Whats the difference in being religious and being a christian?
@pheonixstar1982 (2307)
United States
July 9, 2008 10:44pm CST
Me and a friend of mine are totally confused on why a lot of christian's get upset when its said they are religious or are called religious. We thought christianity was a religion, in some peoples eyes its the religion. So why is it wrong to be called religious, please someone explain the difference to us.
4 people like this
21 responses
@jingbautista (2456)
• Philippines
28 Jul 08
i am a christian. and somehow, others would call me religious too. but mind you, christianity isn't really a religion. it is a way of life that a person is follwoing Jesus Christ. because when we say it is a religion, then we would be requiring ourselves to be a member of it. well, it takes to receive JESUS CHRIST as personal Lord and Savior to be a christian. and by then, you will know really the difference. because as of now, explanations could really not explain everything to you...
1 person likes this
@thehoodoo (33)
• Malaysia
27 Jul 08
A religion is a set of beliefs and practices. Christianity is not a religion. It is a way of life. A religion would be doing things, conducting rituals to appease a god because of a belief, and for no other reason. Christianity is life, mind, soul and heart changing. It is all encompassing and cannot be limited in scope to mere ritual. It is a relationship not just bordering but completely engulfed in the supernatural. It is not esoteric and not secret knowledge. It is a relationship with God which changes you from the inside out, making you a completely different person. Christians are not only called to do certain things, but they WANT to. Not to appease, something or someone, they have been changed like that. This is what seperates Christianity from religion, and why some might get offended when you call them religious.
1 person likes this
@Harley009 (1416)
• India
10 Jul 08
Being a Christian means s/he has the label of Christian at least.
Being religious means he is more into in his religion and practicing or believing in it better than others.
It is not a matter of getting upset. I'm kinda religious as well but I'm a Muslim and religious .. hehehe.
-Peace-
@pheonixstar1982 (2307)
• United States
10 Jul 08
So it would not bother you if someone called you religious instead of saying that your Muslim.
1 person likes this
@Pose123 (21635)
• Canada
12 Jul 08
Hi pheonixstar, There are many different religions in the world besides Christianity. A person can be a religious Muslim or a religious Jew. Those people would be very upset if you called them a Christian. Many Christians don't like to be called religious for several reasons. Your born again fundamentalist Christian may feel that it gives the idea that going to church every Sunday will get you into heaven, others may think that it refers to the pomp and ceremony found in some more traditional churches. The person who prefers to be called Spiritual rather than religious is usually someone who sees good in all religions. Blessings.
@pheonixstar1982 (2307)
• United States
13 Jul 08
I know there are different religions in the world and know that some other religions would be upset if you called them christian. I just dont understand why a christian would be upset being called religious considering it is a religion, but i am getting a better understanding why now.
1 person likes this
@zeroflashx2 (2491)
• Philippines
10 Jul 08
I don't think there's anything wrong when someone's called religious. There are lots of religions and being religious is being devoted to it and applies the teaching of their religion in their daily lives.
Being a Christian, however, is merely being a part of the religion. It doesn't differentiate who are religious or aren't. My opinion on this is that, it may have been the notion that there are more christians than any other religion. Just an analogy, it's like religion:christians and photocopy:xerox. 
@pheonixstar1982 (2307)
• United States
10 Jul 08
See thats what me and my friend beleive, but in a post of hers someone makes a point to point out they are not a religious they are christian.
1 person likes this
@zeroflashx2 (2491)
• Philippines
10 Jul 08
They may have a different opinion on what being religious is. I may be wrong, but I think that the meaning of being Christian is the same. Being part of it. I can't speculate on how they define being religious though that much. It's most likely a group of people. I haven't seen that post. 
@moonlitmagikchild (22181)
• United States
10 Jul 08
and my family freaks OUT if they are called religious when they are christian
@Gargoyle0134 (1257)
• United States
10 Jul 08
Ok..Some Christians are religious, and have chosen to be like, Catholic, Methodist, Baptist and the other Christian faiths. Those that are just Christians that are not of a chosen path and only call themselves christians, but are not Catholic, Prespytarian, Episcopalinan, Lutheran, Baptists, etc.. generic Christian folks that may call themselves "born again," are christian but are not considered to belong to a specific religion, or so I understand..but I do not believe this is considered an actual religion by law? (Not sure..I think you have to go to a religious church or temple recognised by the U.S. Congress to be considered "religious." Born again is not recognised, or so I believe?-Could be wrong. I haven't known a person like this since high school and it was a fairly new idea at the time.)
But all religions are not Christian. There are Jewish folks (religious, also) and Bhuddists form places like Nepal and the HImalayan Mountains, Shintoists from China and in India most people are Hinduists! Some people are muslims form Africa or the middle East and some Studt religious Islam, I understand. Some people from the British isles and Amewrica are Wiccans and this is a religion that's recognised by Congress in the USA. And there are hundreds or more of religions all over the world!
