It is rare to find a religion, faith or philosophy that does not adhere to a body of tenets, beliefs or doctrines. Within the various religions of the world, many denominations exist primarily because they hold to different interpretations of their beliefs. Sometimes, these differences have produced sad results; other times they have produced challenges that helped many people understanding their religions better.

Do you think doctrines are important in your religion? Can your religion survive in its present form without some form of doctrines?

Q. Is Doctrine Important In Your Faith?

Yes, ke! Abi you neva read wetin the Psalmist talk? "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (Psa. 11:3).

Doctrines are the teachings taught in scriptures, they are usually in categories, for example, we have the teaching (doctrine) on 'prayer', we have the teaching (doctrine) on 'giving', we have the teaching (doctrine) on 'marriage' etc. Without doctrine you cannot have understanding of whatever your religion is.
People who do not understand doctrines are only 'card carrying members' of whatever group/sect/religion/political party they belong to.

Christian doctrines are important, they are the thinking of Christ, after meditating on them, the Holy Spirit uses them as 'raw materials' to develop the virtues of Christ in us, with his doctrine, we come to share His happiness.

1. Ro 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
2 1Ti 1:3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
3 1Ti 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
4 1Ti 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
5 2Ti 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience,
6 Tit 2:1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:
7 Tit 2:7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,
8 Tit 2:10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

I want to believe the above are well enough to guarantee the place of doctrines or beliefs. They are very essential. Man cannot live without laws or guides. He would screw up big time. The doctrines draw the limits and they are authoritative. Once a man finds fault in a doctrine especially having gotten some sorts ofrevelations, he is free to correct it (where it is within his power) or simply bail out!

The first verse says avoid them, that could mean run away from them, dont fellowship with them amongst other things but fundamentally leave them! But unfortunately, most people do not take time to wait upon the Lord to fully understand the revelation and just out of an unholy zeal run to form another group claiming they have been called.

Thanks for sharing, guys.

Thre value of doctrine in our faiths cannot be overstated. I opened this thread just about when it was a popular idea (even among many Christians) that doctrines are not important to us - simply because many people feel that it is the one thing that divide people and inevitably results in many denominations and disunity.

There might be some substance to that persuasion; but from the example in cgift's entry, it is obvious that Biblical truth cannot be sacrificed on the altar of what many people assume to be "unity". A so-called 'Christian unity' that is founded upon disregard for Biblical truth will still be rejected by God.

Doctrines should not necessarily divide Christians. And we should not "apologise" for separating from established doctrinal heresies either, even when they are being held by "Christians". However, when this sad events occur, what kind of attitude should we adopt when separating from those who have departed from Biblical truth? It isn't easy at all to grasp everything one may call "truth"; but a good start would be for us to have a spirit of humility in our walk with Christ.

Doctrine is very important in the christian religion and the doctrine we talk about has to be scriptural.II John 9 makes us realize that there is a doctrine of christ and thats the doctrine we are meant to follow. We see many people following the doctrine of men. The catholics baptise by sprinkling and they even baptise babies. This according to the bible is not the doctrine of christ. the doctrine of christ commanded immersion in water. not sprinkling and also allow only those that are able to believe to be baptised thats why a baby can't be baptised under the doctrine of christ.
There are other things that are not part of the doctrine of christ which we see people practice today like paying of tithe, the use of instrumental music in worship and even how one is made a christian.Thats exactly why we should be careful and read closely what the bible wants from us so that we don't go astray

Do you think doctrines are important in your religion? Can your religion survive in its present form without some form of doctrines?

In my strong opinion, Religion is a creation of man. Doctrine is one of the confusion brought by Religion. However, we must belong to a particular camp as the present world would dictate.

To express my opinion quickly, Religion may not survive without a doctrine associated to it. But a Christian can stand in his religion without neccessarilly giving up to doctrine.

The most important thing is a Christ Centered life.