Do you practice a religion?

Question

Is it really that difficult?

Answer 1

This was such a play on words. Am I the only one getting it?

To answer your question. Yes, and ...

Most religious people need all the practice they can get. It's not that it is hard, but practicing keeps us in tune and makes us more harmonious at it.

(I went with the music metaphor, athletic seemed trite.)

Answer 2

Well, if it wasn't difficult, I guess we'd have to admit that people got it right on a regular basis. lol YOU wanna make that call?

Thing is, it can be quite difficult. Take my lot - wiccans.
The Wiccan rede - or uber-commandment if you like - is "an it harm none, do what you will."

An it harm none...so you can do anything as long as it harms no-one. Great in principle, frees you from the concept of sin, but then makes you think twice as bloody hard about every thing you do....Will this action harm someone? How can I know? How can I make sure? Even well-intentioned actions can be harmful, soooo...

And there you are, fretting about whether or not you're gonna do someone harm by giving them sour cream dip when they might prefer houmous :oD

And then, just when you think you might have got the hang of that, along comes the extra fun part. The Rule of Threefold Return. Whatever you put out into the universe, good or bad, will come back to you threefold. Make one person smile, you get three smiles back. Make one person scowl, you get three scowls back. Simple enough, yeah? Try putting it into practice on a rush-hour tube train, with someone playing their iPod so loud you could dance to it, some other friend of humanity shoving their unwashed armpit in your face, the students and tourists getting stuck in the doorway by their backpacks, and panicking like captured turtles, and the people with mobile phones that play "always look on the bright side of life", and which when answered introduce the entire cabin to the not-entirely-subtle art of phone sex. It's HELL trying to maintain a positive Wiccan outlook on a tube train in rush hour. So yeah - still practicing. If I ever get it right, I'll let you know!

Answer 3

Yes. I "apply" my religion to every aspect of my life.
There is nothing difficult about it, it is as natural to me as rain.
But there is a big difference between "applying" a religious philosophy to living and religous "practice" ( ritual, dogma etc)
So I am not sure which you are referring to in your question.

By the way my religion is Scientology. I am not interested in promoting it via this forum, but it is sometimes misunderstood because it is a relatively new religion, so here is a description of it, which my help to clarify my answer:

Scientology is an applied religious philosophy. When I say "applied" I mean you actually use it in your life to change or improve existing conditions. This is different from a religious practice. All religions if you learn about them have a basic philosphy, but they also have certain dogma, rituals and observances, and a certain faith or belief is required. There is nothing wrong with this, but Scientology is not that kind of religion. It does not intrude on anyones faiths of beliefs particularly in the area of God , the Supreme Being, or the Infinite. This area is left totally up to the indivdual, which is why you can be a practicing Jew,for example and still use and apply the priniciples of Scientology in your life. It does not conflict. If anything it will enhance your understanding of your chosen religious practice.
You can have no specific religious beliefs and still benefit from using it.
And it is only true for you according to your own observation and experience with it.
It is a non denominational religion . The dictionary definition that applies:
Religion: The spiritual or emotional attitude of one who recognises the existence of superhuman power or powers.

The most basic principle of Scientology is that YOU are your own immortal soul, that this is not a "thing" you HAVE but what YOU actually are.
The whole purpose of Scientology is to increase an individual's understanding and awareness of himself. And thereby his native abilities .
When you do this the sphere and zone of his positive influence increases and moves outward into his life, his family ,his friends, his groups and mankind which he is part of.

How this result is achieved is the "technology" of Scientology, which was developed by L.Ron Hubbard after his extensive research and the discoveries he made, about the human spirit. The basic religious philosophy and knowledge of Scientology is very old, going back 10,000 years at least to the Veda or Vedic Hymns from the East. The developement of the technology is new.
He completed his research before his death in 1986 and left all of his results and copyrights
to the Church of Scientology along with most of his considerable estate., when he died.

He published a book in 1951 to communicate the basic principles he discovered called: " Scientology The Fundementals of Thought"
There are currently over 8 million Scientologists in more that 150 countries world wide. However we are a new religion, only 53 years old.
The true story of Scientology as a religion goes like this:
1. A philosopher developes a philosophy about life and death.
2. People find it interesting.
3. People find it works.
4. People pass it along to others.
5. It grows.

Answer 4

I find religion difficult to practice. This isn't to say I don't have a moral compass but I just find predefining that moral compass difficult and stifling. I find religion black and white with limited applications to reality. I also find a black and white religion to be very harsh in it's expression toward others so difficult to apply consistently. It seems to me religion rather then helping a person practice a golden rule hinders them by making what they disapprove of conflict with the expression of virtues. If adultery is wrong then religion by nature requires compensation forcing the disciple to conflict over that balance often to the exclusion of better virtues like forgiveness. So yes religion is difficult for me to practice. It is easy to practice if your willing to submit to another mans example or definition of religion but then you have the Crusades.

Answer 5

I figure practicing a religion is a lot better than a doctor practicing medicine. I just know that when I go for a check up, I don't want him looking at me and asking for a "do over."

Answer 6

I love the Heavenly Father that sent His only Son and the Holy Spirit, but I do not follow the bylaws and guidelines of a specific religion. I follow the New Testament, since Jesus said, I came not to destroy the law but to fulfill it. I pray daily, I praise daily. This is my choice not someone elses. So in practicing a group religion, no I do not.

Answer 7

Yes I do.

My religion is to seek justice for the victims and equal rights for the meek and the oppressed.

It is very difficult to seek justice in this world that boasts human rights but gives away pieces of our land to terrorists, through United Nations.

Money is more powerful than human rights is it?

It is very difficult. Painful. To be the voice of the weak and meek is painful in this wicked, cruel world.

Answer 8

I was originally a Catholic, and became a convert to the scientific method, but I don't believe that science has all the answers. Occasionally I go to prayer groups, just to show support for some people who depend on these groups, and also to test and reevaluate what I currently believe.

My real religion is ice hockey!

Answer 9

I'm a spiritualist. I follow Native American ways. I'm spiritual not religious. There is a difference. Not difficult at all. It's pretty basic , respect Mother Earth & all that is on her, treat others as you would want to be treated, respect Mother Nature, do your best & be kind to people & animals. And Love the great Spirit of Love (God or whatever you choose to call him/her.)

Answer 10

I am a practicing Catholic. But I really don't look at it as practicing a religion--God is just part of my life.