why do you believe in your religion over others?

Question

were you raised to believe it, did you discover your chosen faith later on in life? was it a naturally developed belief?

Answer 1

Well, I was raised a Baptist, later in life I went to a Methodist church. Even later in life my mom married a preacher who is Wesleyan (similar to Nazarenes) and in the recent past I enjoyed going to a non denominational church. Oh, by the way, my boyfriend is Catholic. I've been to mass with him. With everything I've been to, in all honesty there really isn't a huge difference. I think different religions are like personalities. You have to find a personality that fits you best. I think the older I got the more interested I was in going to church. When I was in my early to mid twenties, I didn't go to church at all.

Answer 2

I was born and brought up a Christian. But later in life I started questioning all the christian dogmas and superstitious beliefs. I examined a number of other religions, and ended up an agnostic. The major religions on the Earth contradict each other left and right. You can't all be correct. And what if all of you are wrong? It's a possibility, you know. You must care about the truth, right? Well, the way to know through all the differing contentions is to be skeptical. I'm now skeptical about them all!

Answer 3

Anyone who is serious about his religion should think that it is the right one. Otherwise, why would he or she be involved in it? Christians are admonished: “Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) A person should make sure that his beliefs can be supported by the Scriptures, for there is only one true faith. Ephesians 4:5 confirms this, mentioning “one Lord, one faith, one baptism.” Jesus did not agree with the modern, relaxed view that there are many roads, many religions, all leading to salvation. Instead, he said: “Narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it.” Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that they have found it. Otherwise, they would look for another religion.—Matthew 7:14.

Do they believe that they are the only ones who will be saved?

No. Millions that have lived in centuries past and who were not Jehovah’s Witnesses will come back in a resurrection and have an opportunity for life. Many now living may yet take a stand for truth and righteousness before the “great tribulation,” and they will gain salvation. Moreover, Jesus said that we should not be judging one another. We look at the outward appearance; God looks at the heart. He sees accurately and judges mercifully. He has committed judgment into Jesus’ hands, not ours.—Matthew 7:1-5; 24:21; 25:31.

Answer 4

My spirituality works for me. It is not necessary that it work for others. So the word "over" is not one I would use.

I arrived where I am after a lifetime of exposure to various faiths and spiritual traditions. I was raised Christian, have read the bible, but I could not stand the illogic and hypocrisy. Growing up in a multi-cultural setting, I was exposed to many religions and spiritual practices. Some were too extreme and some were too wishy-washy. I have found the Buddhist path to be a gentle "Middle Way" that meets my spiritual needs without asking me to ignore scientific evidence or the laws of physics. I can use my heart AND my mind.

Answer 5

I grew up in a christian church and thought it was everything I wanted to be, but as I grew up and formed my own opinions I realized that the church was destroying the christian faith. The word "christian" has gotten such a bad stigma attached to it because of the church and the extreme conservative politicians. In my opinion, christian religion has become so full of rules and double standards and the greatest commandment of loving others has dissapeared. I would rather be know as a follower of Jesus Christ instead of a christian. The reason I believe is because because of the prophecies that were fulfilled and accounted for all through the Bible, and because of faith which is beleiving in something even though you can't see it. Humans know the difference between right and wrong whether they beleive in religion or not, and that is what tells me that there is something bigger that created us to know these differences.

Answer 6

to be honest, the Jewish faith is the closest to anything I have ever believed in. It was the way I was raised, but at that point, I didn't believe in it. Now that I am married to a Catholic, I believe in the Jewish faith with FERVOR...just the other day, I was talking to a rabbi from Israel about reincarnation. I have experienced just about every other religion and could never have had a conversation like that with a preacher or a priest from the Baptist or Catholic churches.

Answer 7

I don't believe in my religion over others. I do believe in God, because I had a life-changing spiritual experience. But the rest is a search for metaphors and symbols that will help point the way to the experience, which I believe is a genuine experience of a transcendent reality.

Anyone who believes in their religion is, from the perspective of the Abrahamic faiths, engaging in idolatry. God is, in these traditions, the appropriate object of "faith", which means trust rather than assent to propositions.

Answer 8

Not raised to be Pagan but was always taught to respect nature. Found it was was the path for me after gaining much information on this and other belief systems. Yes, I believe it was a natural development of what I already knew and felt. :)

Answer 9

Hello. Blessings and Peace.

I was not raised to 'believe in religion'. Believing is for mere fools, as true faith comes from knowing higher spiritual truths.

I did not come across my faith as if I was walking down a road, I simply opened my spirit to higher spiritual truths and I became a 'knower' rather then a 'believer'.

Seeker of God Most High
A Nazorean Gnostic.

Answer 10

My testimony: I was not raised to believe in any faith although I have always believed in God. However, since I also believed in reincarnation and I had made 'God' what I wanted him to be, this was purely a postmodern view, and not in any way christianity.
When I moved to a new town in 2001 I made friends with a lady who bravely announced herself to be a christian. I was unimpressed, having had christian friends before (including my husband who failed to convince me) and none of them had ever made me want to come to church with them. I thought my new friend was brainwashed and it was such a shame as she was so young! Anyway she invited me to her baptism and I went. Whilst there, I heard 3 testimonies and they moved me immensely. These people really believed they knew Jesus! My spirit was stirred and when the pastor got up and talked about how people try different ways to fill the hole inside, but look how much depression there is, I felt like I was the only person there. I started quietly weeping. The pastor asked if anyone wanted to be blessed by Jesus, raise your hand and I felt compelled (by God maybe) to raise mine. I was instantly filled with the Holy Spirit (never knew about baptism of the spirit before so this was amazing) and cured of my own depression. I gave my heart to Jesus there and then, but needed persuading about some things that the Bible claims. I did an alpha course and read a lot about other faiths, but I have never had cause to doubt that what happened was a genuine experience of Jesus, and indeed I have been guided by him ever since.