Did you choose your religion or did it choose you?

Question

what i mean is were you influenced by anything other than your own thoughts or was it just your thoughts?

Answer 1

Both. I was raised in a strict Italian Catholic family. As soon as I was old enough to speak, I was taught to pray the Rosary. Religion was very serious business, and it permeated every aspect of my life. As I got older, though, I began examining many different religions, both Christian and non-Christian. While I found great value in many of these religions, nothing moved me spiritually in quite the same way as the Catholic Church. So, while I respect other religions greatly, and am still very open to learning about them, I'd have to say that I have chosen my religion. I am a Roman Catholic, both by birth and by choice.

Answer 2

The short answer: Both.

The long answer: I was raised Anglican, became Roman Catholic in high school, and then an atheist in university. For several years I was both happy and fulfilled in my atheism, until one night I awoke from a deep sleep with what can only be described as a vision of the Divine Feminine.

I pondered the experience for several weeks before deciding to pursue theism again. And I chose Wicca as the framework to conduct the search within because its ethical code and panentheistic attitude most closely matched my pre-vision value system and my new intuitions about the nature of the world; in fact, finding Wicca had the feeliing of "coming home", of slipping into a well-fitting suit of clothes that had been waiting for me all this time.

So I both chose my religion AND it chose me through the mechanism of the vision (if indeed it was a vision). I wouldn't presume to say this constitutes proof of anything for anyone other than myself, though.

Answer 3

My parents had a big argument. My father was a Christian Scientist, my mother a Methodist. Which Church should we, their children go to? In the end, they agreed that which ever church was closet to our house, we would go there. The Anglican Church was ten feet further from the house, than the Lutheran Church.

So we went to the Lutheran Church. Our pastor was so inspiring my big brother and I almost went to the seminary school. But our pastor, died. He was replaced by a man who wasn't so inspiring, but who truly believed. Those in the Church who were in power, didn't like this man, and gave him a lot of trouble. It took a while, but he finally conquered, but all the stuff he did to gain control, ruined our view of the church. My big brother and I went different ways.

I decided to seek, to search, to find a religion that felt correct to me. I am still seeking.

My big brother turned to a church that builds churches in other lands, even if they are Christian on the premise that because they are not worshipping his version of Christianity, the people are damned until they convert to his version.

One younger brother, became a devout fundamentalist Christian, the other younger brother rejected all versions of Christianity.

I don't say Christianity is wrong, just that they ignore their own history at their peril.

And I am still seeking. Still willing to believe, still willing to be shown the way.

Answer 4

Well I believe that God chose me.. that He has chosen me as someone that will do the work of the Lord for Him here on earth. He can do anything, the thing is He doesn't need me, He's just looking for those who will have a humble heart and long to live for the Lord..
As a little child, my grandma used to have all this spiritual stuff around her house, and I remember saying to her, "grandma, why are you so spiritual?" I didn't really have a passionate love for God as you can see..
I didn't choose my religion, because first of all its not a religion.. its a relationship with the Father... religion is practicing something over and over again..
and God chose me, because if it weren't for Him, i probably wouldn't have even thought about a relationship with the Father..
God gave me that desire to know Him more.. thats true grace..
He loves you and I hope this helps you tremendously. if you ever need to talk about anything else feel free to email me:
[e-mail]

Answer 5

When I realized how lost I was, is when I found Chirst. There are many religions, but only one that has a Savior risen from the dead reported by thousands who even when threatened with dis-ownment and death, stuck to their story, unlike people of this day and age. I discoverd you can't be saved until you realize you are lost. Unfortunately that doesn't come for some until they are facing death. Are you lost needing to be found? Look around the answer is there for you to find.

Answer 6

Religion? I wouldn't call it that. I found truth. I suppose you could say I chose to believe the truth, but I think it's just a matter of wiping off the dust of ancient mythologies and opening your eyes.

Answer 7

I very, very carefully chose my religion. I require that my religion support science, logic, reason....that it requires no monetary support from me....that there is NO fear involved in it whatsoever....that it have purpose beyond giving me "morals" which I already had....that it uplift me and add to my life.....that it not require me to believe in some mythical being I could not relate to....When I finally found it...I knew I was home. What religion is that you ask? Paganism. More specifically Traditional Witchcraft....though there are many branches of paganism that would fit the bill.

Answer 8

God chose me to be a Christian. Here are some verses:

Ephesians 1:11 says:
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,

Romans 8:29 says:
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Ephesians 1:5 says:
He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will—

As you can see, the Bible clearly states that God chooses his people. I also agree with Mickey.

Answer 9

My thoughts made all religions exclude me because of their ridiculous practices and beliefs.

Answer 10

I was conditioned into Catholicism then I opened my eyes and became an Atheist, latter a Satanist.