NationStates Jolt Archive

Many people mix the words "faith" and "religion" together and use them as synonyms. But in my opinion, a "religion" is the process or way of worshipping some gods (someone, something), while a "faith" prompts people to do various things. Christianity (and so is Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, etc....) act more to prompt people to have faith, love others and do good things than actually making them to worship, thus Christianity is not a religion. Pagan religions, on the other hand, doesn't contain elements to prompt people to do certain things--they're mainly concerned with worshipping gods.

So what is the official definitions of "faith" and "religion", anyway?

So what is the official definitions of "faith" and "religion", anyway?

Well I got this definion of Religion in my sociology lesson today

Religion: A complex concept which can be defined either by the terms of its functions or its key features (belief in God etc)

Faith, of itself is mereley a form of trust. I like the Hebrews definion

Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidnece of the unseen.
Hebrews 11:1

Dont take that literlally, faith is not actual evidence but it is basicly belief something is true despite being unable to substansiate the idea.

These "is" the definitions, according to dictionary.com:


re·li·gion
n.

1.
1. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
2. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.
2. The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
3. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
4. A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.

faith
n.

1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing.
2. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. See Synonyms at belief. See Synonyms at trust.
3. Loyalty to a person or thing; allegiance: keeping faith with one's supporters.
4. often Faith Christianity. The theological virtue defined as secure belief in God and a trusting acceptance of God's will.
5. The body of dogma of a religion: the Muslim faith.
6. A set of principles or beliefs.

Let's consult the Great Gods of Merriam and Webster...
:p

Main Entry: re·li·gion
Pronunciation: ri-'li-j&n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English religioun, from Latin religion-, religio supernatural constraint, sanction, religious practice, perhaps from religare to restrain, tie back -- more at RELY
1 a : the state of a religious <a nun in her 20th year of religion> b (1) : the service and worship of God or the supernatural (2) : commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance
2 : a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices
3 archaic : scrupulous conformity : CONSCIENTIOUSNESS
4 : a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith
#'s 2 and 4
Main Entry: 1faith
Pronunciation: 'fAth
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural faiths /'fAths, sometimes 'fA[th]z/
Etymology: Middle English feith, from Old French feid, foi, from Latin fides; akin to Latin fidere to trust -- more at BIDE
1 a : allegiance to duty or a person : LOYALTY b (1) : fidelity to one's promises (2) : sincerity of intentions
2 a (1) : belief and trust in and loyalty to God (2) : belief in the traditional doctrines of a religion b (1) : firm belief in something for which there is no proof (2) : complete trust
3 : something that is believed especially with strong conviction; especially : a system of religious beliefs
synonym see BELIEF
- in faith : without doubt or question : VERILY
#3

It seems it's both, if Merriam-Webster's is to be believed.

Many people mix the words "faith" and "religion" together and use them as synonyms. But in my opinion, a "religion" is the process or way of worshipping some gods (someone, something), while a "faith" prompts people to do various things. Christianity (and so is Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, etc....) act more to prompt people to have faith, love others and do good things than actually making them to worship, thus Christianity is not a religion. Pagan religions, on the other hand, doesn't contain elements to prompt people to do certain things--they're mainly concerned with worshipping gods.

So what is the official definitions of "faith" and "religion", anyway?

I agree that Christianity (and other religions mentioned) prompt people to do those things, but it also involves worship. Christian songs and hymns are worship, speaking in tongues is worship, any prayer with "thank you..." in it is worship and so on and so forth. Worship is the adoration of God (or Allah or the other relevant deities in the other faiths), and that's indisputebly at the core of Christianity, and indeed many other religions. Faith is, too. "Worship" is often taken to have a very archaic meaning - sacrificing rams, etc. It's so much more than that.

I think its pretty clear that Christianity is a religion. While it may involve faith, it is devoted to the praise of a god. Furthermore, it is very concieted to say that Christianity is somehow so different than pagan religions, that it demands to be in a different category.

Come on, people! You belong to a religion, not an endangered minority, a misunderstood society, or a new, completely different way of life!

Religion is:
(with the definition as it pertains to christianity in bold

1. Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.
2. A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship
3. The life or condition of a person in a religious order.
4. A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.
A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.



Faith: (the best definiton i've seen) : belief without regard to evidence.

I think its pretty clear that Christianity is a religion. While it may involve faith, it is devoted to the praise of a god. Furthermore, it is very concieted to say that Christianity is somehow so different than pagan religions, that it demands to be in a different category.

Come on, people! You belong to a religion, not an endangered minority, a misunderstood society, or a new, completely different way of life!

