What is religion? Here’s a rather broad definition that I came across…
a belief in a divine being or divine beings and the
practices and moral code that result from that belief
A Google search gave me,
a shared system of beliefs, values, and practices that
connect people to a god, gods, or the supernatural
A simple definition describes religion as a system of
faith and worship
While my Bible dictionary says that the word religion is derived
from the Latin verb religare which means “to hold, restrain”. It goes on
to say that it came to be applied to the services and ritual and rules by which
faith in and devotion to deity were expressed but it didn’t indicate why or how
from a verb meaning to hold or restrain, we got to this context.
There are so many religions in the world. There are monotheistic
religions – belief in one god; polytheistic religions – belief in many gods;
and for those who believe in a chief god with lesser gods and goddesses, there are
henotheistic religions.
And then there are all the various denominations attached to
the religion of Christianity. It’s mind boggling.
To the church at Philippi, Apostle Paul wrote,
Therefore if you have any
encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if
any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then
make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love,
being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish
ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above
yourselves – Philippians 2:1-3 (NIV)
This bible verse demonstrates how the Christian religion was
supposed to be, however, over the years Christians have used religion to justify
some of the world’s most horrendous atrocities and even in more recent times the
religion has sparked battle-worthy conflicts, even among members of the same
denomination.
As a people called Christians, let’s focus our attention on
our religion – a morsel of food for thought.
For those united with Christ, we seem to have moved away
from the Do nothing out of selfish ambition or
vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves state
of like-mindedness to a “what I want from God” mindset.
People seem to have more faith in the system of religion than
in God Himself. In ancient Hebrew, there is no word for religion, and it makes
you wonder if we were ever meant to classify the Way of Jesus Christ, a
religion.
People love to ask, “What religion are you?” when what they
really want to know is your denomination, but why does that matter so much to
some?
You and I as Christians believe in the same God. How does “religion”
factor in. Why the need to know?
Religion has divided us – Methodists and Catholics and
Pentecostals and Evangelicals and Adventists and Moravians – when in fact, we
all have one foundational belief. We all believe in the One True Living God, we
all believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
So, I ask the question, is religion necessary?
Matthew 18:20 (NIV), records Jesus as saying,
For where two or three gather
in my name, there am I with them.
This being so, can two or three gather in Jesus’ name
without involving religion? Is religion, in the way it’s commonly practiced
today, beside the point?
Before anyone starts turning somersaults, I am not
suggesting that we all abandon church, but I am questioning the way we do
church under the banner of Christianity.
Because according to what Paul said to the church in
Philippi, I don’t see it in church nowadays and I’m not the only one. I listen
to others who’ve made the same observation and sadly it stems from the clergy,
from the head and trickles down.
The common sharing in the
Spirit, tenderness and compassion, being like-minded, having the
same love, being one in spirit and of one mind are all hard to
find within the church.
Have we become so connected to the religion that we’ve lost
our connection to God?
Religion has turned transactional – do this and you’re
guaranteed a reward, a blessing – instead of relational, where it’s all about our
relationship, love and service to God and others with no thought of “what will
I get in return”.
Beloved, if all your “doing” is for your own benefit, to
look good or be in a position of note, then you are simply practicing religion
and not demonstrating to anyone what being
united with Christ is about.
You have a responsibility to be true to your relationship
with God; don’t let religion get in the way of that.
Amen †
Shelley Johnson “Is Religion Necessary?: Food for Thought.” © 2026 October 6, 2026
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