How has the religion you grew up with influenced you to this day, even if you left that religion?

Answer 1

I didn't leave the religion I grew up in. I was (and am) Episcopalian. The church has influenced me greatly. I'm in awe of its sense of ritual and beauty, and I love watching the liturgical seasons changing with the seasons of the year (before long, we'll be coming into Advent, one of the most joyous times in the church calendar). I love the sense of timelessness, and I suppose that I take a lot of my aesthetic cues from the church (I love antiquated, historically significant things, as opposed to flaky, fly-by-night pop culture). The beauty of the church and the richness of its liturgy reflects the glory of God, and I feel a deep sense of thankfulness toward the Lord.

Answer 2

When I was growing up religion wasn't a part of my family. We were...nothing I guess. Then when I was nine or so I went to church with a friend and they made me accept Jesus into my heart (at the time it never occurred to me that they couldn't make me do that). Later in high school I became a Buddhist and then eventually a deist, which by the way, I still am today. However every now and again I wonder if I'm going to hell for not being Christian.

Answer 3

I was baptized and raised Catholic. I suppose the only way it's influenced me to this day is having instilled an early taste for a good red wine.

Not to undermine the religion, but it really never tought me anything worth keeping except that...

Answer 4

I was born into an Italian Catholic family, and despite researching many different religions, have chosen to remain Catholic. It's hard to describe it to someone who didn't grow up in a hardcore religious family, but when I was a child, the Church dominated absolutely every aspect of life. My mother, in particular, was an extremely devout Catholic, and my earliest memories are of being taught how to pray the Rosary. Now, I'm old enough to respectfully ask questions, and even to disagree on certain points, but I still don't see myself leaving the Church.

Answer 5

I didnt actually have a religion until I was almost 12 or 13. My parents were totatlly living the agnostic if anything. But we never talked about God or sin or anything like that.

So I guess that it hurts me when I try and walk in a certain path.

Answer 6

As you get older, you realize that a lot of what your parents say is true. My parents offered me the gift of Christ at a young age. I went away from it for a while, expierienced other religions. Im back now and for the better. I can honestly say that the Catholic Church is the religion for me.

Answer 7

i grew up in a christian home and it did not influence me today. i quickly threw all i had learned away when i got old enough to think i know what im talking about. anyway a few years back i got saved and that is what has influenced my life though i wish i had learned it all when i was a kid.

Answer 8

It's influenced me a lot. I was raised in this belief and can't imagine choosing a different belief system. At times when I feel like I should read my Bible or go to church, I can become bored with it and not do it. So I really have to discipline myself.

Answer 9

1) Left me with a distrust of religious organizations & the unearned power they wield over people's lives.

2) Showed me how difficult it is to take anything that is based in beliefs (vrs. real experience) seriously.

3) Gave me an exaggerated sense of guilt (which I have completely eliminated)

4) Imparted an unrealistic idealism which I have only finally overcome.

;-)

Answer 10

I grew up Christian following my dad's family. My mom and her family are Buddhist from Thailand. I fell away from Christianity in my late teens and early twenties and explored Buddhism. It left me unfulfilled and I have happily returned to my Christian roots and feel I have done so on my own account rather than being forced to believe.