I believe that the most common reason people choose to be religious is that there parents were. Could you please right down:\n\na) If you are religious and if so what religion and do you attend religious services ie church\nb) If your parents are religious and if so what relgion and do your parents attend religious services ie church
208784
Here's one you missed - guilt.  How many people have you seen come out of prison spouting jesus?  Look at Gary Busey (not prison, but he WAS a bad boy).\n\nMy friend proposed a theory that many of the most vociferous bible thumpers have the longest rap sheets.\n\nPersonally, I think prison is the NEW house of god.
482392
This is the same fact that religious people seem to ignore.  Unless you are an open-minded, intelligent person your religion will be whatever you were born into.  If your parents were Hindu, you'd be a Hindu.  This simply fact should lead any reasonable person to the result that all world religions are false.
178052
I love the fact that you allow them to find out for themselves. I am so glad my parents never forced me to believe or not believe in what they believe in.\n\nThe subject God is not something anybody can ever make someone understand or believe in. It's more of a personal journey out of a longing and desire to understand our place in this Universe.\n\nSo just let them find out on their own path. I think it's important to teach kids good values and good character qualities because what we put out comes back to us.
222775
My religion is Wicca although I was born to Christianity.  After soul searching and research I decided the Wiccan path was the right one for me.  I do not expect others to believe as I do ... there is more than one path to personal enlightenment and it is not up to anyone to say one is definitely right and all others are wrong.\n\nYes war generally is caused by beliefs be they religious or not.. most fight for what they believe in regardless of fact or fiction.\n\nI justify my religion because it is right for me.  I do not ask others to join me on my path.  I deeply respect the natural world around me and I respect the people who reside on it even when I do not agree with their opinions.  Human beings are meant to be diverse.  Yes I practice the Craft and people may have their own opinions on that also.  All I ask is that I am allowed to worship in peace.\n\nBlessed Be
538572
I came to this conclusion about politics and religious types a few years ago and I will share this with you now ok...\n  Religious people feel the need to believe there is a greater force out there so that they think their lives have meaning. They have a Bible, they follow the Bible, they think that if they do not do exactly as the Bible says they will not go to heaven. Part of the Bible is to spread the word of God to as many people as possible. Part of the Bible is also that mankind has freewill to make their own choices and do as it pleases. \n\n      So the problem I have with religious zealots is that they remember the first and forget the second. \nWhy would someone want to join a religion where you come across sounding like a half baked loon to anyone you talk to about God?\n Wouldnt it be better to be loving and accepting of everyone and happy with yourself to the point where people ask you wow why are you so happy what are you doing right with your life? Rather than trying to cram it down our throats and legislate morality.\n Teach through example, be a good kind tolerant person who respects peoples wishes.  Uh there is more to is, but yeah Jesus would most definately be a liberal.
76605
Hello The Great an... :)\n\nI was not raised in a Chrisitan home..my dad was an alcholic..my mom used to abuse us with a belt..If I listened to my mom and my dad, I would still be an atheist..\n\nI was not afraid of going to hell (I did not believe it existed)..I did not believe that heaven existed either (God was not real to me)..\n\nI tried the Wiccan religion..it had no answers for my drug addiction..or for taking away the feeling of loneliness..I did not like the idea of any god or godesses'..for if they were real, my life would not have a hell here on earth..\n\nI also tried Buddism..it said you have to find yourself within to change..that was the problem I was having..I could not change my self..No matter how much I tried.. :(\n\nI could not have followed the marjority..because before I asked Jesus into my heart, I did not even know that Christians were the marjority..I did not even want to know..I hated Christians..because they were sicky sweet..telling everyone that Jesus Loved them..they did not know how to have fun in life, they lived boring lives..\n\nThen one day, I just could not take life anymore (I was going to kill myself that day)..\n\nMy brother came over on Sundays to take my children to Church..he asked me if I wanted to go..I told him I was not dressed, he said he would wait for me..So I went to the Jesus Freaks Church (that is what I called them)..I cursed the Pastor..all he did is tell me that he Loved me and so did Jesus..I said I would be coming back next Sunday to curse him out again..\n\nThe following Sunday before I was able to say anything the Pastor asked if anyone wanted to be baptised that afternoon..before I knew what I was doing, my arm went up into the air..I was baptized that afternoon..\n\nThe next morning I was quoting scriptures from the Bible (I had never even read it before)..my oldest daughter came down the stairs and I said to her, I Love you and for the first time in my life, I felt Love for my little girl, she came running to me and we hugged each other, I was crying, because you see, I used to abuse my little girl.. :(\n\nI was immediately set free from drugs, greed, hatred, anger, self pity, lust, and fear of what tomorrow may bring..\n\nNo one, had ever able to give me total peace within my heart..or given me a reason to live..nor have they ever been able to fill the emptiness within..\n\nUntil that one day on August 28, 1978..when I asked Jesus to be the Lord of my life and forgive me of my sins..for if one asks with a sincere heart, your sins will be washed away and you will feel as clean and as white as snow..a veil shall be lifted from your eyes..then and only then will anyone believe that:\n\nJohn 3\n\n16  ¶ For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.\n \n17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.\n \n===========================================================\n\nThank-you for asking this question.. :)\n\nIn Jesus Most Precious Name..\nWith Love..In Christ..
