would you go through the motions of another religion out of respect?

Question

say you visited a Buddhist temple and you're not a Buddhist, would you kneel at the alter with everyone else? if a Christian friend cooked ham for Christmas, would you eat it, even if you normally were forbidden to eat meat? if you went to a Muslim country, would you cover up head to toe like many women? if you became an atheist would you continue going to mass because your family does?
I guess what I'm asking is, how strongly you would cling to your beliefs about appropriate religious behavior when the tide is against you?

Answer 1

There are certain situations where I show tacit compliance with religious rituals. For example, when my Catholic friends invite me to dinner as they often do, I let them pray before hand and I am quiet while they pray. ( yes, they know I am an atheist and they still invite me)

Also, when attending a funeral, I do not argue philosophical subjects or condemn the proceedings in the presence of the bereaved.

If I were a woman, I would not go to a Muslim country for any reason.

I have numerous Buddhist friends and none of them ever kneel nor do they ask me to practice anything regarding their philosophical beliefs.

My father was Jewish and we ate bacon and ham a lot.

I attended a mass a few years ago to hear a beautiful Bach piece. I applauded and later complemented the musical performers that invited me and who coincidentally are atheists. We also went to a gay bar afterwards where the priest met us for a cocktail. (I know this sounds like I'm making this up, but it is true.)

As a scientific experiment, I have tried prayer. My results were exactly like every other honest person's... non-existent. Prayer has zero effect except perhaps on the psyche of the practitioner.

I have meditated to see if it has positive results... it does.

What I'm saying is; "It depends on the situation."

Since any "belief" I hold is based on facts, it cannot change except in the light of new facts. If the Large Hadron Collider at CERN discovers gravitons, the Higgs boson, higher dimensions or super-symmetry tomorrow, I'll believe it. In that sense, I go with that prevailing scientific tide. However, I could no more change my "belief" than I could stop the rotation of the Earth with psychic power.

Would I eat something repugnant because my social acquaintances were eating it? ... no.

Now, would I recant my beliefs if an inquisitor threatened me with torture? ... probably.

Christians are famous for extracting that level of "belief." That's one reason this whole religion thing got so out of hand. Torture or the threat of torture is real. Pain or impending pain can be a fact. As such, it can make "believers" out of anyone.

Beliefs cannot change, but behavior can change to suit circumstances. Sometimes that behavior is simply social grace or respect for another's emotional state. Sometimes, behavior or professed belief changes because of sheer survival.

Facts do not require "belief." Until new facts are found, they remain facts. To the extent that my belief in facts affects my behavior; no, …my behavior does not change.

But I also recognize the "facts" of death, mourning or benign religious rituals. I wouldn't choose a funeral or pleasant dinner party to argue my beliefs. Those are inappropriate venues.

Unless threatened with pain, I would not adopt religious practices of any kind.
I do not and would not do anything unethical because a religious person asked me to. However, that really has little to do with religion. It is simply a fact.

Answer 2

I would go thru the motions of any other religion out of respect as long as it doesnt cross the boundaries of going against my own religious beliefs. It doesnt hurt my beliefs to kneel at a buddhist alter. If I were an atheist it doesnt change my beliefs to attend a mass. No reason not to cover up in a muslim country. I wouldnt eat the ham if it was forbidden to do so though.

Every religion has truths in it and good things about it. It doesnt disrespect your beliefs to have respect for others. I would hope they would have the same respect for my beliefs in return.

Answer 3

Yes, if I had accepted an invitation to either a house of worship or a home of someone who practiced a different faith, I would do everything possible to show respect, short of violating my own God.

While I may kneel at the Buddist alter, I would pray to my God.
While I may not eat the ham, I would compliment the cook on the meal.
I would cover myself in a Muslim country, so as not to make things harder for the Muslim women.
If I were an athesist, I would not belittle my loved ones who believe.

I guess what I am saying, is I would show as much respect as I could without denouncing my own God...........that I would not do.

Answer 4

No. I have visited Buddhist temples in China and Japan, and I would not bow to a statue of Buddha or rub his tummy... or pray to my ancestors, as these practices are against my own beliefs.

I went to a Muslim country last spring --and while I saw lots of women with head coverings on and/or full veils from head to toe, I did not cover my head.

However, I did not stand mocking the Buddhists who were worshipping, I was respectfully silent.

And in Egypt, I wasn't so disrespectful of their religion and culture that I wore tank tops and shorts, either.

I wore somewhat conservative clothes. But I kind of do that at home, too...

I'm clinging hard to Jesus, no matter what others say, even if I am the only person left who believes in him, then...I will be the only person left.

Like the old hymn says "simply to Thy cross I cling."

Answer 5

I'm a Christian and I wouldn't bow to other gods. If I were to visit an Muslim country I would cover up Not out of respect for them but out of obedience to the scripture in 1 Corinthians 11:1-15. I wear a Christian woman's veling as not to be confused with the Muslims.

Answer 6

Not entirerly I would respect them but there are a few places I would not yield. I feel that I would not do justice to kneel before Budda as I would not want or expect a Buddist to take communion. As for eating meat like ham should we expect a vegetarian too. Dressing is an open option like head coverings of the Amish and Mennonites. I am a Christian and I follow my beliefs no matter what but I don't expect others to go outside what they believe to appease me that is not respect it is mockerey.

Answer 7

I would respect customs but I would never pray to another God. I wouldn't ask a vegetarian to eat meat if they didn't eat meat, nevertheless a religious person. If I were in a Buddhist temple then I would not kneel and pray, because there would be no religious emotion for me there. I would be in awe at the history and beauty but that's about it.

Answer 8

I would NOT go through the motions if something was done that went AGAINST my beliefs but if its standing when others stand and kneeling when others kneel THAT I would do out of respect. I woudl pray when they pray.. I would just quietly, silently pray to MY G-d and not do anything or say anything or participate in anything that conflicted with my own personal beliefs. Example, if I go to a Catholic Wedding, I do NOT use the water, I dont believe its holy and I do not cross my self or pray to anyone other than G-d. BUt when they rise I will rise out of respect as I would ask anyone comming into my sanctuary to do.

Answer 9

Honoring another's beliefs while visiting is not wrong unless you have deep convictions it is taking away from your devotion to your God. If you are a Christian, be a good Christian. If you are a Buddhist, be a good Buddhist. It certainly would depend on why you are standing in a Buddhist temple when you are a Christian. Are you there to learn. When in Rome, do as the Romans do unless you decide it is sacrilegious to do so. You have free will and can leave.
Rev. TomCat

Answer 10

I would not pretend to be a religion just because everyone else is doing it. But if the situation is something like a wedding or something in a church, I politely decline any participation in religious b-s. I suppose this question is easy for me because I don't have any real pressure to do so, and it would be much more difficult for someone in a strict religious country or family.