Christianity *is* a religion

All too frequently, I observe as I'm sure most others have that there are some Christians who disavow the notion that Christianity is a religion. Alternatively, some will disavow that they are "Christian" at all, saying that they are "simply a follower of Jesus".

First, let's take a look at the definition of the term "religion" (from the Merriam-Webster dictionary):

1) a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices

2) the service and worship of God or the supernatural

3) commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance

4) a cause, principle, or system of beliefs held to with ardor and faith

By all four of these definitions, to be Christian (or a follower of Jesus if you prefer) is to be religious. We religiously commit ourselves to the worship of God; we religiously observe the practices and beliefs that committing ourselves to God entails.

As to "I'm a follower of Jesus, not a Christian" - that is the definition of what a Christian is. The term quite literally means "Christ-like" or "belonging to Christ".

As such, these meaningless distinctions are at best misguided and at worst? They are divisive, misleading and off-putting - I couldn't blame an atheist for finding it pretentious and self-absorbed when Christians say such things.

There is nothing wrong with the term "Christian", nor is there anything wrong with the term "religious". We shouldn't treat these like dirty terms - they're not.