If you have a faith, how would you answer the question, ‘Are you religious?’

[VoldeMortlake]

If you have a faith (any faith tradition), how would you answer the question, ‘Are you religious?’

Sparked by this new article, in which a Christian writer/priest explains why he hates the word religious, because it comes with baggage/assumptions.

https://www.flaneurnotes.com/post/on-not-being-religious

I would say, and I have said in the past in response to that question that I am not religious but I have a faith. To me my faith is in Jesus, religion is a whole of load organised rules and regulations mostly overseen by pompus puffed up humans with an alterior motive to use 'religion' as a reason not for good.

I would say I'm Christian. I'd assume they were asking because they are interested and I wouldn't attempt to correct them with regard to the meaning or perception of the word 'religious'. I'd leave them to form their own impressions of me and the practice of my faith as we got to know each other better. I'd answer any further questions as well as I could. I think telling someone they are wrong about what they think because they use a commonly used word to describe how someone practices their faith could set us off on the wrong footing.

I think realistic is better. Then it covers Bhuddists, other faith S etc

"Yes I suppose so, in a way, but I don't go to church" just about sums it up for me.

I just say yes.

Or I describe myself as religious

Good article! The actual poll question posed was:

Which of the following statements comes closest to describing your beliefs -- you are religious, you are spiritual but not religious, or you are neither?

Based on that, I would have to say I am religious. Spiritual but not religious sounds a bit New Age and I'm certainly not that. I'm a practising Christian so option three is out. If I don't have to use the poll language to describe myself then I would be a person of the Christian faith, I follow Jesus.

'Religious' as the writer describes does have negative connotations, unfortunately.

I would answer 'What do you mean by religious?' and see what their definition is before replying.

Good idea – I like that because it questions underlying assumptions, and opens up a conversation. But it still sounds short and uncomplicated.

Good idea. I am a Christian and I don’t like the word ‘religious’. I would do this.

I'm a pagan, quite devoted but I prefer the term spiritual.

This. But I’d change ‘humans’ to ‘men’…

Not religious in any way, organised religion responsible for so much war, death and terror, am deeply spiritual and have my own relationship with God

I always say I’m religious and believe in god and all but don’t believe or agree with everything the church does and don’t go to church all the time. That kind of gives people the gist!

This is kind of how I reply, I tend to say "it depends what you mean by religious". I don't like the word personally as I don't think other people would describe me as "religious", but I still do have religious beliefs, a faith identity, a belief in a higher power that I pray to regularly.

Define religious and then define spiritual.

Interesting. The religion as war and terror issue comes up in the article.

In answer to the opening question, yes, I do have faith in my Lord Jesus Christ. I am not religious and I too dislike the word because of the assumptions and presumptions 'the world' puts upon it. I think somebody can be 'religious' without having a faith.

I would just say “yes.”

I'd say, I prefer to describe it as having a faith. Would elaborate on why if they cared to know. If it's a multiple choice type situation then I guess I would have to select yes but wouldn't be my choice of definition.

Yes, this is what I've always said.

Depending on what the questioner is getting at, my actual answer would be different. Over the years, I have found it is something that tends to be asked when the questioner has an axe to grind.