Things Religious People Say That Annoy Me (Part 1)
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (62145)
United States
October 23, 2015 10:17pm CST
I have nothing in the world against religion or religious people (let me clarify that: religious people who peacefully practice their religion). Some things that people (sadly, mainly Christians) say, however, really annoy me. I tend to call this "bumper sticker theology."
First on the list:
CHRISTIANITY ISN'T A RELIGION. IT'S A RELATIONSHIP.
Really? Does the IRS know this? Your church is enjoying a religious tax-exempt status. There's an adjective before the word "church" on your marquee: "Baptist church," "Catholic church," "Presbyterian church," etc. The dictionary defines "Christianity" as a religion. Do these people know something the rest of the world doesn't?
You don't try to "convert" people to a relationship the way you do to a religion. Example: you have people knocking on your door asking you to go to their church, or you have those people on bicycles asking you to go to their church. In contrast, do you ever see someone asking you to join them in their marriage? Of course not. A marriage is a relationship.
Christianity is a religion. There's no sin in admitting that...but a lot of problems in trying to deny it.
4 people like this
8 responses
@PrarieStyle (2486)
• United States
25 Oct 15
I'm not religious, I don't have a denomination, I don't go to church. I don't do Christmas, or Easter, but I'm happy to say that I'm saved and I'm the daughter of a King.
3 people like this
@Samanthavv (1380)
• United States
24 Oct 15
I really hate it when people say that god has a reason for everything. I nearly lost my daughter and some religious nut told me that while she was in the icu. She's lucky she didnt end up needing a doctor for running her mouth to me when I was so distraught.
2 people like this
@indexer (4852)
• Leicester, England
24 Oct 15
Yes - there are unfortunately people like that who have absolutely no idea of the hurt they are causing by their words. It is also unfortunate that - were you to persuade them of this fact - it would probably not change their perspective one little bit.
@Samanthavv (1380)
• United States
24 Oct 15
@indexer I reamed this woman. My daughter was hooked up to tubes and machines in the icu and she wanted to preach to me about this being part of some master loan. Not the way I see it. No one should ever punish a child with that kind of illness and pain for any kind of master plan.
1 person likes this
@connierebel (1557)
• United States
24 Oct 15
I've never seen that one, but it certainly is ridiculous! I'm a Christian, (Catholic,) and it's very definitely my religion. I would hope that it influences my relations ships, but in itself it's not a relationship.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62145)
• United States
24 Oct 15
Oh, there's even a bumper sticker that says it.
http://rlv.zcache.com/christianity_is_not_a_religion_bumper_sticker-rc323b9424eb8407ab95eaaa2b5ff8f69_v9wht_8byvr_324.jpg
@dlr297 (5409)
• United States
24 Oct 15
God wants us to know Him, to draw near to Him, to pray to Him, and love Him above everything. That is not religion; that is a relationship.
The word “Christian” is used three times in the New Testament (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16). Followers of Jesus Christ were first called “Christians” in Antioch (Acts 11:26) because their behavior, activity, and speech were like Christ. The word “Christian” literally means, “belonging to the party of Christ” or a “follower of Christ.”
over time, the word “Christian” has lost a great deal of its significance and is often used of someone who is religious or has high moral values but who may or may not be a true follower of Jesus Christ...
Many people who do not believe and trust in Jesus Christ consider themselves Christians simply because they go to church or they live in a “Christian” nation. But going to church, serving those less fortunate than you, or being a good person does not make you a Christian. Going to church does not make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you an automobile. Being a member of a church, attending services regularly, and giving to the work of the church does not make you a Christian.
What makes you a Christian is having a personal relationship with God...
Just because man calls it a religion, and Churches call it a religion...and the Government call it a religion... Does not change the fact that it is having a personal relationship with Christ. That is what God intended us to do...
@FourWalls (62145)
• United States
24 Oct 15
@indexer -- this is what so many Christians do NOT understand. They have code words that their "circle" uses, but to translate that -- or, put Biblically, giving an intellectual (or reasoned) defense for their faith -- to a nonbeliever is something they cannot do...mainly because I think they themselves don't really understand the words.
The late Christian theologian Walter Martin, who wrote the book The Kingdom of the Cults, put it this way:
Most professing Christians are sitting ducks for spiritual deception because the average Christian is not certain what he believes. And even when he is able to articulate a belief, he usually does not know why he believes it. The result is that a Jehovah’s Witness can turn the average Christian into a theological pretzel in two minutes flat."
@FourWalls (62145)
• United States
25 Oct 15
@dlr297 -- Let me ask you a question. How should one be baptized? Should they be immersed or sprinkled? In a "baptismal pool" inside a building or outside in a creek, lake, or river? In the name of Jesus, or in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spriit? As an infant or after a profession of faith? Dunked one time or three?
@indexer (4852)
• Leicester, England
24 Oct 15
I have never yet heard a satisfactory explanation of what "believing and trusting in Jesus Christ" actually means. I wonder if many people who use these words have really examined them, or if they can explain them without using a whole lot of illogical verbiage of the same nature.
If you want to persuade someone to your point of view, you have to use language that they will understand, and not simply repeat all the old mantras over and over again.
2 people like this
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
24 Oct 15
Elohim is the Hebrew word used for God in certain places, such as in the creation verses in Genesis. It is a unique name as it is a singular noun that also indicates plurality. It is the plural form of "El" which is translated God. But Elohim does not mean "gods". It remains singular, indicating one God, but also allows for the plurality of that one being.
@Rollo1 (16679)
• Boston, Massachusetts
24 Oct 15
501(c) (3) designation is not a "religion" designation under the tax code, it's a "charitable organization" designation. So Christianity, if defined by tax code, is a charitable organization. If you think about it, that's such a great definition and so accurate. Because Jesus Christ committed an act of ultimate charity and love by going to the cross. That is the entire basis for the charitable organization called Christianity.
@petertheo (148)
• South Africa
26 Oct 15
Unfortunately many churches and preachers today have manipulated the Word to suit themselves and their congregations.