I agree with what you said, but it's not like anyone's trying to make out that they're an endangered minority or any of that. Or if they did, I missed it.
Before I say anything else, I'm not saying that I'm even of a religion or faith.
I also think that Bush is a really, really crap ambassador for Christianity as alot of what he says is totally out of line with the Bible. The other thing that annoys me is how some (although it is a minority) people talk about Christianity on the forums here, they would never dream of talking about some other religions with such disrepect for fear of appearing prejudiced. Churches are vandalised every day - a church local to us has 10 windows broken every week, tar, fire, graffitti - and the church itself hasn't been offensive to the community or anything, and yet if our local synogogue were vandalised then those responsible would be hunted down and attacked for anti-semitism, and rightly so. Maybe it's just our local authority, maybe other areas are different. It's just that prejudice is still prejudice, persecution is still persecution, no matter what religion or faith it's aimed it. It shouldn't be tolerated. I wish people would just respect each other and recognise that diversity is precious.
Sorry. I don't mind if you disagree with anything I've said. It's just something I've noticed which I disagree with. If you don't, that's fine.

Let's consult the Great Gods of Merriam and Webster...
:p


#'s 2 and 4

#3

It seems it's both, if Merriam-Webster's is to be believed.

Yes, but as we all know, M-W is not to be trusted. :)

Yes, but as we all know, M-W is not to be trusted. :)


I would prefer to put oxford's definition, but I cant afford to shell out whatever they want a year for the OED online 8(.

Or the grand for the OED itself 8(.

and i tried to get the OED on CD but it has very good copy protection 8(.

I think its pretty clear that Christianity is a religion. While it may involve faith, it is devoted to the praise of a god. Furthermore, it is very concieted to say that Christianity is somehow so different than pagan religions, that it demands to be in a different category.

Come on, people! You belong to a religion, not an endangered minority, a misunderstood society, or a new, completely different way of life!

I am not sure about Christianity being a religion. Roman Catholicism is a religion, Anglicanism (?) is a religion, they are different religions, but both a Christian.
There are many other flavours of Christian religions, each a seperate religion in its own right.

As you say Avalya, you belong to a religion, but this implies that you belong to an organization. You do not generally describe a person as belonging to a faith. Faith is something you have.

The whole confusion of politics that has bemuddled Christianity throughout its history has created a bewildering variety of diferent organizations, all based on the same basic faith. For me, an atheist with agnostic tendencies, Christianity is a faith, whereas membership of a particular church defines your religion.

(I know that the dictionary definitions do not limit it to this, but try looking up the word "cute" for example. It means skillful, according to the dictionary.
"Ahh that's a really skillful puppy" doesn't quite sound right now, does it?)

I am not sure about Christianity being a religion. Roman Catholicism is a religion, Anglicanism (?) is a religion, they are different religions, but both a Christian.
There are many other flavours of Christian religions, each a seperate religion in its own right.


Hmm, see, I would disagree with you there. I think different denominations have different practises, but have the same faith and are of the same religion. It's like, an oak tree has lots of different branches, but it's still a tree, and it's still an oak.
In theory, of course. In practise, there's a huge debate about Catholisism and the issues in Ireland. But most churches, consider the Baptists, the Methodists, the Anglicans, the Quakers, the candlestick makers (okay, maybe not them), and others all members of the same Christian religion and have the same faith, they're just denominations.

You do not generally describe a person as belonging to a faith. Faith is something you have.
I very often hear "faith" and "religion" used interchangeably. Then again, maybe it's just me.

I very often hear "faith" and "religion" used interchangeably. Then again, maybe it's just me.

Me too.

Consulting www.dictionary.com ...

Cult:

1.
1. A religion or religious sect generally considered to be extremist or false, with its followers often living in an unconventional manner under the guidance of an authoritarian, charismatic leader.
2. The followers of such a religion or sect.
2. A system or community of religious worship and ritual.
3. The formal means of expressing religious reverence; religious ceremony and ritual.
4. A usually nonscientific method or regimen claimed by its originator to have exclusive or exceptional power in curing a particular disease.
5.
1. Obsessive, especially faddish, devotion to or veneration for a person, principle, or thing.
2. The object of such devotion.
6. An exclusive group of persons sharing an esoteric, usually artistic or intellectual interest.


It's a cult.

I am not sure about Christianity being a religion. Roman Catholicism is a religion, Anglicanism (?) is a religion, they are different religions, but both a Christian.
There are many other flavours of Christian religions, each a seperate religion in its own right.

As you say Avalya, you belong to a religion, but this implies that you belong to an organization. You do not generally describe a person as belonging to a faith. Faith is something you have.

The whole confusion of politics that has bemuddled Christianity throughout its history has created a bewildering variety of diferent organizations, all based on the same basic faith. For me, an atheist with agnostic tendencies, Christianity is a faith, whereas membership of a particular church defines your religion.

(I know that the dictionary definitions do not limit it to this, but try looking up the word "cute" for example. It means skillful, according to the dictionary.
"Ahh that's a really skillful puppy" doesn't quite sound right now, does it?)


Catholicism and anglicanism and the many protestant incarnations are all denominations of the christian religion. The religion that believes jesus was the son of god and the savior and uses the christian bible as its basis.

I very often hear "faith" and "religion" used interchangeably. Then again, maybe it's just me.


One of the senses of "faith" is as a noun referring to the body of beliefs which make up a religion.

Examples are: "the christian faith" or "the muslim faith."

You can find this sense in dictionary.com's definition.