na h Richard your confused, James knows exactly what he is talking about and you don't. everything the man says in the following is true:
Jas 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
what is always the deception in these discussions is faith, what is man's definition or redefinition of faith. and faith isn't "your religion" as many believe. faith is simply belief/trust that is placed by the person on or in something or some one. could be on or in anything. and that same persons actions and doings "works" will be according to what they believe and trust. all James is saying here is simply if one's faith is truly in Christ then the fruits thereof will be there. no different then if one's faith is placed in money they will act and do according to their faith, what they believe and trust to be true, or even good for themselves. Adam and Eve placed their faith in what the serpent said, and did accordingly.
if its an apple tree it will bare apples, not oranges.