I mean, if you were born in Iran, youd'd likely be Muslim, if you were born in India you'd likely be Hindu, if you were born in Tibet you'd likely be buddhist. Really, you only have the faith you do because of where you were born and the culture you grew up in. So do most believe your way is the only way of thinking? You wouldn't be thinking that way at all if born somewhere where god isn't the dominant deity.
2007-05-12 10:10:49 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Is having faith more important than the faith itself?
2007-05-12 10:22:01 · update #1
Jane Marple - but everyone's in the same basket, that's my point. If you were born in Calcutta, you'd probaly be Hindu. One is one right and not the other then?
2007-05-12 10:23:29 · update #2
I agree that christianity and some other religions are universal, but really, the odds are, you'd be of the religion of the culture you were brought up in.
2007-05-12 11:05:14 · update #3
Lady, you got some question that make me think.
1) When you are a kid, you take all the information that is given to you without judgement.
2) You grow up and if the religion somehow isnt so helpful because of our life experinces, we start to judge things.
3) Some then want to know the deeper meaning of religion through research.
4) Our way is not the only way of thinking because we chose according to our circumstances or reflection or greed. The biggest thing is no one owns goodness. It is a universal thing.
I like this question because it makes one believe that we should all be respectful towards others religions!
2007-05-12 10:22:10 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Mel, I'm not sure U really intended to use the word "Faith" vs. "Religion" as I, for example, am of German Jewish extraction many generations removed & born in the U.S. . But as a "Christian", if what U propose were true I should be geographically specific to the middle-east. Before I knew Christ I was "Practicing" another well known Empty & Dead "Religion" as my parents were weak & never left their parents as Scripture says to do. So, my grandparents decided I would "Practice" their "Religion" & to keep harmony, my Father submitted, not aware I could be lost in Eternity if I "Bought Into the Lie of Religion"!!! Fortunately I was convinced that there had to be more than reciting "Stock Prayers" & just "Going through the Motions" being told what to do by the "Enlightened Ones" etc.. I had a friend invite me to a small group of Believers of confronted me with the Truth of Gods Holy Word and I made a decision for Christ. Then I led my entire Family to Christ. This was not done in my town of birth as we had to move for my Mothers health to Arizona. So, I guess what I'm saying is that the "Place" has No effect upon Ur "Faith / Religion", it's up to U!!! John & Tam
2007-05-12 10:38:33 · answer #2 · answered by moosemose 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In most of the world, Jesus is known. Even the other religions recognize Jesus. Now I'll admit that there is a better chance you follow another path if you were in one of those areas you mentioned. But Christianity is universal and there will always be opportunity, for the most part, to hear the gospel. It's not your culture, your parents or friends that convert you. It's the Spirit of God. Does it make it easier for some to come to the knowledge of Christ because of some of these reasons? Yes. But ultimately It's between you and God.
2007-05-12 10:26:03 · answer #3 · answered by JohnFromNC 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes, we are blessed, we don't have to deal with intimidation and think our way out systems of thinking that look plausible.
I think you'll see actually that christian countries were originally humble ones. This is because salvation has been designed so that those who aren't proud find it more agreeable. Areas like the middle east where the people were very proud have (mostly) rejected God's salvation plan for themselves. Their loss, utlimately. We can evangelise, but a lot of these cultures get very vicious if the established religion is at all threatened by conversions to Christ.
2007-05-12 10:42:09 · answer #4 · answered by Cader and Glyder scrambler 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is a good question and stumbling block for many. Personally, though I was born and brought up in UK, it wasn't till I took up residence in the middle east that I found Jesus.
Your general oservation is of course correct but there are many Christians in all of these places you mention and in many cases, they exist under severe oppression and persecution. In fact their numbers are growing faster in such places despite this oppression.
Jesus gave His followers the mandate to take the good news to the nations, the "Great Commission" and this they will continue to do untill the whole earth knows why Jesus died for them.
Mat 24:14
And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come. (KJV)
2007-05-12 11:00:15 · answer #5 · answered by movedby 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
. a million. the religion I practice isn't something i grow to be raised in. 2. I studied various faiths earlier the only I practice "stumbled on me". 3. I chosen to stay with the religion I do, by fact it spoke back all my questions from the Bible. 4. This faith grow to be the 1st i stumbled on that confirmed me, from the Bible, the place the lifeless are. Genesis 3:19 Psalms 146:4 Ecclesiastes 3:19, 20 Ecclesiastes 9:5,6,10 It additionally confirmed me that no longer all reliable human beings bypass to Heaven, yet that some might certainly proceed to stay in the international. Psalms 37" 9,11,29 Proverbs 2:21,22 Proverbs 10:29,30 Matthew 6:9,10 Matthew 5:5 those are merely some examples FROM THE BIBLE. Why do no longer ALL religions that profess to be "Christian" practice this? i do no longer understand. ..
2016-10-15 11:59:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
So there are no Christians in China or Iran and no Muslims born in the United States or Canada?
2007-05-12 10:19:19 · answer #7 · answered by me 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Interesting thought, but no, it does not bother me at all, not any more than it bothers me that my ethnic heritage is because of the geographical location of my ancestors.
I just came home from visiting a Christian friend of mine who was born in Baghdad, Iraq; and I have met Christians from India. (Don't know anybody in Tibet, sorry.)
The point is, that geography is superseded by God's plans for our lives.
2007-05-12 10:23:04 · answer #8 · answered by Bobby Jim 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
If there were no missionaries then what you propose is possible but because adults get the chance to test their beliefs in religions that follow a living God there isn't much chance for disbelief as a dominant force.
2007-05-12 10:20:10 · answer #9 · answered by Marcus R. 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I was born to Irreligious Liberal Democrats who brought me up to believe in nothing but forcing people to do what is "right", kind of like the current Democrats in Congress.
I am a Christian by the Grace of God.
Every time I listen to this argument I thank God he brought me to him.
2007-05-12 10:22:10 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