For religious/non-religious: Why do you think you ended up with the beliefs you have now?

Question

I'm not looking for over-analytical psychological reasonings here, just in a succinct self-evaluating look: why do you think you ended up with the beliefs you have?

Examples: Parents, Nature, Nurture, Fear of Death, Holy Spirit, Intelligence (feel free to use intelligence as an excuse for either argument)...


Side note: Matt Stone is theist and Trey Parker is atheist. They deal with very controversial topics and still get along, look to their example. (If you did these things wouldn't be as fun to read though) ;)

Wow, I had no idea there are so many Wiccans! Way to represent!

Also, very cool how honest so many of you are being without preaching. Rare in yahoo answers.

M, I really like your answer. You acknowledged how your circumstances played a role in your decision but you still had doubts. You questioned them and received answers that you felt satisfied the doubts you had.

Terry G, I also found what you said interesting. Instead of your beliefs coming from your religion you found a religion that suited your beliefs. You're lucky that your parents gave you the freedom to find your own way, it probably gives you more conviction in your beliefs than people who find them blindly.

Janet L, your answer was pretty inspiring. You found a common thread in many religions and found it best to, in a way, create your own so only you can be held responsible. I have a lot of respect for that.

Answer 1

I have just written this in my 360 blog. Take a look. If you have a 360 account, by all means invite me to become a friend. I would be delighted.

Answer 2

Brought up as a Methodist in the UK. As I got older, and read the bible more myself, I became less happy with the inconsistencies and began to read around. The more I researched Christianity, the more it became clear to me that it was not for me. I have read the Bible, the Holy Quran, and The Noble Eightfold Path (Buddhist text). I have also looked at Wicca, Shinto, and Shamanism.

The belief system that I have is a mix of these. I have a basically animist view of the world, in that I belief that all things have a a soul/spirit. I also believe in reincarnation within a species. I believe in magic, but am rational enough to realise that a lot of magic is psychological reinforcement at its heart. However, as placibo effects in drug research has shown, sometimes positive psychological reinforcement can have a strange and wonderful effect.

Answer 3

I think the angle toward it biblically perhaps very similar to what it says concerning alcohol. The Bible does now not condone alcoholism within the Bible routinely, nevertheless Proverbs 31:6 talks approximately giving alcohol to the perishing. God made the mary jane plant for a purpose, so we are not able to name some thing God has made evil. Yet, in the whole thing that used to be made - we will be able to use it for evil or for well functions. People who've taken medications and function any form of equipment, wherein persons perhaps injured - isn't a clever choice. Some query to invite.. Do I fairly want it, how is it handy, and what issues can this purpose to myself and others... just a few matters to reflect on on.

Answer 4

I believe I came to follow this path because I have always had a great respect for nature. I am Wiccan. I was already living the life that most Wiccans lead and then I found this religion. It was just an extension of how my life was already.

Answer 5

Exploration, asking questions, and listening to the things that made sense to me. The idea of an "angry parent" of a God who would punish you forever for doing something "wrong" didn't make sense to me. Neither did the idea of an all-knowing, all-seeing being who paid attention to every little detail of everyone's lives and had a grand plan for all of it, like some cosmic Sims game.

I did a lot of reading and researching and following my heart and in Wicca, I finally found a label that matches the beliefs I found on my own.

Answer 6

I am a Christian more to the point a Catholic, I will admit I was born into Catholicism, and underwent the typical "brainwashing" (All belief systems use some form of indoctrination, not limited to Christianity), however I have come to believe in God, these days, not necessarily because of upbringing, but I would say looking at the complexity of the nature, and natural cycles.

Answer 7

I'm an atheist because I first read the Bible multiple times cover to cover, then studied neuroscience and found out there are perfectly logical explanations for the religious experience.

In short: I'm an atheist 'cause I saw through the magic. I know for a fact that any theistic deity is provably false.

Answer 8

I have always had these beliefs and after much studying and research I finally found out there is a name for them... Islam. No one guided me in this direction (except God), especially not my parents who refused to even discuss religion and wanted me to develop my own ideas about things. It was something I discovered on my own.

Answer 9

I was given the ability to chose for myself. As I looked I realized that many religions were about control. I chose a path where I am responsible for what choices I make. I have no one I can blame but myself.

Answer 10

Intelligence and honesty.

I am a former Christian who eventually couldn't take the lies anymore, whether they came from the pulpit, fellow Christians, evangelists or myself.

A serious degree of dishonesty is required to maintain the Christian illusion in the modern age.