This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (September 2008)

Orthopraxy is a term derived from Greek (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.^[1][2][3] This contrasts with orthodoxy, emphasizing a correct belief, and ritualism, the use of rituals.^[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. ^[5][6] Typically, traditional or folk 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. In the case of Hinduism orthopraxy and ritualism are conflated.

[edit] Christianity

This section requires expansion with: examples and citations.

The Ten Commandments on a monument on the grounds of the Texas State Capitol. The third non-indented commandment listed is "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy".

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.^[7][8] 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.^[9]

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.^{[clarification needed]}

[edit] Eastern Christianity

Orthopraxis would include attendance of church services which are designed to benefit the practitioner of the Eastern Orthodox faith.^{[dubious – discuss]} 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.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Anglican church

^{[dubious – discuss]}

[edit] Judaism

This section requires expansion with: examples and citations.

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 acceptance of certain basic beliefs, such as the first and second Positive commandments 2 in Maimonides' Sefer Hamitzvot, which mandate the belief in God and His indivisible unity. Thus, describing Judaism solely in orthopraxic terms is not 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.

[edit] Islam

This section requires expansion with: examples and citations.

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.

[edit] Hinduism

This section requires expansion with: examples and citations.

In the case of Hinduism orthopraxy and ritualism are conflated. 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. Even Hindus who diligently practice a subset of prescribed rituals are called orthoprax, to contrast them with other Hindus who insist on the importance of correct belief or understanding. The correctness of one's interpretation of the scripture is then considered less important than following traditions. For example, Srinivasa Ramanujan was a well known example of an orthoprax Hindu.

[edit] 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.^[10] 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 to Religionist traditions that incorporate any form of orthopraxy or orthodoxy.^[11] In fact, many Neopagan organizations, when discussing orthopraxy, limit themselves solely to ritualism.^[12]

Polytheistic Reconstructionism such as Hellenismos 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,^{[13][14][15][16][17]} rather than focusing solely on ritual or promoting a single cosmology, metaphysical idea, or theological theory as absolute truth.^[18]

[edit] Notes

[edit] References

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

[edit] See also

Look up Orthopraxy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• Cambridge Ritualists
• Ritualism
• Praxis (Orthodox)
• Mimamsa
• Kalpa (ritual)