Which factor is more important when deciding which religion to follow, doctrine or followers' behavior?

Question

Which do you consider more important, the doctrine a religion promotes or practices, or the behavior exhibited by those who practice that religion?

Answer 1

The behavior of the followers. It is an example of the end result of the doctrine.

Answer 2

They both are important. If a religion's doctrine is wrong or does not make sense, then people will not follow it. But if the doctrine is correct and the followers are bad examples, that shows me that these followers are not taking their religion seriously enough and it would turn me away from being a follower of that religion.

But I do think doctrine is a more important because there will always be people who follow a certain religion and are bad examples. Doctrine is more like seeing what the foundation is. If the foundation is not sound, then that religion is wrong.

Answer 3

I think most important is doctrine. People are people and since religion is not for the perfect we can assume that members of anyreligion are going to make mistakes. But if the doctrine is true it doesn't matter what anyone belonging to that religion does as an individual. If the religion as a whole does something that alters it's doctrine then there is a problem. But truth is truth and someones actions can't change that.

Answer 4

The two are completely linked -- what good is a doctrine if the believers of that doctrine don't follow it?
Members of a particular sect will often, when confronted with the serious misdeeds of one of their own (often a leader), claim that you should not judge them by the actions of one or many people -- since people are fallible and will make mistakes. Yet their own book (the bible) states in several places, "by their works shall ye know them."
If the believers of a certain doctrine do not practice what they preach, then of what benefit is the doctrine? Surely the intention behind believing in god and in laying down rules of behavior is that such a belief and such rules will result in better people, people who are aided by god and are able to overcome their natural tendency to screw up, right? So screw-ups are indeed a sign that the doctrine is not very useful, since it's not performing its intended function...
Which can easily lead directly to the conclusion that any religious belief is not very useful, since religious people commit just as many crimes, cheat on their spouses, beat their wives, abandon their children, and do all the other nasty things humans do in just as great a frequency as non-believers. So being religious and following a particular doctrine does...what? There appears to be no practical benefit...

Answer 5

Depends on whether you're joining a church for the religious aspect or the social. If the former, then the doctrine should be the dominant factor. If the latter, then the people.

I know that people are imperfect, so no group of people is going to follow their doctrine perfectly. But some doctrine is perfect. And that is what we can aspire to achieve.

Answer 6

You believe in a doctrine. You should never judge doctrine solely by the followers. I mean everyone is a sinful human being, and try as they may, very few follow what they believe to be right 100 percent of the time. Just like ANY topic, there are good and bad. Its just the way life is. Are all cops crooked? Are all lawyers sleazy? There are stereotypes, but it should not condemn everyone.

Answer 7

Behavior + doctrine = the religion.

Answer 8

Neither. In fact, I would follow no religion, because each would aks me to accept something my logic would disprove of. But I adopt a belief that feels right, both in my heart, and according to my expectations as a thinking person.

If you feel about it similarly, visit: "Rational Spirituality" on the Dhaxem website.

Answer 9

It's hard sometimes because the 2 concepts never equate in reality. Depends on the religion also.
I would say their behavior, because actions speak louder than words.

Answer 10

doctrine because one knows exactly what is required of themselves when following the Church requirements. the members of any particular denomination may not always follow the doctrine thereby leading others away from the purpose of the Church.