Do you think you still would have found your religion (or lack thereof) had you been born somewhere else?

Question

Like say for fun, you and your family are natives of Madagascar. Do you think you would still have the same beliefs as you do now? Why or why not?

Thanks in prior for the answers!

And if you happen to live/lived in Madagascar, you can pick any country you'd like, because you are just cool like that.

Answer 1

of course not. we are all shaped by our environment.

Answer 2

Assuming I'd have had a chance to be educated and think for myself, I think I would have ended up an atheist no matter where I'd been born, but I can't say that for sure. I surely would have been raised in a different religion from the one I was born into. I'd root for different sports teams and enjoy different foods. I'd have an entirely different world view, I'm sure.
This is what gets me about people: they don't seem to realize that much of what they believe, feel and like hinges on where they live. Even something as silly as a sports team is usually affected by this. All those Red Sox-hating Yankee fans would feel a lot differently if they had been born and raised in Boston. All these devout Christians would feel a lot differently if they'd been raised in a predominently Muslim country--and they just don't see it. This is a good, thought-provoking question.

Answer 3

I think if I lived in a third world country I would believe whatever is the common religion there, the one I was raised in. Its much harder to become an atheist in that situation due to social pressures. When the church is the center of the community, and you want to be part of the community, you go to church.

I think if I had been born into a Catholic family for example, and still grew up in America, I would still end up an atheist as long as I didn't live in an isolated area.

Answer 4

I think my faith (or lack thereof) had much more to do with my parents than my geographic location. So, provided I had the exact same parents but I grew up in Madagascar, I wouldn't be much different. Except that I wouldn't be so afraid of animals. I hope. Otherwise I'd end up spending most of my childhood fleeing in terror :P

Answer 5

It's very hard to say, since I'm not in that situation. But it is my nature to question, and it is also my nature to want to learn all I can about cultures and religions. So I would think that in most places, if I had been given the opportunity to learn about other religions, and to be able to question, I think I would end up with the same religion I have now arrived at (Hinduism). But my view on religions, and questioning, and everything else might be so different had I been born somewhere else, so it's very difficult to predict what would happen.

Answer 6

No, I do not see that it would be likely that I would have the same belief structure that I do now if I were to be born elsewhere. As for my lack of religion, it is a possibility but not likely. My Atheistic views are a result of the environment I lived in.

Answer 7

Yes, from early on I had an interest in science and in finding answers to how things work. So, I'm sure I would have done the same inward and outward searching that led me to my firm atheistic views. Although, the new Jedi-religion is something that interests me a bit. I'd have to see a "master jedi" demonstrate his use of "The Force" before I could really take it seriously. LOL

Answer 8

Yes I believe I would be a christian whatever country I was born in. I'm in the UK but I wasn't brought up in any faith, God revealed the truth to me through Jesus when I was 28, and I wasn't in church, being prayed for or anything like that, it was just my eyes being opened. God has followers in most countries if not all, it's just that they have to keep quiet for fear of persecution in some places. It's a myth that you will always be the same faith as your parents or culture.

Answer 9

This is a secret.. actually not supposed to tell any 1 who are new or don`t know about Islam.. Not Much Muslim Know about this secret.. but i got to tell you due to your wrong believes.. ok first before we were born to the earth we are actually already gather at 1place together.. we already saw & know.. what is going to happern.. in our earth lives.. We already promiss to corect our wrongs & sins before we born to earth.. we all agree.. which is not agree.. will not be born to the earth.. & that is our own choice to find the Truth.. & The Corect Path.. (Al`Quran)Surah Al-Fatihah




ALLAH in the name of The Most Affectionate, the Merciful.


All praise unto Allah, Lord of all the worlds.


The most Affectionate, The Merciful.


Master of the Day of Requital.


We worship You alone, and beg You alone for help.


Guide us in the straight path.


The path of those whom You have favoured. Not of those who have earned Your anger and nor of those who have gone astray.

Answer 10

Christianity has penetrated Madagascar a long time ago, so probably the same yet without so much structure and would have never been open to atheism.

Answer 11

No. Most adherents of my religion are in India, and there is only about five million of us worldwide. So it is highly unlikely that I would be in Madagascar with the same religion.