Is religion, or religious belief, an "all or nothing" proposition?

Hard Truth said:

I can't answer the question because I'm not religious, but my observation from years of such discussions is that nearly everyone takes an ala carte approach to religion, especially whether to take everything in the holy book as literal truth.

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Don't sell yourself short. The topic may be religion, but the question really is about intellectual honesty and integrity. You are as qualified as anyone else. Besides, sometimes it is the outside observer that has the more objective view of a given situation.

An individual idea doesn't seem like it. But if you want to adhere to a religion, then yes. That identity comes with a whole lot of baggage and a list of beliefs, and I don't think you get to pick and choose and still claim the identity. I think this is why we're seeing a lot of people who identify as religious or spiritual, but not part of any religion.

radcen said:

I hear people say similar things often. I translate them as, "I have created my own religion where I am God."

Not what they consciously intend, of course, but the same end result.

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I translate it to "I believe the things I wish to be true."

radcen said:

Is religion, or religious belief, an "all or nothing" proposition? Any religion. From the aspect of the individual.

Religion A says X, Y, and Z are its tenants. You, however, only believe X and Z. You do not believe Y. Yet, you claim to be of Religion A.

Are you really, or are you only kidding yourself? Seems that if you claim to be of Religion A, yet you do not believe everything Religion A says, then you have set yourself above Religion A. Religion A should be worshiping you, because you know better.

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Part of the problem stems from the fact that many people will claim that their version of the religion is the correct one. Thus why there are so many denominations of a given religion. So on the one hand from someone else's point of view, I mite really be part of a given religion because I haven't accepted all the tenants that they hold to be true, but likewise I see them in the same light. So to me I am going in all or nothing and they are picking and choosing, and they see themselves and me doing the same respectively. You simply can't go by a religion's name to know what a given person believes.

radcen said:

Don't sell yourself short. The topic may be religion, but the question really is about intellectual honesty and integrity. You are as qualified as anyone else. Besides, sometimes it is the outside observer that has the more objective view of a given situation.

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In that case, if one truly thinks that their holy book is written or inspired by god(s), then one should follow every little rule to the tee. Either it is all true and necessary, or none of it can be completely trusted. If it is just a book of good suggestions written by men, then it deserves no more gravitas than any other book. I see little room for critical thinking or laziness when dealing with omniscient, all powerful god(s). Either you accept the whole package or not, ala carte religion is cheating and allegedly you can't fool god(s).

Hard Truth said:

In that case, if one truly thinks that their holy book is written or inspired by god(s), then one should follow every little rule to the tee.

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Have you never read the Bible? All people are sinners and fail to live up to the high standards and commandments of God. That's why Christ came. He did it for us. And though it's our goal to be like Christ, we all know we fail virtually every day.

Most of the skeptics I've encountered are Biblically illiterate. And if they have read the Bible it was a superficial reading with no serious study. What we see above is one such example.

Logicman said:

Have you never read the Bible? All people are sinners and fail to live up to the high standards and commandments of God. That's why Christ came. He did it for us. And though it's our goal to be like Christ, we all know we fail virtually every day.

Most of the skeptics I've encountered are Biblically illiterate. And if they have read the Bible it was a superficial reading with no serious study. What we see above is one such example.

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It's true that all are sinners, but that's not a "get out of jail free" card. You're still expected to try and do your best. Consciously rejecting tenets you don't agree with isn't trying.

Logicman said:

Have you never read the Bible? All people are sinners and fail to live up to the high standards and commandments of God. That's why Christ came. He did it for us. And though it's our goal to be like Christ, we all know we fail virtually every day.

Most of the skeptics I've encountered are Biblically illiterate. And if they have read the Bible it was a superficial reading with no serious study. What we see above is one such example.

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1. I didn't single out the Bible and Christianity, I was discussing all religions.

2. My observation is that few Christians even try to adhere to all of the Bible's teachings. My point is not about those who try, but are not completely successful, it is about those who consciously choose to ignore certain teachings.

radcen said:

It's true that all are sinners, but that's not a "get out of jail free" card. You're still expected to try and do your best. Consciously rejecting tenets you don't agree with isn't trying.

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Hey, I'm out there being hated by the spiritually-challenged for spreading the Word about our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You want to try something difficult, try Christianity.

John 3:36