Why are so many people following the religion of their parents, regardless of whether or not it makes sense?

Question

Since we all return to God after our death, wouldn't it make sense that we each chose the religion that makes the most sense, rather than having it being something inherited?

Answer 1

You should always seek your own hearts good advice

Answer 2

Well, yes, frankly, it would make more sense that way. But most people follow the religion of their parents because it is all they have ever known, and it ties them into a cultural community. I don't think there is anything wrong with parents trying to get their kids to follow their religion: religious parents believe they are following the "true" religion and that they have the responsibility to help their children follow it as well.

(By the way, I may be picking on semantics here, but most religious people do not believe that we ALL return to God after death.)

Answer 3

I asked a question similar to this recently. Everyone has free will according for religious doctrine to be effective, but somehow something like %98 of us chose what our parents chose. If that's the case...is it free will anyway???

I'm an agnostic/atheist...and my parents were both agnostic/atheist. I am sure their decisions played a distinct role in my development. I can give all of the logical reasons in the world for not believing....but I formed those logical reasons because my parents didn't believe.

Politics is almost the same way. I can argue my point of view uintil the cows come home....but I know that I'm not that far away from my parents on political issues. We have a few disagreements....but we agree an awful lot more then we disagree.

Given the same set of data...and with no contact with one another.....my parents, my sister, and me, will all come to VERY similar conclusions. We all have a common way of thinking. We all have a common set of values. They aren't identical...but they are awfully close.

I can tout my education....I can talk about how much I've thought about, and analyzed, other points of view.....but the reality is that I do that to justify the values my parents instilled in me. Values which I have seen no reason for rejecting.

Answer 4

well you're absolutely right people should choose the religion that feels right to them unfortunately many people growing up are forced into a certain style of religion as it is usually a part of the family heritage and some people find it hard to turn that down

Answer 5

"THE TIME HAS COME WHEN EVERY NATION MUST WORSHIP UNDER ITS OWN VINE AND FIG TREE AND EVERY TONGUE MUST CONFESS HIS OWN."This statement came directly out of a piece of literature that was DIVINELY PREPARED and i believe the bible says something very similar as do a lot of other religious pamphlets and books. People are trying to worship under the same vine and fig tree as their parents did, and they are not thinking about it they are doing it instinctively.And since God gave you your instincts i believe thats His way of telling you to follow your father and mother. What do you think the statement," Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be longer upon the earthland" means? I believe it means your nations days may be longer upon the earth if you honor the creeds and principles of your forefathers !With that in mind read this," THROUGH SIN AND DISOBEDIENCE EVERY NATION HAS SUFFERED SLAVERY DUE TO THE FACT THAT THEY HONORED NOT THE CEEDS AND PRINCIPLES OF THEIR FOREFATHERS. THAT IS WHY THE NATIONALITY OF THE MOORS ( so called blacks) WAS TAKEN AWAY FROM THEM IN 1774 AND THE WORD *****, BLACK AND COLORED WAS GIVEN TO THE ASIATICS OF AMERICA WHO WERE OF MOORISH DECENT BECAUSE THEY HONORED NOT THE PRINCIPLES OF THEIR MOTHER AND FATHER AND STRAYED AFTER THE GODS OF EUROPE OF WHOM THEY KNEW NOTHING OF." Keep in mind these quotations were DIVINELY prepared by a prophet. DO YOUR RESEARCH!!! P.S. It is not easy to put divinely prepared on the cover of a book. If it were it would be written on the cover of the bible. If something says DIVINELY PREPARED and you call yourself a child of GOD doesn't it deserve some attention. KEEP YOUR MIND OPEN!

Answer 6

So, other religions don't make sense to you? Yours does not make sense to me.

Answer 7

Because they trust their parents ( who may or may not be brainwashed). Our parents have raised us, and guided us throughout our lives. No wonder we trust them when it comes to religious beliefs. But I do agree with you. We all return to God.

Answer 8

Tradition especially religious is very powerful and deeply rooted.

Answer 9

Just because it doesn't make since to you doesn't mean it doesn't make sense to them.

Answer 10

My family are former Catholic. We are Seventh-Day Adventists now.