What Is A "Religious" Person? (Jesus, ritual, moral)

[Sunstone]

Do you consider someone a religious person if they merely profess to be a Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or member of some other religion --- without showing any other evidence of being a member of the religion they profess? Or, do you think that for someone to be religious they must do or think something more than simply profess to be of one religion or another?

Is someone religious if they believe in God and salvation but in no other way behave religiously?

Is someone religious if they say they are Buddhist but do not follow any of the tenents of Buddhism?

What does it mean to be a religious person?

[gnomon]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Do you consider someone a religious person if they merely profess to be a Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or member of some other religion --- without showing any other evidence of being a member of the religion they profess? Or, do you think that for someone to be religious they must do or think something more than simply profess to be of one religion or another?

Is someone religious if they believe in God and salvation but in no other way behave religiously?

Is someone religious if they say they are Buddhist but do not follow any of the tenents of Buddhism?

What does it mean to be a religious person?

On a basic level I deem anyone who posits a supernatural cosmology and/or follows any ritualistic form of spirituality to be a religious person. I find the following definition suitable:

re·li·gion /rɪˈlɪdʒən/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ri-lij-uhn] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –noun 1.a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, esp. when considered as the creation of a superhuman agency or agencies, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs.Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

This definition isn't truly as broad as others I've read which would basically qualify any sport as a religion. I believe this is my answer to the last question. As far as trusting what someone says they profess to be...it's hard. I've never had the oppurtunity to state that a person I've known is not what they claim to be based on their practices because I've never truly met such a person. That or my ignorance of their professed religion disqualifies me from making such a judgment. I've met people who may be a bit confused on what they profess to follow or might follow what I call a pop version, especially Buddhism, of a religion but since I'm an atheist it's a bit difficult for me to claim they are not of that religion.

Interesting question. It's not something I've thought much about since I do not adhere to any religious beliefs and usually feel uncomfortable questioning the devotion of others to their religion.

[autonomous1one1]

Originally Posted by Sunstone

Do you consider someone a religious person if they merely profess to be a Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or member of some other religion --- without showing any other evidence of being a member of the religion they profess? (NO) Or, do you think that for someone to be religious they must do or think something more than simply profess to be of one religion or another? (YES)

Is someone religious if they believe in God and salvation but in no other way behave religiously? (NO)

Is someone religious if they say they are Buddhist but do not follow any of the tenents of Buddhism? (MAYBE)

What does it mean to be a religious person?

Greetings Sunstone. Webster's definition of 'religious' looks pretty good to me - relating to or manifesting faithful devotion to an acknowledged ultimate reality or deity. I would say a religious person is one that dedicates a considerable amount of their life to such devotion (including the tenets involved therein such as helping others). My thoughts move on to greater religiosity - a truely religious person is one whose life is centered around such devotion (again, including all tenets, and even though it may not be visible to others). Lastly, the person peaks in being religious when they are their religion and have realized union with that ultimate reality or God. These, of course, are my top-of-the-head, arbitrary thoughts and divisions into levels or degrees.

[angellous_evangellous]

A person is religious if they act Angellousian.

[Feathers in Hair]

What if they only act Angellousesque?

Is someone religious if they believe in God and salvation but in no other way behave religiously?

This is a tough question. I used to believe that, as long as someone 'acknowledged that they were a sinner and asked for Jesus' forgiveness', then not only were they saved but they were religious, as well. I think 'being religious' is more a continued state than any one event- it's a bit like evaluating your beliefs on a regular basis and being sure that your actions and behavior reflect those beliefs.

[angellous_evangellous]

Originally Posted by Feathers in Hair

What if they only act Angellousesque?

E for Effort.

[maro]

faith and behaviour are intimately related ,
many people claim to be religious ,but their behavior is comletely detached from what they pretend to believe in

[Ozzie]

A person is more likely to be identified as a religious person if they behave religiously. This does not disqualify someone from being a religious person even if they act in contradiction to religious faith on occasion. It is pretty hard for someone to act religiously in any recognisable way if their religious outlook is entirely personal.