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Who would you listen to most?

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
When you speak with other religious people, who would you listen to more.

A scholar who only have Academic education, but does not practice the religion.

Or one who actually practice the religion daily, and study the teaching for practice in daily life?
 

Vinayaka

devotee
Premium Member
When you speak with other religious people, who would you listen to more.

A scholar who only have Academic education, but does not practice the religion.

Or one who actually practice the religion daily, and study the teaching for practice in daily life?
The practitioner, but I'd take that with a grain of salt as well. Primarily I listen to my conscience, and a trusted personal teacher.
 

SalixIncendium

अग्निविलोवनन्दः
Staff member
Premium Member
When you speak with other religious people, who would you listen to more.

A scholar who only have Academic education, but does not practice the religion.

Or one who actually practice the religion daily, and study the teaching for practice in daily life?

If my intent is to understand the history of a religion, I will listen to the scholar.

If my intent is to understand what one experiences in practice, I will listen to the practitioner.
 

Sirona

Hindu Wannabe
Depends on what I want to know. Somebody may be an academic and still have deep personal piety. A a lay person may practice the religion every day, but still lack basic knowledge about the religion question or turn it into something which could be considered wishful thinking or is not practiced that way in countries where said religion is dominant. Exchange with a learned practicioner sounds like the best way for me.
 

9-10ths_Penguin

1/10 Subway Stalinist
Premium Member
When you speak with other religious people, who would you listen to more.

A scholar who only have Academic education, but does not practice the religion.

Or one who actually practice the religion daily, and study the teaching for practice in daily life?
Depends what I want to know.

I would expect the individual practitioner to be an expert in their own practice and what their religion is and feels like to them.

I would expect the academic to know better than the practitioner about things like:

- the diversity of belief and practice within the religion.
- the history of the religion and why it is the way it is.
- the impact of the religion on the world.
 

SigurdReginson

Grēne Mann
Premium Member
Depends, as @Audie already stated.

When I was a christian, I would exclusively listen to the second option, but there was a problem with that...

When you only really listen to the viewpoints of those you agree with, you fall victum to existing inside an echo chamber. I dismissed the viewpoints of secular biblical scholars because they weren't led by the holy spirit... In retrospect, what they had was extremely valuable, though; unbiased historical context.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd pay more attention to the scholars. I'd have a richer, more balanced understanding of my faith, I'd feel.

That's why, when I dip my toes into druidry, I'm going to approach it with a much more open mind than I did with christianity. I'm not interested in finding things I'm happy with; I already have happiness. I'm more interested in picking at my own seams to see what unravels, so I can maybe get a deeper understanding of my own self and gain some more useful tools along the way.
 

RabbiO

הרב יונה בן זכריה
When you speak with other religious people, who would you listen to more.

A scholar who only have Academic education, but does not practice the religion.

Or one who actually practice the religion daily, and study the teaching for practice in daily life?
I’m confused. You say at the beginning to imagine that I’m speaking with other religious people, but then you say that apparently one of these religious people is a scholar who does not practice the religion. Are you saying that the scholar is religious, but the religion under discussion is not the scholar’s religion or.....
 

Audie

Veteran Member
I’m confused. You say at the beginning to imagine that I’m speaking with other religious people, but then you say that apparently one of these religious people is a scholar who does not practice the religion. Are you saying that the scholar is religious, but the religion under discussion is not the scholar’s religion or.....
Picky picky
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
I’m confused. You say at the beginning to imagine that I’m speaking with other religious people, but then you say that apparently one of these religious people is a scholar who does not practice the religion. Are you saying that the scholar is religious, but the religion under discussion is not the scholar’s religion or.....
I should have Said " discussing religion "
Then used the two examples:)
 

Jayhawker Soule

-- untitled --
Premium Member
When you speak with other religious people, who would you listen to more.

A scholar who only have Academic education, but does not practice the religion.

Or one who actually practice the religion daily, and study the teaching for practice in daily life?
Now that you have had an opportunity to read a number of similar responses to your question, I think it would be helpful if you could restate the question, answer it, and explain the reason(s) for your answer.
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
Now that you have had an opportunity to read a number of similar responses to your question, I think it would be helpful if you could restate the question, answer it, and explain the reason(s) for your answer.
My answers to my question is not important:) i was looking for how others see it.
 

Spirit of Light

Be who ever you want
Answer the question or face the consequences!!
Lol

I do not listen to socalled scholars from Academica. If i was to do that they had to practice the religion them self very seriously.

I do trust practitioners who show deep wisdom in the religion
 
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