Paul's Christianity

[Iryssa]

Christianity is a personal walk with Christ...based on a relationship with the living Jesus. He is alive and present at all times; thus we have a living, growing, transforming relationship with Him...it is not a religion.

So being a christian is just about walkin' and talkin' with Jesus? That falls under number 2. The manifestation of such a belief in worship, ritual, conduct, etc. Reread the definition and try again.

Actually, no. The manifestation of belief is the outward practices, rituals, observations, etc.

Fine, then number 1 applies.

Nope. Belief does not imply "relationship." Especially, "close intimate relationship."

You can try to explain it away, but christianity IS a religion, and all religions are cults. Your arguments are specious and easily dissimulated.

I just want to clear a couple things up here:

First of all, I'm going to assume you're going by the dictionary definition of a cult. In which case, your'e probably right, religion could almost be synonymous with cult. However, beyond the dictionary definitoin of "cult," the word is used to describe something that is beyond religion. The distinction between religion and what we Christians (and others) tend to term a "cult" can be seen in this list (I hope Smalcald doesn't mind if I borrow something he posted ):

Well cults have some specific markers, not just bad doctrine.

1.) Separating believers from family and close friends

2.) Sleep deprivation

3.) Charismatic leadership who can speak only the truth and are somehow "anointed" by God especially among men

4.) Hell if believers leave for any other Christian group

5.) All that are not part of this group are doomed

6.) Lack of transparency in leadership finances and lifestyle.

7.) Leaders who live in luxury because somehow they are "ordained" to do so, while members must toil.

8.) Leaders who refuse to have people over them in the form of Elders, a Church board, denomination or even doctrine. Leaders do not serve the congregation and who can be released by the congregation, but see the congregation as an extension of their own personal ministry. The congregation serves the leader, and not vice versa.

9.) Criticism of leadership is not allowed under any circumstance, AND criticism means that the member has a spiritual problem.

10) A continual focus on earning and generating new tithes, money or new converts who will gather more tithes and money.

So no, in that case, the word "cult" does not apply to every religion.

Second. Christianity is a religion...it's also not ONLY a religion (keep in mind I'm speaking from the point of view of a Believer). Religion does not usually include relationship with ones god. Ours, however, does. In Christianity, we have a real and personal relationship with our Saviour.

[Ovedya]

Christianity is a personal walk with Christ...based on a relationship with the living Jesus. He is alive and present at all times; thus we have a living, growing, transforming relationship with Him...it is not a religion.

So being a christian is just about walkin' and talkin' with Jesus? That falls under number 2. The manifestation of such a belief in worship, ritual, conduct, etc. Reread the definition and try again.

Actually, no. The manifestation of belief is the outward practices, rituals, observations, etc.

Fine, then number 1 applies.

Nope. Belief does not imply "relationship." Especially, "close intimate relationship."

You can try to explain it away, but christianity IS a religion, and all religions are cults. Your arguments are specious and easily dissimulated.

Neener neener.

[Floatingaxe]

Christianity is a personal walk with Christ...based on a relationship with the living Jesus. He is alive and present at all times; thus we have a living, growing, transforming relationship with Him...it is not a religion.

So being a christian is just about walkin' and talkin' with Jesus? That falls under number 2. The manifestation of such a belief in worship, ritual, conduct, etc. Reread the definition and try again.

No--I am telling you what Christianity is. Listen.

[seanpont]

Christianity is a personal walk with Christ...based on a relationship with the living Jesus. He is alive and present at all times; thus we have a living, growing, transforming relationship with Him...it is not a religion.

So being a christian is just about walkin' and talkin' with Jesus? That falls under number 2. The manifestation of such a belief in worship, ritual, conduct, etc. Reread the definition and try again.

No--I am telling you what Christianity is. Listen.

(*seanpont is listening, but all he hears is air, or is that Jesus breathing?!?!*)

[Iryssa]

Christianity is a personal walk with Christ...based on a relationship with the living Jesus. He is alive and present at all times; thus we have a living, growing, transforming relationship with Him...it is not a religion.

So being a christian is just about walkin' and talkin' with Jesus? That falls under number 2. The manifestation of such a belief in worship, ritual, conduct, etc. Reread the definition and try again.

No--I am telling you what Christianity is. Listen.

(*seanpont is listening, but all he hears is air, or is that Jesus breathing?!?!*)

*sigh* are comments like that really necessary?

