To many that pull this up on a Google search, The title will not be of interest. “Just another person professing their Idea’s” some may think or maybe “Oh no, Another Religious nut telling me I am going to…” , If you are still reading than you are obviously intrigued by the title, content or just plain curious about the difference. I will begin by saying that my views are my own and you are absolutely free to agree or disagree with them. I also am not going to “Trash” any faith or denomination in this piece. What I am going to do is state plainly my views on what I see as the difference between the two.
The obvious is that religion and faith are two totally different things. To have faith does not make one “religious”! Nor does being a member of any denomination mean that you have faith. How one applies the views that their belief in any particular religious denomination Can be viewed as one that has faith. OK friend so what is the difference between religion and religious views?
Define religion. 1.a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, especially when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Religion?s=t
This was the 1st definition on the above link. There are more than this one so take a look you might be surprised.
Another one ; something one believes in and follows devotedly; a point or matter of ethics or conscience: to make a religion of fighting prejudice.
And one from the World English Dictionary: Something overwhelmingly important to a person. The example given for this one was “Football is his RELIGION”.
Pretty much sums it up. So what about Religious views? I could try to be funny and quote a previous President of the United States and say “It depends on what the definition of “Is” is, but that would be tacky, although accurate, still tacky. So I will give you definition of “Religious Views”: It is the view a person takes on something that is extremely important to them that would include their set of beliefs and moral code of conduct.
With that definition I can ask, and this is not speaking down to or criticizing another persons beliefs, Is Atheism a religion?
Ponder that one for a bit and comment on my views if you like.