Is religion a free choice, or is it simply based on fear?

Question

Is the choice to believe merely the result of being trained to do so? If you are a believer, what would happen if you chose not to believe? Would you fear punishment? Would you feel cursed and abandoned? Are you brave enough to throw off the shackles and stand up for what you really believe?

Answer 1

Free choice is something that almost all faiths espouse, however, they do use quite a bit of fear mongering to get their points made. A lot of choice regarding faith is based upon the society in which one lives. For example, in many regions of the middle east, the governments are Muslim, and have made it illegal to practice any other faith in those countries. The penalty for disobedience in said countries, is death.
Here in the US, we have implemented a separation of church and state to avoid those exact problems. Although the predominant religion is Christianity, there are followers of all faiths here.
I was raised Christian, but had many issues with the practice. I forged my own path for many years in a quest for what felt right to me. I cannot believe in a faith that preaches conversion by the sword (Islam), Divine right (Judaism), nor salvation by grace alone(Christianity). I feel that we all should be judged by the life we lead, rather than whether or not we have converted.
These days, I have no fear. My faith doesn't preach of Heaven or Hell.
Historically speaking, we humans have felt spiritual from times before writing. There was something there and we could sense it. A lot of this could be thought of as superstition, but if you really dig deeper, it's more of a realization that we aren't alone in the Universe.

Answer 2

Been there, done that. I was raised in a Mormon household, studied, and am now a Pagan. Beliefs, until you're old enough or mature enough to understand what they are, are basically a system of programs fed to you by your environment. If you're raised in a Christian household, while you're young, you believe what you're family believes, or your friends, or both. As your brain matures, you become aware that what has been taught to you by your immediate environment is not the only possibility available, and your horizons may expand. THAT'S where the true choice comes in. Do you choose to research other systems, or do you stick with something that's familiar to you? I think this is a decision based on individual cases, and for some, it may be a decision they really don't have to make. It may be completely obvious to them what they should do. Trying to lump all decisions together based on a set measurement of what is considered courage or cowardice is awfully presumptuous. Whether it's out of fear of the unknown, or simple curiosity, people make decisions based on a myriad of different factors. Maybe asking individuals about their reasons for making decisions would be more fruitful.

Answer 3

I think it could go either way. There are people who have religion forced on them from the day they are born, and they are taught to be fearful and follow the rules. There are others who believe in what they are told because it makes them feel safe and comforted. Others may change from one religion to another at some point. This could be because it makes more sense to them, or because it allows more of the behaviors they would like to engage in without fear. I feel bad for those people who have been forced into a certain religion and/or way of life through the use of fear, but I admire those who choose to believe in their religion.

PS. I am not talking about Christianity necessarily. What I said can apply to any religion.

Answer 4

Difficult to say. There's no control group. Unless we're one of the rare few living in an exceptionally isolated situation, anyone who grows up in a nation like the USA where Christianity is the major religion is exposed to a mixed message of fear and love earlier than most of us can consciously remember.

Personally, I think fear is the greatest motivator.

As far as Christianity goes, I've never come across anyone who talks about God or Jesus and speaks only of good things. They don't seem to be able to resist the mentioning of death and hell. There's been plentiful examples here on Y! Answers where avoidance of hell is presented as the first arguement as to why you should believe.

I found a while back a street preacher website linked to an article on six ways to convert people. Five were to explain to the person why they were wrong and that hell awaited them. The sixth and final one on the list was to show them God's love.

Answer 5

Let us not confuse "religion" with Christianity because true Christianity is a relationship, not a religion. There are religions within Christianity -such as Anglican, United, Catholic etc. To believe in the Bible and the God of the Bible, or not to believe, is indeed a matter of free choice. God does not force Himself on anyone because God is a "Gentleman". This is why He says "come let us reason together". If God hadn't sent His Son Jesus Christ to take upon Himself the punishment for sin -death- then all of us would be automatically doomed to the everlasting torments of the Lake of Fire. But God did indeed send Jesus Christ, thus giving us the alternative of eternal life through His Son.
"I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live" -Deut. 30:19

Answer 6

I am religious because I choose to be. I am the only devoutly relgious member of my family. No one forced or trained me to be this way, I choose it because it was the right thing to do. I WAS brave enough to throw off the shackles of Atheism and Agnosticism and I continue to bravely stand up for what I really believe each day.

Answer 7

I feel like for me it was a free choice. I was raised Episcopalian. During and after college, I didn't really go to church that much. Then, in my early 30s, I started going again. I have frequently questioned God's existence and the purpose of all this, but I think I've come to my own peace with that. I really do believe that there is something there. I call it God, but I think there are many paths to one place. I've chosen the one I'm most comfortable with.

Answer 8

All depends upon what you believe in. I am a wiccan I don't have any fears? Fear Guilt and Judge mentality are all negative reinforcements of the dogma that is put forth by those particular religions.

Answer 9

Free Choice

Definatly

Answer 10

I believe because it is the only thing that makes sense to me. Jesus came down to earth to pay the penalty I should have paid. He died in my place. My belief is not based on fear, but love.

You my friend is the one who is shackled.