Are people inherently religious, or is religion something that comes from outside of us?

Question

Are people inherently religious (i.e., born with religious yearnings encoded in their DNA)--or is religion something that comes from outside of us (e.g., from God, or the government, or your parents)?

Answer 1

I think that people have an inherent need to believe in something larger than themselves. Also, people have a need to believe that life has meaning, and that there is a reason behind all the senselessness in the world. So, a person's spirituality comes from within.
Religion, on the other hand, is taught. Most of the teachings are designed to fill people's inherent spiritual needs, such as explaining what happens to people when they die.
While the need to believe that your loved one has moved on to a "better place" is universal, the details regarding exactly what that "better place" is like, and how people get there, varies by religion.

Answer 2

There is thought that people could be wired for it, but considering there are many who do not believe in gods, and it's far too many people for it to be just missing or bad wiring... Because of that I'd say it comes from outside and is taken in yourself.

Humans by nature are curious and have the need to try to make sense of our world, largely because we are so smart and can think more widely then most animals, but I think we are at a time now where we are understanding more of it so that many of us now don't have that need to for belief.

You could say that we inherently have mental blanks to fill in, but the type of filling is not inherent.

Answer 3

Human beings are inherently born with a void that will need to be filled with Truth before it is ever totally satisfied. Originally Men came with a Spirit of Truth in them. This is what we call God. God is the spirit of Pure unadulteated TRUTH. When men fell from grace shortly after they were created, they no longer had TRUTH in them, at least it was not illuminated. Truth is truth no matter what, so it is there, even when we cannot preceive it. It takes the Spirit of God to come into your life to get back to the original plan. That has to be acheived through the acceptance of Jesus Christ as your personel savior. This is not about religion it is about a plan that the Creator put together as a way for reconcillation to Himself. Until that happens we will chase religions, sex, drugs, and whatever will give us a sense of a truth. Not the truth,but a tempory fix for the empty place. Until Truth it's self is in it proper place in us, we will continue to chase it.

Answer 4

I think that religion comes to people from other people. If no one was taught about jesus or muhammad or anybody else, they wouldnt just be born knowing that any of them existed. Religion and reasons for thing that happen are taught to us, and we can accept or deny those beliefs (because in the end, they are just beliefs, not facts) However, i DO think that people tend towards divine explanations for life...although that might just be becasue that's all thats taughtt...hmm, yeah, religion comes from the outside.

Answer 5

I would say neither. A wise man once said..."you are the sum of your experiences", but I believe that to be only partly true. If you were simply the person I see on the outside, then none of us would amount to much. If I look deeper, you become a collection of cells, bound together by proteins that have electrical responses to various stimuli.
Thus, if you are simply what I see, then you are just a pile of chemicals. But you are more than that. You are spirit. There is your link and likeness to God. In sin, we are separated from God, and it is this separation that draws us to reconnect to God. So, it doesn't come from outside, and its not in our DNA...it is simply a need to be whole again.

Answer 6

excellent question but it has as many answers as the number of people living on this planet. no DNA --findings for sure. DNA measures..known facts --things you can find in every human being. religious beliefs is not included in there -- for sure. re. your concept of government interference, authority at the time..or at present, parents, your education, your environment etc...all have something to do with it. the question is complex and so is the answer -- better try to live with it...and you will grow...with it ...and who knows you might even change and mature in its understanding. you see, DNA of a human being does not change with time, but the belief in religion does change. the proof is in the pudding. enjoy.

Answer 7

There is actually quite a bit of research that shows religion is evolutionarily advantageous, and that there are numerous biochemical reactions that occur in the brain that are associated with religious experiences. For example, with two electrodes, placed in precisely the right spot in your brain, with the slightest pulse of energy, I can make you see god. WIth the right combination of chemicals, I can make you see god. Most of these events can occur naturally too, without external stimulation or by injestion of specific plants.

So yes, it is logical to conclude that an inclination towards religion is in fact written in our genes, and that those who choose not to pursue religion either have different genes or simply express them in a different manner.

Answer 8

Kids can be taught about God. Parents baptized me at age 5 and I was born again at 22. Angels protect baptized people and they will be called to the truth at some point and hopefully accept it if theyre small when baptized. God does give the Holy spirit when people accept him and become baptized as adults or even when they show interest like I did in 76

Answer 9

Religion comes from the outside, but our spirituality is within us we are born with that...I do not believe anybody can be true to there religious beliefs without being fully aware and connected to there spirituality regardless of what religion they decide to go with in life.

Our family can raise in whatever religious beliefs they have but your spirituality may change your path in life to something different than your family's.

It is within yourself that you have to find your path in life. Only you know what is right in your own heart....And nobody will be able to tell you differently.

Many blessings

Answer 10

every person is born into a family that believes in a certain religion or spirituality concept or none, it is still an option for the newcomer to this temporary residence to use the mind power ,if possible, to make any decisions that the person feel is right to there understanding.