How different or alike are your religious beliefs from the household where you lived as a child (say, age 10)?

Question

Are your beliefs in total harmony with those of your childhood family? Or are your beliefs a variation on the childhood theme (for example, you may have become Baptist after growing up Episcopalian)? Or alternatively, are your beliefs better described as an entirely different song of faith or non-faith, one that no one in your family would recognize or understand?

Answer 1

Initially my family didn't have much in the way of beliefs. My dad and mother were Christian, but my dad didn't go to church all too often, but rather attended on Christmas. However, when he attended one year, the priest was bellyaching about people who only show up for Christmas, and he decided not to attend then if they didn't want him there. That being said, my earliest years weren't particuarly religious, but there was always the assumption that christianity was correct (though church was unnessecary).

However, after the divorce, my mother began to become increasingly religious. Since she had partial custody, with me visiting her every other weekend, I visited church every other sunday. However, I never much saw this as being something necessary or desirable, and eventually I managed to protest it. After I was no longer exposed to Christian religion with frequency, I developed the concept (the "Fruit of Knowledge" so to speak) that it might not actually be right (gasp). So I became an athiest, and was that way for a long time. But eventually I came to the realization that athiesm is just an assumption about reality, believing things in the same way that any other religion is, and came to the ultimate conclusion that I didn't know whether or not god existed, and decided to be an agnostic. After some time, I developed the idea that not only did I believe I didn't know, but also that I could not know, and took on the mantle of agnostic specifically because I not only didn't know, but also didn't care. An earlier person I had encountered earlier on had professed that to be an agnostic you don't know about god so you search for answers, but I always found that to be unreasonable: the answers can't be found.

So I've had some various philosophical changes, but I don't really know much I'm different. If my mother had managed to get me still going to church, I doubt I would have defected from Christianity. Whether that's a good or a bad thing is anyone's guess.

Answer 2

I remember being extremely worried as a child about Dad because he didn't go to church with us. But ~ Then Dad(raised Methodist) was baptized, went to church(Church of Christ) for ONE service. The sermon was based on giving money to the church, and Dad never went again. I've been sort of a Christian rebel since with a basic concept of 'those people' are ONLY human beings with many differing limits and abilities, as we ALL are.

Two siblings(the youngest of four) went the 'holy roller' route, which was generally appreciated simply because it helped them. But, there was no give or take when it came to their 'enlightened' influences on the rest of us toward 'reforming' our neglect of church attendance, types of differing involvement, or generally non-religious lifestyles. A few 'judgment' battles here and there, and the 'holy roller' instincts lessened.

Now ~ We all share a level of recognition and understanding that maintains religious beliefs as independently held, and in general, respected. In short, God, and the unity of generally religious beliefs will always be a part of our family's lives, and we independently choose, and respect the levels of belief and influence. In Mom and Dad's day ~ there was no such unity regarding independent needs, religious or not, and very little tolerance.

It wasn't easily developed even within the confines of our small family, and still meets plenty of judging opposition among the religiously religious. Life does have rules that apply to all lives, understood or not ~ an entirely different song of faith, or non-faith describes it very well.

Answer 3

Mine are entirely different now. I was raised Presbyterian and now I'm an atheist. But, my dad hasn't been religious since he went through a year of seminary (he just let my mom take us to church) so he'd at least understand my view (I think he's probably agnostic). My mom and sister seem to think that atheist is the worst thing someone can be. So, if it wasn't already obvious, I haven't told anyone in my family that I'm an atheist...no need to create turmoil unless the topic comes up.

Answer 4

I grew up as a fairly strict Roman Catholic, and I still am one. I find that it really works for me, it's not just because I was raised that way. I'm about as strict a Catholic as most of you will meet, for my middle aged age :-)

I am just a little less strict. I don't think it's a parent's role to totally control their older kids, so, while I'm not thrilled with it, I'm being relaxed and occas. dropping hints about my 21 yr old daughter's behaviors that I'd wish she would change (e.g, staying over night often at her boyfriend's), rather than be harsh and controlling like my mom was. I'm also not in a panic over her drinking at college. My mom and I don't have a good relationship these 35 years later (since my teen years).

Also, I felt free, after a lot of thought, to leave my abusive ex-husband. My mom and sisters still aren't over that and think I left him too lightly and just should have stayed.

But I have a wonderful, close, sincere and dedicated relationship with God. It's great!

Answer 5

I was raised in a religion some people refer to as a cult. When I was 16, my parents said I was old enough to choose for myself...so I quit going to church. Years later, I felt a deep emptiness that nothing could satisfy. I spoke His name, as if to curse, and He was there, as if waiting to greet me. Later I found out that a certain family had been praying for me for a long time, and I appreciate that. I also appreciate that I was raised in a home where God was important, and even though now I reject that particular religion. It wasn't so radical as it was impersonal, more about positive thinking then personal relationship. But it gave a me a concept of God, from which I
was able to return to in later years. My family, now gone, didn't disown me. They could see how my life had changed, and probably heaved a sigh of relief.

Answer 6

I was raised in a Catholic home, but never felt comfortable or got anything out of the Catholic church. I tried to go to different churches, studied other religions, but the one true religion (I've now been practicing for 20+ years) that fits me and my soul is Wicca.

My family was a bit shocked in the beginning, but now all of my family agrees that I'm more focused and more spiritual.

Have a lovely rest of the evening.

Answer 7

I was raised in the Church of Christ. It was a real fire and damnation type of church. The pastors and youth ministers always told us what you were doing wrong and didn't say, but implied, that you'd better stop or else..... It was horrible! I always thought I was going to Hell. I remember one time I was singing a church song that we'd learned in a devotion as I was getting on the bus, and the youth minister called my mom and told her I was dancing. I may have unconsciously swayed my hips or something to the rhythm of the song--completely unintentional.

When I married my husband convinced me to go to his church. it was Lutheran. I agreed, but I was scared at first, because the COC had spent so much time convincing us that we'd go to Hell if we went to any other denomination other than COC. But there I was taught and began to understand that God is a perfect parent, so He's not keen on sending his children to Hell. I learned that Christ forgives us always, not just if we remember to ask for forgiveness. Because our salvation is about what God does not what we do. I felt 10 million times better and worship became a joy rather than a continual penance.

Answer 8

That's hard for me to answer. I go to the same church, but I believe differently.

My family went for show. So much of what was enforced or practiced in our home was pretty twisted.

When I was old enough to learn on my own, I found that I believed much of what I was taught at church, but with a little variation.

Sure, there are some of my interpretations that my family disagrees with. There are even some that the rest of my congregation disagrees with. But basic principles are the same.

Answer 9

I was raised Catholic, in a practicing family.
I believe in essentially the same way I was raised, in terms of theology, but chose to focus on my relationship with the Lord first, instead of, but not necessarily at the expense of the church itself. That does not mean I became loose in following the 10C's, but rather I look to my salvation from Christ, and not by reciting this prayer for this occasion, and making my Sunday "obligation".
Older Catholics from ethnic families tended to view the rituals and traditions of the church as primary, and didn't spend too much time with the Bible, and went to their priest for everything, spiritual, financial, family matters, you name it.

Answer 10

My mom didn't take us to church, we spent most of the time with grandma and she raised us in a Nazarene church. Then I went to a Baptist church and I don't believe some of the same things. I now go to a church where we raise our hands in praise, shout out if we need/want, we lay hands and watch God heal, basically your really spiritual Pentecostal/Non Denominational. It's awesome.OH, they speak in tongues there too, but I don't have that gift.