Irreligion, in the context of biblical understanding, refers to the absence, indifference, or rejection of religion and its practices. It is characterized by a lack of belief in God or the divine, often manifesting as secularism, atheism, or agnosticism. The Bible addresses irreligion not as a mere absence of faith, but as a condition of the heart that turns away from God and His commandments.

Biblical References and Context

1. Psalm 14:1 : "The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.' They are corrupt; their acts are vile. There is no one who does good." This verse highlights the biblical view of irreligion as folly. The denial of God's existence is seen as a moral failing, leading to corruption and wickedness.

2. Romans 1:18-21 : "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but they became futile in their thinking and darkened in their foolish hearts." This passage underscores the idea that irreligion is not due to ignorance but a willful suppression of the truth about God, evident in creation.

3. Proverbs 1:7 : "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Here, the rejection of God and His wisdom is equated with foolishness. Irreligion is seen as a rejection of the foundational knowledge that begins with reverence for the Lord.

4. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 : "But understand this: In the last days, terrible times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!" This passage describes the moral and spiritual decline associated with irreligion, where people may appear religious but deny the true power and essence of godliness.

Theological Implications

Irreligion is often viewed as a rebellion against God's rightful authority and a rejection of His revelation. It is seen as a spiritual condition that leads individuals away from the truth and into moral decay. The Bible consistently calls believers to recognize the reality of God and to live in accordance with His will, contrasting the life of faith with the emptiness of irreligion.

Practical Considerations

For Christians, the presence of irreligion in society presents both a challenge and an opportunity. It challenges believers to remain steadfast in their faith and to engage with the world in a way that reflects the love and truth of Christ. It also provides an opportunity for evangelism, as Christians are called to be witnesses to the transformative power of the Gospel, offering hope and redemption to those who have turned away from God.

In summary, irreligion is addressed in the Bible as a serious spiritual condition that leads individuals away from the knowledge and worship of God. It is characterized by a rejection of divine truth and a preference for human wisdom and desires. The biblical response to irreligion is a call to repentance, faith, and a renewed relationship with God through Jesus Christ.(n.) The state of being irreligious; want of religion; impiety.

Conduct of the Arians Towards the Nicene Council. Ignorant as Well ...
... who are under a charge should confine themselves to their own defence), or if they
have an unclean conscience, and are aware of their own irreligion, let them ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/chapter ii conduct of the arians.htm

A Preservative against Unsettled Notions, and Want of Principles ...
... Irreligion and enthusiasm are diametrical opposites, and true piety between both,
like the center of an infinite line, is at an equal infinite distance from ...
/.../a preservative against unsettled notions.htm

Proof of the Catholic Sense of the Word Son. Power, Word or Reason ...
... This then is quite enough to expose the infamy of the Arian heresy; for, as the
Lord has granted, out of their own words is irreligion brought home to them [848 ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/chapter iv proof of the catholic.htm

Defence of the Council's Phrases, "From the Essence," and "One in ...
... subscribed; and after this change of mind they kept in quiet and retirement [874] ;
but since the present party, in the fresh arrogance of irreligion, and in ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/chapter v defence of the councils.htm

Whether the Second Precept of the Decalogue is Fittingly Expressed ...
... Secondly, by lack, as it were, of reverence, when, to wit, God is contemned, and
this pertains to the vice of irreligion, as stated above (Q[97], in the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the second precept of.htm

Whether Temptation of God is Opposed to the virtue of Religion?
... Consequently it belongs to irreligion that, through doubtful faith, a
man does things indicative of irreverence towards God. To ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether temptation of god is.htm

On the Arian Symbol "Unoriginate. " this Term Afterwards Adopted ...
... was the reason, when the unsound nature of their phrases had been exposed at that
time, and they were henceforth open to the charge of irreligion, that they ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/chapter vii on the arian symbol.htm

Discourse III.
... does not stop them, nor perplexity abash them; but, as having a whore's forehead,'
they refuse to be ashamed [2787] ' before all men in their irreligion. ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/discourse iii.htm

De Decretis or Defence of the Nicene Definition
... I hailed thy vigilance for the love of Christ, which excellently exposed the irreligion
[746] of their heresy; while I marvelled at the effrontery which led ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/de decretis or defence of.htm

Four Discourses against the Arians.
... Lord of glory into the likeness of the image of corruptible man [1829] ,' and for
Christians come to be called Arians, bearing this badge of their irreligion. ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/four discourses against the arians.htm

Irreligion (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The state of being irreligious; want of religion;
impiety. Multi-Version Concordance Irreligion (1 Occurrence). ...
/i/irreligion.htm - 6k

Irreligious (7 Occurrences)

/i/irreligious.htm - 8k

Irreconcilable (1 Occurrence)

/i/irreconcilable.htm - 6k

What is irreligion? | GotQuestions.org

Why is skepticism of religion so prevalent today? | GotQuestions.org

Questions about False Doctrine (All) | GotQuestions.org

Irreligion: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus