Why do I have to claim a religion if I believe in God?

You don't. Religion is (how you worship) your rituals and prayers. People get that mixed up with (God-Jesus_Christian religion all the time. You're a believer in (whatever) As to the other, you perceive that is what those religions ask of you, and you may have reasons for doing so, but any Christian relation that doesn't respect the individual, is not a christ based religion, it's not how many times you do x and where you do it. it's a faith thing, a life thing. when people grow to a mature age, no matter what church they were brought up in, or what religion, they are normally strong enough in their understanding of (faith) to not worry about trying to be (religious) that's something totally different. That's a dogma, a way of worshiping. Make a choice you've found peace and feel good about, and you won't feel like you have to (justify or explain) and any christian worth his or her salt, is not going to harass you about it. (or shouldn't)