tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12009297.post7459491864495093072..comments2023-11-02T02:58:53.594-07:00Comments on From the Pew: Is Christianity A Religion?Steve Scotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10297044571819912511noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12009297.post-91232577416831670432011-03-26T20:28:03.995-07:002011-03-26T20:28:03.995-07:00Fr. Anastasios,
Thank you for the comment. I thi...Fr. Anastasios,<br /><br />Thank you for the comment. I think at the heart of it might be a Protestant reaction to what is perceived as excess Catholic "religion." (i.e. robes, formalities, etc.) This reaction, noted enough, is then turned into a sentiment.Steve Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10297044571819912511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12009297.post-46229789264253393082011-03-26T17:13:55.116-07:002011-03-26T17:13:55.116-07:00I just stumbled across your blog doing some resear...I just stumbled across your blog doing some research on Churches in Raleigh, and I am glad to see this post. I am an Orthodox Christian priest in Raleigh working on establishing <a href="http://www.holytheotokosgreenville.org" rel="nofollow">an Orthodox Church in Greenville, NC</a> and also here in <a href="http://www.gocraleigh.org" rel="nofollow">Raleigh.</a> I encounter this attitude from time to time, and sometimes I am at a loss as to what to say in response.<br /><br />I see this "it's a religion, not a relationship" as akin to a bait and switch...if someone does come in the door because he is interested in the idea of just having a "relationship" with Jesus, what happens when he realizes the regardless of the label, a relationship requires work, and that is a lot like...a religion?<br /><br />I get tired of what I see as the "either/or" dichotomy anyway...faith VERSUS works, ritual OR spirit-filled, Bible OR Tradition(s) (usually understood as "of man" in a pejorative sense).<br /><br />So anyway, thanks for this post.<br /><br />In Christ,<br />Fr. Anastasios HudsonFr. Anastasios Hudsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07838081641459494692noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12009297.post-28703611622691003802011-01-19T05:59:49.022-08:002011-01-19T05:59:49.022-08:00According to Webster’s dictionary of course, Chris...According to Webster’s dictionary of course, Christianity is a religion. Religion=a specific fundamental set of beliefs and practices generally agreed upon by a number of persons or sects.<br /><br />Religion has come to mean many things in this society and most often the word promotes a misunderstanding of what true believers have in Christ. The Pharisees were the religious of their day and that is what most people think of with the word……an outward keeping of the cup clean with no thought to the inward reality of a new heart in Christ. So when someone asks me if I’m religious or what is my religion I simply say…………I don’t have religion I have Christ even though I have a specific set of beliefs. I see by the responses here that I won’t be understood in that regard but I’ve found that it is far more telling to speak of Christ than it is to soothe a conscience with the word religion.eileen~https://www.blogger.com/profile/10023505762681786196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12009297.post-45367046089224110002011-01-17T07:54:06.533-08:002011-01-17T07:54:06.533-08:00I think that it's unfortunate that many church...I think that it's unfortunate that many church leaders over the last 20 years have rejected the term. I think that saying things like "We're not religious" actually turns off seekers or confuses them because they're looking for "religion."Jennyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11046641822669890457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12009297.post-40678361035146282362011-01-16T16:43:23.193-08:002011-01-16T16:43:23.193-08:00Hello again! Thanks SO much for your response. T...Hello again! Thanks SO much for your response. That was actually the 1st time I've heard about Christianity not being a religion or people saying and believing that it isn't.<br /><br />The young lady also put Catholics in a class of not being Christians at all. Of course I was stunned to hear this because I was brought up to believe Catholicism was one of the many "Christian" denominations. So now I'm starting to suspect that her "earthly" father may be responsible for putting that belief in her head. This is a very sweet and gracious young lady. I'm just shocked there are Christians who would shun...one of the oldest denominations.<br /><br />What do you think of "home-churching"? I'm gradually learning more about it. As long as Christ is the main focus...I guess I have no issues with it. I'm almost 40 and just realizing how being a Christian can get SO complicated. Who knew...?Angiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17536064605860937608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12009297.post-76739084408706434222011-01-16T14:06:07.572-08:002011-01-16T14:06:07.572-08:00"Mostly the same people also do this with oth..."Mostly the same people also do this with other terms, such as liturgy."<br /><br />Wolf, I smell another blog post coming soon. :-)Steve Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10297044571819912511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12009297.post-25875593530896991922011-01-16T12:55:33.991-08:002011-01-16T12:55:33.991-08:00Wolf,
Yes, you may cut, paste and post far and wi...Wolf,<br /><br />Yes, you may cut, paste and post far and wide if you please.<br /><br />SteveSteve Scotthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10297044571819912511noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12009297.post-33932042707897337462011-01-16T12:46:38.414-08:002011-01-16T12:46:38.414-08:00Amen, Scott! May I translate your post into German...Amen, Scott! May I translate your post into German and post it on my German blog? Rarely have I come across a better reaction to the "Christianity is not a religion" claim.<br /><br />People basically are here defining religion to mean "dead religion" or "manmade religion" and denying the legitimacy of any other definition.<br /><br />Mostly the same people also do this with other terms, such as liturgy.<br /><br />Wolfwnpaulhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18231515296470375310noreply@blogger.com