Well you must know, then follow.. it's simple as that. No point
knowing and not following. And also very importantly, we must
understand why we need to follow it.. I don't think many people are
going to blindly follow what is being taught, and should deeply
consider the consequences and impact of following that teaching. As
for this topic, you may want to read the Kalama Sutta, which is a
very good sutta on this:
http://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/an/an03/an03.065.than.html
....."So what do you think, Kalamas: Are these qualities
skillful or unskillful?"
"Skillful, lord."
"Blameworthy or blameless?"
"Blameless, lord."
"Criticized by the wise or praised by the wise?"
"Praised by the wise, lord."
"When adopted & carried out, do they lead to welfare & to
happiness, or not?"
"When adopted & carried out, they lead to welfare & to
happiness. That is how it appears to us."
"So, as I said, Kalamas: 'Don't go by reports, by legends, by
traditions, by scripture, by logical conjecture, by inference, by
analogies, by agreement through pondering views, by probability, or
by the thought, "This contemplative is our teacher." When you know
for yourselves that, "These qualities are skillful; these qualities
are blameless; these qualities are praised by the wise; these
qualities, when adopted & carried out, lead to welfare & to
happiness" then you should enter & remain in them.' Thus was
it said. And in reference to this was it said.
"Now, Kalamas, one who is a disciple of the noble ones thus
devoid of greed, devoid of ill will, undeluded, alert, &
resolute keeps pervading the first direction [the east] as well
as the second direction, the third, & the fourth with an
awareness imbued with good will. Thus he keeps pervading above,
below, & all around, everywhere & in every respect the
all-encompassing cosmos with an awareness imbued with good will:
abundant, expansive, immeasurable, free from hostility, free from
ill will....
Therefore it's more important to be a BUDDHIST, than be a
'buddhist academic' 
As for precepts, I believe Sinweiy explained it very well. Other
people don't care is their business, their karma. We care because
precepts are safeguarding our blessings, our blissfulness.. so that
we may not end up in lower realms of sufferings (i.e Animal, Ghost,
Hell realm) due to our karma.
But even if you cannot completely abide by the 5 precepts, it is ok
to enter Buddhism first and change gradually. Nobody is perfect in
this world and is constantly improving themselves... that that is
there is the teachings of Dharma. If everyone is perfect then there
wouldn't be the need to practise. Changes are gradual... for
example you can't stop someone who loves drinking to stop at once,
that has to come gradually and maybe through guidance and help
too.