2006-09-11 17:43:01 · 10 answers · asked by Joseph P 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Religion to my mind is not really about an answer to the question of identity. As a Christian, I know that religion is about an answer to the question of eternity.
What I mean is this: its not about such things as " I'm from India so I am or should be a Hindu, or I'm from Saudi Arabia so I am or should be a Muslim".
Ultimately, each individual has to resolve for himself the question "where do I go from here? When this life ends (and end it indeed will), where do I spend eternity?"
Jesus Christ said, in The Gospel according to St. John chapter14 verses 1-3: " Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my father's house are many mansions; if it were not so I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself: that where I am there ye may be also".
I believe this is the answer. An individual's identity in terms of their religion is really about whose they are (Christ's vs. others') in this world and where they're headed in the one to come.
Accept Christ into your life and you'll have sorted out the issue of your spiritual identity and your eternal identity out in one go, once and for all.
I urge you to do it today. Delay could be dangerous.
God bless you.
2006-09-11 18:18:38 · answer #1 · answered by listen_up 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Joseph P,
Some of us Christians are given an identity by becoming a Christian. It defines us greatly. It gives us something worthwhile to stand for. I gives us a way to go, a place to set our desires upon. We by definition are aware of our ability to screw things up, to hurt people, to hurt ourselves, and to realize that we are not perfect.
Above it all, we know that there are promises that God gave us, to give us hope, and a way out of our everyday problems, and our spiritual problem which impedes us to do rightly.
So this Christianity goes to the deepest part of us, to make us willing to do anything for anyone, and less for ourselves. That's going to change anyone, because our nature is to snatch back control, put ourselves at the forefront, and love ourselves more than others.
2006-09-11 18:01:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion to me is an independent expression of your morals and value systems. I believe that we all live by a code of morals and ethic's and religion or the belief in a higher power enter into all we do, say and our very beings. There are certain things you grow up with be in a ritualistic experience or a personal relationship. I will say it is my gage for my behavior.
2006-09-11 17:49:02 · answer #3 · answered by Katherine C 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
to have a religion is to have a way of life. a certain lifestyle. being spiritual can improve your identity or it can be harmful to others and yourself. It makes you happy, makes you feel like you belong in something, makes you focused and you find meaning in life too.
2006-09-11 17:59:58 · answer #4 · answered by energens 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how much your religion influences you. For very religious people, it is a checklist for every action taken, every opinion formed. Consider the popular phrase "What would Jesus do?" that some Christians use to influence their desicions.
2006-09-11 17:56:17 · answer #5 · answered by geoffreythorp 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Different people define themselves in different ways.
Some by their jobs, some by their relationships, some by their beliefs.
2006-09-11 17:51:20 · answer #6 · answered by coragryph 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you're a conformist, it may be very important.
2006-09-11 17:44:53 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
to grow stonger in gods will for a person with faith. my opion?
2006-09-11 17:49:21 · answer #8 · answered by the_silverfoxx 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It lets you tell God where you stand with Him.
2006-09-11 17:48:40 · answer #9 · answered by da chet 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
we are all identified to God through Jesus Christ
2006-09-11 17:56:12 · answer #10 · answered by papaofgirlmegan 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