Do you think religion like sexuality is something you are born with?

Question

This study would suggest that at least religion is:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/story/0,,1864748,00.html

It seemed odd to me that so many people in the religious section were so willing to believe that religion is hardwired into people but not sexuality.

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ao6mNydTNXxw5FYi31UUO1Tsy6IX?qid=20060904212112AABi41J

Answer 1

Well, I'll say two things: First, I think spirituatlity is probably hard-wired in people, but that doesn't mean that it will be intense in everyone. I think there are certain people who have a much higher sense (or intelligence) about spiritual matters than others.

Second, there are some religious people who use religion as a weapon because they have no other strong psychological tools to deal with those they disagree with or who are different from them. I will go so far to say that these people probably don't have much of a spiritual intelligence about them at all and might very well be mentally ill.

Answer 2

Religion is not but I beleive that principles/morals/whatever you want to call them are. Most people that I know wil disagree with me, but I think that somehow- through a divine design, the coding of instinct, or a really convenient random chance- that we are given, from birth, the innate knowledge of basic right and wrong priciples- and we utilize them- or are persuaded to by the will of our consciousness to follow them- as soon as we are old enough to comprehend such concepts. Of course- we don't always listen. But I think this is why a lot fo religions fundamentally end up being founded on similar ideas- and why someone might think that a person could be born with religion in them.

Answer 3

Yep, just like the ability to buy into commercials and vote for idiots like George Bush. There's a basic psychological need for security and it doesn't take all that much to scare a child and twist their minds. I am always amazed when talking with well educated people, especially scientifically trained ones, that they continue to believe the magical passages in the Bible. That's gotta be tapping something hard wired in human nature. However, like I said, it gets tapped for a lot of other stuff, too. Some people are sheeple. They are just more susceptible to following and fantastical thinking, but that has nothing to do with *religion* itself being hard wired.

PS - sexual orientation is wired in.

Answer 4

In terms of religion I guess you're either a questioner or an acceptor. I was forced to be religious when I went to school, but I questioned it and rejected it. So maybe I was born to not immediately accept everything I'm told to believe, I'm not too sure. I do believe you're born with your sexuality whatever it may be, that's not a choice to make. Interesting question though.

Answer 5

You see, there is much more 'hard' evidence to suggest sexuality is something you're born with than religion. Think about religion and essentially what people are saying who think you are born with religion is about as intelligent as saying you are born with the ability to driveon the face of it.

However people who say you are born with religion are probably (intentionally or otherwise!) pointing to spirituality which is a valid point - you are born into a basic spirituality which develops as you grow older and life determines your path. Sexuality and spirituality are very closely tied together. Sexuality is more than about who you choose to have sex with it is about who you are attracted to, how you choose to define your relationships with others. Therefore following that argument through, if you are being honest with yourself religion and sexuality have a far stronger link than most people realise and that link goes beyond any bigotry or manmade rules!

Therefore religion and sexuality are things you can be born with depending on your definition.

Answer 6

Sure, both are "hardwired" into us. There is something in every human that at somepoint ponders his or her creator. There is something in every human that recognizes the sex drive desires. Now, as to which religion? There is no study now or ever that will identify a Baptist gene or a Presbyterian gene or even a Buddhist gene. Now, as to which sexual preference? The genes say go, but we say where we go.

Answer 7

I myself am wiccan, so my perspective may be different from many others who are agnostic or christian. For me, religion is somewhat hardwired in people. If everyone were given a chance to sample each religion and pick which one suits them best, people would pick a religion that meshes with who they. Since who they are is a combination of past experiences AND genetics, religion is somewhat hardwired to us. I guess I would have to say that it would vary from sexuality in that past experiences also play a part. I guess you could argue then that sexual attraction and expression would be similar to religion then because some would say that that is also influenced by our past experiences.

Disclaimer: I am not saying that sexual preference is a learned trait. I'm merely saying that the expression of it is, to some extent shaped by our past experiences.

Answer 8

The apostle Paul would hole people's coats while they stoned
christians to death.While on a trip Jesus appeared and knocked
him off his donkey said"Paul,Paul why doest thou persecute me".
He became one of the greatest christians of all. A lot of people
that are christians had a sinful past, but some event made them
wake up. I once told a pastor that when I accepted Jesus as my lord and savior, all the demons cried that day. we have lost a good one. Because of what Adam and Eve done we were born
into sin. Sin is what we are born with and usually takes an event
from GOD to wake us up.

Answer 9

absolutely not. You are raised in a religion, or not. Usually when you are raised in a religion even if you give it up later in life, in times of trial you revert to that which you have been taught as a child. (not always)

I myself am a follower of the Tao and know religion to be a learned system of beliefs. Sexuality is equally changeable based upon your own bliss, (that which pleases you most) and is not necessarily genetic.

Answer 10

Religion is not hardwired into people. Although most would agree that the ability to accept and believe is.