How do you define your religion as a practice?

[Unveiled Artist]

In China you can't ask "What is her religion" (no word for "religion", as in many languages): the question is "What does she worship?" All pagan religions are defined by their practices. Obviously people believe things, but that is not the crucial matter. Belief only becomes central in secondary, self-styled revealed religions like the Abrahamic ones. If some "prophet" tells people they've got it all wrong, he has to explain what constitutes getting it right, and hey presto! you have a creed to believe in. Incidentally, I've never considered it before, but isn't it interesting that all the "prophets" were men? Do women have more sense?

Do you think religions outside abrahamic and pagan religions far bypass in number than abrahamics?

Im wondering because if practice-focused religions have been here since the ages, how did people get influnenced to stray from that to belief-focused? Based on conversation, sounds like belief-based religion is farely new.

When the Church killed pagans, they did so for their practices not beliefs...so, the belief-focused religions kinda new.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Either that or beliefs in paganism where a personal and communal thing. Like then traditions and stories are beliefs their beliefs while their practices reflect off thoske stories and traditions.

 

[LuisDantas]

Im wondering because if practice-focused religions have been here since the ages, how did people get influnenced to stray from that to belief-focused? Based on conversation, sounds like belief-based religion is farely new.

Belief-based religion is efficient in terms of demographical spread, because promises a lot, requires very little effort, and emphasizes belonging to a greater community of mutual support and protection. So much so that many people do not realize that those traits are not a necessary part of religion.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Belief-based religion is efficient in terms of demographical spread, because promises a lot, requires very little effort, and emphasizes belonging to a greater community of mutual support and protection. So much so that many people do not realize that those traits are not a necessary part of religion.

Id say communal support and community are part of religion but nowadays we have individuals who are their "own church".

I find that very, how can I say, against the point of religion as not only to be centered in self but with those arouns you. It fosters better ways to communicate when you are with like minds.

Though just using belief as a means to pull people sounds more political. The posts above about the dance, they did so as a group. Yet, did not think about belief.

Tit for tat.

 

[LuisDantas]

Id say communal support and community are part of religion but nowadays we have individuals who are their "own church".

I find that very, how can I say, against the point of religion as not only to be centered in self but with those arouns you. It fosters better ways to communicate when you are with like minds.

A sense of community is a necessary part of religion - or for that matter, of human living. But I don't think basing it on supernatural beliefs is advisable, particularly when it degenerates into a "us vs them" mindset. Instead, it is far healthier to let the community life inform and shape the beliefs.

Though just using belief as a means to pull people sounds more political. The posts above about the dance, they did so as a group. Yet, did not think about belief.

Tit for tat.

Come to think of it, how much sense does it even make for one to claim belief-based religion? How much meaning can a person put into claims of unverifiable concepts that often are not even a part of his or her personal experience? That sounds a lot like applying a "third party services" mentality to religion. I fail to see the point.

It does indeed sound like politics, and it often turns out to be. Then again, I don't think religion and politics can be separated well or often. I'm not sure we should attempt to, either, although I do insist that governments must be lay and secular.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Religion is a means to an end. The pursuit, expression and nurture of moral and social values.

It does not have to involve belief, and in fact benefits from avoiding it as much as possible.

Come to think of this post, how many people you know who see person X shoot person Y have to believe they shot that person before acting to get the L out of dodge?

 

[LuisDantas]

Sorry, I am not quite grasping your question. May you please elaborate a bit?

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Sorry, I am not quite grasping your question. May you please elaborate a bit?

Oh. It was rethorical kind of a joke.

How many people in immediate danger you know will think (believe and theorize the danger) first before act (practice) by getting out harms way.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

A sense of community is a necessary part of religion - or for that matter, of human living. But I don't think basing it on supernatural beliefs is advisable, particularly when it degenerates into a "us vs them" mindset. Instead, it is far healthier to let the community life inform and shape the beliefs.




Come to think of it, how much sense does it even make for one to claim belief-based religion? How much meaning can a person put into claims of unverifiable concepts that often are not even a part of his or her personal experience? That sounds a lot like applying a "third party services" mentality to religion. I fail to see the point.

It does indeed sound like politics, and it often turns out to be. Then again, I don't think religion and politics can be separated well or often. I'm not sure we should attempt to, either, although I do insist that governments must be lay and secular.

