Are we truly free to choose? If yes, what made you choose your religion?

Question

Please state religion

Answer 1

Follower of Jesus.

I am not sure if we have freedom to choose. I am not sure if that is a western thing. I just spent time in Israel & learned a lot about cultural differences. Their culture doesn't put as much on personal choice as we do.
For instance- a student never chose to follow a rabbi. Instead, rabbi's choose who they want to teach. Jesus did the same with his disciples. He elected some to join him, he did not to elect others.

There it is, no clear answer....I haven't figured it out yet, and I am a pastor.

Answer 2

Not really. Most people just stick with the religion they're indoctrinated into as children. If there were truly any kind of religious freedom then you would expect that either almost everyone would follow a single religion (or no religion), or a completely random distribution, in which it would be an odd coincidence for a child to share a parent's religion.

Answer 3

We are all free to choose. If that wasn't the case, there would only be one religion, and everyone would have to believe and attend that religion. There would be no say-so in how our lives are ran and everything would be spelled out for us from the get-go. It would pretty much suck!!

I chose my religion because it fit most of what I already believed. It was a pretty easy pick after looking into other churches and learning some of their beliefs.

Answer 4

Ah a truely complex question... I love it.
As it stands my "religion" is Neo-Pagan Druidry. As for the why, thats a bit of a tough one. I guess you could say how I came to practice Noe-Pagan Druidism is by some odd twist of fate... When I was in my pre-teen years I developed a interest in history. So I started to do a lot of reseach in the subject at my schools library & local library, (I know this has nothing to do with religion, I'm getting to that part) At the same time I started to think about spiritual/religous matters due to the loss of family friends, etc. Anyway at some point my focus changed from everyday history to religious history, particularly European religious history. (I was also asking a lot of questions to the various ministers, etc at the local churches where I lived and was not getting any answers) anyway at some point I started to focus on Neo-paganism and the Neo-Pagan Druidism branch just stuck (So at this point in my life this belief structure works. )

Answer 5

Yes we are all certainly free to choose, and such option comes as a gift alone with being alive. In my case I havent chosen a religion, but i have chosen a cult with only my-self as the only one cultist for it.
I chose it because she showed me a maricle. A little girl told me Venus loved me on a christmas night in a train station in Melbourne City. The most unlikely time, character and location that incident took place made it a miracle.

Answer 6

I dont have the words for why I'm Catholic. It was just in my heart for me to pursue this religion in my adulthood. I was never brought up any religion. My parents believed, when we matured, we could choose the path we wanted to, and not be forced to be what they thought we should be. As a child, I visited several different churches and denominations with various neighbor kids and friends and I chose this path and I have not regretted my decision. I guess its just something you feel as right when it is for you.

Answer 7

We're free, only in the sense of the actual choosing. Other things, a network of events, causally LEAD us to choose what we do, but the choice itself is free. I'm an atheist, which I chose (after being raised Christian), because the dogma made no sense to me. I've been much happier ever since!

Answer 8

yes, i think so.

i am christian.

the reason i say this, is that i was raised in a church. and i stopped going because i didn't know what i wanted, what i knew, except that i didn't like the people there. all thru college i did whatever i wanted, lied to my parents about going to church, because they would never understand.

eventually i started learning, on my own, and seeking what i thought would be good for me. so i started attending a friend's church, not knowing if i really believed or not. and after i did an indepth bible study on Romans 5-8, it really opened my eyes: that God MADE us the way we are, to seek and learn and grow, and make our own CHOICE to decipher what is Good, Right, Positive, Healthy, and ultimately Happy.

i realized then, that as long as u choose what is Good and Positive, it doens't even matter whether or not u are "christian" or not. as long as u take that path of Seeking, you will find what u are looking for. whether it leads u to God, or something else.. ultimately when u are truly at Peace with what u know and what u believe about Life on this earth, and apprciate and Rejoice in it, it wont matter what ANYONE says for or against you. it will become something to Discuss, but not something to be Angry about.

i chose to believe in Jesus Christ, and i believe all of us have that ability to choose what they feel is right. but i also think that u cannot denounce one faith until you at least Study it. like i would never be able to say anything about Buddhism or Hinduism cuz i haven't Studied it. anyways.... :)

Answer 9

Religion-mix

I was not raised with a religion. My parents felt it was wrong to push their beliefs on my due to the fact they were my parents. Both of my parents are Christian, but I don't really feel that I am. I like Catholic services, but don't believe in the doctrine. I love Wicca, but don't really feel that there is a TON of God and Goddesses. Instead, I am pantheistic and just enjoy the parts of the religions I like that make me happy.

Answer 10

I chose my religion after 10 years of studying the options. I looked at all religions, and non-religions. It was a personal decision and it was a long journey.