Is Christianity A Religious Organization?
The debate around the characterization of Christianity is often misunderstood, long-standing and highly contested. While most people agree, on the basis of faith, that Christianity is a religion; others, due to their beliefs, consider that it is more than just a religion.
At the core of this debate lies the different definitions and interpretations of the term “religion”. While the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines religion as “the belief in a god or in a group of gods”, many scholars and theologians provide a more comprehensive definition. According to Dr. Matthew Trexler, Professor of Theology, “Religion has to do with more than just belief in a deity; it involves the whole of human life, including belief, practice, and relationship with God, other people and the whole of creation.” He goes on to explain that the practice of Christianity is not limited to communal gatherings, such as services or prayer. It’s about understanding the teachings of Jesus and living them out daily.
Another element to consider is that the practice of Christianity often involves a system of ethical behavior and social reform. For example, the teachings of Jesus on loving others, being humble, and caring for others have become the basis of organizational structures such as hospitals, social justice providers, orphanages, and food banks.
Still, many religious theorists and secularists consider Christianity to be a religion, precisely because of the way it has been understood and practiced over time. According to ecclesiastical historian, James Urquhart, “Christianity has formed, and continues to form, a powerful religious group, controlling and influencing countless people’s beliefs, practices, attitudes and actions.” The impact of these beliefs is seen in the way that Christian countries often have certain laws in place and practice certain ethical values. It is therefore arguably fair to interpret Christianity as an organized religion by these standards.
The Intersection of Faith and Politics
The point of intersection between faith and politics is often a point of contention, particularly when related to Christianity. Whilst many people consider that the practice of Christianity should be free of political interference, others disagree.
As religion scholar, Robert Neville puts it, “Political interference can be both enabling and disabling for the practice of Christianity, depending on the context in which it takes place.” He provides the example of countries such as Russia, China and North Korea, noting that the members of the Church are often blocked from practicing their faith by their own governments. However, he points out that in countries with more freedom, such as the United States and various European countries, political interference often allows greater freedom of religious expression.
The alliance between faith and politics can also be seen in the various protest movements in Europe, prompted initially by Martin Luther. Professor of Theology, Dr. Willard Wiersma, explains that by taking a firm stance against Rome and its religious tyranny, Luther undoubtedly set off the chain of events that would eventually forge the power of the nation state, alongside a different kind of religious organization. These events would eventually lead to the formation of a new way of thinking and to religious freedom.
History of Christianity and the Question of Unity
For religion scholar, Brian J. Grim, the question of Christian unity is often difficult to answer. In his book, The World’s Religions in Figures, he notes that the Christian world today is divided into several denominations – with the Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant faith traditions forming the three main bodies. He points out that the current divisions are a result of ancient and medieval disputes between monarchs, kings and merchant families who sought to install their own versions of the Christian faith.
Grim also notes that unity within the Christian faith has been a long running aim, with many attempts to reunite the various denominations throughout history. For example, the Second Vatican Council of the 1960s attempted to create a united body of Christians who could work together for the common good. However, as Grim points out, such attempts often fail due to the differences in belief, practice and context between denominations.
Ideals, Practices and Beliefs of Christianity
When considering the ideals, practice and beliefs associated with Christianity, there are a number of elements to consider. For starters, the Bible remains the central text, interpreted and reinterpreted by each denomination. In addition, there are traditional beliefs and practices which vary significantly between denominations and countries, including liturgical beauty and ornamentation, beliefs about the afterlife, and concepts of charity and duty.
The common ideals of Christianity remain largely rooted in the teachings of Jesus – to love God and love one another. From this central tenet, denominations have expanded to explore their own unique rituals, traditions and interpretations of scripture.
The Place and Role of Christianity in Today’s World
It is inarguable that the practice of Christianity has had and continues to have an enormous impact on the world today. According to an analysis of data by the Pew Research Centre, Christianity is currently the most popular religion in the world, accounting for more than 31% of the global population. This points to how widespread and diverse the practice of Christian beliefs has become throughout the world.
