Why do people join religious communities today?
142534
Lack of something in their lives that they think these communities can provide
733174
I'm not totally sure why people don't join Christianity. But- I think it might have something to do with it contradicting itself constantly. Another reason might be because people like Evangelicals preach messages of Christ's love-only to turn around and use the Bible to perpetuate xenophobic ideals.
254420
The same reasons people practice any religeon. It's what they prefer to believe in. It makes the most sense to them.
1071659
Probably because there are questions being asked.  A lot of people find religion interesting and have opinion on the whole idea.
985412
I think it's vital.\n\nBut here's the rub - those people who are most likely to join interfaith groups aren't the people who most need to be there.  \n\nFrom my experience in a local Interfaith Council, most of the folks who join are already pretty accepting of religious differences.  So it's kind of like "preaching to the choir".  On the other hand, there is an oportunity there that doesn't exist many other places; to understand other religions fromt he standont of those who practice them, rather than the popular opiions of the masses.\n\nThe folks who would never ever consider joining are those who would most benefit from being a part, IMO.\n\nAnd real change will not take place from just clergy forging understandings of each others religious or spiritual paths; real change will happen between congregants.  \n\nIt's absolutely vital for Interfaith clergy members to involve their congregants in activities that bring them together with people of other religions; as just humans first, so that the fear factor can be overcome, then in educational programs so that we can come to understand each others belief and practices better.\n\nOne of the interesting things about Interfaith groups is that this experience is pretty universal: coming to understand different religions doesn't lessen ones own devoutness, but rather confirms it. \n\nThere's this misconception that the goal of interfaith groups is to blur the edges between religions, and that's just not the case.\n\nWhat can i say?  If you have the greatness of heart to be able to accept that there is more than one way to have a relationship with the Divine, you should join.  It may require that you grow a lot.  It may require that you let go of some ideas that you have about people of other religions.  \n\nIt absolutely will require you to gain a deeper understanding of your own religion.\n\n\n\nI don't know how significant Christian ecumenical councils are, as I've never been in one.
759518
When it comes to religion, a lot of people are unable to accept anything aside from what they were raised to believe or have come to believe.  They believe that their way is the right way, and everything else is just bunk.
518875
One of the reasons I enjoy the world today is because there are so many diverse relgions. Catholics can live in mainly Hindu lands, Buddhists can live in a Jewish society, etc. Religions are normally widely accepted.\nI am against all schools being relgious, and me coming from a Catholic-based school. Because of this religious diversity, not everyone is the same religion. Where I go to school, there are many religions, from Presbytarians to Catholics to Egyptian Orthodox, to Jews. The only reason why these diverse groups go to a united school is because it is the only private high school in the county, the only one with a good reputation in academics and extra-curricular activities.\nBasing all schools off of religion would force either more schools to open (Buddhist, Jewish, Hindu, Catholic, Presbytarian, Egyptian, etc. etc. etc.), or narrowing the selection.\nPublic schools set the religion aside, sometimes easing an awkwardness that a child might find, being a different religion during a school service.\n\nPerhaps I was going to say more, but I lost my train of thought :)
529565
Yahoo is a recruitment tool for them.. For some reason they seem to think people will join christianity if they are constantly told to. Doesn't work for people who have a brain..
321388
I think there are people who do, people get into religious debates & stuff. Some people do geuinely want to know the answers to sensible questions & it's a really useful site i think.
866673
Real Christians are at church today\nReal Christians don't even know how to use the internet\n\nLiberals are mostly brats that hang around the Internet after school or work
718063
There are a large number of people who have converted (or reverted as it's refered to by Islam), it is one of the fastest growing faiths presently.  Faith is something that is very personal, and specific to the individual.  If they feel that Christianity isn't the right mode to connect with their spirituality, then they most certainly should go forward and look for one that helps them connect better.  It's very easy to be disenchanted with Christianity right now, and Islam is presented as an alternative.  Do I think they are crazy, no.  It's not my place to call anyone crazy for their beliefs.  Everyone is entitled to do what gives them peace, regardless of my personal view of that thing.
1169983
Many religions have the concept of proselytising, which means it is their religious duty to 'save' or convert others to their faith. It doesn't matter if outside people are interested in their beliefs or not, or if in fact, they have their own code of morals or ethics. It's just part of the faitholder's religious duties. It does tend to numb the brain though, doesn't it?
