Does where you live and who your family is affect what religion you follow?
460791
It can, eventually you are going to have to decide what is cool for you and not your family. The Truth is that no matter who you are with, you always have to deal with yourself. Certain beliefs you will come in to contact with will simply not make sense to you, or they will.\n\nI am pretty inquisitive myself, I once asked a priest a question. I had asked him that if the Bible was a true story, how come it NEVER mentions dinosaurs or anything and just starts with Adam and Eve. How is it we have proof that Dinosaurs lived millions and millions of years before we have any proof of Man at all...? And how can you put so much faith in a book that could be someones TWISTED view of how it went down, simply to control masses of people or maybe just because MAN himself is merely Flawed and HUMAN and makes mistakes...as we ALL DO?\n\nThe fact is that, you have to FEEL as you Do...For whatever REASON, you have to go through what ever your life brings you and LEARN FROM IT ALL and DRAW YOUR OWN CONCLUSIONS. Be comfortable with YOU. Find a Religion or Faith that makes you feel good, inside and out. If its the one parents like good for you all. If it is NOT then good for you all. Do what fulfills you. Not what fulfills others, that is thier responisbility.
111646
Dear Sara, I'm from the same country, so I know what you are talking about.\nI don't think your personal religion is something related to others, as you know there is a rule in Islam which says "La Ekraah Fi Din" or "there is no force in accepting Islam".\nAnd you shouldn't tattoo your religion on your forehead, so you can buy a bible and read it if you are interested and talk to a pastor or a priest(There are some churches in your country, I can give you the adresses)\nNo one will kill you or your family, as you may know killing part is only for becoming Pagan 'Mortad' and becoming a christian doesn't mean you are 'Mortad', the only one who I know that being announced to be 'Mortad' is "Salman Roshdi" who has published a book agianst Islam and even he is still alive.\nAnyways don't be that strict, we have freedom of speech, we have transexual sergury, we can change our religions...\nI know many people who became Buhdist and no one killed them or their families.\nI have seen some real anti regim people but they are not as afraid as you and no one have ever harmed their families,  don't worry and try to broaden your political view.
362569
No not at all....I'm thankful I have a religion a faith the opportunity to believe, and regardless of what religion a person may be someone is always going to put "their two cents" in on it...Believe in what's right for you...no one can do this for you....and I feel you shouldn't put others beliefs down either..Think about it my parents were raised catholic...so of course me and my siblings were all raised catholic...if they happened to be Mormon than we would be Mormon...like I said before believe in what's right for you as a person, to me God can tell the difference of people sincerity regardless of "what religion you may be" or "which religion you think is right"....
771391
if you pray to Allah it wont matter what culture your from...your life will improve GARUNTEED!! :)
607249
religion or family believes.
1124324
This completely depends on how strongly you and your girlfriend feel about religion. You have several options:\n\n1. Marry her, but keep your current religions. If either of you come from religious families, marrying outside of your religion may cause a great deal of tension. When my Romanian Jewish father and my Filipino Catholic mother got married, they took this route. Many of my father's Jewish relatives didn't speak to them for several years. However, after I was born, his family members came around and reconciled with my parents. Sometimes, these situations take time. How would your families react, and what are you willing to deal with? How would you want your children to be raised? I celebrated both Christian and Jewish holidays my whole life, and I feel that this gave me a great respect and appreciation for religious customs. However, if raising your children as Muslims is important to you, now is the time to talk about these things.\n\n2. She converts to Islam. This could also work. My friend is half-Pakistani and half-Filipino, and her Filipino mother converted to Islam when she married her father. Her mother's side of the family was not very happy about it, but religious conversion is a very personal choice, so no one really held that against her. Talk to your wife about her feelings on this topic. Tell her that you would like to marry her, but that you are concerned about the fact that she is not the same religion as you. Ask her if she would be open to learning more about your religion and, if it feels right to her (no pressure, of course!), would she ever think about becoming a Muslim and raising a family together in Islam? \n\n3. You convert to her religion. This doesn't seem like something you are considering, but it's similar to #2 above, so I'll just cut to #4...\n\n4. None of the above. Yes, it's possible that neither of you are willing to change your religion or imagine a marriage/life with someone of a different religion. If this is the case, it's going to be a very tough decision. It sounds like you love her enough to want to marry her, but the religious difference is a stumbling block. Can you live without this woman in your life? Or, can you find an acceptable compromise that both of you will be happy with?  This situation is very common, and it can definitely work! My parents have been married now for over 30 years. :)  Good luck!