440770
I am Muslim and I can answer this for you:\n\nA person is a Muslim when they CHOOSE to be a Muslim. It doesnt matter if your Mother, Father, and your whole family are Muslims--you can only be a Muslim when you CHOOSE Islam.\n\nThere are people whose parents are Muslims, but they themselves are not because they dont want to be. \n\nWhen a person become an adult, they have to make the decision to be a Muslim. It has to come from the heart and be sincere. \n\nWhat makes a person a Muslim is this:\n1. Believing there is only 1 God.\n\n2. Believing in the Prophets of God: Moses, Jesus, Abraham, King David, and all the many others--and believing in the messages they taught. And believing in the Koran as the last and final book sent from God. \n\n3. Believing in Day of Judgement and the AfterLife. Knowing that we are here on earth as a test; and in the end, God will reward us with Heaven or hellfire.\n\nThose are the main things-once you believe this, you will be guided to greater Truth as time goes by. \n\nCheck out this site, and it will answer Most of your questions.\nPeace
298730
i choose to respect others beliefs but personally i think religion is the source of all evil,most wars are to do with religions.i believe in myself and treat people as i like to be treated so consider myself respectful of others(more than most religious people do)!!!
260884
i think that people only have a religion because the feel the chaos and random-ness of the world and it scares them.  If you think there is someone who is in control and knows what is going on you feel like they will step in and make sure that u aren't going to get into anything really bad.  i don't belive in god and don't have a religion but if u can make yourself belive in it, i;m all for it.  at your church or temple you have a really great family that will be there for you no matter what and that is nice to have.  also religion gives us a sense of belonging and importance tha we all strive for.  Just as long as you don't use religion to alianate people, it is a good thing.
148694
religion is a way of life\n\nwhich is a choice you only have to make if you DONT KNOW ANYTHING.  When you KNOW theres no more choice because you KNOW.  and your knowledge is a was of life\n\nread the BIBLE as a letter to you from JESUS
213558
I am Muslim. I was born Muslim and thank God for that every day. But this isn't the only reason I follow Islam. It is the logic of Islam, and its conformance to human pure nature that make me stick to it and be proud of being a Muslim.\n\nI don't know whether I would have had the chance to get to know Islam if my parents were not Muslim. This is why I consider it a blessing from God to be born Muslim; I did not have to go through that test.
212453
I was raised as a Christian, because my Dad is a Lutheran pastor.  I follow the Bible explicitly, but I do study other religions in order to better debate with people.
640934
i believe there comes a point where it doesn't make much sense for your parents to continue forcing you to participate in a religious system which you reject. It depends on your age, and whether you are able to make this decision based on more than just a feeling. \n\nAt the same time, your parents faith is part of your family tradition, and taking part in it is taking part in something your family shares. If you are uncomfortable with this, you really need to talk openly and respectfully to your parents, and explain your position. Let them no that you are not rejecting them and why you do not want to participate in the faith any longer. This will be hard for them to hear and they may or may not accept it. \n\nIf you still live under their roof, and they insist, then you are best to respect their wishes until that time when you are able to support yourself and live under the rules and standards of your own roof.
515644
Who needs a church? Who says you have to pray inside of a certain building in order to be saved? Can't you pray just as well at your own home? My church is nature, which I guess makes it where ever I choose to stop and worship the Gods, Goddesses, and Ancestors. And as far as the door-to-door religious sales people. They are upset and their panties are in a bunch because the whole world isn't part of their religion. They're angry because there are other religions out there besides their own. They'll only be happy when they've converted everyone to their faith. Too bad people like me aren't convertable.
33482
I think religion is a way for people to support each other in feeling spiritual and making correct moral decisions. Some people won't make good decisions on spirituality alone, and for those people, having other people around them helps.\n\nEDIT FOR ADDTNL INFO:\nWhy is anything neccessary? Why are homes neccessary? Why don't people just live at work? Eat grass? Because we as humans desire more, a more personal experience, a more organized approach. You don't get people at your community center sharing uplifting stories about standing up for what is right.
254274
I can't tell you exactly why that is. I am a Christian, and when I say Christian I mean I am a born again believer in Christ, and I see it in my church a lot. I don't think i do it tho. Most of us are taught to deffend our religion. I guess some of us just take it too far. Others just don't know how to handle it. If you want to ask some questions I would like to answer them. I don't get deffensive real easily like a lot of others do. I have a lot of friends that have different beliefs than me so I'm used to being around different religions and lifestyles. But like I said if you have questions and want answers I can't promise u that I would know all of them but I could answer as many as possible from a biblical standpoint.
566743
I had no religious upbringing at all.  Years and years of just living like a moral person - for no other reason than that I knew it was right.  toward the end of high school, I started researching different religions and attending services.  None ever fit.\n\nWhen I turned 24, i was introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and I knew in my heart that it was the truth I had been seeking.  I was Baptised in March of 2002, I was married in the Nauvoo Temple to my amazing wife in 2004.