I can leave out a community or society. Myself and my relationship with Christ is not defined nor is it directed by a community or society, but is based on my own personal experience. That leaves: FAITH (based on a series of beliefs) NOT FORMALIZED INTO A RELIGION.

Just let me say, that when I hear that I have a "belief system" it makes me think of somebody (me) sitting down and organizing a bunch of notions about whatever to guide the way I address any situation that might come up. That somebody (I?) arbitrarily decided I needed something to be certain and greater than myself. To do so, that something (or somebody) must have mystical qualities and powers so that when things don't go my way I could either "blame" that somebody or ask that somebody to intervene in what is happening. This would shift the responsibility for my life on that something/somebody.

This SYSTEM would, to those who don't share my notions, be evidence of a weakness and inability to cope with life or what-have-you. Well, okay. I get this from some people. I have heard that being a Christian is adopting a made-up cop-out to escape from the reality of life. I have heard that it is also a way of guilting myself into doing things that are maybe not in my best interest, or that are in the interest of other people, regardless of the implication for myself.

Okay, so what's my problem? I guess it has to do with God revealing Himself to me, with the very real interaction and communication that exists. A "belief system" sounds like something that is contrived, where my relationship to Christ happened in spite of myself. He reached out to me. He called me. I merely responded to the call and began to listen and learn from Him.

I guess "belief system" applies to me in that it isn't formalized into a "religion" as in an institutionalized, community, or societal function; it IS, however a "religion" in that I believe in, and revere the Creator/Sustainer, and Jesus' teachings are the values I identify with.

Nevertheless, I don't see it as a system of belief, but a way of living and being. It is inherent in my nature, an inseparable part of who I am.

While I must admit that many of the words I use DO come from the Christian society, from various sources, as I understand them they mean the same as what was made known to me.

I mean, God didn't tell me Jesus' name. God didn't tell me HIS name.

Well, he did, but it was LOVE.

LOVE be upon you.