For those who have chosen their religion different from the one of your childhood...?
403763
That's a tough one..\nSome people are natural followers it seems. As kids, they have been pounded with the notion that teachers,parents, whatever religious leader they were told to follow could just not be argued with because they were OLDER and RIGHT (you're only a kid..what do you know type of answers). I know some who still have this mind-set. They have a "certain" problem with authority and are not able to question it. The "don't make waves" kind.\nSome people are kind of intellectually lazy too.....More convenient to accept, follow rather than research and make up your own mind. Yep..some are enthusiastic and some just only "pretend".\nI don't know if I am actually answering your questions.\nI was brought up catholic but it never, ever felt right. It was just not for me.\nThere is feeling and thinking. Usually " the feeling" comes first and then the "Thinking": research, interest..etc.\nWhen I first heard the idea of reincarnation, I was really young, 12 maybe..but it felt "YEAH..THAT FEELS ABSOLUTELY RIGHT..somebody out there has got the same idea ! Wow !"....then the research began.\nTough question to answer.
682987
I think that those who change religions are either confused or they find other religions to be more convenient with their lifestyles and so they change. I myself would never change my religion (I'm Catholic) and trust me being a Catholic is hard stuff, you have to forgive people all the time and not hold grudges (Jesus!!! Why are there so many a^s^s^holes out there!), so if I was confused I would choose another religion, but I'm not a coward, so I'll be a Catholic 4 life!
1055465
I was raised in southern christianity and left it at an early age because it did not make sense\n\nNo problem with the religion, just the hateful narrow minded people who claimed to speak for God.\n\nAfter over 30 years as a seeker, I became a Bahai.
8694
I do consider myself eclectic. \n\nI will take the religion road for this one. I have been studying different religions for some time now. During this search I have formed my own opinions and beliefs. Where some religions do not interest me at all others, mostly earth based (Wicca, celtic, buddhism to name a few) do but none completely. I take what feels right to me.
867266
Assalamoalakum Sister,\n\nYou ask such good questions, Masha Allah. I am also a Muslim convert. I converted 13 years ago, and yes, I would have to say there has been a transformation in me as well. I am a better person now. Actually, I should say way better. I used to be lost sister. Really lost. I had no guidance growing up. Maybe that is why I was always searching for religion. Since I was a kid, I've been interested in religion, and attended church regularly. I was never really satisfied with Christianity, though. I didn't believe in the trinity. No matter how much people would try to explain it, it never made sense. I searched in Islam, at first just to study it, and I was given my first Quran. I read it all the way through, and I started to believe in Islam! Masha Allah. That was a long time ago, and when I look back, I realize I really was a different person. The change with me has been more gradual, and I have also changed as a result of growing older. Still, yes. Islam has completely changed who I am, and how I do everything. And yes, I am a different person. A completely better person, masha Allah. It's made me more humble, because I'm forced to evaluate my flaws every day, and say AstagfirAllah for things I may be doing wrong. It has made me so much more conscious of God, Masha Allah. And I have a true relationship with him now, alhumdulillah. Do I look different? Yes. I look like a Muslim woman. lol. Before, I looked like a Christian woman. When I wear my hijab, I'm mistaken for an Arab woman. I think it's pretty funny. And then, when people hear me talk, it's funny to see the look on their faces. I know they're wondering then what nationality I am. lol. Lately, I have also gone through a transformation. I had a child, and I think that also made me closer to Allah, Alhumdulillah. I say a lot of dua for my son. lol. I am so happy now, compared to how I used to be. I used to be very depressed. No more, alhumdulillah. Now that I have Islam, I look forward to every day, alhumdulillah. I know there is a higher purpose to us being here. And now, it doesn't matter at all what I missed out on as a child. I have Allah. He is my best friend, Masha Allah. He has given me so much, and I am grateful. Peace Sister.
1075309
That happened to me.  I guess at first I felt totally betrayed, mad, I didn't know what to do or what to think.  Then I started trying to educate myself to "make sure" that I was correct that my belief system was based on lies.  The whole process has taken several years, but then I started researching many other beliefs and religions and found out that most of them were also.  So I am no longer a part of organized religion and I have discovered my own beliefs.  I'm still on my spiritual quest but my current beliefs probably lean toward New Thought.
