A serious question about how to practice Christianity. [View all]

It was in school, during the religion-course. The teacher had drawn a diagram on the chalkboard, showing different groups of Christians and explaining which groups are better than the others:
* those who get baptized and then never return to christian faith
* those who do good deeds
* those who go to mass
And so forth.

The teacher tried to explain to us that Christians who go to mass but don't do good deeds are better Christians than those who do good deeds but don't go to mass. That was the very moment I took my first step towards atheism.



My question to you: Which Christians are closer to God, truer in their beliefs and closer to the spirit of Jesus Christ?

1. Those who take part in prayers to the Lord, who take part in the transsubstantation of wine and bread into Jesus Christ's blood and flesh.
But who at the same time do not do unto others as they want done unto themselves. Who do not go to the meek and the poor and the outcasts. Who do not sacrifice their time and possessions for charity to help others as Jesus did.

2. Those who do unto others as they want done unto themselves. Who do go to the meek and the poor and the outcasts. Who do sacrifice their time and possessions for charity to help others as Jesus did.
But who do not take part in prayers to the Lord. Who do not take part in the transsubstantation of wine and bread into Jesus Christ's blood and flesh.

What counts more: Doing good deeds or adhering to the holy rituals, procedures and tenets of Christianity?

Acting without praying or praying without acting?