[Joshua-777]

ALL religions, by definition, are cults.

Good thing Christianity isn't a "religion"!

Webster's

Religion n. 1. A belief in a divine or superhuman power or principle, usu. thought of as the creator of all things. 2. The manifestation of such a belief in worship, ritual, conduct, etc. 3. Any system of religious faith or practice.

So, how is christianity not a religion?

By default, Christianity is not a religion, I honestly don't believe in a religion, and It's more than just believe in the divine, It's a living personal relationship with an active God, it's a foundation of my heart, and my w hole life, no it's not a ritual, or a conduct, it's an intimate relationship with my Maker, the same as your maker. Now by deffinition, It says the manifestation of such a belief, no I dont manifest my belief or what I want to see, because many upon many times, What Christ shows me if opposite of what I want to hold on to, and the manifestation is of him, not by belief in him.

So being a christian is just about walkin' and talkin' with Jesus? That falls under number 2. The manifestation of such a belief in worship, ritual, conduct, etc. Reread the definition and try again.

No being a christian, Jesus talks back, worship is vain without an active God, ritual is pointless, and conduct means nothing without an active God, or a close relationship, You know christians by the deffinition of religion, thats your first mistake, cause you will never fully understand a Christian without understanding why we carry this faith.

You can try to explain it away, but christianity IS a religion, and all religions are cults. Your arguments are specious and easily dissimulated.

Is your answer limited to your own understanding? ya see, lets look at this concept your using.

Hey, check it out I've got a diamond,

No sorry thats just a rock,

Are you crazy? Look at it, it's a priceless diamond

Nope, it's a rock, they are all rocks, and they have no value.

Well would you like the diamond? it's worth more than you can ever afford, I'll give it to you

Um, no, it's just a rock, thats all it is, all rocks are the same, made of the same stuff.

Hmm, Christianity, is just like every other religions, pretty sad that you think this way, oviously you dont know the power of my God. My God, heals, he reveals, he restores hope, restores the broken, he does miracles, gives gifts, and blesses you with more than you can ever imagine, All the prophecys he said are comming true, and his word is true, but, you view him as just a religion, Sad very sad. Now lets look at fact.

You dont believe because your understanding is limited to words out of a dictionary that someone made up, yet with God, no one made him up, he made us up.

[Joshua-777]

Christianity is a personal walk with Christ...based on a relationship with the living Jesus. He is alive and present at all times; thus we have a living, growing, transforming relationship with Him...it is not a religion.

So being a christian is just about walkin' and talkin' with Jesus? That falls under number 2. The manifestation of such a belief in worship, ritual, conduct, etc. Reread the definition and try again.

No--I am telling you what Christianity is. Listen.

(*seanpont is listening, but all he hears is air, or is that Jesus breathing?!?!*)

Listen I'm telling you not to play in the highway, You will get hit by a car

(seanpont listening, but all he hears is the sound of motors, then runs and plays in the highway out of disbelief in cars)

[Iryssa]

(seanpont listening, but all he hears is the sound of motors, then runs and plays in the highway out of disbelief in cars)

That really wasn't necessary either.

[Iryssa]

ALL religions, by definition, are cults.

Good thing Christianity isn't a "religion"!

Webster's

Religion n. 1. A belief in a divine or superhuman power or principle, usu. thought of as the creator of all things. 2. The manifestation of such a belief in worship, ritual, conduct, etc. 3. Any system of religious faith or practice.

So, how is christianity not a religion?

By default, Christianity is not a religion, I honestly don't believe in a religion, and It's more than just believe in the divine, It's a living personal relationship with an active God, it's a foundation of my heart, and my w hole life, no it's not a ritual, or a conduct, it's an intimate relationship with my Maker, the same as your maker. Now by deffinition, It says the manifestation of such a belief, no I dont manifest my belief or what I want to see, because many upon many times, What Christ shows me if opposite of what I want to hold on to, and the manifestation is of him, not by belief in him.

So being a christian is just about walkin' and talkin' with Jesus? That falls under number 2. The manifestation of such a belief in worship, ritual, conduct, etc. Reread the definition and try again.

No being a christian, Jesus talks back, worship is vain without an active God, ritual is pointless, and conduct means nothing without an active God, or a close relationship, You know christians by the deffinition of religion, thats your first mistake, cause you will never fully understand a Christian without understanding why we carry this faith.

