Hate it when people say they're a certain religion yet don't practise

52% Normal
7 Comments

I cannot stand it when people say stuff like "I'm [religion] but I don't practise". For example, that so-called "Cafeteria Christianity", in which people just cherry pick the Bible verses they like and ignore the ones they don't, how there are those self-proclaimed Buddhists who live hedonistic self-centred lifestyles, or how many in Japan call themselves Shinto yet just say that they're only doing it for show or tradition.

Now, I am not saying that people like that are all bad, but I think that if you are to call yourself a member of a certain religion, you must conform to all of its rules, or at least try to. If not, don't bother calling yourself a member of that religion. I find it to be utterly disgraceful when people claim to be a certain religion but don't adhere to it.

Is it normal to this that?

Voting Results
52% Normal
Based on 27 votes (14 yes)
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Comments ( 7 )
  • AppleMind
    9 years ago

    Although a bit dramatic, I enjoy how Penn Jillette has expressed it.

    "You may already be an atheist, if God, however you perceive him, her, it, told you to kill your child, would you do it? If you answer no, in my booklet, you are an atheist. There is doubt in your mind. Love and morality are more important to you than your faith. If your answer is yes, please reconsider."

    If you're not willing to go all in what's the point?

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  • kingofcarrotflowers
    9 years ago

    What religion means is subjective also are you saying you would rather people pay attention to the whole I hate gays, aren't women pathetic parts of the bible?

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  • dom180
    9 years ago

    Why are you so interested in how other people choose to identify? Religions aren't defined ideologies. There are no fundamental classification principles which you can confidently use to identify Islam, or diagnose a case of Christianity :P If someone tells you their religious identity, I think it's important to have enough respect for them to take them at their word.

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    • Anonymous Post Author
      9 years ago

      "There are no fundamental classification principles which you can confidently use to identify Islam, or diagnose a case of Christianity "

      Yes there are.
      Muslims believe that there is only one God and that Muhammed was his prophet.
      Christians believe that there is one God, and that Jesus was his Son.

      In any case, I do take their word for it when they tell me. I'm talking about those cases when they just call themselves a certain religion for namesake and don't bother practising.

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      • dom180
        9 years ago

        I think it's more complex than that. Religious affiliation in society (which is relevant if we're talking about identity) is a cultural phenomenon, which isn't just about what people consciously believe. But I digress: if you do think those are valid classification principles, you're only proving my point. If you say that the ways of classifying people by faith are about their beliefs (i.e. not their actions), then you're admitting that religious people don't need to be practicing to have a valid claim to faith.

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  • imadragon
    9 years ago

    I don't think anyone should follow all the rules of religious books, religion has to be reinvented. I mean, I don't want people to be stoned to death.

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  • Parky_Parker
    9 years ago

    I don't pray 5 times a day or go to mosque like my mother does. In fact, my mother doesn't wear a "hijab" other than when she is praying or attending mosque. She is a Muslim. I am a Muslim. Why? Because I was born as a Muslim, simple as that. That's what I identify with. To me, asking me how I am a Muslim is the same as asking me how I am white.

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