Christians, a hypothetical question?

Question

Lets say that at the age of 1 while holidaying with your family in Tibet you got separated from them (lost, kidnapped) but you were found by a Tibetan family and brought up as a Tibetan from the age of 1 until the present day.

My question...

What religion would you be? Would you believe in god? Bare in mind that the country is predominately Buddhist with the exception of a small community of Tibetan Muslims. There are hardly any Christians so it is highly unlikely that you would know the bible or the teachings of Jesus.

Yeah what I'm getting at is that religion is determined by environment rather than anything else.

Sure it's a question that maybe a lot of Christians have heard before but I've yet to hear a sensible answer.

Answer 1

You want a sensible answer from a Christian but your idea of 'good sense' does not square with Christian 'good sense'! If you don't believe in God, all talk of God reaching down into a person's life to move that person to a place of spiritual well-being (which is 'grace') will strike you as nonsense. But God constantly breaks through into individual's lives with his grace. Sometimes not until they are on their death-beds. So if you could put mere 'religion' to one side and concentrate on the way God works you would realise your Q is fairly pointless. Now, ask, "If reports of God giving Moslems and agnostics dreams that result in their conversions to Christ are true, would that mean our upbringing is no barrier to becoming Christian?" That's NOT hypothetical - it happens, and it also happens to answer your Q.

Answer 2

To get a sensible answer, first of all, the question itself must be sensible. One can only give hypothetical answers to hypothetical questions.

A 1 year old child, raised by a Tibetan family would most likely follow the religion and culture that he was brought up in. In the Bible it is written, "How can they know, if they have not heard?" The reason why Jesus Christ gave us the command to go and preach the gospel to all the earth was because He wanted everyone to be given the opportunity to hear the gospel and to come to know Him. Now, supposely, this little boy grows up and one day hears a missionary sharing the good news about Christ, do you think he will accept and be born-again?

The environment we grow up in does play a big part in what we become and believe in but there is always a possibibility that when we come to an age of maturity where we can think and decide for ourselves, we may still be able to change what we believe. There are many who are brought up in different religions and cultural background, never heard of Jesus before, yet today a strong Christian because someone took the trouble to share with them and the love of God was extended out to them.

Answer 3

I've read your question a few times now and fail to see what's new in your question?

You have given a hypothetical summary and then underneath have also answered your own question by saying that the environment has a lot to do with what you would end up believing.

At the age of 1 absolutely NO ONE will have any concept of religion. Children that young only just about manage to learn to stand up and walk.

So if your child of 1 ends up with a Tibetan family then it is only natural as you have suggested that they follow whatever the family believes in. The very early years of that child's life they will be exposed to whatever beliefs they are shown.

It is only when that child is old enough to question the faith that they have been brought up with will they be exposed to other religions of the world.

even if there are no Christians does not mean that the child will never here about Jesus. Their education will enable them to learn about other religions, it will then be upto the individual who is no longer a child to learn further and make their own mind up which religion if at all they wish to follow.

this is the importance of education, education of all world religions.

Answer 4

What is the point of all of this Christian bashing? I don't identify as Christian, so I'm not being defensive, but I find it so immature that there are so many posts on here that are anti-Christian. If you don't like what Christians are doing, ignore them. What you focus on expands. If you keep paying attention to them, they just become a stronger force in your life. And definitely, asking stupid hypothetical questions is not going to accomplish anything. A Tibetan child who was kidnapped while his family was vacationing in Arkansas and ended up being raised by a Christian family would be Christian. So what is your point?

By the way, "Bare in mind" - you used the adjective "bare" when you needed the verb "bear". I really have a problem with people who are trying to criticize others' religious or spiritual beliefs and can't even spell.

Answer 5

I won't deny the fact that I could be a Buddhist.

At the age of 1, I don't think I would have embraced the teachings of Christianity, or understood what Christianity is all about.

Without someone telling me about christianity and the God of the christian faith, I wouldnt know anything about it. That's why there are christian missionaries around --- to spread the faith to people and places who have never heard of the gospel before.

As to whether I would believe in God... perhaps. Because all creation points to the presence of a creator, who is God.

Answer 6

You are absolutely right, you would grow up with the belief system that you were taught, my understanding of what it is to be a good Christian is to love everybody, and to love my creator.
I think that ethic is fairly common amongst all religions so if we were all following our religious code we would be all loving each other, celebrating our similarities and getting along fine.

We spend too much time looking at our differences and fighting over our opinions, we are best not to hold on to our opinions, think with the heart not with the mind. It should be a pleasure to hear about other religious groups, I love Jesus because I was born Christian, but I also love and honour Juramidam, Iemanja, Amma, Isis, Mary, Mary Magdalene, Buddha, Krishna, Brahma, John the baptist, Merlin, Melchisidec, Allah, Bridget, Fairies, Ogum Beira Mar

I see them all as one, like my hopes for all beings is to become one.

Answer 7

Even in a country with most percentage of its people believing in a religion other than Christianity, The Lord has promised in His word that He will in some way reach those who are still yet to hear His word and His teachings. Every person in the world will hear of Gods teachings in one way or another. It is the choice of the person to reject or accept Jesus' teachings.

Answer 8

Well, since a one year old can't be a Christian as you have to choose to accept Christ willingly, I'd say that as you grew up, if you decided the Buddhist religion was for you then you'd be a Buddhist. I know a Buddhist very well, she's one of the most intelligent women around here and we often have fantastic discussions.

Answer 9

Personally, I think that most people follow the religion in which they are raised. If you have Catholic parents, you are likely to be Catholic... Jewish parent, you are likely to be Jewish, etc.

Most people believe what thier caregivers believe, because they are told from infancy that this is the right way. This is not true for everyone. But in general, you are what you are raised.

So, to answer your question, I think I would be Bhuddist. At least until I was old enough to learn what other choices are out there. And maybe even after that.

Answer 10

The truth is, and always will be, the truth! God is truth!
God knows the faith filled heart, no matter what tradition a person follows. There is only one God. The paths may differ but the goal is the same, realise who you are and who God is
and surrender to that power we know as God.
Religion makes little difference in the sight of God!