Is there a genetic component to faith?

Question

Are people's beliefs based on genetics?
I wrack my brain, trying to figure out how so many Christians can reason the answers they reason.

Having been de-converted, I understand what a Christian believes. But there's a big hole somewhere - like this galactic bell-curve that just prohibits any measure of sound reason.

It's like a scary movie - a Twilight Zone where everyone around you is kind of insane.... Not a lot, they can speak English and drive and shop... But really!

It is astounding how much of the essence of the meanings of so many of these questions Christians completely miss!

If anyone knows of a genetic component that would correlate religious belief or faith with an inability to reason properly, I would love to hear from you.

Likewise, in psychology. I realize that many Christians have been indoctrinated since childhood and that this type of early predisposition to bypass reason can galvanize into a reality/delusion complex where the "victim's" ability to critically investigate their beief, dies.

Answer 1

I don't believe it is genetic. Its how people are raised. Just like if a person who got beat when they were growing up may be more likely to beat their children.
Furthermore, on the subject of Christians. I consider myself one. But it does bother me so much how naive other Christians can be about life in general. I too, cannot seem to understand how they have such a lack of rhyme and reason. Having faith is one thing. Completely ignoring the outside world is another. I noticed when I used to go to church as a teen, how sheltered the other kids were. It annoyed me immensely. They try to keep their children away from anything worldly because it is evil. Well I say, WAKE UP! God created the world and it is the way it is for a reason! If God has a plan for everything, don't you think he planned for everything to be the way it is now too? I don't think they are doing their children any favors by trying to keep them away from it all. All that will happen is one day when they go out on their own, they will be completely shell shocked to see the way things really are! I think a lot of "Christians" try to live in an alternate reality.
Here's the thing. I know who God is and I know he's got my back. I know that my life isn't perfect and I am not what you would call the exemplary Christian. But when I pray, God helps me out just as much as he would the next person. I do not attend church. I do not find it necessary to hang out with people who put on their Sunday best and act like they don't sin for a day. I may not have a fancy house and car and clothes like other "Christians" who say oh look how the good lord has blessed us. That is because I know the Lord says the least of my people will be the greatest of my people. All these people who have the life made for them because God gave it to them but really they were selfish and took everything for themselves are in for a rude awakening.
I guess I really got on a tangent there. But I really get heated about this sort of thing. I think you get my point though. This false reality that people want to live in is bullsh*t. You have to walk with Jesus to understand his life and sufferings or you don't get what being a Christian means.

Answer 2

Hi Burninato,

There are no genetics in regards to faith. A lot of people are raised in families of different beliefs and religious backgrounds. In regards to faith everyone has faith in something within our lives religious or non religious. For example, one has the "faith" and believes that their legs will hold their body up when you go to stand up or that we will wake up in the morning. Neither one of these is a guarantee, despite maybe being in good health an accident could happen and we could loose control and use of our legs, we could die in our sleep and never wake up.

People really don't generally think about it because we have "faith" that these are two thing we just accept to be, there is also the reality we DON'T WANT TO BELIEVE anything will happen to us. The same goes for Chistianity and the belief in Christ. Those within the the "Christian" churches know that Christ died on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins, it's up to an individual person to accept that forgiveness, God does not force it on anyone. No one can save you except for Christ, It's a matter of FAITH and BELIEF that Christ has died for us as sinners, comming before him in acknowledgement and ask him to forgive you and come into your life only then do we have salvation and the assurence of heaven.

We can also choose to deny God and reject his salvation because we don't have faith and don't want to believe in what Christ has provided thats OK but the consequence is that we will end up in hell. It not God's fault we as individuals make that choice. What I believe turns people away from the church or christianity is, sometimes in eagerness to do the "right thing" our parents and family can cram religious beliefs down your throat to where we are turned off and sick of it. A lot of self imposed rules and strictness in and among the christian churches can turn people away from Christ. There are different churches to attend, we don't have to go to the same church we where brought up or raised in, it's where we as individules ultimitly feel the happiest, and receive the most spiritual growth. Remember Christ offered salvation free with no cost to us, no self imposed church rules all we have to do is have that faith and take his gift of salvation.



Sincerely

Alice H.

Answer 3

Hi B,
You sound like a smart guy. Faith has absolutely nothing to do with genetics. And God still loves you and will always be there for you when you are ready. Its simple, has nothing to do with the amount of education or intelligence you acquire.