Do you judge a religion based on it's doctrine, or on the actions of it's practitioners?

Answer 1

Much more so on the former, than the latter. After all, the Catholic Church's doctrines are perfect -- even though Catholic people, myself obviously included, are not.

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Answer 2

Both. I try to look into what I can of a religion(especially if it's not one I'm familiar with), and sometimes a doctrine seems all right, but a lot of times not. It's not always easy to figure out, at least not very quickly. Spirituality is a personal, lifelong thing, not a passing fad that's cool one day and lame the next. Even when looking into things a person doesn't believe in, it takes time to understand what's being preached.

While I generally don't look to practictioners first, they don't always help, either. Every religion has its extremists. Those are the people we pretty much have to ignore as over the top and warping their religion of choice. But even without all the nutballs, even decent practitioners don't always help, either.

Some well-meaning people have tried to act devout and fearing of their god of choice, but yet do some things that, well, definitely go against their religion. Sometimes these are things that the person themeselves I've seen as outright condemning before, yet they do them later after they've forgotten what they've said.

It's not any one religion, either. Things like cheating on spouses, lying, stealing, not going to service, and others are all things that cross all religions. Very few people I've known are truly devout. I've known people in my own hometown who've professed to be devout, churchgoing folk, but they drink, beat and cheat on their wives, do drugs, get pregnant out of wedlock, the usual fare.

Not everyone is like that, thankfully, but I know many who do such things that are against their religion. Some are things that are generally accepted and ignored(like gambling, drinking, smoking), and others are scandalous(I've known a couple teachers who got caught having affairs with other teachers and with students) and of course, frowned upon.

But all are still against the local religion. Doesn't help me to see such things condemned in church, yet done by a lot of practitioners the rest of the week.

So a doctrine might be decent when I read about it, but if followers don't practice what they preach, then a religion just doesn't seem worth my time. If followers can't take the time to truly follow their religion, why should I, y'know?

Answer 3

A true religion is judged by the actions of it's practitioners. They should practice what they preach, or walk the talk. This is most the important thing every religion must try to achieve in the life of their members.

The reason why any person went to school is to become enriched with knowledge and serve his society and mankind in general. Is the same with religion.

Answer 4

Both. Because there are no such things as gods, all religious doctrine is false and the practitioners can be judged for being gullible enough to swallow false doctrine.

Answer 5

Doctrine. If not for the doctrine would the practitioners practice the way they do. Even if the error is a lack of clarity, it is still an error.

Answer 6

I base my religion on what speaks to my heart. I do not practice faith for anyone but me and god. I feel that all are hypocritical at some point, and that's fine. I know what I am doing and so does god. To me that's all that matters. I have no place to judge another, for I am deserving of judgment too sometimes.

Answer 7

doctrine - people are not perfect so I prefer not to jude based on the actions of people

Answer 8

Both.

But mostly, does this religion produce applied practical compassion in it's followers?

Answer 9

Both

Answer 10

Both. Religion is the biggest fraud perpetrated on mankind. A complete fraud. Yet billions of people fall for religious crap.