Orthopraxic religion isn't necessarily rigidly inflexible in what's considered the correct way to practice things, and orthodoxic religion can be pretty strict about the proper way to perform its rituals. But within an orthopraxic religion, you don't necessarily have to believe that the gods actually exist or exist in a certain way in order to be considered part of it. There's nothing specific that you must believe in your heart. You just have to participate in its rituals and practices, whatever those are.

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January 2026: Worshippers gather on the eve of Orthodox Christmas at Meskel Square in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. [Amanuel Sileshi/AP Photo]

You pray to God to give you the good, and God asks you daily to Do good. -Archimandrite Justin Pârvu