634990
it seems to me that people who live in more populated areas interact with more people and hear and discuss more different ideas than people who live in less crowded areas.  I think seeing that there are people in other religions and from other cultures AND that they are good people leads one to be more open-minded and tolerant --- and less convinced that there is only one right way to believe.
97981
Well, that really isn't true of everyone. There are plenty of people who have no problem at all in making their religion known.\n\nThose who do not, I am sure, have a wide variety of reasons.\nSome people are very private by nature and feel their religion is something personal to them and just not comfortable sharing their beliefs to anyone other than the ones they are close to.\n\nSome people don't discuss their religion because of a sense of propiety. They were taught that discussing religion, except under certain circumstance is not polite, same with politics.\n\nSome people may live in an area or enviroment that are predjudiced against particular beliefs and they feel it best to keep them to themselves.\n\nThere are many other reasons, but these are a few.
1084344
well it's all connected with history, and when jesus walked the earth, and when god would talk to prophets to deliver his message to the people. the reason why there are so many religions is because with time people have decided to go their own way and come up with what they think the RIGHT religion should be, but in reality there is only one, and that's CHRISTIANITY.
262904
Typical reasons for adherence to religion include the following:\n"Experience or emotion": For many, the practice of a religion causes an emotional high that gives pleasure to them. Such emotional highs can come from the singing of traditional hymns to the trance-like states found in the practices of the Whirling Dervishes and Yoga, among others. People continue to associate with those practices that give pleasure and, in so far as it is connected with religion, join in religious organizations that provide those practices. Also, some people simply feel that their faith is true, and may not be able to explain their feelings. \n"Supernatural connection": Most religions postulate a reality which includes both the natural and the supernatural. Most adherents of religion consider this to be of critical importance, since it permits belief in unseen and otherwise potentially unknowable aspects of life, including hope of eternal life. \n"Rational analysis": For some, adherence is based on intellectual evaluation that has led them to the conclusion that the teachings of that religion most closely describe reality. Among Christians this basis for belief is often given by those influenced by C.S. Lewis and Francis Schaeffer, as well as some who teach young earth Creationism. \n"Moderation": Many religions have approaches that produce practices that place limitations on the behaviour of their adherents. This is seen by many as a positive influence, potentially protecting adherents from the destructive or even fatal excesses to which they might otherwise be susceptible. Many people from many faiths contend that their faith brings them fulfillment, peace, and joy, apart from worldly interests. \n"Authority": Most religions are authoritarian in nature, and thus provide their adherents with spiritual and moral role models, who they believe can bring highly positive influences both to adherents and society in general. \n"Moral framework": Most religions see early childhood education in religion and spirituality as essential moral and spiritual formation, whereby individuals are given a proper grounding in ethics, instilling and internalizing moral discipline. \n"Majesty and tradition": People can form positive views of religion based on the visible manifestations of religion, e.g., ceremonies which appear majestic and reassuringly constant, and ornate cloth. \n"Community and culture": Organized religions promote a sense of community. The combination of moral and cultural common ground often results in a variety of social and support networks. Some ostensibly "religious" individuals may even have a substantially secular viewpoint, but retain adherence to religious customs and viewpoints for cultural reasons, such as continuation of traditions and family unity. Judaism, for example, has a particularly strong tradition of "secular" adherents. \n"Fulfillment": Most traditional religions require sacrifice of their followers, but, in turn, the followers may gain much from their membership therein. Thus, they come away from experiences with these religions with the feeling that their needs have been filled. In fact, studies have shown that religious adherents tend to be happier and less prone to stress than non-religious people. \n"Spiritual and psychological benefits": Each religion asserts that it is a means by which its adherents may come into closer contact with God, Truth, and Spiritual Power. They all promise to free adherents from spiritual bondage, and bring them into spiritual freedom. It naturally follows that a religion which frees its adherents from deception, sin, and spiritual death will have significant mental health benefits. Abraham Maslow's research after World War II showed that Holocaust survivors tended to be those who held strong religious beliefs (not necessarily temple attendance, etc), suggesting it help
438641
Because they don't have idle time on their hands.  They are always busy doing the church group things.  Which are normally not directed towards violence.  Their time and their minds are taken up with activities the church group is doing.  It's really a matter of occupation.  Fill up their lives with a group that's doing good things, with caring adults around to watch for any problems.