Do you think a devout religious follower has the right to pick and choose which religious rules they follow?

Question

In my opinon, devout religious followers should follow whatever guildlines are set forth in their religious teachings. If their religion says that something is against their beliefs, I don't think that a devout follower has the right to pick and choose when that rule should be followed.

I recently stood by the teachings of my religion, Christianity, and was critisized by someone for doing so. I feel that regardless of my personal feelings, that as a Christian it is not my place to question the teachings of Christianity, only to follow them.

Let me give some examples of what I mean:

If the Bible says not to tattoo your body, is it your right as a devout Christian to decide that rule doesn't apply to you?

If the Bible teaches against adultery, does a devout Christian have the right to do it if their spouse is abusive?

Those are sorta what I am talking about. I mean taking a commandment, rule, or guildline, and deciding that it doesn't apply to you.

Answer 1

Yes, it bothers me when I see many Catholics saying they don't believe this or that about the Catholic Church and so I am thinking , then you aren't really Catholic and I wish people would not tell people they are a certain religion if they do not follow what that religion says.

Answer 2

It would make sense. However, people are going to interpret holy books in different ways. The bible contradicts itself a lot. For many centuries, both slave owners and abolitionists pointed to the bible to support their views and practices.

And besides, people have been cherry picking from the bible forever. Look how many wealthy Christians there are. It seems that there are a lot of camels expecting to pass through the eye of a needle.

Answer 3

"If your right eye becomes a source of temptation to you, pluck it out and throw it away"
I don't see too many eyeless Christians, so that's one example of a rule that people pick and choose on.
If you can pick and choose on that rule, why not others?
It depends on your level of development. God gave us minds and eventually we get to the point where we can use them. In the meantime, rules can save you a lot of trouble.

Answer 4

Right or not, that's exactly what they do -- why do you think there are so many churches? There are thousands of different Christian denominations in the United States alone.

Fred Phelps started his own church because his particular brand of christinsanity is so obnoxious that nobody but his own family will go to church with him.

Answer 5

Jehovah´´s witnesses why basic think of approximately who else spend their time attempting to share their have self assurance with human beings we don´t ask fot tithing because of the fact rather christians are no longer under the old covenant (Ephesians 2:15) we are no longer afraid that Jesus or God will torture us in a hell so we don´t carry forth because of the fact we are afraid, we would opt for to maintain the existence of human beings and ours . for each and each JW there are a hundred protestant and a hundred and fifty Catholics and that they are very attacked by utilising the the remainder of religion and noticiable no longer because of the fact been in newspaper raping young little ones or helping the conflict with muslims, so because it is my opinion. by utilising the way we are slightly below 7 million international and we are in 235 international locations and dedicated the equivalent of a hundred and fifty thousand years of preaching God´s kingdom because of the fact the answer of all problems with mankind in in simple terms one twelve months, and practically a million.5 billions of in basic terms bible based magazines.

Answer 6

Stand for what you believe. But be careful about that. There is a fine line between devout and fanatical.

Answer 7

Christianity, at various points, has stood by some pretty horrible idea(l)s. Such as killing the people they considered witches. Such as killing Jews (think inquisition). Would you stand by that too?

Religious teachings used to teach that killing someone of another faith is okay. Would you stand by that?

Answer 8

i don't follow the teachings of Christianity, the religion-i follow, however imperfectly, the teachings of Christ, my Lord and Savior...and yes, there IS a huge difference...don't be afraid of questions...He wasn't afraid of any questions put to Him, and He wasn't afraid to question traditional authority...have a little faith that Christ has the answers...

Answer 9

There are always exceptions to the rules. Not everyone can or does follow everything all the time.

Answer 10

Since all the rules are man-made, I disagree with you. People can choose to believe whatever they want.