The Unites States is a "melting pot" with people from around the world and many have diffrent religions. Christians comprised about 3 percent of religious people in the world. The other 97 percent of people in the world are from other religious backgrounds.
@Gargoyle0134 (1257)
• United States
11 Jul 08
I think you may have missed the point. There is a difference between being SPIRITUAL and being labeled as RELIGIOUS.
A religion is a specifically labeled faith, such as Baptist, Catholic, Methodist, etc..Being Christian, but not being more specific of WHICH KIND and being vague about that is more of a spirituality, than a particular religion, I feel. That is why they may be spiritual people, but they do not consider themselves religious.
Many religious (church) folks are spiritual, following the 10 commandments well, etc...? But NOT all spiritual people are religious..see what I mean? There are people that have never gone to a church or that never particippated in religion..that ARE good followers of the 10 commandments and such..and even though they are not religious, the are VERY spiritual. (Follow the commandments and the golden rule, in some cases, better than many that do go to church!)
There's a difference between being spiritual and religious. There are non-religious folks that are real spiritual. Some only live too far form a church to be able to get transportation to be a chirch-goer or religious. And believe it or not..there are people who go to church all the time and are NOT really religious OR spiritual, but the hide behind it and cause harm to others. I knew a guy that went to my mother-in-law's Baptist church and said he was religious and was eevn a deacon? And then he killed a state troper last year after being given a speeding ticket. -Not too spiritual OR religious. See what I mean?
The two are different. Many who go to churches are religious and spiritual. Some are only there for the social part and are religious, but not really spiritual. Some only go to look good to their communities and are not interested in following the path their church wants them to. They are really neithe religious OR spiritual, but use the church to get away wiht hiding behind their churches when they do bad things. Luckily..most that go to church have good intentions.
-But some people don't go to church and are spiritual and are great people. Some call themselves Christians..even "born again," but do not follow an exact religion, OK? Thye prefer to be called spiritual and not religious.
Hope this helps.
@pheonixstar1982 (2307)
• United States
10 Jul 08
See the thing is if Christianity is one of the many religions why is it offensive to be called religious to them because i never meet a person from another religion who thought be called religious was offensive. But it seems being religious in some peoples eyes doesn't necessarily mean really believing just acting like you do.
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
10 Jul 08
I don't see why anyone that is religious should be upset by the term unless it is applied to them negatively. In this context I see it as meaning the sharing of a set of beliefs and practices pertaining to their belief. Christianity is something that I see as being a follower of Jesus and his teachings, but not necessarily within a formal framework that constitutes a religion. I live my life broadly in accordance with the teachings of Jesus and I believe that there is a higher spiritual plane that we will all trot off to when we die. I could be a practicing member of the Roman Catholic Church which would be my religion. (But I'm not. I'm agnostic in that respect).
@pheonixstar1982 (2307)
• United States
10 Jul 08
I am sort of agnostic myself.. its hard to explain my beliefs because although i believe i God and Jesus, i also believe in a lot of things that are not in the Bible.
1 person likes this
@Tianna2 (1273)
• United States
10 Jul 08
Hi, to me the difference is being religious kind of means doing everything so that everyone can see them and (to me anyway) Christians do the right things because they have the Lord in there heart.
I guess the easiest way to explain it would be to show why each does what they do:
Christians Do right because they love the lord and want to please him because they love him. Religious people are more concerned with outside appearances and how everything looks to others in the church.
Now understand that I havent been a member of a church in ages(thats another story), This is he way I have always understood it and believe it to be. I'll probably take some flak for writing this but oh, well!
Cheers, Tianna
@pheonixstar1982 (2307)
• United States
10 Jul 08
No you dont sound like a flake, but i feel like one for not knowing the difference and understanding why it would be upsetting to be called religious. I like your explanation, thanks.
1 person likes this
@Kierstal (142)
• United States
10 Jul 08
The difference between being religious and being Christian is... Christianity isn't the only religion out there :) You can be a religious Muslim, Hindu, Kemetic, etc. Some Christians may get upset by this because they would rather have their faith be attributed directly to Christ than simply a catch-all for any faith, i.e, "religion".
@pheonixstar1982 (2307)
• United States
10 Jul 08
I can understand why that would be upsetting...to be lumped in with all religions.
1 person likes this
@singerja (106)
• United States
13 Jul 08
Hi,
I know myself that I am not religious but I am a Christian. When I think of someone who is religious I think of a person who walks around with a bible in their hands all the time, or saying the rossary all the time or something like that. When I was a child, I remember one of my grandmothers had her bedroom filled with thos candles that you see in a Catholic church that you light for special intentions. Her room had all these lit candles. It seemed kind of strange to me. She also went around being very pious. That to me is being religious. Now, being a Christian is being a follower of Christ. That I am. I am not religious but I am a
Christian. These are my thoughts.
