Im sorry for using some one else as an example, but there is a question here.?

Question

Very recently some one answered to why they chose the religion they chose was this.

John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me"!!!!

This seems to be a very typical type of question. NOt always exactly like this, but often the same sense.

Now, what i want to ask is. Most people that believe in christiondom due to these types of reason, have you ever thouroghly read any other mainstream religious texts? They may be just as compeling.

see what i dont get, is the people that usually convert over, actually convert. The reason the convert to christianity is because its the most popular and first religion they actually get a high exposure to. I could put money down, that if you where exposed highly to many other religions, and slightly christianity. Chances are you wouldnt be christain.

Can any one maturely comment on this? Hey i may be wrong.

Answer 1

As I read these replies a stark realization hit me: part of the challenge with the term "Christendom" and "Christianity" is that they are such all-encompassing words that they are virutually meaningless. Almost anyone who believes in G-d and Jesus considers him/herself Christian. That's like saying saltwater is ocean water. It could be true but unless you see where it's coming from, that's all you know about it. There really is not set of set of codes to which all Christians are held accountable by every church authority and no universal tenets of religion by which all Christiandom agrees to live.

Christendom has become a religious goulash of monotheistic thought sprinkled with Jesus by which people often pick and choose their message and build their own personal, customized faith. Which isn't necessarily bad but should be a step in our spiritual journey toward a more selfless way of living, not an arrival to a place where we are excused from thinking for ourselves in lieu of "faith" and refining our character just because we are "forgiven".

I was introduced to G-d through an array of spiritual experiences from African-American gospel and Mormonism to traditional American Baptist standard hymns and Buddhism. My feet finally found their footing in the traditions of my ancestors and Judaism. But this journey began with my steps in Christianity, my naps in pews in a COGIC church during revival week in humid, hot summers in the South and attending Primary as a child when my grandmother took me to Mormon church. As I sit here eating my Matzoh ball soup (Jewish penicillin) and reading my Torah portion, I realize I wouldn't trade a single step of this journey and appreciate every Christian I met along the way.

Answer 2

hmm. im not quite sure if i got what ur asking: but i think its like this: If someone is exposed to more religions besides christianity, they would pick other besides christianity?
If that is wrong, sorry, but heres my answer to THAT question...

When I had been converted to christianity as a teen, I was pretty much only aware that there was non-christians, and christians. You either were saved, or u just didnt care...
I was lured into christianity at a very vulnerable age, and didnt believe any other religion was real, that this was the only one. After I grew older, relationships got harder, people changed, and nothing was the same, I began doing research over other religions, a big one, Hindu, for a school report. It was really interesting, but I had mearly scratched the surface of that religion, let alone all others...
My english teacher once told me Paganism is a dead religion, that no one practices it anymore... That was that.
6 months later, I discover Wicca, and I studied alot about it, and got into witchcraft. I was still a christian at the time, but then i slowly got out of it, after reading about things about christianities theories, how they just dont add up.
So, in short: Someone exposed to more religions is more likely to be OPEN MINDED to other religions, but the chance they choose christianity is greatly defined on the sources of people that push them into it. Few people are open minded, as this is how they are raised into life, believing what ur parents believe is right, nothing else.
So whatever ur around more is more likely to be ur choice of religion.

ive never met another person into witchcraft, and my parents are christians, yet im a witch... not impossible, just improbable.

once "God" starts letting them down, people search for an alternative...

Answer 3

Hi as part of my rebellious past, looking beyond my Christian youth. I studied, and socialized with folks practicing Buddhism, Tao, Hinduism as well as got involved Qigong studying under Dr Yan Xin for 2 and a half years.
I realized that all major world religions taught Humanism, Virtue, Compassion.
The rest though, also center on internalizing and works.
None provide a complete plan of salvation but Christianity.
No other religious leader has died and came back to life except Christ.
And you don't need to be a vegetarian or spend an hour plus meditating.
It was an interesting look at other cultures and there practices but none were as powerful as the work of the Holy Spirit.

Answer 4

Yes, I thing that you are right. People tend to go with the religion that most of the people around them believe in. It is part of our group mentality. If we were born in a country where Christianity was not well know we would be something else. The main thing I think that makes the difference is between believing in a power outside of our self or not. Once you believe in a God or some higher ideal then you will choice the religion that is around you 9 out of 10 times.

Answer 5

Okay, here goes. A focus group was formed in a university. All members lived together in a big old house. Each member studied and focused upon a different world religion--different from their own past and different from one another. They shared their findings in maturity and acceptance, seeking to learn and grow, in much the way you are proposing. At the end of the project. The one who had studied Christianity found that more than a religion she had found a relationship with a living presence, a source of peace unlike any of the others had found, discovered or experienced. It peeked her interest and she continued to study more about Jesus, what he had said about who he was (like the verse you quote). Even with all the input from all of her other house mates, she still found Jesus the most real and compelling--so much more than rites and ritual or religion.

It's a true story. Each of us must decide what matters most in our own lives and how we want to spend eternity, since from history we know there is ever so much more than just our lifetime.

Keep asking the tough questions. Keep listening to the answers and find the ones that bring life to you!

Answer 6

You are absolutely right. And that is why the notion of anyone having a free will is mistaken. There is no free will. No one can choose to be Christian or Muslim or Buddhist. What one becomes depends on where one lives and how one was raised. It depends on one's "God given" personality. It depends on one's experiences through life. But it is definitely not the case that every person has the free will to choose Christianity (or any other religion.)

Answer 7

Everything we believe is merely something that we have learned - our self image, our views on other races, how we feel about breastfeeding in public, whatever. It goes to reason that our religious beliefs would follow a similar pattern. Of course, what we learn later in life may have a strong effect on us as well, but generally, what we learn in childhood stays with us the most strongly. This is how the human brain works.

Answer 8

wow. you've got a concept there. it's interesting, isn't it, just how that works. I had to study many religions before i found ones that echoed my conscience. i don't think you can go blindly into any faith and really grow as a person and truly understand your faith. as it is, i follow parts of three different but well known religions. i believe in spirituality now, not bottlefed prescription religion.

right on! to your point. it's refreshing.

Answer 9

Repetition is a common brain washing technique. If begun early enough say in childhood it is almost impossible to deprogram the sufferer.

Answer 10

After exposing myself to many religions I must agree with you.