misconception to ask if one "believes" in evolution (or anything else in science), for example. They are called "religious beliefs" and not "religious acceptances" for a reason. "BELIEF implies enough intelligence to understand what it is all about" Uh, no. The word does not even BEGIN to imply that. "we can only understand God on our imperfect human level, never fully grasping the detail of His being and His Love." Actually, since you want to get technical, I submit to you that it is impossible to 'know' a given deity on ANY level. Even when it comes to the scenario of divine intervention, there is no possible way to positively identify a supernatural agent. A human can't rule out one god over another, or a deception over a truth. For all you know, all of your 'personal experiences' with "God" could easily be tricks by Satan or Loki or Ra or even your own imagination! As mere humans with our five silly little senses, presuming that we could even BEGIN to DEFINE a deity is the height of arrogance.

I think that James is trying to establish what religion is supposed to be, as opposed to what it has become. Religion now is often equated with differences in denomination and not actually in different philosophies. In all philosophies there are people who follow James' given definition.

I agree that James is establishing what religion should be. That is my point exactly. The Bible gives us a clear definition of religion in God's eyes. Instead of railing against religion, we should be practicing it how the Bible tells us to. Religion is not the problem, the problem is how people practice religion.

Agreed and thank you for emphasizing that point. It totally supports what I am trying to say here.