Second Hand Religion?

Question

why do people believe in god when the concept of a god is taught by parents who got it from thier parents and so-forth, its second hand religion, i mean when we're born we have no concept of a god until we are taught we are atheists or non-believers, it doesnt make sense, theidea of god is a teaching not a fact and therefore it cant be professed to be real because it would be under false pretences, im mean its not even an opinion, as an normal person (who doesnt believe in god) if i made the gesture that there is a man in the sky, or my heart that tells me to follow his path i would be called schizophrenic.

Answer 1

Every religion is a set of ethics, it tells us how to behave in the society, it tells us what is good and what is bad, it shows us the right path, following which we can make our life better. But there is a name God, to make people feel that if they dont follow whatever is written in the religious books, there is somebody to punish them. and this is how all the religion goes.
It is just like when you were young and about to do something not right, your elder brother or sister showed you the fear of your mother or father.
I am not an atheist, but I know that this is the fact behind the theory of God.

Answer 2

If your point is that religion itself is second-hand, that it something that no person would come up with on their own, that no one would have any concept of God without someone having told them about it...I'm not sure I buy that.

For one thing, obviously at some point in human history someone came up with the idea whether divinely inspired or not. It stands to reason others would have eventually come to the same conclusion or similar.

But, then people would hear scientific theory about the origin of the Universe and never have any need for a belief in a spiritual world or any type of super-being?

Most people were taught basic scientific theories, but many still choose to also be people of faith. And not every person of faith chooses one because of a family attachment to a faith or social pressure. What about those that choose faiths that have never had any familial model of religious faith? What about those that choose faiths outside of societal norms such as Satanism, or Wicca (I am in no way saying these are alike in any other way than they are seen as less acceptable by mainstream society)? Most who practice these faiths do so in a solitary fashion, so they don't do it to "fit in" with anyone, they are not bowing to societal pressure. So why would they choose this if your idea is true that no one would choose a faith at all unless they were taught to by parents or bowing to societal pressure?

And if it is your idea that no idea that cannot be proved through scientific testing should be passed from one generation to another, well how much philosophy would have to fly out of the window with religion? For instance can you prove that the human sub-conscious mind exists? Can it be proved scientifically, measured and photographed at any level?

At some point nearly every idea, philosophy or law was or will be handed down, that's how society works. You many not agree with WHAT'S handed down, but to believe that nothing should be makes no sense.

And I'm sorry but the fact that you find no value in religion and believe that it shouldn't be "handed down" doesn't mean either that no one else should find value in it or should refrain from relating it to another generation.

Answer 3

Jesus as a person might be a Historic fact, Jesus as the son of God is a belief.

I agree that second hand Religion is dangerous, but many people just don't have the option. It is scary to think that your parents might have had it wrong. I don't share the belief system of my parents, my sisters do. I have no problem with their Christian beliefs, in fact I know it brings them great comfort. It's just not for me. I am not going to go out of my way to dissuade them from their belief though, because it would cause them allot of grief. I think as long as the tradition of religion doesn't cause anyone harm then let it be. If people are using it as an excuse to hurt others then it has to be adressed, and if my sisters were damning people to hell, I would fight them with every fiber.

Passed down religion in and of itself, isn't bad. What some people choose to do with it, can be horrific and should be stopped.

Answer 4

I'm 100% agnostic and raised with an agnostic family so I never got into or was interested in Dogma. Religion was created to keep law and order among people not all the other stuff that some zealots believe. If anyone belived in that Dogma stuff they can also believe in Freddy Kruger, The Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny, Santa Clause, Elves and Fairy's, Aliens, Ghosts, Boogy Man, Vampires ect ect . No one has seen them either!

Answer 5

The Bible, in speaking in terms of people becoming sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ, means precisely that (with a little gender adjustment). Christians are people with a personal knowledge of God through His Son. Otherwise they might be described as grandchildren of God, great-grandchildren of God, etc. That is why Christianity, at least, is not a secondhand religion, as it demands a personal relationship with and commitment to the Creator. And if you are a believing Christian, then you know that this is no mere concept or notion, but a real, true and living experience.

Answer 6

The religion sticks like it does because in teaching children at a very young age, it is effectively programmed in. Children are conditioned to feel guilt for not believing if they do chose so, and by the time they're adults, the feelings and the aversion to reason are deeply rooted in their subconsious, and the cycle of damage is already underway. And it wasn't until three hundred years later that the Niacine council decided that Jesus was the son of God, also.

Answer 7

Respect. A normal brain can handle both sides of this equation. Believing in God may begin, as you say, "second hand", but the color of my eyes hair and skin are also handed down.

Answer 8

All knowledge is passed from generation to generation. If I rejected all the thoughts that came from generations before me, I would know very little indeed - not even a language to think in.

Answer 9

Indeed, for it is a "fearful" thing to fall, into the (plural) "hands" of God "on high"; for what's "right" thereof is still "law" of such left/right law/law. So the right hand of God on high is as deadly as the left hand of God on high; For as it notes in Matthew 22:36-40 law law: the second (law) is like unto the first (law), and in Romans 8:2 law law the first (law) is notably sin and death.
http://www.godshew.org/TwainShew4.htm#Laws
http://www.godshew.org/AnotherLaw.htm

We have plenty of evidence priests who try to adhere to "another law", "the second" of such law law, which is notably "like unto the first" of such law law, end up feeling "wretched" as a result of such "evil concupiscence", which hinders them doing what they would do, and hinders them not doing what they would not do; And then haunts them with guilt for being sow dog gone law law.

Not to mention do the will of God precedes receive the promise, and the will of God is: "I will have mercy, and not sacrifice"; And the "not" part of such is not then, not now, not ever.
http://www.godshew.org/GodShew4.htm
http://www.godshew.org/Sacrifice.htm

The GRACE of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.

Answer 10

What choice do you have as a child? We are products of our environment and upbringing, so naturally our faith (or lack of it) initially would be determined at home. It's your responsibility as an adult to take what you learned and make your own decision to follow or leave it.