I went through a period where i was researching a lot of religions to try to find one that suited me. one thing that always annoyed me was when i found a religion that seemed to have very interesting central beliefs, i would look deeper into the religion i would find one or more "rules" of the religion didn't suit my beliefs at all (for example, don't consume drugs/alcohol, don't be gay,etc.) But I think a lot of the time these rules are simply cultural beliefs from where the religion originated and means nothing in modern culture. So, if you don't abide by all the rules, but believe in the overall essence of the religion, can you still call yourself a follower of the religion?
It's a chicken and egg thing about religions and culture. Religions do stem from culture, but eventually the religion shapes the culture. Think you're quite within your rights to be a follower of something but not follow all the rules. Would be very worrying otherwise, to think people are only doing things because its in a book. Then they will stray (as they don't have the conviction to stick to the rules) and beat themselves up. Can't see the sense there. I live by a lot of Buddhist ethics, and the Wiccan rede, just through circumstance (didn't realise until I studied those religions years later) but am not a Buddhist or Wiccan. That's just my moral code.
I think it's ok not to follow every rule in a given religion, especially the older ones, or foreign ones. They aren't molded to our time and place and thus probably won't fit right. I take the stance of the mystic, who sees, and focuses on, the underlying truth and doesn't get wrapped up in petty rules. The spirit of the law is what counts, and as long as what you are doing is always focused on "the good" then I think you'll be alright.
I think many of the rules in religions are aimed mainly at social engineering and control. They have little to do with spirituality. If you can connect with your own deep inner being, the spirit within yourself, then that's what you should be guided by ultimately - not external formulations of rules and regulations. Each one has a law of their own being - discover that, follow that, be guided by that.
^truth. Seems most of the enlightened ones in history have said basically that. Good, moral behavior flows naturally out of the enlightened state. You won't need set rules. Of course, most of us aren't enlightened, so it helps to set forth some standards for the journey there.
my main reason to become a buddhist was what my teacher said, that buddha would be happy either if you live by his teaching or not..
Also, all religions have different sects and schools. You can always find a conservative who won't take drugs or have sex, and you can find the liberals who might drink or smoke, and have lots of sex, gay/straight/premarital/etc. You shouldn't fit yourself into a religion, you should fit a religion into you.
I've noticed that if enough members of any given church seem to feel the same way about something it tends to become part of the creed. this is true whether or not the issue has anything to do with anything written in whatever "holy book" they're using or sometimes even if it contradicts their set of scriptures.
Unfortunately, thats our problem as humans. Its not about your beliefs fitting into a religion, its about changing your beliefs to fit that religion. In all religions, you undertake to follow certain "rules" (as you put it). eg. in Christianity it forbids sex before marriage. If you aren't going to change your previous habbits, then you aren't giving your life to Christ which He calls everyone to do. If you are not willing to do that, then you cannot be called a Christian.
