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Is religion a choice?

radcen

radcen

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Is religion a choice?

The question is not as simplistic as it seems on the surface. The question is also aimed at people who are, have been, or claim to be, religious.

Aspects to consider...
  • People are "born into" specific religions/faiths in the sense that their family is of a particular faith
  • This aspect usually means more for some religions/faiths (i.e.: Judiasm, etc.) than others
  • Yes, people do often 'drop out of' their faith and either change faiths or drop religious faith completely, so in that sense it is a choice
  • Yet, some people who do change or drop their faith often still identify in some manner with their previous faith
  • The modern era is lessening this aspect somewhat, especially in western societies, but it still applies definitively in some regions and cultures of the world
So, what say you?
 
It can become a choice once you get past the hesitation to buck authority at all costs. Many of us are thoroughly indoctrinated in it to the point that we can't give it up, because we are afraid to, deep down inside. Some of us rebel, just because we resent our parents for "not giving us a choice", and we become bitter and hateful about religion. Others of us realize that we were indoctrinated, but we examine religion, and come to our own conclusions without the emotional outrage, and we may decide that we don't buy it at all, we buy it lock, stock, and barrel, or we find ourselves somewhere along the continuum, depending on our level of interest and need.

So yeah, I can see that you might think it isn't a choice, and it's true that being raised in a specific religion may be out of your control, but once you reach the ability to make your own choices, you are free to learn all you want, and make your own decisions about what role (if any) religion will have in your life.

In my life, I have gone through several religious phases, even being near-atheistic at one point, but I have settled into a comfortable place with religion, and it has no dogma, nor required hoops to jump through. It is a way of being, mentally and emotionally.
 
radcen said:
Is religion a choice?

The question is not as simplistic as it seems on the surface. The question is also aimed at people who are, have been, or claim to be, religious.

Aspects to consider...
  • People are "born into" specific religions/faiths in the sense that their family is of a particular faith
  • This aspect usually means more for some religions/faiths (i.e.: Judiasm, etc.) than others
  • Yes, people do often 'drop out of' their faith and either change faiths or drop religious faith completely, so in that sense it is a choice
  • Yet, some people who do change or drop their faith often still identify in some manner with their previous faith
  • The modern era is lessening this aspect somewhat, especially in western societies, but it still applies definitively in some regions and cultures of the world
So, what say you?
Click to expand...

I would say mine is a choice. Yes I was born into it, but also I consciously made a choice (as an adult) to believe.
My desire to be baptized again as an adult was to publicly declare and affirm my faith to my God - that it is my own choice and my own desire to belong to Him.
 
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I was born this way......sorry couldn't help myself lol. I believe it is a choice. Exhibit A is Katy Perry. She was raised in a Christian home and taught very fundamental values. Im fairly certain by her actions that she doesn't practice that anymore. There are a lot of examples of this in our worls. Seems like an eash answer to me.
 
Yes, it's a choice. When I was ten I began going to church on my own. It's always been because I want to be there.
 
I think that the choice aspect of it depends upon your upbringing. I too was allowed to go to any church I wished to as a young kind. As a result I got into any church service that I could get into. I never chose a specific religion and I still enjoy services of all kinds.

I think that in the truer sense, in this country, religion really isn't a choice perse until one reaches the age of majority.
 
It's a choice obviously.
 
radcen said:
Is religion a choice?

The question is not as simplistic as it seems on the surface. The question is also aimed at people who are, have been, or claim to be, religious.

Aspects to consider...
  • People are "born into" specific religions/faiths in the sense that their family is of a particular faith
  • This aspect usually means more for some religions/faiths (i.e.: Judiasm, etc.) than others
  • Yes, people do often 'drop out of' their faith and either change faiths or drop religious faith completely, so in that sense it is a choice
  • Yet, some people who do change or drop their faith often still identify in some manner with their previous faith
  • The modern era is lessening this aspect somewhat, especially in western societies, but it still applies definitively in some regions and cultures of the world
So, what say you?
Click to expand...

Great thread topic. Well done.

lizzie said:
It can become a choice once you get past the hesitation to buck authority at all costs. Many of us are thoroughly indoctrinated in it to the point that we can't give it up, because we are afraid to, deep down inside. Some of us rebel, just because we resent our parents for "not giving us a choice", and we become bitter and hateful about religion. Others of us realize that we were indoctrinated, but we examine religion, and come to our own conclusions without the emotional outrage, and we may decide that we don't buy it at all, we buy it lock, stock, and barrel, or we find ourselves somewhere along the continuum, depending on our level of interest and need.

So yeah, I can see that you might think it isn't a choice, and it's true that being raised in a specific religion may be out of your control, but once you reach the ability to make your own choices, you are free to learn all you want, and make your own decisions about what role (if any) religion will have in your life.