717849
Why do you ask such a question? Anyway, born and raised a christian. I know I'm answering your question, but tell me this, would that matter to you, if you met a decent, respectful person of a religion different from your own?
272219
Absolutely! I am Wiccan, my mother is Roman Catholic, my dad is does not conform to any one religion but does believe in a higher power, my family-in-law-to-be is entirely LDS (Mormon), and I have friends of various Christian, Pagan, and personal faiths.\n\nI am able to talk openly and honestly with all of them, and them with me, because we do not judge each other on each other's faiths. We will often talk about it, but not to preach - to LEARN. We share views, ideas, philosophies, thoughts, etc. and help each other build faith in each other's beliefs by doing so.\n\nQuestioning your own faith, and even comparing it to others, is spiritually healthy. There are two outcomes: (1) you find flaws in your religion, and in learning about others, find one that makes more sense; (2) you are able to uphold your religion against any argument and/or skepticism and thus grow even more faithful (regardless of whether it convinces anyone else or not, and if it doesn't, it doesn't matter). Either way you are able to grow, flourish, and thrive spiritually.
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.
67320
Absolutely NO WAY! I could not do that because I am happy with my religion. I don't let people affect my decisions. I make my own. I hope you don't let this "someone" change your religion.
1159430
I moved this answer over here and edited it:\n\nWoodlands is mainly transplants such as yourself. The religious freaks are mainly in east Texas (Tyler, Longview, Nacogdoches, etc.) and rural areas.\n\nThe Houston area is dominated by Hispanics, most of whom are Catholic. Don't let the crucifixes fool you. Hispanics seem to like the pageantry and rituals but they aren't real big on bible thumping.\n\nThe religion thing shouldn't be a problem.
1078918
The only thing that matters is my personal relationship with Jesus Christ; the only place I "go" to worship on any day, is to Him in Prayer.\n\nGod Bless.  He's a lot nicer God than that one we grew up with!
1106706
My family is Christian. I had a co-worker who was Muslim. My best friend growing up was Jewish. I had a Ba'hai friend that I corresponded letters with. I know a lady who is a Rosicrucian. My father goes to Church of Religious Science. I think my sister is agnostic, not into anything. I had a Buddhist friend before. I know a guy online who is Wiccan. I have a new friend now who is Sikh but he cuts his hair off. I knew a Lakota shaman during college. I've known several people who practiced Native American spirituality. Now that I am a practicing Hindu, I am making more and more new friends of the same faith. I have also known several atheists as well.\n\nWhat a diverse world we all live in!? Now if everybody could just simple Love each one of us as One Family under one God/Creator!
581127
don't live on that side of the country but I would assume Baptist lol
28419
I knew a woman from a Muslim country who left her religion, Islam, and became a Christian.  I am also a Christian but the way we carry out our faith is totally different.  The way we pray, prepare our foods, dress and interact with men are totally influenced by our respective cultures.  So even though I think it is impossible to totally separate culture and religion, I have seen that culture is harder to change.
937506
I am afraid you will not find good data on this. In many countries you are forced to be islamic. If you don't convert you will be killed. Hear of Dar fur? This is not across the board but it is huge. Many people are disowned by their families if they leave. Here is a link to one guy I know left Isam.
75381
Legally, yes. Your religious beliefs do not matter in the eyes of the law. From a religious standpoint it could be problematic.