Should a religion be judged by its teachings, or by the actions of a minority of its followers...People of all religions should think about this before answering...
2007-07-23 10:30:45 · 27 answers · asked by norcalislam 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
well u know what they say about bad apples .. it only takes one to spoil the whole bunch ..
2007-07-23 10:32:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I think that the actions of a minority of its followers can be symptomatic of the religion's teachings.
It would be interesting to know for sure what example(s) you have in mind.
In Seventh-day Adventism, there is the phenomena of conservative splinter groups. Often these groups are bitterly criticized by the main denomination. But often these group preserve teachings that were commonplace 50 years ago. And in a religion that has consistently claimed to have the truth over against all other churches....
2007-07-23 17:41:52 · answer #2 · answered by Darrol P 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think a religion should be judged by it's founders and teachings as well as the actions of those who truly follow the teachings.
2007-07-23 17:33:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, actions speak louder than words.
Someone could say their religion was the ONLY right way, however, if the religion is oppressive or discriminates, then how can it be right?
It's hard to answer because sometimes the minority may have the entire religion wrong, and it puts a black mark on ALL the followers.
I think the individual is responsible for how she/he acts. I think that person is responsible only for Her/himself.
Just because your neighbor thinks/feels/believes one particular way, does NOT mean the entire neighborhood feels the same.
However, I believe it is up to the rest of the neighborhood to highlight that they aren't part of that.
If that makes sense.
2007-07-23 17:37:16 · answer #4 · answered by Sumie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hmmm. Take the Bible for instance, there you will find how some were in error in their beliefs and others of the same faith attempted to correct it.
Did it work? Evidently not, or there wouldn't be so many different religious sects.
So, judging a book by it's teaching is the safer way to judge a religion.
2007-07-23 17:46:59 · answer #5 · answered by Soul Shaper 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both. While you can't blame an entire system for the actions of a minority, you can't confine a religion solely to its teachings if the people following it aren't carrying out those mandates. This goes for everyone, IMHO.
2007-07-23 17:33:51 · answer #6 · answered by parcequilfaut 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what is fair maybe not what happens. It will be judged by what the people do who are involved in that religion.
The ones who make the newspaper. Don't you see by reading this that all black people are judged by this man's neightbor who was black and he did, thus and so.
Or all Mexicans, or all Indians or all Babtists.
that is just the way it is, now whether it is right or not is not to be decided, yet.
Not all people who torture little animals become Jeffery Daumer.
But it certainly made people suspicious of people who tortured little animals. They said the next step is killing women and being a serial killer. So everyone became afraid of people who did that. When we can put someone into a box. Like all black people or all Mexicans or all muslims.
then it becomes easy to be suspicious of all those people.
2007-07-23 17:38:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Teachings. If it is not according to the bible, you have a false religion but even with that we are not to judge but only God. We don't have all the facts but God knows the heart. Even Jesus said there are other sheep that were not of this fold that He will need to gather into the fold. That means there is no denomination that is the only one that can get you to Heaven but there are good Christian folks in all religious denominations.
2007-07-23 17:36:01 · answer #8 · answered by ramall1to 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Should a religion be judged by its teachings..."
"judged" for what?
First prize, most congenial, the most boring, etc...?
Fact is, no matter what a persons religious beliefs, they will face varying degrees of criticism based on many different criteria.
"People of all religions should think about this before answering..."
Most people on these boards usually put a little thought into their answers.
But sometimes, the person asking the question needs a little help in this area!
2007-07-23 17:35:32 · answer #9 · answered by docscholl 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely not by the actions of a few. Should religions really be judged at all? Whose place is it to do that?
2007-07-23 17:34:53 · answer #10 · answered by sticky 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
When people ask me what I believe, I point them to Jesus, NOT EVER to me for an example of what a perfect Christian is suppose to be. Jesus Christ is the ONLY perfect example.
Certainly not me, I am human and flawed and I screw something up intentional or not almost every day. But that is the blessing and the beauty of Jesus' love for me. He loves me REALLY loves me warts and all. He could not love me anymore at my VERY best than He does at my very worst.
What amazing grace, right?
Too many religious organizations take the major focus off of Jesus Christ & His teachings and focus more on the legalisms of their chosen religions credos. When Jesus Christ is THE ONLY truth, THE ONLY way.
2007-07-23 17:50:55 · answer #11 · answered by faith 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