Is one faith one religion?

I just finished reading Cross-Cultural Paul (Cosgrove, Weiss and Yeo) for one of my doctoral classes. Cosgrove writes an interesting concept when talking about American Individualism.

"An ancient person who held that his or her religion was the one true religion might have reasoned that a state establishment of that religion protects people from false religious practice and does not hinder them from embracing the true faith from inner conviction. This is what led to Christendom in the West.... The strongest Pauline argument against Christendom is Paul's apocalyptic view of the world and the "powers". It is inconceivable in this view that the powers of the world might establish one true faith."

In our community and across the nation we have a multitude of religions and varying denominations within the Christian faith. The ability to worship in different ways is vital to our coming to know God better. Even as God has made each of us uniquely, we worship and receive the Word of God differently. That we can do so, here in this country is a testament to the wisdom of our founding nation builders. Cosgrove states, "The political freedom of the church requires a state that is restrained from any establishment of religion." It's a blessing to be part of a nation where this holds true.