Vain Jangling
What I believe is conistent with [named] faith.
Organized faiths, religions, denominations, cults, etc. have at least a basic set of foundational beliefs, confessions, catechisms; whereby, they are often known and distinguished from the others. One may find various discrepancies among individuals, but it does not change the consistent, core principals of said faith, etc.
One cannot rightly say, “The fundamental tenets of my faith compel me to…” say or do something that does not aligned with that faith’s core tenets. That is mere vain jangling. It is true that you may believe it (whatever it is), but you cannot associate it with the faith whereby it disagrees. It would be a personal conviction (or preference), which may or may not align itself with said faith.
Example: (baptism)
Some faiths believe in infant baptism and others do not. Some practice full immersion and others sprinkling. I am free to say I believe in infant baptism, immersion, or sprinkling, but I cannot say my belief is one of my faith’s “fundamental tenets” if it is not. That is vain jangling.
If my belief is condemned by my said faith, then I should change my said faith or change my belief. I cannot nor should not expect said faith to validate or accept my departure from their core tenets.
Vain Janglings 