Orthopraxis

Orthopraxy is a term derived from Greek ( _gr. ὀρθοπραξις) meaning "correct action/activity", and is a religion that places emphasis on conduct, both ethical and liturgical, as opposed to faith or grace etc. [cite book|last=Jackson |first=Elizabeth|title=The Illustrated Dictionary of Culture|publisher=Lotus Press|date=2007|pages=p. 147|isbn=978-8-1890-9326-6] [cite book|last=Westley |first=Miles|title=The Bibliophile's Dictionary|publisher=Writer's Digest Books|date=2005|pages=p. 91|isbn=978-1-5829-7356-2] [cite book|last=McKim |first=Donald K.|title=Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms|publisher=Westminster John Knox Press|date=1996|pages=pp. 197|isbn=978-0-6642-5511-4 ] This contrasts with orthodoxy, emphasizing a correct belief, and , the use of rituals. [cite book|last=McKim |first=Donald K.|title=Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms|publisher=Westminster John Knox Press|date=1996|pages=pp. 197, 242|isbn=978-0-6642-5511-4 ]

While orthodoxies make use of codified beliefs, in the form of canonized scripture, and ritualism more narrowly centers on the strict adherence to prescribed rites or rituals, orthopraxic religions are focused on issues of family, cultural integrity, the transmission of tradition, sacrificial offerings, concerns of purity, ethical systems, and the enforcement thereof. [cite book|last=Antes|first=Peter|coauthors=Armin W. Geertz, Randi R. Warne|title=New Approaches to the Study of Religion: Regional, Critical, and Historical Approaches|volume=2|publisher=Walter de Gruyter|date=2004|pages=p. 86|isbn=978-3-1101-8175-3] [cite web |url=http://wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=ritualism |title=Ritualism |accessdaymonth=September 10 |accessyear=2008 |publisher=Princeton University |quote=(1) "the study of religious or magical rites and ceremonies"; (2) "exaggerated emphasis on the importance of rites or ritualistic forms in worship"] Typically, traditional or ethnic religions (paganism, animism) are more concerned with orthopraxis than orthodoxy, and some argue that equating the term "faith" with "religion" presents a Christian-biased notion of what the primary characteristic of religion is.

Christianity

Some Christian religions and leaders today, from Roman Catholic to Evangelical Christians, have started to become vocal describing their religions as both orthodoxical and orthopraxic. The premise is "correct belief" compels "correct action", and incorrect action is caused by incorrect beliefs. [cite book|last=Murphy |first=Francesca Aran|title=Christ the Form of Beauty: A Study in Theology and Literature|publisher=Continuum International Publishing Group|date=1995|pages=p 150-151|isbn=978-0-5670-9708-8] ["See also": John 5:1-18; 8:13-19; 10:24-33; 11:45-54; 18-19:16 (Demonstrates how correct/incorrect belief causes correct/incorrect action from a biblical perspective.)] Taking this combination of "correct belief" and "correct action" a step farther, Prosperity theology, found in charismatic and pentecostal traditions, teaches correct religious belief and behavior receives material reward and physical healing, in addition to being a necessary component for accepting God's Grace. Prosperity theology is a concept known as reciprocity when discussing traditional or ethnic religions such as that in Ancient Greece, but is limited to correct behavior over any one theological idea. [cite book|last=Gill|first=Christopher|coauthors=Norman Postlethwaite and Richard Seaford|title=Reciprocity in Ancient Greece|publisher=Oxford University Press|date=1998|isbn=978-0-1981-4997-2]

The purpose of Divine law is disputed among Christian denominations. A minority are Torah-observant, see also Jewish Christians, and at the other extreme are antinomistic views. In between, most Christians believe that the Ten Commandments are binding. See also Ministry of Jesus.Clarifyme|date=September 2008

Eastern Christianity

Orthopraxis would include attendance of church services which are designed to benefit the practitioner of the Eastern Orthodox faith.Dubious|date=September 2008 It refers to accepted religious practices and may include both ritual practices as well as interpersonal acts. The Orthopraxy ties into the concept of Phronema and is meant to work together toward the goal of theosis.Fact|date=September 2008

Anglican church

Judaism

Judaism is orthopraxic to some extent, with obedience to its laws being the mark of an "observant" Jew. However certain laws/commandments of the Torah require the internalization of certain beliefs, such as Positive Mitzvah 1 and Positive Mitzvah 2 in Sefer HaMitzvos, which mandate the belief in God and His indivisible unity. As such describing Judaism solely in orthopraxic terms is not entirely accurate. Additionally Maimonides’ codification of Jewish law (the Mishneh Torah) contains a section entitled Yesodei HaTorah which delineates the legally required beliefs of Judaism, further bolstering the contention that praxis alone is insufficient.

Islam

The Five Pillars of Islam fundamental to Sunnis prescribe Islamic practice, while Shahadah (profession of faith) defines Islamic belief. Generally stresses Orthopraxy over Orthodoxy, but since the practice is held to come from doctrine, this is essentially orthodoxy applied to practice.

Hinduism

Emphasis on ritual vs. personal salvation (moksha) was a major division in classical Hindu philosophy, epitomized by Purva Mimamsa vs. Uttara Mimamsa (Vedanta).

