> The contrasting word would be "relationship," as in, "Christianity is a relationship not a religion." "Relationship" implies a lot more of what's involved: communication, love, service, and so forth, just as with human relationships. It implies something that involves the entirety of what we are, rather than one of many separable aspects. It implies that it's personal, instead of just a belief or habit or cultural background.

That's exactly my views on this whole issue. I can't stand the traditional churches. Not because they're all "bad", it's just because when we get caught up in too much tradition, it takes away the meaning of going to church. If it's changed up a little bit everynight and there's a variety of things going on at different times, let's say, for instance, different kind of music, then it will keep people comming who wants to worship God because they have a need to go to church, not because they feel "obligated" to go. My girlfriend's church is a great example of this and it makes for a better service because of it. Now my church has more tradition behind it, but not so much to keep us from having a praise band for the youth and a youth choir that sings contemporary music.

I'm not saying that traditional churches are bad and everyone who attends one don't really have a relationship with God, I'm just saying that it leaves too much room for those people. If traditional churches help you praise God, then that's great, but if you don't like the same thing over and over, I'd suggest finding a new church. G'day!

Wedge Antilles