I guess the only benefit I can see to belief-only religions is that sometimes practice without purpose is like mixing ingredients for a cake without the belief/intent/purpose of making a cake. Basically, its based on the purpose (we want tonbe better wives to our mates) so once that belief is laid "hopefully" actions follow.

For practice-focus people, it may fustrate them to hear " I love you" repeatedly for twenty years without the hug and placing a ring on the finger if they wanted to marry.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

I have some questions (don't worry, you don't have to read the whole thing. Pick and choose is alright).

I am around belief-focused religions on a constant basis. The only time I am not is when I am in my apartment. However, practice-focused religions (in my opinion) is not just what you do indoors but how you interact outdoors too (in other words with other people and your environment).

How do you (especially if you have done this) divorce yourself from belief-focused mindset?....

...when sharing your beliefs can cause a frenzy not only in your conversation with whomever you speak with but (as I live in a community complex) it does trickle in gosips down throughout the whole community. Majority of the people think I am Christian and talk to me as if we are both "on the same level." Given many are over 70 years old, I don't want to make them uncomfortable and say "hey, no, I'm a pagan and what do is X, Y, and Z".

In a regular apartment complex, it's fine. However, I don't live in a city/town where there are varied believers who openly admit so.

I know our religion shouldn't be detered by outside environment. However, let's be sensible and realistic. There are things that are appropriate to talk about in conversations (say a work environment) and some things not so appropriate.

Yet, many of these people are my friends and some are close aquintences (like my co-worker). It's alright to tell them one on one what I believe if they are accepting to it. Given the nature of each person I talk to, that would have harsh influence on our relationship.

Anyway,

How do you divorce yourself from the belief-religious mindset and what are the best ways you think on how to express honestly what I believe (within my community) without compromising my language to match theirs?

If you are the type that does not care what people say of you, how do you approach your direct point of view in an appropriate manner without compromising your belief to fit their language?

If it does not matter to you, does your practice show on the outside (for example, are their distinct things that you do in your faith like others with Burkas that to others set you a part from the majority)? If so, do you find it appropriate to say "I don't care what you believe, but I believe this" or do you have another approach when someone questions you about your faith?

For example, I do a lot of outside rituals. I got to the point that I don't care of people look at me funny because in worship you really not thinking of others at the moment but your relationship with whomever (say self, nature, element, god/s, whatever) you are praying to. That is fine.

Then when they talk to me and say "what are you doing?" and I say "I am praying" that is fine.

Then they ask, "what is your religion?" and going by this thread, I am speechless because I have no "Religion" I have practices and moral to those practices that are not fit into a box that I am this or that.

I don't like abstract words like "I am with the One" or "I am connected to all" and I don't like sugar coating by saying "I am worshiping" when I am not. It's very complicated.

What do ye think?

 

[Aupmanyav]

In Hinduism one word describes it - 'Dharma' (duty - duty to family and to society. That is one thing in Hinduism that does not change). Different ways are known as sects (sampradayas), paths (panth) or opinion (mata).

 

[Smart_Guy]

My religion, Islam, in practice is a very refined and organized integrated system that deals with most, if not all, matters of life, directly and in directly. I'm gonna summarize them only. It is not just to warship, it is to live too.

The basic practices for Muslims are the ones required in the five pillars of Islam. The first practice is the second pillar, which is performing prayer. The required prayers are five spread all over the days to start the five times Islam deals with. It is done on daily basis. Next comes the alms (obligatory charity) and it has many faces including the alms of money and the alms of breakfasting celebration after fasting Ramadan. After that is fasting the month of Ramadan. Finally comes the the pilgrimage. All these practices, although obligatory, can at some point be neglected depending on the cases.

No, blowing one self up is not there. Just to be clear on that.

The above make the practical life in Islam meaningful and active. Performing the prayers, for example, require being ready with ablution and available at specific times which makes the day divided into parts that if prayers are taken care of, the day would become very well organized. Those practices are also just the basics that a Muslim is obliged to follow.

I said before that most, if not all, matters of life are considered in Islam, and by that I mean that even daily life and social practices are included. The above basic practices are mostly there for worshiping. There are secondary, but not unimportant, practices are mostly in how we live our lives in matters besides that.

