You're right about the vast majority of people not actually living by the precepts of their faiths, irrespective of what that faith is. Otherwise the world would be in a far better state.

This is one of the several reasons why I'm an atheist.
I dislike hypocrisy.
It seems far easier to live an ethical life when one has basic precepts that can adapt appropriately when face with moral dilemmas.


The lay teacher, Goenka, was a Hindu who taught straight Theravadin Buddism - specifically meditation exactly as it was taught by the Buddha. He was born a Hindu and remained so to his death. Because true Buddhism is not a religion, it is possible to believe in one and practice the Buddhist path without offending against any other faiths or precepts.
You can look him up here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._N._Goenka

Goenka died a few years ago, but he left behind a large number of fully trained teachers teaching at over eighty centres around the world.

I've done two retreats at his centres and found them very useful.

My prefered technique alternates sitting and walking meditation - so for this reason, I prefer the method taught by Sayadaw U Janaka, and in particular by the monk Panya Varro at the Bodhi Tree Monastery near Dunoon in Australia.

If only religion COULD change the followers hearts. But changing hearts/minds is probably the hardest thing humanity struggles with.

I grew up in a very strict religious household, and my dad was actually a pastor for four years as well, so I saw a lot of the dark side of Christianity. It turned me off to organized religion in general. 🤷‍♂️

That's some interesting and thoughtful stuff

Religion tends to lead to self righteous hypocrisy because we cannot keep to the laws that religions set for us, - we all lie, steal, hate on people, etc. We are all sinners. Thats' why you see people of any religion or none hurl abuse, hurt each other etc. It does show that a person cannot be made right or be righteous by following a religious law. In Christianity it is God who makes people righteous through the sacrifice of His Son - this grace from God has no need of religious adherence and rule keeping - man has but to trust God rather than trust his ability to keep religious rules. Religions are heavy yokes with many rules to follow but Jesus says "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

Organised religion is a human invention to gain control of others, to some extent. Buddhists seem to be the best of a bad bunch, not that I know much about Buddhism...