Shouldn't a person be free to think and decide for himself as to which religion he should follow ?

Question

As it is own life and he should have the free will to decide.
Why then in some countries , especially the middle east , it becomes a crime punishable by death when you choose to believe in something other then state prescribed religion ? Why do fathers , family friends, neighbours hurl stones or even kill their daughter and sons when they decide to follow a faith of their own heart ? Why disown them when they only choose to exercise their rights. Is it not better for a man to be true to himself then be a hippocrite ?

To Dawn : It is obvious to you but not to the rulers in rich middle east countries who think otherwise

To jefry : To they kill you in america if you choose to believe in any other faith. There is a sizable muslim, hindu , buddhist community in the states.

Most important what do people in middle east countries think ?

to nuno : i am not applying american laws. I am not even american. I am only asking for free choice and reason to decide on what faith to follow

To David : by your reasoning , the stoning and murder of your friends and neighbours who chose to believe in different faith from that of the state is justified

Answer 1

Everyone should be able to choose their own religion, and no one should use their religion to hurt or injure anyone for any reason!!

Answer 2

Socialization, plain and simple. Its a matter of increasing societal cohesion...everyone has something in common. Yes, this does have the tendency perpetuate stereotypes...which can effectively cause overemphasis and panic...conformity has an ugly side. "One important means that people use to decide what to believe or how to act in a situation is to look at what other people are believing or doing there...it is frequently adaptive to obey the dictates of genuine authorities because such individuals usually possess high levels of knowledge, wisdom and power."--Robert B. Cialdini. We have the tendency to accept things for what they are, or to conform to specific behaviors...because the group does it. People will also dig up reasons to justify it, even if it is deliteriously and obviously wrong or imposes religious beliefs upon others. Aren't there several forms of religions that do this, aside from the one you imply?

Answer 3

This is the very reason, above all, why we should cherish our separation of church and state in America, and protect and preserve same. If we don't, that is where we can wind up. There is no such thing in the countries you mention, the church is the state.

Register, and vote. Or face the likes of me voting for you :)


Katherine, your parents are only trying to pass on thier values to you. Your mind is still free to believe what you want to, regardless. If you don't like 2 people telling you what to believe, just imagine if it were the entire government telling you you could only believe one way! You're very lucky to live in a country where that is optional, even if you have to wait until you're 18 or 21 to exercise your options. Try to understand that your parents are giving you a foundation to build on, and you will have that available to compare ideas later....

Answer 4

Yes, you should be free to choose your own religion or no religion. The reason why we came to America is too be FREE TO DO WHAT WE PLEASE. I'm not religious, but I beleive in God. If someone is killed because they follow their heart, then that shows that the murderer wants control, control over all humans. He/she wants one religion, so there's a ruler of the earth. But people who beleive in freedom should fight for it. Take a stand. Try to get as many followers as possible. It doesn't matter where they're from, if they want freedom, then we should have freedom. I personally agree with you.

Answer 5

I think a person should able to decide which religion they want to follow. I know someone that their parents didn't baptized because they want their children to decide what religion they want when grow up. I agree with that. But they have to believe positive. I don't get some religions when they hurt each other b/c of their decisions they make. That's makes the abusers selfish. Let everyone be who they are(In a good way)

Answer 6

Yes. Everyone should be free. But then again, everyone should live happily, everyone should have every chance to succeed, and everyone should be able to do what they were really put here to do - procreate. But there are children who grow up homeless because their parents were too irresponsible, there are people who are born with disabilities who can't get a job because they're believed to be a burden, and there are women and men who physically cannot have children. Life is unfair. If everything was good and wonderful, we wouldn't know that it was, because we would have nothing to compare it to.

Answer 7

YEA DEFINETELY
YOU SEE some ppl belive so strongly in their religion they do not agree with other ppl that oppose..
even to the extent of violnece
and in the bill of rights we have freedom of religion
we kids however do no have this right until we are adults
we basially dont hav emuch rights until we become full grown adults
and thats what i hate
i dont have those rights until about 7 more years when im 21.

Answer 8

Yes of course you are right. God gave us free will; and even he respects that. Bible writers such as Moses and Josiah respected the choice of others. Before he died Moses told the Israelites: 'look, you can choose: life or death'. Josiah said: You may walk w/ other gods, but as for me I will serve the Lord.'

Even Jesus left alone those who did not want to believe him. For instance when a town did not welcome him, his disciples wanted to call fire from heaven. But, Jesus rebuked them.

So, no one really should pressure one to accept this or that belief.

Answer 9

yes but the parents dont seem to think so. in this case its bad parenting that corrupts a child. Its not free will to teach a child christianity at an early age, quite the opposite.

Answer 10

ABSOLUTELY. That is why Jesus said "choose this day who you believe" The key word is CHOOSE. Any man made religion that forces people to follow it, is not to be believed as real, or coming from God.