Islam has so many teachings regarding that, and I believe some of them are already known world wide, like wearing hijab (head scarf). Marriage has special Islamic teachings including the role play of the new started family members and even in the process of starting it. The husband, for example, is obliged to pay a dowry decided by the bride, prepare all financial and arrangements for the marriage to take place, take care of all life expenses as needed without complaining, etc. The way we dress has teachings that has to be practiced as part of the identity of being a Muslim. The way to knock on doors is to do it three times with reasonable interval in between, and the guest has to stand a little to one of the sides not directly on front of the door so when the door opens, it is possible to avoid accidentally looking at stuff (Islam heavily respects privacy). Washing private parts is done with the left hand only and with water if available. Eating is by reaching what's on front of you and first to come, and with the right hand anly. Not to overeat and the specific teaching is to have maximum 1/3 of the stomach for food, 1/3 for water and leave 1/3 to breath. Giving greeting are to be started by the young and walkers to the old and the seated. And the list goes on and on.

Am I on the right track posting this in the thread?

 

[Unveiled Artist]

My religion, Islam, in practice is a very refined and organized integrated system that deals with most, if not all, matters of life, directly and in directly. I'm gonna summarize them only. It is not just to warship, it is to live too.

The basic practices for Muslims are the ones required in the five pillars of Islam. The first practice is the second pillar, which is performing prayer. The required prayers are five spread all over the days to start the five times Islam deals with. It is done on daily basis. Next comes the alms (obligatory charity) and it has many faces including the alms of money and the alms of breakfasting celebration after fasting Ramadan. After that is fasting the month of Ramadan. Finally comes the the pilgrimage. All these practices, although obligatory, can at some point be neglected depending on the cases.

No, blowing one self up is not there. Just to be clear on that.

The above make the practical life in Islam meaningful and active. Performing the prayers, for example, require being ready with ablution and available at specific times which makes the day divided into parts that if prayers are taken care of, the day would become very well organized. Those practices are also just the basics that a Muslim is obliged to follow.

I said before that most, if not all, matters of life are considered in Islam, and by that I mean that even daily life and social practices are included. The above basic practices are mostly there for worshiping. There are secondary, but not unimportant, practices are mostly in how we live our lives in matters besides that.

Islam has so many teachings regarding that, and I believe some of them are already known world wide, like wearing hijab (head scarf). Marriage has special Islamic teachings including the role play of the new started family members and even in the process of starting it. The husband, for example, is obliged to pay a dowry decided by the bride, prepare all financial and arrangements for the marriage to take place, take care of all life expenses as needed without complaining, etc. The way we dress has teachings that has to be practiced as part of the identity of being a Muslim. The way to knock on doors is to do it three times with reasonable interval in between, and the guest has to stand a little to one of the sides not directly on front of the door so when the door opens, it is possible to avoid accidentally looking at stuff (Islam heavily respects privacy). Washing private parts is done with the left hand only and with water if available. Eating is by reaching what's on front of you and first to come, and with the right hand anly. Not to overeat and the specific teaching is to have maximum 1/3 of the stomach for food, 1/3 for water and leave 1/3 to breath. Giving greeting are to be started by the young and walkers to the old and the seated. And the list goes on and on.

Am I on the right track posting this in the thread?

Nope. You got me laughing with the blowing up. Funny and not funny at the same time. I was at school one time and the college finally set up a prayer room for Muslims (and them decided to make it a spiritual room as not to discriminate). While I was in their praying, I saw two Muslims's one was new to the practice and the other teaching the new Muslim how to pray. That was nice to see them exchanging thoughts and performing the actions together. I assume that would be the charity for that day that the experience Muslim gave. It's a beautiful religion but I dont understand Arabic to really understand the prayers.

 

[Smart_Guy]

Nope. You got me laughing with the blowing up. Funny and not funny at the same time. I was at school one time and the college finally set up a prayer room for Muslims (and them decided to make it a spiritual room as not to discriminate). While I was in their praying, I saw two Muslims's one was new to the practice and the other teaching the new Muslim how to pray. That was nice to see them exchanging thoughts and performing the actions together. I assume that would be the charity for that day that the experience Muslim gave. It's a beautiful religion but I dont understand Arabic to really understand the prayers.

Nope? Oops, sorry about that. I made that long post and it turned out to be off-topic.

Yeah, I intended to make that silly joke about blowing up. Some people think it is part of Islam and it is allowed.

The Islam DIR welcomes you. If you're interested in what's said in the prayers, you can find it there in English

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Nope? Oops, sorry about that. I made that long post and it turned out to be off-topic.

