cr0ss

This is my general view on faith vs religion... though I must say first that this came from a previous thread (actually it was a response) in another forum, I just might get more insight from you guys because this seems more... holy... than the other forum I was in.

In religion, you make the outer side look good, but you can still be rotten inside. Likewise, we are to live by faith (food for the inside that should be allowed to sprout outwards), not by sight (make ourselves look good to others, as religion does... and we're still rotting inside).

The things in the bible aren't there because God wants to look at us under a microscope - and smash us like bugs when we screw up... No, God is loving, that's why we are given general guidelines to live by (Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth). Even if we tried, we couldn't live by 300+ rules that are set up in the bible even if we tried (but we could easily fake it - which doesn't say much about our integrity when we do so)... I think they are there to look at and ponder on (meditation in the word is also good for faith).

Again, we can wear all the religious clothing we want, but it's not the clothing that matters - you have to feed the inner most parts of your heart first... that starts with God (and turning away from sin, and back to Christ - repentance), not a set of rules (see what I am getting at here). When I accepted Christ as Lord, I wasn't bound to rules (of religion).

There are people who choose to stay inside their homes because they think that going outside will lead them into sin (the people who trust God but do nothing)... well, light was meant to shine in dark corners. Some might say there's a right time and place for it, but God says to "go" out and spread the word... in simple terms, this is why Jesus is a 24/7 way of life. God does not put bounds onto when and where a person can be saved. This is a problem with religion, because sometimes people stretch that to say (and scare people) that you'll die if you do this and that...

So you have people who accept Christ but don't do anything, but you also have those who encourage others to go out, and you also have those who straight forwardly get the word out.

My main point is we are not bound by chains, we are free to soar as God intended to begin with... A plane is built around the engine, not the other way around.

The fact of the matter is: We live by faith, not by sight!

WasLost

I've always subscribed to the notion that religion is the physical practice of faith. Faith is essential and is one of the "big three"...Faith Hope and Love. Religions can get caught up in themselves and become clubhouses or political forums at times...but even the churches can make mistakes. Forgiveness and faith keeps us coming back to practice our faith in the religion we associate with. You can have faith without religion, but you can't have religion without faith...unless you're just paying lip-service. I've only recently become in touch with my faith again and certainly am not comfortable or ready to go back to a church, but I know my faith is back and in the right place...with God. Faith is a journey? Faith is a verb?

Excellent post...

WasLost

שׁמע ישׂראל

Christianity, I would hope, would be religion.

Many Christians today are so confused by evangelist wordplay. Whenever I refer to Christianity as a religion, I am shouted down by at least 4 denominations claiming "Christianity isn't a religion!"

It's not altogether surprising when I see athiests and the rest of the world laugh at them and hand them a dictionary. But what puzzles me... is how many Christians can label other religions as "false religions" yet never claim the faith as the "true religion". If Christians won't claim "True Religion" (while somewhat violently protesting such a title ), what other "true religion" should new converts seek?

Is Christianity a faith? Yes. But so is other "systems of belief" who claim they have faith in something/someone. Is Christianity a religion? As defined by the dictionary and by scripture, yes it is... but then again the dictionary, and their scriptures say their "system of belief" is as well.

Which is the original, and which one is the fake?

There's one pearl held within two hands. The world needs to be guided to the one holding the pearl.

(But don't deny it's a hand and call it a foot.)

Shalom

Joyful

There are many, many word playing going on besides a lot of other stuff.

It is spiritual disaster indeed.

Banarenth

I would say that religion is what people do, Faith is what you feel, know, or understand.

Joyful

If you don't know the meaning of what the majority believes you will be looked down on.

HisManySongs

Reminds me of a line delivered by Franklin in the play '1776' when the Congress is discussing whether the rebellion is right.

To paraphrase:

Religions in the first person (our/my religion) is always true. Its the religion in the third person (their religion) that's false.

__________________
Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because it does. - 1 Corinthians 14:1 (The Message)

We are called to take His Light ... Shalom and Keep the Son in Your eyes!

Posters on my Pastor's wall:
I know you believe you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize what you heard is not what I meant.
Blessed are the flexible for they shall not be bent out of shape.