Quote Originally Posted by kataphraktoi
Keep it simple:

You want to know what a religion/belief system is? Just read their sacred texts and form a conclusion yourself.
I agree to a point but not completely. The “sacred texts” are sometimes tough to read. As an example many phrases in the bible have been interpreted to mean multiple things. I have participated in a few bible studies and after hearing the way others understood some of the phrases it amazed me how our own experiences cloud the way we understand things we read (note: I don’t blindly trust what the study leader suggested was the true interpretation either, one reason I don’t go anymore). I would recommend a combination of both reading and discussing. (Another note: knowing a religion/belief is often a bit different than knowing the practice of the religion/belief.)