Yeah, I intended to make that silly joke about blowing up. Some people think it is part of Islam and it is allowed.

The Islam DIR welcomes you. If you're interested in what's said in the prayers, you can find it there in English

Thank you. I was thinking "nope" you're good with your reply. Does Islam see God as a being/entity?

 

[Smart_Guy]

Thank you. I was thinking "nope" you're good with your reply. Does Islam see God as a being/entity?

Cool

Islam sees God as a unique divine entity, a deity. It is not simple to define Him in a simple short word, so a complete chapter in the Quran was revealed exclusively to explain it called the Sincerity chapter (112):

(Translation)
Say, "He is God, the One. God, the unique who neither begets nor is begotten, nor is there to Him an equal."

 

[popsthebuilder]

A sense of community is a necessary part of religion - or for that matter, of human living. But I don't think basing it on supernatural beliefs is advisable, particularly when it degenerates into a "us vs them" mindset. Instead, it is far healthier to let the community life inform and shape the beliefs.




Come to think of it, how much sense does it even make for one to claim belief-based religion? How much meaning can a person put into claims of unverifiable concepts that often are not even a part of his or her personal experience? That sounds a lot like applying a "third party services" mentality to religion. I fail to see the point.

It does indeed sound like politics, and it often turns out to be. Then again, I don't think religion and politics can be separated well or often. I'm not sure we should attempt to, either, although I do insist that governments must be lay and secular.

One can practice a thing without having belief in it. One can practice a thing because they feel it is significant, through some sort of belief. Basing ones belief on third party interpreting or experience a looked down on for good reason. Unfortunately the is lost on most "adherents" of religion, be it abrahamic or not.

I have trouble understanding why any would aimlessly follow in tradition that is neither directly spoken of in ancient writings or proven to be beneficial to existence as a whole.

Many people, even some here insist that abrahamic Faith is that of division. In actuality , based on the writings and teachings of the actual elect it divides only the righteousness of existence from the deception, greed, and hate.

This will be realized eventually, but most certainly not by bashing any seamingly rightly guided individual or Faith.

All have been lost to one degree or another. Acceptance of this and the equal responsibility of all to DO their respective best for the sake of existence will bring unity and true Faith to light.

Peace

 

[Unveiled Artist]

Cool

Islam sees God as a unique divine entity, a deity. It is not simple to define Him in a simple short word, so a complete chapter in the Quran was revealed exclusively to explain it called the Sincerity chapter (112):

(Translation)
Say, "He is God, the One. God, the unique who neither begets nor is begotten, nor is there to Him an equal."

I hate to pick at you (guess that's RF for you), entity as in... you know how on t.v. you have depictions of what people think god looks like (usually Christian, though) or an invisible hand but you can see the outline.

Is he an entity like that or is he a "feeling" or experience or?

I think of spirit as a deceased person. In non religious language, it would mean the soul or spark of a person (thoughts, energy, mind) that makes him, him. Is that "spark" the god?

 

[Smart_Guy]

I hate to pick at you (guess that's RF for you), entity as in... you know how on t.v. you have depictions of what people think god looks like (usually Christian, though) or an invisible hand but you can see the outline.

Is he an entity like that or is he a "feeling" or experience or?

I think of spirit as a deceased person. In non religious language, it would mean the soul or spark of a person (thoughts, energy, mind) that makes him, him. Is that "spark" the god?

He's an entity, a divine being and someone real. An individual in the since we are all individuals too, but with a different nature. He does have two hands for example, as mentioned in the Quran, in the since that we have two hands, but of an unknown nature to us. I guess the only to find out is to believe in and listen to Him to see Him in the afterlife if He exists (I believe He does).

Call me crazy, but this is how God is in Islam.

 

[metis]

This occured to me and I dont know if I can answer it myself though it sounds like it makes sense?

We define our beliefs by our theology, ideology (what you practice), beliefs (why you practice), but can we define our religion by just the practices themselves?

Some religious, say eastern, dont refer to their beliefs as beliefs but practice.

How would you describe what your beliefs as practices?

If that makes sense?

As you may remember, I'm non-theistic and yet am very active in my synagogue, therefore I really don't have religious beliefs per se but do observe certain practices and rituals. At services, I use the prayers and songs more as one would use a mantra. As for the scriptures, I treat them all in much the same way: read them, study them, find that which may be useful, and then use the latter in my daily living.