(3 of 6) Does your belief system encourage a practical perspective on matters of authority and practice?

Question

Or do you mostly rely on the clergy and strict observence?

I hear you Prairie Crow! Your religion seems very reasonable.

Pangel, thank you for answering my questions. I wish all religions were like yours.

Answer 1

Generally speaking, each Wiccan is considered clergy. Therefore, while some Wiccans might be recognized as having more experience and therefore their opinion is given more weight, the attitude is certainly not "Obey me or else!"

Answer 2

There is no clergy for SGI-USA. We rely on the teachings developed by the writings of Nichiren Daishonin and Daisaku Ikeda,s interpretations expounding of plans for peace in the world through individual happiness. Since Buddhist concepts are so much more open than most Western thought, there is plenty of help and experience available to help people understand life and relationships more fully than the binary thought practiced in school and church.

As far as secular authority goes, we do not advocate violating secular laws in one's actions, but our minds are free. In countries where Buddhism is suppressed, we work within the laws to help people.

Answer 3

no one knows you better than you know yourself... we are each unique in so far as not one other person can experience the world the way you do... Even if experiencing the same event or occurance we each come to that point with different experiences..... So when you give over responsibility to another or presume he/she can stand in your shoes better than you can you have sold yourself short....and have given them authority and many seek to take advantage of that making you weak... The best one can give you is what they have learned from their life's experience... but as we see in the religious behavior that sits about or cultures today.. not many are brave enough to take responsibility for their own life's experience... Why should someone else tell you what you should do with your life.... many of these people have made themselves so called authorities without even coming close to gaining any life experience.... How can a priest tell you about marriage, raising children. they have absolutely no life's experience to draw on.. only speculation to pass on... How can any man in the clergy every advise a woman on pregnancy, childbirth, birth control... the best they can do is pass on second hand information... why not ask someone who's been through it or several people who've been through it... at least you'd get a better idea of what actually occurs in life..... giving over to others what you are meant to learn for yourself always limits your decisions..

Answer 4

Ja, totally. I'm Christian, and in the bible it says "Obey the laws of the land". The government's there for a reason, and you must respect it. It's just when those laws severely compromise your beliefs and conscience that you may have to have a serious think about which way you're gonna go.

Er, not sure if I understood your question correctly...

Answer 5

My belief system is non-religious so it has no clergy and no rules of practice. As far as authority goes, I submit to any authority that does not require me to violate my personal morality.

Answer 6

by authority, you mean the laws of the land? If it is, yes. My belief system based on the Bible tells us we are to abide the laws of the land.
In practice, I go by the same source. The Bible tells us how to conduct ourselves in our home, work, community, etc.
It is all practical. Being led by Bible principles not only encourage common sense, but it expects it.

Answer 7

Practical perspective on matters of authority and practice.

Answer 8

Jesus said to obey authority - because they have been placed there by God.
What they do with their authority is their responsiibilty and they are accountable for it.

Answer 9

No clergy.

Answer 10

this one has lost me a little ...
but we dont rely on any clery
we have a minister that directs a service ... they do not direct us