Is Atheism A Religion?

[th1b.taylor]

"I see that you like a previous post where the definition of religion given was "a belief system". Do you actually agree with that?

Yes.

 

[th1b.taylor]

If so, how can you deny that Christianity is a religion?"

I do not nor have I ever denied it is a religion. I often make the statement and have already, in this string that the "religion" called Christianity will purchase anyone a ticket into Hell just as quickly as being an Atheist or any other religion will. Jesus did not return to restore religion, the whole world was very religious just as it now is. Religion is works performed and works do not save. I am not even saved because I taught the Bible, Preached or led the quire singing hymns, I am saved by grace I did not deserve and I remain faithful because He walks with me, every step of the way I go.

 

[th1b.taylor]

Do you see the apparent contradiction?

No, because there is no contridiction.

 

[th1b.taylor]

"If not, what is your definition of religion?

I am sorry you did not see the answers in post 22 because all of this is in that answer. Religion is a belief structure. It will not save you and it will not send you to Heaven.

 

[th1b.taylor]

Do you realize that by most, if not all, definitions of religion that Christianity is a religion?"

And did you not read any of the posts before you posted? There are two branches of Christianity, one is the religion and the other is a moment by moment walk along the side of our God, the walk Jesus came to restore. Going to Church is a good thing to do, it puts us in the middle of a wide open Mission Field of Lost Men and Women that need our help but it will not save nor will it keep you safe.

 

[th1b.taylor]

What I have been asking is very, very clear.

And all I did was give you what you needed and everything else was answered before your post. And if I enter into the middle3 of a conversation I try to come up to speed before I try to enter into it. Am I wrong for assuming you would be as smart about entering in the middle of this conversation? If I am, I can administer an apology that will not be sincere and will change nothing. It was my understanding you could read the previous remarks and coupled with 22, I thought it all covered.

 

[Free]

Yes.

Do you then reject the idea that Christianity is a belief system?

Edited: Never mind. I see from your later post that you do.

 

[Free]

And did you not read any of the posts before you posted? There are two branches of Christianity, one is the religion and the other is a moment by moment walk along the side of our God, the walk Jesus came to restore. Going to Church is a good thing to do, it puts us in the middle of a wide open Mission Field of Lost Men and Women that need our help but it will not save nor will it keep you safe.

Well, there are several branches of Christianity--Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Coptic, etc. Now, there are true believers and unbelievers in each branch but that does not mean the unbelievers follow religion and the believers do not. What do these people need our help from and just how are we supposed to help them?

 

[Free]

I do not nor have I ever denied it is a religion. I often make the statement and have already, in this string that the "religion" called Christianity will purchase anyone a ticket into Hell just as quickly as being an Atheist or any other religion will. Jesus did not return to restore religion, the whole world was very religious just as it now is. Religion is works performed and works do not save. I am not even saved because I taught the Bible, Preached or led the quire singing hymns, I am saved by grace I did not deserve and I remain faithful because He walks with me, every step of the way I go.

So now religion is "a belief system and works performed." Okay. How do you know you are saved by grace? How do you know he walks with you, "every step of the way"?

 

[th1b.taylor]

Well, there are several branches of Christianity--Protestant, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Coptic, etc. Now, there are true believers and unbelievers in each branch but that does not mean the unbelievers follow religion and the believers do not. What do these people need our help from and just how are we supposed to help them?

Free,
Ninety-eight percent of them are going to Hell except they learn to believe the entire Bible as a fact! The Barna study will also be valuable because it was a national study and not an internal one. People feel more secure when their paper was never viewed by anyone in their Church. If such a study were conducted internally, I promise you the results would likely be reversed because of the fear of exposure.

I have even had one member tell me I was a liar because nobody can walk with God and when I showed him that God walked with Adam, Enoch, Elijah and certainly others he dismissed it off hand, he was too smart to actually believe the Bible when I was not his priest or pastor. People go to Church to sell tires, groceries, to look good to the community around them and almost any reason one could dream up but they do not go to Church to walk closer and closer to God. I have even known a man that promoted his mechanic shop by going to church and then to another and then to another.

People, as a whole, do not serve God. He is to them, at the best, a magic genie and more oft than not, a mythical figure of the past. But they do not want to be discovered and keep the cover up, almost all of the time. When I entered the Church I saw many of the same people I had entertained on Friday and Saturday Nights. They just did not have the Mixed Drink in their hands.

 

[Free]

And all I did was give you what you needed and everything else was answered before your post. And if I enter into the middle3 of a conversation I try to come up to speed before I try to enter into it. Am I wrong for assuming you would be as smart about entering in the middle of this conversation? If I am, I can administer an apology that will not be sincere and will change nothing. It was my understanding you could read the previous remarks and coupled with 22, I thought it all covered.

