I know for a fact that I don't believe in religion at all but I'm officially a Christian for socioeconomic reasons.
I don't really get what you mean by socioeconomic reasons. Unless you're running a church, what difference does it make?
(Didn't vote -- I'm an atheist.)
Whether or not you are religious can potentially have a big impact on your socioeconomic networking in life.
Another example would be I sleep with (and want to continue doing so) pretty Christian women. Obviously, me officially being a Christian helps that along nicely.
So you just got your driver's license or does mom still drive you around with your dates?
I'm 27..
So you just got your driver's license or does mom still drive you around with your dates?
I'm 27..
I am religious for the psychological advantages. There was a short period in my life that I considered myself an atheist, and I felt that it did nothing to improve my life; if anything, I felt depressed and pessimistic much of the time. I eventually got back into being a Christian (but not a member of any church or branch of Christianity, as I do not trust organized religion), and have found no reason to regret my decision. I've never felt the kind of sweeping passion for my religion that some people describe, but I take comfort in my religious principles; they make the bad times more bearable and the good times more enjoyable.
But as for socioeconomic reasons, no. Haven't considered those, actually. Guess it's an INTJ thing.
I hear ya.
I personally have found it's simply easier to conform and reap the societal benefits of being a Christian even though I'm extremely secular.
I can definitely tell that I advance more in my career, get higher socioeconomic status women and just in general get treated better when I wear a cross or advocate my Christianity subtly so on a social level. I do it strictly for the benefits of which there are many, that said, I could never believe in religion on a logical level ever.
I hear ya.
I personally have found it's simply easier to conform and reap the societal benefits of being a Christian even though I'm extremely secular.
I can definitely tell that I advance more in my career, get higher socioeconomic status women and just in general get treated better when I wear a cross or advocate my Christianity subtly so on a social level. I do it strictly for the benefits of which there are many, that said, I could never believe in religion on a logical level ever.
I don't really get what you mean by socioeconomic reasons. Unless you're running a church, what difference does it make?
(Didn't vote -- I'm an atheist.)
I think you underestimate the importance of religious communal networks and social acceptance/stature. It's why a Jewish parent might go to Temple for the High Holidays and send his kids to Hebrew School even though he's an atheist, or why a Catholic might do the same for CCD and Mass. You do it to maintain the acceptance of your peers, the ease of networking with your religious peers, access to opportunities you might not otherwise receive, and avoiding the potential glare of being a non-believer.
What he's also really asking in a way is: Do you conform to the religion you were raised with because of the value of conforming?
I think you underestimate the importance of religious communal networks and social acceptance/stature. It's why a Jewish parent might go to Temple for the High Holidays and send his kids to Hebrew School even though he's an atheist, or why a Catholic might do the same for CCD and Mass. You do it to maintain the acceptance of your peers, the ease of networking with your religious peers, access to opportunities you might not otherwise receive, and avoiding the potential glare of being a non-believer.
What he's also really asking in a way is: Do you conform to the religion you were raised with because of the value of conforming?
I believe in religion. It does exist. I just don't believe in God.
What he's also really asking in a way is: Do you conform to the religion you were raised with because of the value of conforming?
That's the funny thing with discussions of Deism that I never guite got.
It's quite possible to be theologically a Deist, while claiming and even actively participating in an established religion for a host of other options.
In general, when asked my religion I say Christian, as its generally simpler in situations where I don't feel like getting in depth about it with the person. I was raised Christian, if I go to church currently it's to a christian church, when I generally think or offer a prayer to a "god" it's in the Christian mold, and in general I live my life guided by a moral code that was highly influenced by Christian morality. However, when I have time or desire to actually sit and discuss with people I'm probably far closet to a Deist or Agnostic as opposed to a true Christian.
I know for a fact that I don't believe in religion at all but I'm officially a Christian for socioeconomic reasons.
Whether or not you are religious can potentially have a big impact on your socioeconomic networking in life.
Another example would be I sleep with (and want to continue doing so) pretty Christian women. Obviously, me officially being a Christian helps that along nicely.
Have you ever heard of secular Jews? You're similar, but Christian.I hear ya. I personally have found it's simply easier to conform and reap the societal benefits of being a Christian even though I'm extremely secular.
You are a prime example of what I've always called the "social Christian". You don't really buy into the beliefs, you pretend to do so because you think it makes you look better to the neighbors. I think the vast majority of people who claim to be Christians are actually "social Christians". They don't care about the Bible, they have no idea what they're supposed to believe but wearing a cross or showing up at church for networking purposes now and then gets them somewhere socially.