how can we give our lives to god when our beliefs are dictated by the county and culture we are born?

Question

you generally don't find many muslims in tibet, christians in saudi arabia,seeks in poland.

Answer 1

Totally agree, but I do think that its not always the country but the smaller community, and of course, especially your family that dictates what you believe in. The only good solution is to bring children up completely openmindedly and let them make up their own minds when they are older. This is of course very difficult as religions actively encourage their followers to bring up their children to follow the religion, thus insuring they can renew their "flock". Children are born gullible, its a survival trait, you cant have them continually questioning, why they shouldnt run in the road, stick their hand in the fire or drink bleach. The weaker minded once imprinted are imprinted for life, the stronger minded may break free from a religion they are not comfortable with but always long for that "god feeling" so they convert. Life as an atheist or agnostic is harder, you dont have the support of a wider community of believers, nor the comforting thought of an afterlife or an all powerful father figure to shoulder your responsibilities. Admitting youre going to die is very scary. Maybe someone should start a country of non-believers, in theory if we could cut if off from the rest of the world completely and never spoke about any religion the one that took root spontaneously would be the "real one", as divine intervention would be necessary, though its more likely some nutter would start his own as has happened before, or nothing would happen and one small corner of the world would get to live in peace.

Answer 2

That is a good question and one that many Christians have had to face. In The Gospels and Epistles we are told to pay our taxes and to obey those in authority over us. However, if that provokes us to disobey God, our allegiance to God comes first, even if it costs us our lives. This was the situation for the Apostles who all accepted execution rather than deny Jesus Christ. After all, we have no fear of death for the promise of Eternal Life that awaits us beyond it. In Daniel and Esther we read of rulers that compelled the citizens to bow down before a statue or other representation of a ruler. Those that were loyal to God refused to do so, no matter what the consequences of this was.

Galatians says "The results of living the Christian way is love, a positive outlook, peace that cannot be shaken whatever problems there are, a positive view of other people, helping and serving other people, being trustworthy and true to ones word, gentleness, not getting upset or angry with people, and not being driven by ones own desires. These break no law." (paraphrased)

Answer 3

All that's needed is a conviction that God is real combined with a heartfelt desire to hand our life over to him. Any person in any country in the world can do that, irrespective of any cultural influences. Most do follow the belief system they were brought up with, though in countries where one can be put to death for converting, there are huge numbers of 'secret' converts. But there is an exodus of Christians from Muslim countries, going on right now, because of the horrific intimidation and murderous intentions of fanatical people.

The most important point, though, is that God breaks through whatever belief systems or cultures blind us, and 'calls' individuals to himself.

Answer 4

True we do tend to follow what we were taught as children but I know quite a few people who actually changed their religion. I think it depends a lot on the individual and how open they are to question everything in life.

Besides who says we have to give our lives to god? Some even say that they are god's already without our announcing it. Yet others would say that there is no god.

I'm not sure where I stand on this one but I am still asking questions and hopefully always will.

Answer 5

This isn't a problem if we choose to acknowledge that the differences in religious sects are themselves entirely cultural, as many Atheists, Agnostics and Pagans alike will probably agree. If we suppose that there exists under all of them a single understanding that is misconstrued through the timeless machinations of individual societies, the question of location disappears.

Answer 6

Check out your sources, Saudi Arabia had almost as many Christians in as the UK.

Answer 7

There are times when you have to go against your country and culture's belief to give your life to God. (I am not saying that you should inflict pain to others or anything like that by "going against your country" so I didn't want you to take that in the wrong context!)
But giving your life to God, you will have protection from Him.

Answer 8

I believe the primary purpose of religion is to divide the people of this world. They come in different names but serves the same purpose.Each religious group has their own version of what they call god as they try hard to propagate their teaching and belief.
This is the very reason why this world will never find peace because of religion plus the evil of politics.

Answer 9

I am English and therefore live in a Christian country, this did not stop me finding my path to The Goddess and dedicating my life to Her.

If you truly believe and are called you will find your path whatever the cultural surroundings.

Answer 10

America is the best place to seek whatever religious notions you feel are best for you. But, if there is another country that is a better place for someone to express their particular religious beliefs, they should go there.