1110029
im christian and married a muslim man,, his family made me confirt so i moved in with them and tried living there way,, i couldnt i made it a year (crying every night) then we finally moved out on our own and everything has been fine since.. just when we go to his family's house which is almost everyweekend i have to dress for them and act for them but then we come back home and im me again..... if you want to confirt then hey if you can do it great they are wonderful people with a great religion it was just to hard for me, now i do beleive alot of what they say and i have became a better person by knowing them.. \n\nif you really love each other things work them selfs out always,, we have been married for 7 yrs and have 3 children and ya the religion has its hard times but we always get threw it and we always will and i love his family there strange at times but they are the best people i have ever known\n\nok i had to add after reading some other answers ,, as far as the children my children are growing up great learning both religions and able to choose what they believe and as far as that movie that is bull shit its not like that now maybe many years ago but not now.. people have the wrong views on anyone who is different and i think that is so wrong ,
442078
The one that I found out was right!\n\nBut really, if I find out that mine is not perfect, I will probably stick with it unless I actually find evidence of a better one.  I'm tired of changing religions.  This one's my 3rd one.  ;-)
891156
I had this same problem. I was raised Catholic, but very loosely. Religion did not play a major part in my life, but don't think I was ever really an atheist. I started looking into other religions such as different Christian denominations, Hinduism, Bhuddism, Zoroastrianism, Mormonism, Judaism, Sikhism, Shinto, Manicheism, Gnostic Christianity, Wicca and even simply deeper into my original Catholic upbringing. I found them all very interesting, and full of truths, but not complete. Then I looked into Islam and I converted after about a year or so of research  and study of the religion. It just seemed to be what I had already believed all along, for as long as I can remember. \nI'm not saying that you should necesarilly become a Muslim now, but look into it. I would look into other religions on a deeper level and study them to see what makes the most sense and find what you believe (note I say "believe" and "sense" in the same sentence, not "find very interesting"). Until you find something, if you don't come to your own conclusions, just believ in God and do whatyou think is right; there isn't really much room for error there.\nI hope you find what you are looking for.
689413
No, remain Hindu if that's what you want. There are many paths to salvation, not just Islam or not just Christian. My mother is Islamic, my father is Methodist and my sisters and I are Catholic.  We respect each other's religion and we all go to Mass together or to Jouma together or to Church together. We include each other in our different religions.
1155397
Raised without religion. Became Catholic as an adult.
692492
I did convert. as recently as last friday I was a Christian, but I looked around and see how much fun everyone else is having so I convert to a regular person. I feel so free.
834667
Good Question-\n\nI changed from Grk Orthodox to (no title) I just say I am a child of God. It's all about having a relationship with Jesus. It's not about tradition, works or man made rules. Jesus took to the cross all our sins, sicknesses, infirmities and iniquities. I didn't know this until I became a born again Christian and read my Bible. They never told us "Read your Bible" It was not stressed enough.  I was never even taught "how to ask Jesus in my life" nor did I even know about the free gift of salvation. I believed in my mind but not in my heart. \nHere I thought we were the "best religion" the most righteous. Again, it all boils down to having a "relationship" with Jesus.\nI am so thankful to Jesus for opening my eyes and ears to His Truth.\nIt's all about Jesus and all Glory to His Name.\nHallelujah!  **A child of God**!
655725
I had a religious Catholic upbringing at home and school, I chose to go to a co-ed state high school instead of a Catholic all-boys one, quickly learned that not everyone has belief in God.\n\nI  went on to University and mixed with every type of person and gradually the religious conditioning began to fade away but I still half believed in God and would never dare say I didn't believe in case I was struck down on the spot.\n\nI took up buddhism for a time and it cleared my head even more. \n\nQuite recently only a few years ago I was aware that all the religious garbage had finally left my head, I felt clear clean and bright and life made sense more than at any time previously, I still feel that way and I can tell you it's great. But it was a long slow and gradual process, not hard work though. \n\nI'm very pleased to be in charge of my own brain instead of having some religious dogma in charge of it. If you are not  controlling your own brain and thoughts somebody else is ...you can be sure of that (and I don't mean God guys).\n\nProblem is my family, and one especially newly fundamentalist sister..she gets very nasty at times and communication is on hold for time being.
261419
I think that it depends on the person.  My brother went crazy with christianity.  After his mission, he would take things from us that he didn't feel was alright for us to have and would lecture us about the way we live and what we would do.
665347
Yes... I grew up around Amish country in Ohio.  My great-greandparents were Amish, but they "jumped the fence" (left the religion) before they committed to be baptized.  I still have Amish relatives in Indiana, and the family goes there for a huge family reunion in the summer.
24150
My mother is a Jehovah's Witness. I studied with them until I was 14 years of age. Actually, I had it forced down my throat until I became so "rebellious" that I was finally permitted to make my own religious decisions. Growing up it was extremely difficult not being able to participate in any holiday activities, not having birthday presents, or cakes, or parties, or even birthday recognition. Having to leave class at school in 2nd and 3rd grade because they were having a party! Being dragged door to door (them knocking on my door may not count, but being forced to do it at the ages of 6-13 certainly does) watching other kids eating cereal and watching cartoons in their pajamas and I'm dressed for church knocking on the door with my weirdo religious fanatic mother. It is still difficult for me around this time of year. Trying to reconcile in my mind all the issues associated with my Santa deprived childhood. Whew, I needed to get that off my chest! If I had more space, I could tell ya' a million more.