Ritual (puja) continues to play a central role in contemporary Hinduism, but the enormous complexity of ancient ritual (yajna) only survives in a tiny minority of Shrauta practitioners.

Neopaganism

British Traditional Wicca is highly orthopraxic, with "traditions" (as denominations in Wicca are called) being precisely that - defined by what is traditionally done, rather than shared beliefs.Fact|date=September 2008 Other Neopagans may or may not share this quality, as noted by James R. Lewis who draws a distinction between "Religious Neo-Pagans" and "God/dess Celebrants." Lewis states the majority of the Neopagan movement is strongly opposed the Religionist traditions that incorporate any form of orthopraxy or orthodoxy. [cite book|last=Lewis |first=James R.|title=Magical Religion and Modern Witchcraft|publisher=SUNY Press|date=1996|pages=pp. 84-85|isbn=978-0-7914-2889-4] In fact, many Neopagan organizations, when discussing orthopraxy, limit themselves solely to ritualism. [cite web |url=http://www.adf.org/articles/cosmology/discussing-pagan-theology.html |title=Discussing Pagan Theology |accessdaymonth=September 10 |accessyear=2008 |author=Corrigan, Ian |publisher=Ár nDraíocht Féin (A Druid Fellowship) |quote="The pagan religion was about orthopraxy, doing the customs correctly. Your "believerhood" at a temple had more to do with entering the temple and walking three times about the idol and making your image and reciting the inscription on the wall, which was how they did it in the Roman temples."]

Polytheistic Reconstructionism provides a stark contrast to popular Neopaganism, being more conservative in nature. These movements seek to revive traditional pre-Christian religions adapted to the modern world, but with an adherence to the values and ethical systems of the ancient cultures, loyalty and reverence toward specific pantheons, and by promoting traditional interpersonal obligations associated the family, community, and society. Reconstructionist religions make full use of orthopraxy, defining their practices as a lifestyle, and identifying "correct action" as living life in accord with specific ideals and principles, [cite web |url=http://www.asatru.org/ |title=Answers about Asatru |accessdaymonth=September 11 |accessyear=2008 |publisher=Asatru Alliance |quote="Proper behavior in Asatru consists of maximizing one's virtues and minimizing one's vices."] [cite web |url=http://paganachd.com/faq/ethics.html |title=An Introduction to Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism |accessdaymonth=September 11 |accessyear=2008 |publisher=Paganachd |quote="(Celtic Recostructionism is) grounded in traditional Celtic virtues which should be embraced, adopted, and integrated into one’s daily life."] [cite web |url=http://www.religioromana.net/about.htm |title=About the Religio Romana |accessdaymonth=September 11 |accessyear=2008 |publisher=Temple of Religio Romana |quote="We have included the ancient Roman Virtues as an accompaniment to spiritual practice as we feel that they are conducive to the fulfillment of one's higher self."] [cite web |url=http://www.ysee.gr/index-eng.php?f=faq&type=english |title=Frequently asked questions about the Hellenic religion and tradition |accessdaymonth=September 11 |accessyear=2008 |publisher=Supreme Council of Ethnikoi Hellenes |quote="We do not just strive for a superficial return to the 'ancient ways', but on the contrary, for the return of a different kind of person, Hellenic Man, who will be governed by humanistic values, as were first expressed and exhibited by our ancestors. A type of man who will journey on the path of Virtue."] [cite web |url=http://www.kemet.org/kemexp1.html |title=What is Kemetic Orthodoxy? |accessdaymonth=September 11 |accessyear=2008 |publisher=The House of Netjer |quote="Practicing Kemetic Orthodoxy requires a commitment to preserving the cultural heritage established in the past which Kemetic Orthodoxy continues to represent, even in places and times well removed from its original practice."] rather then focusing solely on ritual or promoting a single cosmology, metaphysical idea, or theological theory as absolute truth. [cite web |url=http://hellenismos.us/?p=124 |title=On Orthopraxy |accessdaymonth=September 12 |accessyear=2008 |author=Alexander, Timothy Jay |publisher=Hellenismos.us |quote="Our concern is with humanity and the natural world, and we leave open questions relating to the absolute nature of the Gods, Absolute Reality, and Divine Truth to individual personal interpretation."]

Notes

References

*cite book|last=Abu-Zahra |first=JNadia|title=The Pure and Powerful: Studies in Contemporary Muslim Society|publisher=Garnet & Ithaca Press|date=200|pages=pp. 37-50, 75|isbn=978-0-7914-2889-4
*cite book|last=Benedict XVI |title=Truth and Tolerance: Christian Belief and World Religions|publisher=Ignatius Press|date=2004|pages=pp. 95, 122-126, 183, 274-276|isbn=978-1-5861-7035-6
*cite book|last=Chilton |first=Bruce|coauthors=Jacob Neusner|title=Judaism in the New Testament: Practices and Beliefs|publisher=Routledge|date=1995|pages=pp. 19-41|isbn=978-0-4151-1844-6
*cite book|last=Reimer |first=Sam|title=Evangelicals and the Continental Divide:The Conservative Protestant Subculture in Canada and the United States|publisher=McGill-Queen's Press|date=2003|pages=pp. 100-144, 206-211, 228-232|isbn=978-0-7735-2624-2

ee also

*Ritualism
*Praxis (Orthodox)
*Mimamsa
*Kalpa (ritual)