In my life, I have gone through several religious phases, even being near-atheistic at one point, but I have settled into a comfortable place with religion, and it has no dogma, nor required hoops to jump through. It is a way of being, mentally and emotionally.
Click to expand...

Very intelligent and well thought out answer. Not to be lazy, but I couldn't have said it better. Maybe in more words, but not better.
 
I would argue that relgion is a choice, but with a small caveat. While, yes, we all ultimately decide what religion we wish to follow (if any), a large portion of that choice is influenced by our cultural upbringing. If one is raised in a predominantely Christian culture, choosing Islam or Hinduism is far less likely. Likewise, if one is raised on New Delhi, choosing Judaism or Wicca is far less likely.

We get to choose, but what choices are presented to us and at what levels of cultural acceptance vary from place to place.
 
radcen said:
Is religion a choice?
Click to expand...
Religion is a choice, but things like God and the truth and reality are not a choice.

Most religions teach a belief in God and that belief is a choice, but God still exist and is active whether anyone believes it or not.

Once we learn the truth and the reality of a living active God (God by any name) then the knowledge of that reality of God is not a belief or a choice.

I know that God is very real and that reality of God is one of the absolute truths, so it is not a belief or a choice for me.

Most people believe the earth is circular (round) but when we know it is round then that becomes more than a belief, and having that knowledge makes it different from a choice.

There are many people who have experienced ghost and or spirits and or Demons (or whatever they are) and then they try to NOT believe as they want to make a choice that there knowledge was not real, but there are such things and such realities that people can not pick and choose.

Now if you simply mean "RELIGION" as in Catholic or Protestant, Islamic or Jewish, Buddhist or whatever religious group - then yes of course we can pick and choose whatever religion we choose.
 
radcen said:
Is religion a choice?
Click to expand...
`
Personally, I'd say yes. I was raised under by God fearing, evangelical Baptists. Between the ages of 12/13, during which certain events occurred, I completely abandon their religion and by default, all organized religions. It was my choice.
`
 
radcen said:
Is religion a choice?

The question is not as simplistic as it seems on the surface. The question is also aimed at people who are, have been, or claim to be, religious.

Aspects to consider...
  • People are "born into" specific religions/faiths in the sense that their family is of a particular faith
  • This aspect usually means more for some religions/faiths (i.e.: Judiasm, etc.) than others
  • Yes, people do often 'drop out of' their faith and either change faiths or drop religious faith completely, so in that sense it is a choice
  • Yet, some people who do change or drop their faith often still identify in some manner with their previous faith
  • The modern era is lessening this aspect somewhat, especially in western societies, but it still applies definitively in some regions and cultures of the world
So, what say you?
Click to expand...

once one loses the fear that accompanies the particular religious teaching that one has been born into, then it becomes a choice

if one cannot lose that fear then it is not a choice
 
radcen said:
Is religion a choice?

The question is not as simplistic as it seems on the surface. The question is also aimed at people who are, have been, or claim to be, religious.

Aspects to consider...
  • People are "born into" specific religions/faiths in the sense that their family is of a particular faith
  • This aspect usually means more for some religions/faiths (i.e.: Judiasm, etc.) than others
  • Yes, people do often 'drop out of' their faith and either change faiths or drop religious faith completely, so in that sense it is a choice
  • Yet, some people who do change or drop their faith often still identify in some manner with their previous faith
  • The modern era is lessening this aspect somewhat, especially in western societies, but it still applies definitively in some regions and cultures of the world
So, what say you?
Click to expand...

As much as political opinions are a Choice ...

I would actually argue that there is no such thing as a non religious person, or a totally non religious, whether they know it or not, everyone has a category or a sense of the sacred.
 
For some it's a choice.

For many it isn't. They will say it is, but it isn't.

They've been brainwashed from the moment they were born. Their "choice" was made for them without their consent long before they could even understand what they were being taught.
 
MarineTpartier said:
I was born this way......sorry couldn't help myself lol. I believe it is a choice. Exhibit A is Katy Perry. She was raised in a Christian home and taught very fundamental values. Im fairly certain by her actions that she doesn't practice that anymore. There are a lot of examples of this in our worls. Seems like an eash answer to me.
Click to expand...

Seriously??? You think Katy Perry is an atheist?

You do realize she can be completely religious, and fully believe in "god" WITHOUT following what her parents (or you) believe she should follow.

Oooh look.... a quick google search: http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/12/31/im-not-a-christian-pop-star-katy-perry-rejects-her-childhood-faith-and-shares-her-current-views-on-theology/

Perry did tell the outlet, though, that she believes in a higher power — a paradigm that holds her accountable.
Click to expand...

Perry also rejected traditional theological labels, but said that, though she has left her evangelical faith behind, she still feels close to the Lord.

