Expert: Marilyn - 3/8/2011

Question
Hi,
Can a person be considered tremendously religious without being part of an organized or formal religion. This is NOT homework. I'm rather curious about this topic. Thank you very much.
Victor

Answer
Hello Victor;

The online Mirriam-Webster dictionary defines religious as:

RELIGIOUS
1 : relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity <a religious person> <religious attitudes>
2 : of, relating to, or devoted to religious beliefs or observances <joined a religious order>
3 a : scrupulously and conscientiously faithful
 b : fervent, zealous
— re·li·gious·ly adverb
— re·li·gious·ness noun

It is possible to be considered religious without being part of an organized or formal religion, though I would think the person would have to have developed for himself his own religion and his observance of it would have to be something others could see displayed.

People sometimes use being "spiritual" interchangeably with being "religious." A person can be spiritual and not have any Bible knowledge. Say he communes with angels or the spirits of nature etc. To the Christian, unless Christ is the center, any other "spirituality" is poor and misguided led about by evil spirits disguised as good.

It would not be advisable to strike out on your own. Christians are not supposed to be lone rangers, but be part of a congregation, Hebrews 10:25.

Sincerely,

Marilyn