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Religion
Religion according to my edition of Webster^s dictionary is:
1~ man^s expression of his acknowledgement of the divine
2~ a system of beliefs and practices relating to the sacred and uniting its adherents in a community, e.g. Christianity, Judaism
3~ adherence to such a system, a man without religion
4~ something which has a powerful hold on a person^s way of thinking, interests, etc. football is his religion
5~ monastic life, his name in religion was Damian
Other examples of the fourth definition are: science, medicine, technology, occult, sex, illicit drugs, food, drink, music, vanity, sports and possessions. You might think of more.
The Bible gives a definition for religion in James 1:27,
This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.
Some translations say to care for rather than visit.
To keep oneself unstained by the world, now that is a concept. That means that all those examples that I gave are unacceptable as a religion. To be unstained from the world you must therefore have available another option, a supernatural or spiritual way. The Bible is the word of God. In it we learn that Jesus said; I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6
A warning is also given in Scripture; Whoever seems to himself to be religious, and does not bridal his tongue, but deceives his own heart, his religion is futile. James 1:26
And they bend their tongue like their bow;
Lies and not truth prevail in the land;
For they proceed from evil to evil,
And they do not know Me, declares the Lord.
4 Let everyone be on guard against his neighbor,
And do not trust any brother;
Because every brother deals craftily,
And every neighbor goes about as a slanderer.
5 And everyone deceives his neighbor,
And does not speak the truth,
They have taught their tongue to speak lies;
They weary themselves committing iniquity.
6 Your dwelling is in the midst of deceit;
Through deceit they refuse to know Me, declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 9:3 to 6
Brethren, even if a man is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted. 2 Bear one another^s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load. Galatians 6:1 to 5
Another definition for religion, I think, is; the sum of one^s beliefs.
2007 Jacques Gauvin
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