“I’m not Buddhist, I’m not Hindu, I’m not Christian, but I still feel like I have a deep connection with God,” she said. “I pray all the time — for self-control, for humility. There’s a lot of gratitude in it. Just saying ‘thank you’ sometimes is better than asking for things.”
Click to expand...

The magazine wrote at the time it was “surprising” to hear Perry talk about God the way she does, “because one would think her religious past is behind her, but she says she still considers herself a Christian.”
Click to expand...


Sounds pretty darn "religious" to me.
 
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Paxaeon said:
`
Personally, I'd say yes. I was raised under by God fearing, evangelical Baptists. Between the ages of 12/13, during which certain events occurred, I completely abandon their religion and by default, all organized religions. It was my choice.
`
Click to expand...

So you're not religious at all? Not all all. Completely void of spirituality? Of any kind?

Or is it that you simply believe something vastly different than what you were taught by your parents?

Two different questions there isn't it?
 
MarineTpartier said:
I was born this way......sorry couldn't help myself lol. I believe it is a choice. Exhibit A is Katy Perry. She was raised in a Christian home and taught very fundamental values. Im fairly certain by her actions that she doesn't practice that anymore. There are a lot of examples of this in our worls. Seems like an eash answer to me.
Click to expand...
`
`
And this is how God fearing Christian women dress......
`
`
Mark_Ballas_Bristol_Palin_Dancing_Stars_2010_gl3.jpg
 
Dragonfly said:
So you're not religious at all? Not all all. Completely void of spirituality? Of any kind? Or is it that you simply believe something vastly different than what you were taught by your parents? Two different questions there isn't it?
Click to expand...
`
I'm a Deist. I believe in the existence of some kind of supreme divinity....whatever it is.
 
radcen said:
Is religion a choice?

The question is not as simplistic as it seems on the surface. The question is also aimed at people who are, have been, or claim to be, religious.

Aspects to consider...
  • People are "born into" specific religions/faiths in the sense that their family is of a particular faith
  • This aspect usually means more for some religions/faiths (i.e.: Judiasm, etc.) than others
  • Yes, people do often 'drop out of' their faith and either change faiths or drop religious faith completely, so in that sense it is a choice
  • Yet, some people who do change or drop their faith often still identify in some manner with their previous faith
  • The modern era is lessening this aspect somewhat, especially in western societies, but it still applies definitively in some regions and cultures of the world
So, what say you?
Click to expand...

It is a choice, but it's not as cut and dry, black and white as other choices. All of the things you listed dramatically influence the way the early brain is formed and how they think for the rest of their lives. If you are raised from birth to believe a certain religious doctrine, it is EXTREMELY difficult to get rid of, not just from familial and societal pressure, but also because your brain has now been hard wired to think that way.

I was raised in an extremely religious family and community, and it took me a good 22 years to shake it. As soon as I finally let go and stepped into the other side, there was never any going back.

It is a choice, and it is possible, but it can be VERY, VERY DIFFICULT. Most people can't deal with the inner rift caused by rejecting something they've been taught since birth, and will continue to believe it, no matter what, because it's easy and comfortable.

Dragonfly said:
So you're not religious at all? Not all all. Completely void of spirituality? Of any kind?

Or is it that you simply believe something vastly different than what you were taught by your parents?

Two different questions there isn't it?
Click to expand...

I, for one, am completely devoid of any religiousness of spirituality. I do have my own personal beliefs on morality, but it is secular in nature involving zero supernaturalism of any kind.
 
Dragonfly said:
So there ya go. You're "religious".
Click to expand...

Deism is not in any way, shape or form a religion, any more than theism or atheism are religions. There is no common core dogma involved in deism and any two deists will disagree on a multitude of topics. There are no holy books, no prophets or central figures, just a belief that there is some god out there. Most deists even believe that god has no influence on the lives of men and animals whatsoever.

There are religions that involve no god, and non-religions that involve a god. Having an opinion on whether god exists or not is not a religion in and of itself. It requires much more than that.
 
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Paxaeon said:
`
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And this is how God fearing Christian women dress......
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Mark_Ballas_Bristol_Palin_Dancing_Stars_2010_gl3.jpg
[/QUOTE
]

What a prude you are. Still have a little of the old Baptist in us, do we?
Click to expand...
 
Religious belief isn't a choice. Religious practice is.

You can't choose whether you believe the Old Testaments was divinely inspired by God as a guide for the Jewish people to live their lives. You either do or don't, based on how the information you've received is processed in your mind.

You can choose whether to eat a bacon sandwich.
 
Dragonfly said:
So there ya go. You're "religious".
Click to expand...
`
According to your definition, I reckon so, but your definition is just one of tens of thousands of other argumentative definitions.
 
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