Why do you "practice" a religion?

Question

People use the word "practice" to describe how they live in their religion. I find this to be funny. I know that there are many uses of the word practice, but think of it in a way as you would practice a dance for a recital. When you practice that dance, you are practicing so that when the "real time" comes, you'll be ready right? When will the real time come to exercise whatever religion it is you "practice".

I know this is probably a silly question, but I am one of the sort who find humor in the many uses for words.

Heh.

Trust me, I understand that some words mean more than one thing. I'm not stupid. I just found it amusing.

Answer 1

Hehe. Yeah, I practice twice a week, sometimes even Sunday.

And, my team is the best. "God Squad". We're always ready, because we've got the best coach. He has good vision, and can really influence the outcome of the Game.

Its not a really silly question, but you still get a silly answer. :)

Answer 2

This is a good question for me to answer because I have just become a christian. You didnt specify which religion you were talking about, and it doesn't really matter. People use the word practice a religion because when it coms to following the rules and the guidelines of a person's religion, no one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes and we learn from those mistakes. Thats why they saying "practice makes perfect" comes in real handy here. While no one can be perfect at anything, we can always do our best to try and be which is practicing. So if you are trying to be like God who was perfect, you will most likely fail in one way or another. So you keep trying, and that again is practicing. So I hope this has helped you with your question.

Answer 3

Yeah, I've thought of that before too. But in a way, it can make sense to say we are only "practicing" when we do religious things. When we pray and meditate, we are trying to become better people so that when we go out into the world, we are kinder in our dealings with people. So that is sort of a "practice."

But I'll tell you what is even funnier...DOCTORS practicing! LOL. That's just scary!

Answer 4

I think its being used the same way that it is used in the phrase "Doctors practice medicine"

Here is a snippet from dictionary.com:
prac·tice Audio pronunciation of "practice" ( P ) Pronunciation Key (prkts)
v. prac·ticed, prac·tic·ing, prac·tic·es
v. tr.

1. To do or perform habitually or customarily; make a habit of: practices courtesy in social situations.
2. To do or perform (something) repeatedly in order to acquire or polish a skill: practice a dance step.
3. To give lessons or repeated instructions to; drill: practiced the students in handwriting.
4. To work at, especially as a profession: practice law.
5. To carry out in action; observe: practices a religion piously.
6. Obsolete. To plot (something evil).

Answer 5

I have no patience for stupid questions like this.

Doctors practice medicine.
Lawyers practice law.
etc.

In this context the word "practice" does not mean the same as to practice for a dance, it means to engage to engage in a profession.

It also means to engage in a cusomary form of behavior as in "It is the practice of Hawians to have luaus"

in this case it means to avail oneself to; "apply a principle"; "practice a religion"; "use care when going down the stairs"; "use your common sense"; "practice non-violent resistance"

But of course you knew all this already.

Peace and Blessings,

Salim

Answer 6

no longer all Christians attempt this. As someone who used to stay with that philosophy, i'd be able to furnish you an answer, besides the undeniable fact that. i'd say those properly issues because of all the alterations i'd discover in church homes i'd bypass to. i'd change into so annoyed with attempting to determine out what i become "meant" to trust, i ultimately gave up. I grabbed my Bible and all started reading. I do have a own courting with Jesus, and through the Bible I realized the way He needed me to stay. for this reason, i did not perceive myself with any certain denomination of Christianity. I only lived because the Bible informed me I might want to.

Answer 7

Why do Doctors practice medicine and Attorneys practice law??? We practice religion because we are always learning as new situations present themselves. We will never know everything and we will never be perfect, but it is important that we keep trying.

Answer 8

Well, I've always used practice as "practice makes perfect". So we practice a certain faith so that one day we may be perfect. That's the way I've always looked at it. I'm a practicing Christian. I won't be a perfect one until Christ returns, calls me home, and makes me pure and holy in His blood.

Answer 9

I practice my religion because I have yet to get it right. In the sermon on the mount, Jesus commands his disciple to be perfect even as our Heavenly Father is perfect. I haven't gotten to that point yet, and will not before I die. So I will continue practicing my religion trying to get better.

Answer 10

Doctors and Lawyers use the same terminology. Possibly because in choosing those professions one can never know EVERYTHING about it. And so religious types tend to identify with that concept, because being perfect is something a person of faith is far from being.