Except I never entered in the middle of a conversation. Reading your posts requires a lot of assuming since you don't explicitly define what you mean by "religion." Does it really make sense to say there are two branches of Christianity, when you believe that one branch--the "religious" branch--isn't actually Christian? There are many different definitions of religion so it would be best to define precisely what one means by the word in any meaningful dialogue is to take place.

Not to mention the false dichotomy you set up between "religious Christians" and what I assume you would mean "true Christians," based on your own definition of religion.

By some definitions of religion, atheism is a religion; by many definitions it is not. By almost all, if not all, definitions of religion, Christianity is a religion.

 

[th1b.taylor]

So now religion is "a belief system and works performed." Okay. How do you know you are saved by grace? How do you know he walks with you, "every step of the way"?

Because it is not a one-way communication. Many times I will type something and He moves me to say it another way or to change the reply completely. And Free, I cannot explain to you where all the money comes from but it is not from anything I prepared and yet we have enough to allow my wife to purchase a sewing machine you will find in a factory where the wealthiest of the wealthy's clothing is manufactured. And all the bills are paid.

 

[Free]

Free,
Ninety-eight percent of them are going to Hell except they learn to believe the entire Bible as a fact! The Barna study will also be valuable because it was a national study and not an internal one. People feel more secure when their paper was never viewed by anyone in their Church. If such a study were conducted internally, I promise you the results would likely be reversed because of the fear of exposure.

I have even had one member tell me I was a liar because nobody can walk with God and when I showed him that God walked with Adam, Enoch, Elijah and certainly others he dismissed it off hand, he was too smart to actually believe the Bible when I was not his priest or pastor. People go to Church to sell tires, groceries, to look good to the community around them and almost any reason one could dream up but they do not go to Church to walk closer and closer to God. I have even known a man that promoted his mechanic shop by going to church and then to another and then to another.

People, as a whole, do not serve God. He is to them, at the best, a magic genie and more oft than not, a mythical figure of the past. But they do not want to be discovered and keep the cover up, almost all of the time. When I entered the Church I saw many of the same people I had entertained on Friday and Saturday Nights. They just did not have the Mixed Drink in their hands.

So, what you're essentially saying is, these people believe the wrong things and just need to believe the right things. Isn't that a belief system?

And I don't necessarily disagree with you about the state of the Church and those who attend. I do think the majority of people who profess Christ are not actually Christian.

 

[th1b.taylor]

Except I never entered in the middle of a conversation. Reading your posts requires a lot of assuming since you don't explicitly define what you mean by "religion." Does it really make sense to say there are two branches of Christianity, when you believe that one branch--the "religious" branch--isn't actually Christian?

They claim to be and I know better than to challenge them on this forum.

 

[Free]

Because it is not a one-way communication. Many times I will type something and He moves me to say it another way or to change the reply completely. And Free, I cannot explain to you where all the money comes from but it is not from anything I prepared and yet we have enough to allow my wife to purchase a sewing machine you will find in a factory where the wealthiest of the wealthy's clothing is manufactured. And all the bills are paid.

Right. So you have certain beliefs about God, salvation, etc. Would you agree that those beliefs form a belief system?

 

[th1b.taylor]

Not to mention the false dichotomy you set up between "religious Christians" and what I assume you would mean "true Christians," based on your own definition of religion.

Okay, who made you as smart as Father God so that you can slap "false dichotomy" in my face? That is in no manor true and in most forums will start one heck of a fight. You have slapped me that way before and I usually think you a fool and leave you be, that is rapidly where this is going now. I have exercised a great deal of undue patience here and still you go off on me?

Because you disagree with me you, a mod, call me a liar to my face and yes, that is waht that means. You are trying your very best to PO me but you are about to be ignored again. This conversation can loose the hostility or it is over.

 

[Free]

So this leads me back to my point. Even a very basic definition of religion such as "a belief system," if accepted, must allow for Christianity to be a religion. There certainly are certain beliefs one must hold as a Christian, and this is supported by Scripture and your replies.

 

[th1b.taylor]

Right. So you have certain beliefs about God, salvation, etc. Would you agree that those beliefs form a belief system?

Free, did you comprehend what I said? I said nothing about belief, I listed facts.

 

[th1b.taylor]

So this leads me back to my point. Even a very basic definition of religion such as "a belief system," if accepted, must allow for Christianity to be a religion. There certainly are certain beliefs one must hold as a Christian, and this is supported by Scripture and your replies.

You are begging for a fight, good-bye.

 

[th1b.taylor]

Maybe you should sign on over at C.C. they love to fight.