Do we regard a religion by the actions of it's practitioners? Or by the writings in it's holy books?"

Answer 1

Beliefs are beliefs. If they do not benefit the people who have them, then what is the purpose of belief? I am a firm supporter of judging a belief by its effect on the believers. If there is no positive effect on believers, the belief cannot be worth believing.

Under a prospective controlled trial, choose a few hundred believers of a certain belief, match them on all other variables including socioeconomic standings with unbelievers, and subject all of them to similar stimuli and observe and compare the behavior.

Answer 2

Excellent question! Unfortunately, we will never get to the writings of the holy books if the practitioners do dispicable things... If I look in on a church and they are cold, distant, aloof, and judgemental, I am not going back... and I certainly won't study the book they are reading from! Which is why it is so important for Christians to follow Christ's teachings and truly be Christ-like... which, unfortunately, isn't always the picture. I think many Christians turn people away from Christ because they are narrow-minded, superior-acting, judgemental, and holier-than-thou. I wouldn't want to be a part of that sort of organization if I was a sinner!!! Good heavens, if God can forgive me, why can't they? SO.... if a Christian truly acts in a Christ-like manner - tolerant and loving towards ALL people, genuinely caring, kind, and forgiving... then maybe, just maybe, the non-believer will want to find out what it is they are reading that causes them to be that way. We win others to Christ by our actions... not our books. I want to be like someone because of what I see, not what I hear!!!

Answer 3

You mean "judge" a religion. The truth is it doesn't matter because a person seeks a religion that will best suit his/her activities or planned activities. Each person chooses what he/she wants from a religion and then lives his/her life pretending they practice the religious tenets of that religion. "Truth" doesn't matter to them because it will not give them what they want. It is what they want that counts and only that. You think this is not true? Read only the first four books of the bible and show me anyone who practices what is given there. Now how many Christians are there???

So judge not by the practitioners… nor sadly by the written word. Seek within. If you don’t know what that means, find out. It will be the best thing you ever did.

Answer 4

Accoriding to the Jewish, Christian and Muslim scriptures, one should not judge. That should be left up to YHWH, Trintiy-Jesus, Allah Subhanna wa Ta'ala, who alone has the right and wisdom necessary to judge correctly.

Meanwhile, in the real world, one must judge a religion by the effects of the same upon its practicioners. Does their religion and their practice of the same make them better persons and, thereby, help the whole of humanity and creation in general or does it lead them to offensive, destructive behaviors towards others and the environment?

Persons must be judged individually and never as a group. There are good Jews, good Christians and good Muslims just as there are bad members of each religion. The same applies to Buddhist, Jains, Hindus, Sihks, Zorasters, Shintos, Bhais, Taoist, atheist, etc.

When one reads the writtings of most religions (especailly when read in the orginal language so as to have a better understanding) one finds that most of them carry the same message; ie., believe in God, be good and just to one another, do not kill others, do not steal from one another, do not be sexually promiscuous, and control your ego, abandonning ones self for the cause of bettering and helping others.

Sadly, many, if not most persons who ascribe to these beliefs do not seem to actually practice the same in their day to day life. They then utilize the "forgiveness" espoused in the tenets of their faith as an escape from personal responsibility for their actions.

This is my opinon based on my personal experience and study.

May it all be well with you.

Answer 5

I would say the holy books should be more reliable, if you're considering following the religion. If you're considering trusting the people, do what Jesus did: Don't trust Anybody! (John 2:23-25)

The guy above who said, "Look at the example of its God," is right!

Answer 6

George says the former...
“As with the Christian religion, the worst advertisement for Socialism is its adherents.” -- George Orwell
I say both...
The ‘Holy’ Bible advocates the KILLING of 2/3s of ALL HUMANITY – me, just because I accept tons of scientific evidence over zero evidence of any of humanity’s “Gods.”
( In Any SANE Society, The Bible Would NOT BE READ. )

Answer 7

When the time comes to face that which lords over all existence, not just human beings, your actions are the only indicator.

Answer 8

I don't follow others--too much room for error.
After all, we are all only human.
And, humans wrote the Bible--some things in there are definitely written in man's opinion.
I trust God and try to make logical sense from a parent's perspective as to why he would do the things he does.

Answer 9

Jehovah's Witnesses invite you to come to their Kingdom Halls and to see for yourself. Get to know the people and then decide for yourself. JW's are not perfect. So please do not look for this. But look at the orderliness of how they conduct themselves. See how even their children can find scriptures, and give spiritual comments concerning the Holy Bible. They are truly organized to fight the fine fight. (1Timothy 6:11-12).

Answer 10

Very good question. It's similar to if you would judge capitalism by the company Enron.