You can try to explain it away, but christianity IS a religion, and all religions are cults. Your arguments are specious and easily dissimulated.

Is your answer limited to your own understanding? ya see, lets look at this concept your using.

Hey, check it out I've got a diamond,

No sorry thats just a rock,

Are you crazy? Look at it, it's a priceless diamond

Nope, it's a rock, they are all rocks, and they have no value.

Well would you like the diamond? it's worth more than you can ever afford, I'll give it to you

Um, no, it's just a rock, thats all it is, all rocks are the same, made of the same stuff.

Hmm, Christianity, is just like every other religions, pretty sad that you think this way, oviously you dont know the power of my God. My God, heals, he reveals, he restores hope, restores the broken, he does miracles, gives gifts, and blesses you with more than you can ever imagine, All the prophecys he said are comming true, and his word is true, but, you view him as just a religion, Sad very sad. Now lets look at fact.

You dont believe because your understanding is limited to words out of a dictionary that someone made up, yet with God, no one made him up, he made us up.

Look, we don't like admitting that Christianity is a religion because there's a bad stigma attached to that word. The fact of the matter is that it IS a religion. It's just that it's not like every other religion out there, nor is it ONLY a religion. Just because it's a relationship doesn't necessarily exclude it being a religion in any logical sense. Christianity has its rituals, its religious leaders, its traditions, just like other religions. Unlike other religions, there's a point to those things. That still doesn't mean it's not a religion.

[Joshua-777]

ALL religions, by definition, are cults.

Good thing Christianity isn't a "religion"!

Webster's

Religion n. 1. A belief in a divine or superhuman power or principle, usu. thought of as the creator of all things. 2. The manifestation of such a belief in worship, ritual, conduct, etc. 3. Any system of religious faith or practice.

So, how is christianity not a religion?

By default, Christianity is not a religion, I honestly don't believe in a religion, and It's more than just believe in the divine, It's a living personal relationship with an active God, it's a foundation of my heart, and my w hole life, no it's not a ritual, or a conduct, it's an intimate relationship with my Maker, the same as your maker. Now by deffinition, It says the manifestation of such a belief, no I dont manifest my belief or what I want to see, because many upon many times, What Christ shows me if opposite of what I want to hold on to, and the manifestation is of him, not by belief in him.

So being a christian is just about walkin' and talkin' with Jesus? That falls under number 2. The manifestation of such a belief in worship, ritual, conduct, etc. Reread the definition and try again.

No being a christian, Jesus talks back, worship is vain without an active God, ritual is pointless, and conduct means nothing without an active God, or a close relationship, You know christians by the deffinition of religion, thats your first mistake, cause you will never fully understand a Christian without understanding why we carry this faith.

You can try to explain it away, but christianity IS a religion, and all religions are cults. Your arguments are specious and easily dissimulated.

Is your answer limited to your own understanding? ya see, lets look at this concept your using.

Hey, check it out I've got a diamond,

No sorry thats just a rock,

Are you crazy? Look at it, it's a priceless diamond

Nope, it's a rock, they are all rocks, and they have no value.

Well would you like the diamond? it's worth more than you can ever afford, I'll give it to you

Um, no, it's just a rock, thats all it is, all rocks are the same, made of the same stuff.

Hmm, Christianity, is just like every other religions, pretty sad that you think this way, oviously you dont know the power of my God. My God, heals, he reveals, he restores hope, restores the broken, he does miracles, gives gifts, and blesses you with more than you can ever imagine, All the prophecys he said are comming true, and his word is true, but, you view him as just a religion, Sad very sad. Now lets look at fact.

You dont believe because your understanding is limited to words out of a dictionary that someone made up, yet with God, no one made him up, he made us up.

Look, we don't like admitting that Christianity is a religion because there's a bad stigma attached to that word. The fact of the matter is that it IS a religion. It's just that it's not like every other religion out there, nor is it ONLY a religion. Just because it's a relationship doesn't necessarily exclude it being a religion in any logical sense. Christianity has its rituals, its religious leaders, its traditions, just like other religions. Unlike other religions, there's a point to those things. That still doesn't mean it's not a religion.

I guess your right, sorry, just kind of frustrates me when someone compairs the reason I'm still alive to a cult. I honestly don't view it as a religion, and I doubt I ever could, I dont put God in the catigory of idol worship.