does the environment you grew up in affect your religion?

Question

how much can we choose our religious believes; and how much is affected by the social structures around us, especially our parents.

so almost everyone agrees, the next question is then: for example: a christian, if he was born in indonesia he would be muslim. how strong is your faith then?

Answer 1

You are 99% certain to be the same religion as your parents, at least at first (there are of course exceptions, myself included). But I always point out to fundamentalist christians who believe that they have the only truth, that if they'd been born in Iran they'd be praying to mecca 5 times a day.

Answer 2

There is no such thing as a "Catholic", "Moslem or "Baptist" child. It is always the child of Catholic, Moslem or Baptist parents. Children are always free of religious indoctornation but are taught to be dogmatic, unbending and superstitious from their parents.

It takes a long time for a kid to get over that kind of upbringing and unless the child is extremely independent and intellegent, the child may forever remain in a certain mindset even if it is unreasonable and makes the child unhappy as an adult. Religion has much the same impact on a child as alcoholism. Sometimes they can't break the thinking even if they want to. (They are certain some impending doom if they should break with what they were taught as a child..."Don't say that...bad luck will happen.")

Environment influences children 100%. No child is "Born" Christian, Moslem, Hindu or Zionist. They are taught that...either by their parents or someone they consider a role model...No child's first word is "Mohammad" or "Jesus" it is always mama or dada. If their homelife was rotten, they could turn into something else but some environment taught us everything we know.

Answer 3

The entire way a person views the world is based on factors like. . .

1. The parents they had
2. The culture they were born into
3. The social and economical status they grow up in
4. The religious conditioning they recieved
5. The experiences they had

At no time does a God actually haver any impact on our life. It is only in the brainwashing of religion that we even see a God mentioned!

Answer 4

Most people I don't think are very spiritually inclined. They want to do what's right, so they stay out of trouble, and get social status and rewards like that.

For those people, whatever religious tradition they grew up in is the only they will consider for life.

I'm often wrong, and am probably so here.

Answer 5

I grew up Christian, and later I converted to Islam at the age of 19. As the daughter of 2 pastors for parents I really got a hard time in junior high and high school. I wouldn't go back to that time in my life if you paid me! It was all because I was the pk - I was supposed to be so moral and stuff. In school I excelled but out of school I rebelled. Yes my environment really affected at least my behavior.
After going to college and being on my own and then becoming a Muslim I realized how difficult it was to truly practice my religion. People stared at me, gave me dirty looks, said things under their breath as they passed by and all because I was wearing a scarf. Never mind how my parents reacted! We won't go there! This still happens now after 15 years of being a Muslim. I am very secure i my faith but it's difficult at times. I don't like sticking out in a crowd - never have. Now I'm the one who does. I just started a new job and I didn't feel comfortable enough to wear my scarf. I'm getting to know my coworkers and they are all friendly with issues of their own that are looked down upon in society (i.e. unwed mother, gay/lesbian, etc). I'm not the only one who is afraid of society and who has been persecuted by such. I still have my beliefs and I hope to put on my scarf after my training period is over and I begin to start my real job.

Answer 6

Ummm Yes and no. My father was Mormon and my mother was Southern Baptist. So early on I grew up in the church. However (and quite uncharacteristically of both Mormon & SB) my parents encouraged me to search for my own "truth" not just accept what is said by others. They actually told me not to believe anything I hear and only half of what I see. So I searched. I am both Buddhist & Pect-Witan (witch) with a pretty good knowledge of Christianity. And my parents & siblings all support me.
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Answer 7

my parents were never religious and never made any sort of big deal about it so i grew up just never really having any religious influence in my life and i am perfectly happy with that. i think if my parents had been very christian or whatever, then i probably would be too.

Answer 8

Parents are the role models and have the greatest influnces on what we do and beleive and choose to live, So, I think in what part of the country you grew up is a strong influnce on us,,,

Answer 9

Much of what we believe regarding religion comes from our family and upbringing. Some of us convert to other religions later in life based on adult life experiences and new knowledge.

Answer 10

I'd said children believe their parents no matter what when they're young. This is especially true when they are punished, physically or psychologically, for questioning their Word.