Bill O'Reilly: Christianity is not a religion

[True Federalist (진정한 연방 주의자)]

So, am I totally off base here, or is challenging Christianity as a religion necessarily tied to challenging churches as tax-exempt institutions?  This seems like a very dangerous road to go down.

You're off base.  While the desire to make churches tax-exempt probably plays a large role in doing so, to get around establishment clause concerns, tax exemption in the United States is broadly handed out to pretty much any non-profit charitable/social organization.  So even if some church insisted that Christianity was not a religion so much as to get the attention of the tax people, they wouldn't be in any danger of losing their exemption.

[falling apart like the ashes of American flags]

Here in Lancaster I frequently hear the idea of "Christianity isn't a religion, it's a personal relationship with Christ."

And that's what Christianity is.  No bones about it.

The factual nature of the second clause has no bearing on the first.

When people say things like they they are often trying to make a distinction between Pharisees-style religious law and following Jesus. Because a lot of people have been hurt by the former and it's not at all essential to the latter. I mean think of all the people who still identify as Christian but quit the churches they are raised in and identify as just "Christian" rather than some church or denomination.

[Tokugawa Sexgod Ieyasu]

The thing is, the definition of the word 'religion' isn't 'Pharisees-style religion law'. I understand why people say things like that, but I don't think we should take their word for it.

[John Dibble]

Here in Lancaster I frequently hear the idea of "Christianity isn't a religion, it's a personal relationship with Christ."

And that's what Christianity is.  No bones about it.

The factual nature of the second clause has no bearing on the first.

When people say things like they they are often trying to make a distinction between Pharisees-style religion law and following Jesus. Because a lot of people have been hurt by the former and it's not at all essential to the latter. I mean think of all the people who still identify as Christian but quit the churches they are raised in and identify as just "Christian" rather than some church or denomination.

The vast majority of people who call themselves Christians believe he was the son of God who is also God and that he was killed and rose from the dead. It's still religion whether or not they are attached to an organized sect.

[DC Al Fine]

Bill-O is an idiot.  Great.  We knew this.  Christians can define their beliefs any way they like... but it's a religion. 

But this is where Silverman loses me.  When people ask me why I'm an atheist, I give them all kinds of reasons why I feel it has enriched my understanding of the world and allowed me to see beauty and obtain wisdom where I don't feel I could have otherwise.  I feel the philosophy is also peaceful, growing, and has a lot to give the world.  

Why doesn't Silverman's group ever focus on this?  No... he's too busy going after small towns for displaying Christmas trees and attacking the Government for establishing it as a federal holiday.  It's not a federal holiday because the government is trying to make a religious point... it's a federal holiday because it's the most important day of the year for almost 90% of this country.  Could never get that through Silverman's head though because he has to get on TV and make us all look like a bunch of ass*****.  Thanks, American Atheists!

Silverman is confirming Atheist=Asshole in the minds of millions of Americans.

Are you saying that all atheists are assholes and he's just confirming that?  Or that he's making people think that?

The 2nd one.

[Starbucks Union Thug HokeyPuck]

Bill-O is an idiot.  Great.  We knew this.  Christians can define their beliefs any way they like... but it's a religion. 

But this is where Silverman loses me.  When people ask me why I'm an atheist, I give them all kinds of reasons why I feel it has enriched my understanding of the world and allowed me to see beauty and obtain wisdom where I don't feel I could have otherwise.  I feel the philosophy is also peaceful, growing, and has a lot to give the world.  

Why doesn't Silverman's group ever focus on this?  No... he's too busy going after small towns for displaying Christmas trees and attacking the Government for establishing it as a federal holiday.  It's not a federal holiday because the government is trying to make a religious point... it's a federal holiday because it's the most important day of the year for almost 90% of this country.  Could never get that through Silverman's head though because he has to get on TV and make us all look like a bunch of ass*****.  Thanks, American Atheists!

Silverman is confirming Atheist=Asshole in the minds of millions of Americans.

Are you saying that all atheists are assholes and he's just confirming that?  Or that he's making people think that?

The 2nd one.

Indeed, I was hoping you meant that  : )

[k-onmmunist]

you can't explain that!

[Mehmentum]

People can be spiritual but not religious.  What makes a belief a religion is orginization.  Having churches, religious schools, congregations, preachers, and a standard holy book is more enough to make a religion.

Christianity is a religion, or more correctly, a collection of religious structures that have core beleifs in common.

[King]

If we are going to go this route, non-religion Christians should not celebrate Christmas.  There is no message in the Bible declaring this holiday or that the anniversary of the birth of Jesus should be celebrated.  The date itself was selected by the Roman Catholic Church--a law religion. 

By evangelical litmus, it's outright blasphemy.

[Oak Hills]

Is O'Reilly trying to be a joke?

[Wiggle Your Yummy Moist Preggers Cake Ben Shapiro]

Is O'Reilly trying to be a joke?

He wasn't a joke in the first place?

[Oldiesfreak1854]

I disagree with O'Reilly on this one, but I understand why he believes that.