Without wishing to start a civil war between Christians. Please tell me if...

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OhahaiI'mtaken

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...Christianity is a religion or not? I see many people in this forum say it isn't because it's a 'relationship' despite the definition of the word religion.
 
Christianity is a way of life, which is characterised by the 2 commandments that Jesus gave as recorded in the New Testament. In addition to this, there has to be the belief that Jesus came to save us and fulfilled all the written code; setting out through his disciples how we ought to live. I guess the difficulty in this concept lies within the diversity in its interpretation due to doctrine based within different denominations (Catholic, Anglican, Jehovah's witness, etc.).
 
It is a religion, Christians have been rightly related to God through Our Lord Jesus Christ. The book of James says that it is a religion.
 
A dictionary definition of “religion” would be something similar to: “belief in God or gods to be worshipped, usually expressed in conduct and ritual; any specific system of belief, worship, etc., often involving a code of ethics.” In light of this definition, the Bible does talk of organized religion, but in many cases the purpose and impacts of “organized religion” are not something that God is pleased with.

In Genesis chapter 11, perhaps the first instance of organized religion, the descendents of Noah organized themselves to build the tower of Babel, instead of obeying God’s command to fill the entire earth. They believed that their unity was more important than their relationship with God. God stepped in and confused their languages, thus breaking up this organized religion.

In Exodus chapter 6 and following, God “organized” a religion for the nation Israel. The Ten Commandments, the tabernacle, and the sacrificial system were all organized by God and were to be followed by the Israelites. Further study of the New Testament clarifies that the intent of this religion was to point to the need of a Savior-Messiah (Galatians 3; Romans 7). However, many have misunderstood this and have worshipped the rules and rituals rather than God.

Throughout Israel’s history, many of the conflicts experienced by the Israelites involved the conflict between organized religions. Examples include Baal (Judges 6; 1 Kings 18), Dagon (1 Samuel 5), and Molech (2 Kings 23:10). God defeated the followers of these religions, displaying His supremacy.

In the gospels, the Pharisees and Sadducees represented organized religion at the time of Christ. Jesus constantly confronted them about their false teachings and hypocritical lifestyles. In the epistles, there were organized groups that mixed the Gospel with certain lists of required works and rituals. They also sought to put pressure on believers to change and accept these “Christianity plus” religions. Galatians and Colossians give warnings about such religions. In the Book of Revelation, organized religion will have an impact on the world as the Antichrist sets up a one-world religion.

In many cases, the end result of organized religion is a distraction from the intent of God. However, the Bible does speak of organized Christians that are part of His plan. God calls these groups of organized believers “churches.” The descriptions from the Book of Acts and the epistles provide direction that the church is to be organized and interdependent. The organization leads to protection, productivity, and outreach (Acts 2:41-47).

In this case it could better be called an “organized relationship.” Religion is man’s attempt to get into communion with God. The Christian faith is a relationship because of what God has done for us through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. There is no plan to reach God (He has reached out to us). There is no pride (all is received by grace). There should be no conflict over leadership (Christ is the Head – Colossians 1:18). There should be no prejudice (we are all one in Christ – Galatians 3:28). Being organized is not the problem. Following a religion is the problem.
 
Despite that Christians say it's a spirituality or "relationship", it still falls under the religion category. They just try to use pretty words to substitute the cold word, religion.
 
If Christianity isn't a religion, physics isn't science. Some Christians go on about the "relationship" thing, by which they mean it's not just about formal rituals and churchgoing, visible stuff: it's about something inside. True. But it has all the characteristics of a religion too. If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck ....
 
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