What would religion be like if you weren't allowed to join until you're an adult?

Question

let's say that religion as a concept wasnt introduced to people until high school, when all the major branches of religion (Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, etc) were taught (not endorsed, just explained in principle) and you couldnt join a religion until you're 18 and legally an adult....

would there be more or less people following various faiths? would any religions die out, and what one do you think would be the biggest? would there be less religous conflicts in general?

just curious what everyone else thinks, thanks!

i just want to mention that this isnt a pro or anti relgion question, i have no problem with anyone's beliefs as long as they dont push them onto others. just curious a very "what-if" type of situation.

Answer 1

by the time I was 18, I wouldn't want to join, specially if a person had to wait till they were of legal age, most likely less problems with religions because of the set rules of joining at 18, think religions would die out first and people would get together in their own homes and have church instead.

Answer 2

Wow what a great question. Don't you feel that 95% of the people believe what their parents believe? If you count all the sperate sects there must be scores of different religions - all claiming they are the true religion. If you could know which one was the true religion then that would mean scores of religions would be false in some material way.
Having people choose religion as an adult would at least have people exposed to different beliefs. So does it become a popularity contest - choose us we let believers use birth control and drink alcohol etc. Would there be sign up sheet after class, infomercials? Who knows what would happen.

Answer 3

It feels like the terrific element so you might do is wait till you're 18, then circulate out asap and decrease ties, especially in case you have have been given character subjects forming through all this. quite somewhat, your loved ones sounds controlling to the factor of in simple terms approximately sounding abusive. you're 17 and you at the instant are not allowed to this point/have a girl buddy. in simple terms while did your father and mom think of you would be sufficiently old to this point and meet even a "Christian woman"? 30? 50? they are crippling you socially in the event that they won't permit you have a girl buddy once you're in simple terms approximately 18. while you're to ever marry, how are you going to do so in case you have by no potential dated or dated in simple terms the ladies your father and mom "approve" of you to this point? in case you enable them to administration you presently, they are going to be controlling you for the the remainder of your existence, and probable your spouse's, too. in the event that they are keen to disown you for not doing what they choose once you're an person which incorporate your very own existence, then it is borderline abusive. in case you do not upward thrust up now, once you turn 18, and tell your father and mom which you adore them, yet you're an person and could make your very own judgements and could stay your very own existence, you will experience sorry approximately it for the the remainder of your existence, that's composed of putting up with this "the Rapture's approximately to take place!" crap they provide the impact of being pulling with you. Doing what your father and mom permit you realize through fact they are going to disown you and kick you out isn't worth having character subjects and different psychological wellness subjects. in the event that they are going to try this to you, then they don't look to be worth being around. you're extra acceptable off without that kind of crap on your existence.

Answer 4

If this were the case, I think more people would be Christian or Jew. But I don't think many adults today are the religion that their parents are. I know many people over the age of 30 that believe differently now than what their parents taught them. Or say their parents are Christians but not practicing Christians. They did go to church excpet at Chritmas and Easter. But their children who are now adults are still Christians but devote in their religion.

Answer 5

Interesting question. There may be less religious people, but nobody can say for sure what would happen. I don't agree with people who say there would be no more religion and that people only believe if they were taught from childhood, though- one only needs to see how many people convert as adults to know that's not true.

Answer 6

wow.... i never thought of that.

its hard to say, but there are those who find religion later in life, and people would come up with creation ideas and stuff. once upon a time i'm sure that cavemen didnt have the ability to understand religion, so their kids didnt have it. and eventually religion became the big thing in life, so eventually, life would be just like it is now.

but, i bet people would still fight about it, they'd all learn the same facts, then pick, and not everyone would pick the same one. i imagine a lot of people wouldnt pick anything. more or less, stuff would be the same.

Answer 7

i think if i could not join a religion until i was 18 i would choose one where when you die you go to a beautiful place wether you were evil or not in order to be evil and go to this beautiful place you would have to honestly be remorseful of the evil things you caused and maybe even apologize to some if not all the people you hurt now as far as ALL of religions go i do not know if any would die out to me the purpose of my religion (CHRISTIANITY) is to bring me comfort and if i am faced with a dillema or a difficult choice in my life i ask what would JESUS do religion ANY RELIGION is about comfort peace joy and harmony with oneself and if you do not get that from your religion you need to change i do not care what religion any1 is but if your religion is telling you to kill to commit suicide you are not believing properly or you are misreading something no religion is about death only about what happens when you die all religions (IN MY OPINION) are for yourself are to make your life better and the people you love help their lives be more enjoyable RELIGION = PEACE........NOT HATE

Answer 8

"let's say that religion as a concept wasnt introduced to people until high school, ...and you couldnt join a religion until you're 18 and legally an adult...."

If that we're the case, it wouldn't be religion; it would be some dog of the government.

Complete religious freedom, please. =)


Though, I am a big fan of a comprehensive introduction to religious beliefs.

Answer 9

Just because you couldn't "physically" join doesn't mean that you couldn't "mentally" join a religion.

Tyrants, etc will never be able to stop the "free-thinker" from joining a religion in their minds.

Answer 10

I think your question speaks for itself. It's so typical of religious people to avoid theoretical questions like this. I'd genuinly like to hear what they would have to say... so here's my response playing devil's advocate for them.

First, imagine that I'm wearing a glowing HALO and that I have long hair....

"That question is meaningless, because the presence of Jesus Christ would be so powerful in you heart that he would overcome your soul with so much joy that you would move mountains to remove such a man-made law."

"Ummm... scripture... ummmm... bible"

"Halalllla ha lhalhalhaa" BOOM.

And finally...

"I'll be praying for you and your answer tonight after I beat my wife"