From a personal perspective, Christianity, in many ways, provides individuals with a sense of belonging and hope. It allows people to express their emotions, to worship God and to engage in intellectual dialogue around their faith. As some believers would say, Christianity provides the opportunity to share in the joys and struggles of life with a larger community, who ultimately come together to recognize the sanctity of life and its divine meaning.
The Place and Role of Christianity in Political Ideology
Christianity has had a long and varied interplay with politics over the centuries. In medieval times, political leaders used religious faith as an instrument to gain compliance and loyalty among the people. In more recent times, certain denominations, such as the Roman Catholic church, have had a powerful influence on political matters in countries such as Ireland, Italy and Latin America.
Today, Christianity continues to feature prominently in political ideology, although their influence is seen differently, depending on the region. In the United States, for example, Christianity is often seen as a unifying force among various political factions, such as Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians. Many argue that the ideals of Christianity, such as justice and compassion, continue to be relevant to debates around public policy.
On the other hand, some believe that the presence of Christianity in political realms interferes with the progress of progressive causes. This is seen in debates around LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and other related issues. Here, the presence of Christianity is often considered a hindrance to progress.
The Role of Christianity in Social Contexts
Christianity is widely recognized as shaping and informing moral values, and the practice of Christian faith can be seen in various social contexts. In his book, The Social Construction of Religion, Professor Robert Bellah takes the example of 20th century USA, where Christian values of hard work, self-restraint and respect are widely seen as central to American social life.
Moreover, the understanding of charity and justice is embedded in the practical deeds of Christian individuals and organizations. Examples include volunteer efforts, social workers, and humanitarian aid organizations. In short, Christianity provides a template to perform charitable deeds that stretch beyond mere material or financial aid.
Christianity and Human Rights
An interesting area to consider is the effect of Christianity on human rights. The teachings of Jesus on loving one’s neighbor and caring for those in need have been central to the development of human rights in countries such as the United States.
Religion professor, Virginia Nelsen explains that the role of religion in the recognition of human rights has often been underestimated. She writes, “Religion has been a powerful source of human rights ideology; indeed, it can be argued with some justice that religious ideas were first in recognizing certain fundamental rights.”
Nelsen goes on to cite the case of slavery in the United States, noting that preachers were central to the abolition of slavery due to their unique ability to integrate religious principles with the political arena. In this way, Christianity was instrumental in a successful revolution that eventually led to the recognition of all people as human beings and the recognition of their human rights.
The Influence of Christianity on Cultural Expressions
The practice of faith has had a profound effect on culture throughout history, particularly on expressions of art, music and literature. In her book, The Structure and Meaning of Musical Expression, Dr. Lisa Beth Matzner explains that Christian music has been central to the development of multiple music genres, such as classical and gospel. Matzner cites the music of J.S. Bach and Thomas Tallis as examples of how religious music has had an immense influence on musical expression.
Moreover, Christian literature and art has significantly informed our understanding of art and literature. In relation to literature, for instance, authors such as Lewis Carroll, J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis are often noted for the ways in which their stories blend literature, morality, and faith together.
Finally, the practice of the Christian faith has been central to the formation of social organizations, universities and charities. Examples such as Yale University and Harvard University, both Christian inspired universities, have had a great effect on our understanding of education.
Re-Characterization of Christianity in a Postmodern World
In today’s Postmodern world, questions surrounding the characterization of Christianity have taken on a new meaning. As a result, there have been varying attempts to re-characterize Christianity.
One example is the ‘Alt-Christianity’ movement, which seeks to redefine Christianity in terms of intersectionality, inclusion and social justice. Through the Alt-Christianity movement, believers challenge the traditional, sometimes oppressive, interpretations of religious texts. The goal is to create communities that are more open and tolerant towards people of different backgrounds and beliefs.
On the other hand, there is a ‘conservative Christianity’ movement which describes itself in opposition to the ‘modern’ or ‘liberal’ movements. This movement is rooted in a more traditional understanding of Christian texts, whereby participants adhere to a strict interpretation of scripture, often protesting against progressive movements such as LGBTQ+ rights and science.
Regardless of these differing interpretations, Christianity continues to be a powerful force in the lives of many people throughout the world, with many believers finding comfort, guidance and encouragement from the teachings of the Bible.
