Has your chosen religion (or lack thereof) caused you to....?

Question

become a better version of yourself? or has it made you elitist? has it given you a true sense of peace? or has it made you leary of anyone different from you? has your faith caused you to look beyond yourself to the needs of others? or just to the needs of yourself or those with whom you associate?

Basically, are you a better human b/c of your religion? is the world a better place b/c you are religious?

Answer 1

The irony of your question is that, to the eight questions you ask, you've really presented "both sides of the coin" to four questions. For example, how can a person be "a better version of" oneself, and not be "elitest" to some extent. Any improvement in oneself is going to be leaving some people behind, or "beneath" you, or it couldn't be seen as an improvement. So, to the people who have stayed behind, out of their own choosing, it will be natural "look up to", maybe out of jealousy and spite rather than admiration, those who have gone "forward and upward". And to anyone who has gone "forward and upward" in a look for inner peace in their religion or belief, it would be natural to be "leary of" those who have chosen not to follow that path to inner peace that they have so pursued so strongly, since those who have not chosen the same path are in areas where the "newly religious", if you will, once were, and no longer wanted to be because of the weaknesses and pitfalls of those areas. And if you look beyond yourself to the needs of others, isn't it natural that you also keep the needs of your own and your fellow faithful in mind so that they can remain strong in their inner peace and more capably help others? And consequentially, if you have that inner peace and are helpful to yourself and others of "the faithful", and therefore to "others", isn't it automatic, by definition, that you are a better person and the world a better place because of your faith? You see, it's not an "either / or" situation. It's an "either / and" situation, and you have ingeniously addressed four aspects of those pairings in your question. Maybe unintentionally, but, nontheless, perfectly. God Bless you.

Answer 2

It is my relationship with God that has changed my perspective of the the world and yes it has made me a way better person. I have found peace and kindness towards others and I found a conscious when before I had none. I love the Lord and will do every thing he asks of me to help other people out within his will, my faith in Christ is what keeps me going daily, I work with sick people and I too have a sickness I believe that the Lord has placed me in my profession because of my undying faith in his healing mercy, love, & kindness I don't believe in religion too many of them.
Is the world a better place because of my beliefs I doubt it, but if I can make atleast 2people feel better about themselves and Gods plan for them everyday then I am making a difference for the Kingdom.

Answer 3

'Scuze me a second, Journey, while I talk to BASKETCASE.

BASKETCASE --- run, don't walk, away from that abuser. God doesn't expect any woman to take abuse from her husband.

Get to a battered wives center (almost every phone book has a number you can call---my city has one run by Christians) where you can get advice and hide out from him for awhile. If you don't believe me that God doesn't expect you to stay, please read the story of Abigail (who was married to the "churlish" man). God gave her abusive husband HIS, and blessed Abigail instead. (1 Samuel 25.)

Journey---If I said yes to all those, it might sound like I was bragging on myself, because the world is SUCH A TOTALLY BETTER PLACE BECAUSE OF THE NEW ME. *wink* So instead I will brag on that true sense of peace that Jesus gives, that "peace that surpasses all understanding." I have been through some very sad things since I was a Christian, and because of the "fellowship of the suffering of Christ" I have actually experienced something I call "transcendent suffering." I can be desperately sad and confused about some terrible thing that has happened to someone I love (or to me), and at the same time feel a quiet, confident joy, this very sweet presence of Christ near me. I see the bleeding hands and the brow with thorns in it, and I know He knows what it is to hurt, and how to keep on being faithful and true to God through it all.

Answer 4

religion guides a person to clear thinking. it prevents a lot of anger, rage, hatred, jealousy, etc...all the negative impulses that humans have. it gives a person a sense of peace because when logic and fear of committing a sin will help a person become a better person. your actions will then be controlled and judged prior to them taking place. you will take into consideration the effects and consequences of every action before it is even done. You will think of others..etc. the list is endless of how a person can become better through discipline and abiding by GOD's laws. as far as I'm concerned it has made me a better person because I don't think of "now", I think of "later" which is the most important thing. the world isn't a better place because one person chooses to be religious. the world would be a much better place if people respected all religions and practiced their own as it was supposed to be practiced. rather than the "reformed" groups that alter GOD's commands. religion isn't meant to be reformed..it's meant to be practiced. times have changed but people have never changed.

Answer 5

Yes. I am a Christian. I follow the teachings of Jesus and the Word of the Lord (the Bible). I believe to be a true Christian you must know the Word of the Lord, live the Word of the Lord, and share the Word of the Lord with others. My life is a reflection of my beliefs. I give of my money and time freely. I volunteer with several organizations who help those in need. I show love and compassion to all mankind - even those who offend me. I am definitely a better person because of my faith in the Lord.

Answer 6

Yes definitely my faith has caused to me stretch outside of myself. No I'm not leary of people different from me. I believe I am more compassionate than I ever could have been. I think I would be bitter with the tough stuff that's happened in our lives but I'm not. I'm actually quite at peace. I'm learning more to let go of grudges and unforgiveness and not get so angry over stuff if I think I've been slighted. Yes faith in Christ encourages you to reach out to others and be giving of your resources.

Answer 7

I most definately am a better version of myself. In fact, you could say that the old me is long gone and I am new and improved. There is an old lie going around that people cannot change, they just hide the bad parts and try to suppress them.

I do not do copius amounts of drugs anymore, I am not an addict anymore. An addict still craves the thing(s) they were addicted to. Jesus has totally delivered me from that aspect of my old life! Even to the point that I can go around the people I used to hang with and not be tempted by that crap anymore!

I think that the gift of faith I recieved has helped me to look out for the needs of other people. I hope I will see God and hear him say, "Enter in thou good and faithful servent..."

But I do not practice religion. I am in a personal relationship with my creator.

Answer 8

I think it makes me a better and happier person and allows me to have a better effect on my own little part of the world to be Pagan.

Then again, I think all of us choose our religious beliefs (or lack of) based on our own personal needs and temperaments, at least in countries where that is allowed. I don't think I'm any exception.

Answer 9

Better, I no longer drink and drive thereby endangering other peoples lives.
I stay home with my family and spend time doing constructive things at the church. I belong to a christian motorcycle club that participates in fund raisers for good causes and my grandchildren often come to church with me when they spend the weekend helping them to become better citizens..

Definitely better than when I was not really dedicated as a christian....

Answer 10

Fabulous question!

I would hope that any Christian who reads this question will be able to answer to the positive.

If any are in doubt, take a look at Matthew 25. It's not just about ourselves -- there's more to it than a "personal relationship" and salvation.