Does a Person Need to Understand Everything In Their Religion?

[ChristineES]

In Christianity, when one decides to become a Christian, it seems not to be important to understand everything about his or her faith, his or her denomination, etc (that is true with most denominations, but not all of them. I want to make that clear).
I am asking if you believe a person should understand most of or all of a faith before they start following it. Not just Christianity, but any faith.

 

[bobhikes]

In Christianity, when one decides to become a Christian, it seems not to be important to understand everything about his or her faith, his or her denomination, etc (that is true with most denominations, but not all of them. I want to make that clear).
I am asking if you believe a person should understand most of or all of a faith before they start following it. Not just Christianity, but any faith.

No one could ever follow a faith then. It would take more than one life to understand all/most of anything.

I'm going to go with no because in my opinion its impossible.

 

[Awoon]

Should a faith come from a religious teaching?

Should a religious teaching come from a faith?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

Understand most or all of who's interpretation of the faith?

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

In Christianity, when one decides to become a Christian, it seems not to be important to understand everything about his or her faith, his or her denomination, etc (that is true with most denominations, but not all of them. I want to make that clear).
I am asking if you believe a person should understand most of or all of a faith before they start following it. Not just Christianity, but any faith.

I'd say that in general, it's not a good idea to make decisions with an incomplete understanding. The more you know about what you're deciding, the better.

And in practice, for any religion that preaches revelation, I don't see why a person wouldn't want to understand as much of it as he or she can. If you've got what you believe to be divine guidance or inspiration for humanity authored by (or at least under the direction of) the wisest being in existence, why wouldn't you take in as much of it as you can?

 

[heretic]

It's impossible to know everything in a religion it will take more than one lifetime , but sure should know the bases believes of it .

 

[Gjallarhorn]

A religious person doesn't need to know everything about their religion, but they should at least know more than another person not of their religion.

 

[Shermana]

When Suicide Bombers blow themselves up, would you say they completely understood their religion?

 

[Gjallarhorn]

When Suicide Bombers blow themselves up, would you say they completely understood their religion?

Depends. Did their religion condone suicide bombing?

 

[Kilgore Trout]

When Suicide Bombers blow themselves up, would you say they completely understood their religion?

I'm sure they felt they had a pretty solid understanding of their religion. Of course, when you break it down, every individual has pretty much their own unique religion.

 

[fallingblood]

I would say that you should have at least a basic understanding of the religion, and then continue growing with the religion. One would do this by studying the religion from a more critical perspective. The history of the religion, and variety of doctrines, etc would be a benefit to know.

However, for many people, religion isn't something they do through knowledge. For some, it is more of an emotional thing. They have the basic, a belief in a supreme being, and a few of the doctrines. But the thing that really matters to them is a relationship with their god. Now, if they keep it a personal thing, I would say that it is fine to not know everything about the religion, because most of the religion simply is not important to them. However, if they want to start trying to convert, debate, etc about the religion, then they need to have a more full understanding of the religion.

Knowing everything still wouldn't be necessary. But knowing enough, and knowing where to find more quality information would be necessary.

 

[doppelganger]

When you believe in things that you don't understand, then you suffer.

But aside from that, the function of belief is to create a psychological sense of certainty. As long as it accomplishes that function, then there's no need to 'understand' it. When one starts asking questions, and the need for certainty begins to dissolve, then one can discover a little more of who they are and can begin to grow emotionally again.

 

[BruceDLimber]

Most religions have so much detail that understanding "everything" isn't a realistic option, especially for new adherents!

Precisely why religion is generally an ongoing learning process . . .

Peace,

Bruce

 

[Majikthise]

Would an atheist have to know about everything before they could be an atheist?
(Though I have to admit some atheists DO think they know everything)

 

[doppelganger]

Would an atheist have to know about everything before they could be an atheist?
(Though I have to admit some atheists DO think they know everything)

Quick aside - are you the same "Majikthise" that used to post here with the cop avatar?

 

[Majikthise]

The same. I only wish I could have put up the whole picture so you could see he was wearing pink high heels.

 

[sandy whitelinger]

In Christianity, when one decides to become a Christian, it seems not to be important to understand everything about his or her faith, his or her denomination, etc (that is true with most denominations, but not all of them. I want to make that clear).
I am asking if you believe a person should understand most of or all of a faith before they start following it. Not just Christianity, but any faith.

No, as I heard a preacher say once, "If I could understand everything in the Bible that means God isn't any smarter than I am." All that is required to become a Christian is belief in Christ. If your futher understanding of principles and doctrine lead you to another denomination I don't think Christ will hold it against you...just the members of the denomonation you left.

 

[outhouse]

In Christianity, when one decides to become a Christian, it seems not to be important to understand everything about his or her faith, his or her denomination, etc (that is true with most denominations, but not all of them. I want to make that clear).
I am asking if you believe a person should understand most of or all of a faith before they start following it. Not just Christianity, but any faith.

I personally think they should.

It is not necessary though. Its a feel good thing while trying to sculpt ones life into a better form.

if progress is being made in ones life, i dont find it mandatory to learn everything about said theology

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

No, as I heard a preacher say once, "If I could understand everything in the Bible that means God isn't any smarter than I am."

I don't see how that makes sense if you're approaching this from the mindset that the Bible was written by God for the purpose of communicating a message to human beings.

Why would someone think - as this pastor implies - that all of God's knowledge must be in the Bible? It almost sounds like he's worshipping the Bible as God.

 

[Shermana]

No, as I heard a preacher say once, "If I could understand everything in the Bible that means God isn't any smarter than I am." All that is required to become a Christian is belief in Christ. If your futher understanding of principles and doctrine lead you to another denomination I don't think Christ will hold it against you...just the members of the denomonation you left.

So you believe the Gnostic Christians and Mormons are Christians then?