2007-01-11 08:35:46 · 15 answers · asked by STFU Dude 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Actually, they are all reasons for selecting a religion in America. AS a recovering Catholic, I was forced to attend church on Sunday while my father stayed home watching TV. I was forced to go to confession on Saturdays, then religion class on Wednesdays. After reading about priests and the cardinal having sexual encounters unbecoming of the cloth, I got out and found Christianity.
After being married, I adopted my wife's religion (Lutheran) and have been attending for over 10 years. I had a personal revelation 8 years ago and have been saved and renewed by Jesus. I have never been better!
So, it can be any/or many of these reasons for adopting a religion. One pastor suggested to our guests, If you decide on a church, we hope it's ours. But, if it isn't, find "A" church that meets your needs. Staying home on Sunday is no way to grow. Find a church one at a time, if you have to, but find one!
2007-01-11 08:46:03 · answer #1 · answered by joe_on_drums 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Obviously, traditions plays a huge part. In the case of Christianity, in fairness, you still need to ask how could the "tradition" grow from 300 years as a persecuted religion to becoming the official religion of the Roman Empire and spread to it's current, estimated, 2 billion followers? The answer is equally obvious; personal revelation. Inductive reasoning? No, I don't think that plays a part.
2007-01-11 16:52:33 · answer #2 · answered by Ivar 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Dude, first off....I like the most of your posts.....they are deep...as I am....
I wonder the same thing...even as a spiritual advisor and mentor I have yet to wonder why people demand that this religion or that religion is the "right" one...
Personal revelation COULD have something to do with it...I am only spiritual, not religious....
Inductive reasoning....that's really intriguing!
Have a good evening!
2007-01-11 16:43:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Almost overwhelmingly it's tradition. Most people are the religion they were born into. The remaining people tend to have (coerced) revelations, while only a very, very small minority come to any religious "truth" through any form of reason.
*xors
2007-01-11 16:39:08 · answer #4 · answered by Curio 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All of the above. And don't forget guilt trips. Entertainment is a biggie, some people just find religion inspirational or amusing. Lots of people are involved in religion because of the opportunities to socialize. It's a complicated mix.
2007-01-11 16:44:10 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Personal revelation.
2007-01-11 16:47:08 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
All three, and sometimes combination thereof. A person may have been raised in a certain faith and have followed it out of tradition, but after some questioning and study, either leave the faith or convert to a different one.
2007-01-11 16:44:45 · answer #7 · answered by milomax 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I used various reasoning methods to discern that the Catholic Church is the One True Church. I was dragging my feet, though, because I didn't WANT it to be true, and I didn't like (still don't) all the internal problems in the Catholic Church, so Jesus finally had to give me a little personal revelation to get me to say yes.
2007-01-11 17:37:03 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
~~~Dude,,, Primarily due to tradition based on an individual's location on The Planet,,, but there are many reasons and variables which can come into play, therefore the motivations can be of a simple, single reason,,, or a variety of ANY combonation of factors.
2007-01-11 16:43:18 · answer #9 · answered by Sensei TeAloha 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i think it's a combination of the three as well as wanting to fit into what society views as the correct way of living life although i'm agnostic and i don't worry about what society says as they most often are misinformed when it comes to certain things anyway
2007-01-11 16:40:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