Well, despite my love for the double rainbow song (and original video), there is a serious topic intended in this post. Let's see if I can carry it out.
Religion is quickly becoming, to most people I converse with, a buzz word with no positive connotation associated with it. More and more, the mention of the word "religion" either bites back at the person trying to use it in a positive light, which leaves them feeling downcast by the traces of shame it leaves. It is either the quickest renounced association by Christians who are attempting a novel approach (quickly following that Christianity is not a "religion its a relationship"), and finally those who suffer from angst toward God. There is one last remnant which still touts the term with a personal pride that thinks it remains untouched by any pain the word can bring, nevertheless, they are the most afflicted by the term of all.
But my goal here is to clear the air. Religion, like many words in the English language has an original intended meaning, yet through cultural context, over/under/or misuse or just good old fashioned ignorance, loses that real meaning and is redefined with an inferior and much less wholesome definition.
The History of the Word
Get out your earl grey tea.. its time to get classy! Just kidding, here's what I dug up from some popular word etymology sources regarding the word religion. (This tends to get boring so I'll keep it brief)
Popularly, religion means a worship of a higher being. This is not how the word started, however. The origins that hold the most credibility indicate that this word means "to bind together" or put another way "to bind fast". I find it important that the origins of this term do not necessitate worship of God or a theological structure in anyway, although general connotations in mostly every case make this connection.
Popular Use, and Where We've Wandered Away
"It's not a religion, its a relationship"
I apologize to every Christian in advance who has a t-shirt or bumper sticker that says this, this statement is about to be grotesquely mangled, and personally, I hope its never used again. Why? Because I hate Christian bumper stickers? Wrong. I hate all bumper stickers, I also hate this phrase, but neither of those are the reasons why either. It's because this statement is grossly untrue. You see, if you go to church (or some sort of meeting place), personally assign a set of beliefs (especially if they dictate some kind of moral code) meet with people who believe the same and do this routinely, well let me be the first person to tell you; you are following a religion.
It's true that Christianity, especially for me, goes above and beyond what I believe other people experience as "religion". It's also true that the word religion does not do justice to the totality of life that is permeated by my conviction of the existence from God and my service to Him. However, all things considered, I do follow a religion. If you follow Christ, so do you.
You know its true! We've all faced the frustration of the many existing and sometimes incompatible denominations that fit under the umbrella of Christianity. But each of those denominations, along with each of its followers, assigns itself to a set of core beliefs that unites, or "binds together" its followers across the entire churchscape of denominations. This is what is known as orthodoxy, which are the main tenets of Christianity that cannot be compromised if you still want to retain the name the title of Christian.
Some example of these core beliefs are as follows:
The atoning death and resurrection of Christ Jesus.
The Virgin Birth.
The doctrines of the Trinity.
The sole belief in one God.
The final judgment of all people.
The return of Christ.
Part of the move away from the use of the word religion, I suspect, is the negative connotation that religion is hard, oppressive, boring, outmoded or irrelevant. In an attempt to restore the word religion, I'd like to think that Christianity, if practiced rightly, is an exciting, joyful, fulfilling and vibrant experience. As far as whether its irrelevant or not I would ask you to consider this; since when are the topics of your eternal destiny, your purpose on earth, the meaning of life, and the existence of an afterlife EVER irrelevant? I would conversely argue that they are always relevant and realistically, very pressing matters. You're passionate and energetic pursuit of their answers may cause you ridicule from some of your peers, but to find the truth has potential to yield an eternal reward.
Religion and religiosity simply address the parts of your life that discuss personal practice (inward belief and outward exercise) of your beliefs toward God. We all have them. It could be argued that atheists and agnostics have religious convictions. It's certain that they have beliefs toward his non-existence, which in effect constitutes some kind of belief system, and by its very nature directly affects morality and purpose.
There's more to this story but I'll stop here, I'm pretty tired of writing, but I'd like to conclude my thoughts on religion by discussing characteristics of religion, the influence of religion, and respond to the argument made popular by Christopher Hitchens which is "Whether Christianity is a plague to the world and religion a detrimental establishment rather than a helpful and benevolent one."
See ya soon, thanks for reading!