@nutanjain (898)
• India
12 Jul 08
there is no diferrence in my point of view becuse both re at the end human beings and both are worshippping god in their own ways and it doesnt makess any big difrrence because ways may be diferrent names may be different but ultimately we are worshipping god and taking his name in good as well as bad situations as he is only who helps us in one way or the other and this is only the truth and nothing else i believe
@pheonixstar1982 (2307)
• United States
12 Jul 08
Thats basically what i thought as well.
1 person likes this
@Balozi (243)
• Kenya
12 Jul 08
Man is religious by nature. Christianity is a religion. The act of worshipping is religion. There is a kind of pattern followed in worship, a kind of tradition that is consistent with that worship. To be religious is to adhere to that pattern. The catholics practice it, Anglicans, moslems, hindus, etc. Now the act of religion is not a guaranteed reverents of Gods might or goodness. People do it almost in a professional manner. You can be a religious Christian who does not even understand the truth about God. Christ called them the Pharisees and the scribes. You cannot be a christian without being religious. But you can be religious Christian and not no God..
@Kofficup (150)
• Philippines
12 Jul 08
I think let us add the word Godly or pro-God. If you read the meaning of religious in the dictionary it means... dedication into something specific while Christian is a christ believer. Anyone can be called religious if they are doing it with passion, purpose and again dedication. A burglar maybe can be called religiously doing his craft with passion, purpose and dedication, what do you think?
My mom and I are always arguing about christianity and religion. I told her that she's just religious because she's not practicing christian living she just pretended to be a christian because she confesses to the priest and a priest for me is not God who can cleanse the sins that she confesses.
So i think that is the difference between the two.
@pheonixstar1982 (2307)
• United States
12 Jul 08
Thanks for your response and it seems the popular idea that religious people are just acting like christians and not being a true believer.
1 person likes this
@PsotkaDee (30)
•
12 Jul 08
Well, you call Christians people who were baptized but not all of them will follow God's path. They have free will so they can choose where they want to go. Sometimes they reject God from they life. But in my mind they are still Christians cause of christening.
Word "religious" means that you believe in God and you are trying to live your life according to his commandments.
Unfortunately word "religious" is used as a stereotype as well. It would probable mean that you do not know how to have fun and spent half of each day praying, are boring etc. I think that is a reason that some people do not like it. They do not want to be put in a basket with any label that would define them and it does not give them a chance to show you who they really are. But that is a problem with stereotypes.
My advise is to: try to get to know them first before you call them names that my be define by both of you in a different way. It will save you lot of misunderstandings.
All the best :)
@pheonixstar1982 (2307)
• United States
12 Jul 08
Someone my friend actually called religious and they get upset by it was her family. She grew up in a very strict christian family and when she did call them religious they got upset and would explain the difference very well which sparked this discussion.
1 person likes this
@twistershot (736)
• India
10 Jul 08
It's their own way to express their words, but the real thing knows that real christians. We can't change them who looking this in different ways.
@Balozi (243)
• Kenya
12 Jul 08
Man is religious by nature. Christianity is a religion. The act of worshipping is religion. There is a kind of pattern followed in worship, a kind of tradition that is consistent with that worship. To be religious is to adhere to that pattern. The catholics practice it, Anglicans, moslems, hindus, etc. Now the act of religion is not a guaranteed reverents of Gods might or goodness. People do it almost in a professional manner. You can be a religious Christian who does not even understand the truth about God. Christ called them the Pharisees and the scribes. You cannot be a christian without being religious. But you can be religious Christian and not no God..
@krayzietam (832)
• United States
10 Jul 08
That is because they aren't exactly the same. I am a Christian but I do not consider myself religious, but of course I do not get upset like some people if they call me that lol. Christianity basically means to be Christ-like, and in a sense you use religion as a gateway in order to follow Christ or God. But just because you are religious, that doesn't mean that you are going the route that God wants you to go. Oftentimes, individuals use religion as the way to get to heaven and that is not so. People get all caught up in religion and tradition and honestly, these are just rules. Jesus broke all tradition when He walked the earth. (This is apparent in the bible with different scenarios). He says that He is the way. Not religion or tradition. Basically, religion is just a way to keep order if you know what I mean. For example, there are different derivatives or denomiations of Christianity such as Baptist and Pentecostal, but they dont all beleive the same things. It is kind of confusing because you would think that Christianity is a religion, and it is.. but when you break it down..religion is just the gateway or the route you take as a Christian. Hope this helps lol
@shlooper (309)
• United States
10 Jul 08
I am not entirely sure why people get upset, but here is my theory. I think that some people do not like to be called religious because that implies that they associate themselves with a specific group when being "spiritual" seems like they are more open minded. This article: http://www.beliefnet.com/story/109/story_10958_1.html
addresses the issue very well. It basically states that religious implies orthodox beliefs while spiritual implies more unorthodox beliefs.
