Can you be two religions?, Christian and an atheist Options

[AyeVickaye]

I have 2 friends that claim they're more than one religion. One claims that she is Catholic and atheist (being that her dad is Catholic and the mom is atheist). My other friend claims she is Catholic and Buddhist (being that her dad is Catholic and the mom buddhist)...When they asked them about it...I was like 'what? you cant be two different religions...Its either or but not both..' Can you be two different religions??

[kryogenix]

Your friend is either ignorant, or being intellectually dishonest. The answer is no. Religions contain several mutually exclusive ideas. Mutually exclusive ideas cannot be true simultaneously.

Using the example that you've given, Roman Catholicism requires the belief in a triune God. Atheism is the lack of belief in any God. How can you believe both these things at the same time? It's a similar case for Buddhism and Catholicism. You cannot be a Catholic and something else at the same time.

There is absolutely zero leeway given regarding Catholic dogma. To reject a single aspect of Catholic dogma is to declare yourself anathema from the Catholic Church.

I don't see why not. I think it's definitely possible to combine religious tenants in the self-governing of one's life. In regards to atheists, it's possible to not believe in God, but believe in the basic, non-religious morals and ethics a certain religion implies; i.e. atheists don't go around killing people just because they're atheist.

What you're referring to is syncretism in the first part of your post.

The second part of your post is simply overlapping beliefs. I believe in the God of Abraham. So do Jews and Muslims. But I call myself neither Jew nor Muslim.

[brooklyneast05]

Your friend is either ignorant, or being intellectually dishonest. The answer is no. Religions contain several mutually exclusive ideas. Mutually exclusive ideas cannot be true simultaneously.

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