How do you see religion?

Question

There seems to be two categories of people.

Type 1 people feel that religion is a personal choice and that everyone needs to make the decision that best fits them. These people don't seem to care if their spouse or children follow the same religion as they do, nor do they care overly much about converting people. Their religion is important to them, certainly, but they see it as a personal thing, like their car choice or hair color.

Type 2 people feel just as strongly about their religion, but they feel that it is Right and all other religions are Wrong. They try to convert people whenever possible and they want their family to be the same religion too.

My next question is, Do some religions fall more naturally into those types? It seems like most (not all) Christians are Type 2 and most (not all) "alternative religion" followers are Type 1. In other words, is it the religion or the person that determines the mentality?

Geezah, fair enough. But, as they say: There are two types of people in the world - people who think there are two types of people and people who don't. :D

Answer 1

I don't think there has to necessarily be only these two categories. But for the record, I fall into "type 1". I see religion as a personal thing, so I'm not concerned with how many people agree with me.

I do think there's a wee bit of Type 2 in anybody who takes their religion (or lack there of) seriously. I think every devout person in the back of their mind does have the feeling that their chosen religion is, at the very least, the most straight forward way of going about things and that others, if not "wrong", are viewed as making the "path to truth" a little more maze-like than it has to be.

And yes, I do think some religions naturally fall into one or the other. It depends on whether the religion views itself more as TOOL or a CAUSE. If the emphasis is on "a tool", then they're type 1. If a "cause", they're type 2.

Though ultimately it's fueled by the individual. You can find fundamentalists in all religions (or lack there of). Sad to say, I think most of the people who take the position of "down with all religion!" are only familiar with the type 2s. Or they themselves are type 2.

Answer 2

Well, two out of three Abrahamic religions insist they're the One True Way, so I'd say that's a good call on the Type 2 question. The third, Judaism, seems to feel that they're both the One True Way and that it's an *exclusive* franchise . . . I'm not sure if that's better or not, but it does keep them from going door-to-door looking for converts.

Alternative religions tend to be *focused* on personal spirituality, personal gnosis, personal fulfillment, so it's hardly surprising that most would understand that spiritual truths are subjective and culturally defined, and that one size does NOT fit all.

There is a "Type 3," btw . . . Judaism, Shinto, most Amerind spirituality, Hinduism, Asatru (*raises hand*) and a few others are "Folkways," or ancestral, culturally/racially defined spiritualities. We may believe our way is The Most Right Way, lol, but not the ONLY right way . . . and that it is only right for US, for our Folk and our culture.

Answer 3

Well, I fall mostly into Type 1. However, like Type 2, I happen to think my beliefs are True, otherwise they wouldn't be my beliefs, right? I don't really try to convert people to my beliefs, but I love having open-minded discussions with others about how they see the world. And if their views differ from mine, I try to see why, and if there's some underlying Truth in their perspective. (So I'm one of the types that don't think there's two types...)

Oh, also, regards to your second question... if you really believed that everyone in the world was going to be tortured for all eternity unless somehow you managed to "convert" them to your belief system, I think THAT world-view would almost force you into being Type 2.

Peace to you.

Answer 4

I am going with what you said about number 1. That is how I am. I do not let my life revolve around religion and do not believe in preaching it to other people. When something is wrong or about to happen I may do a little prayer, but I do not go to church regulary and don't put much of my life toward it. I go to church on the holidays and when their is a family wedding it is in a Catholic church but thats about as far as I will go. Having a religion is not that bad it is just that I chose not to put my whole life toward it. Hope I answered your question good enough...I answered it to how I really feel.

Answer 5

most all religious organizations are corrupted.

jesus condemned the traditions of men and rebuked the historical leaders of judaism. but in one place in the western bible its says that True religion and undefiled religion are Caring for the widow and the fatherless.

it doesnt matter what type of christian or what category they belong too. what matters is how much a person sincerely believes in faith and righteousness.

of all christian religions, i believe in Latter day Saints the most, the case for Joseph Smith jr. being a prophet is above 75% perfect. however, the case against secret combinations corrupting the church is almost 90%. one little rotten apple can destroy the whole. despite what they say.
the Catholic church(es) lost all authority at the latest by the third century. However Jesus promised that whereever 2 people agree there he is. He also declared that LOVE is the fruit of his church. and those who say Christ did not organize a church, do not understand Ephesians ch. 3 and 4.
God bless

Answer 6

I see religions as dangerous and I'm not at all alone...

“There was a time when religion ruled the world. It is known as the Dark Ages.” -- Ruth Hurmence Green

“We have just enough religion to make us hate, but not enough to make us love each other.” -- Jonathan Swift

“Many of us saw religion as harmless nonsense. Beliefs might lack all supporting evidence but, we thought, if people needed a crutch for consolation, where's the harm? September 11th changed all that.” – Richard Dawkins

“To no form of religion is woman indebted for one impulse of freedom.” -- Susan B Anthony

“Every injustice that has ever been fastened upon women in a Christian country has been "authorized by the Bible" and riveted and perpetuated by the pulpit.” -- Helen H Gardener

“The religious persecution of women has been done under what was claimed to be the command of God.” -- Susan B Anthony

“Religion teaches the dangerous nonsense that death is not the end.” -- Richard Dawkins

“I am against religion because it teaches us to be satisfied with not understanding the world.” – Richard Dawkins

[Edit]: Actually, there are 10 types of people... those who understand binary numbers are those who don't.

Answer 7

I dont know I kind of fall in the middle.

the religious beliefs of anyone I would marry would be important to me and I would want them to closely (though not exactly match mine) for the sake of maintaining a household with stablity. As for my kids I would care if their beliefs were radicaly different then mine, but in the end I would deal with it.

As to others to each his own

Answer 8

Religion and belief in the afterlife often distracts people from doing good in THIS world.

Answer 9

person...because many christians follow (or don't) the doctrine in different ways but they have their belief as common ground...same for all other labeled religions

Answer 10

From a great distance, if at all possible.