Is it a bad idea to do the rosary even though I’m not religious?

[Kramer]

I was at a Catholic Church a few years ago. One man droned on and on but it was actually like meditation for me. I felt so relaxed. I can still hear his voice.

 

[andme72]

I think you should if you find it uplifting. I was raised Catholic, and it is a form of meditation as well as repentance. Buddhists do something similar and also use a beaded necklace. If your worry that you'll offend someone by doing it because you aren't part of the religion, you could do it privately? Although, I would also think most religious people would say why not pray in that manner if it brings you comfort and peace? Can't imagine god could be mad at that whether you're part of the church or not. You could also do a YouTube search for prayer chanting as well, if you just like to listen to others.

 

[Leiden]

Praying the rosary is never a bad idea

 

[justsad&done]

If it would give you comfort, then pray. No reason it would be a bad idea.

 

[Kramer]

I think you should if you find it uplifting. I was raised Catholic, and it is a form of meditation as well as repentance. Buddhists do something similar and also use a beaded necklace. If your worry that you'll offend someone by doing it because you aren't part of the religion, you could do it privately? Although, I would also think most religious people would say why not pray in that manner if it brings you comfort and peace? Can't imagine god could be mad at that whether you're part of the church or not. You could also do a YouTube search for prayer chanting as well, if you just like to listen to others.

What's the Buddhist version?

 

[andme72]

What's the Buddhist version?

Essentially the same as the rosary. With the rosary, for each bead on it you say a prayer, going all the way around in the circle. Other people just use it any time they pray, but the original way I was taught was you pray per bead. My family always used them in extreme cases of worry cuz, obviously, that's a lot of dang beads lol.

Buddhist mala beads work the same, just depends if you are trying to meditate or do a prayer/chant/mantra. For each bead around the necklace you can either say a prayer/chant/mantra (if you google around or do a YouTube search you'll find plenty of examples) or do an inhale and exhale breath if you are more interested in meditating silently and care less about the chanting part.

 

[Mentalmick]

If it works go for it.

 

[MindFrog]

No, I don't think so. So long as you're getting something out of it, then I think its fine?

 

[Life_and_Death]

In my religion is about doing what makes you feel comfortable. So I see no problem with it. Of course I'm not Catholic either.

 

[Isadeth]

I prayed the rosary with a catholic church I help. I'm not catholic but it's respectful and what can it hurt? If you enjoyed it and it helped with stress, keep doing it. ♡

 

[livefreeorpeace]

I don't see a problem with this, Christian's generally welcome 'tourists' as opposed to shun them. Besides, who would ever even know? Unless you told them of course.

 

[BRAINWORMS]

Here's one baptized and confirmed Catholic gal's approval for you... If it brings you comfort, do it! Rosary beads and praying the rosary are nice meditative methods.

 

[Phill]

It's never a bad idea to say the Rosary. If the whole Rosary is too much for you at the beggining, start by saying a few Hail Marys every day till you feel more confortable with the whole Rosary. A good thing to do in the process is to read about the Rosary, you know, its benefits, stories of people who were somehow graced by saying it. It helps a lot.

 

[Disappointered]

I guess it's a calming ritutal similar to repeating mantras in eastern traditions. I see it as part of the crutch that religion offers in general and think it can cut both ways. It can be helpful but then you depend on something that might end up disappointing you and not really providing you with a real benefit. That said, if it works for you then why not.
edit: i believe they also do it in islam.