... and do you think the fear of punishment/ridicule is a primary reason you stick with your religion? (instead of converting or becoming a non-believer)
2007-09-14 00:52:07 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I think religious people keep religious because of their love for submission.
2007-09-14 01:12:36 · answer #1 · answered by CiberNauta 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Honey, I've abandoned religions all my life! I was brought up Protestant, gave that up for the minister being unable to answer reasonable questions. Became a Catholic when I married my first husband, and was excommunicated when I divorced him. Experimented with a variety of religions, finally taking up paganism, witchcraft, however defined. Gave that up most recently when I realized it didn't actually mean anything to me anymore now that my high priest had committed suicide. Now I'm a member of the Ethical Society, which is technically a religion for the purposes of First Amendment protection. The Society's motto is "deed before creed," and is more philosophy than religion in my opinion. If I stopped going to platform (meetings), probably someone would call me and ask why, because they know I have transportation problems. If offering to come pick me up didn't do it, they'd leave me alone.
2007-09-14 03:11:21 · answer #2 · answered by auntb93 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Being a late believer, I'm 23, I don't ever see abandoning my religion.
However, if I were to do so, I don't feel any of my friend from church or any of my family would ridicule me. They would be saddened for me and try to help me. The people I go to church with are very non-judgemental and loving people.
Also, no the fear of punishment/ridicule is not what keeps me in Jesus. I know this is going to sound so typical but it's everything He's done for my husband and I. I could never deny that He is real and present in my life.
Hope that helps!
:o)
2007-09-14 01:38:40 · answer #3 · answered by Julie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People is not punished for abandoning religions, people is punished for doing evil. Jesus is not a religion, Jesus is the way to stay in God's path.
Are not the nations going the wrong way?
The more advanced we get the deeper we fall.
Because we drink the remedy together with the poison.
2007-09-14 01:05:46 · answer #4 · answered by Davinci22 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What truly defines religion?
If you are truly a Christian and love Jesus then you don't see it as a religion, something you just follow. You have a personal relationship to the one and only who will always love you.
If I left Jesus no-onw would ridicule me. But I would feel heart break, loss, emptiness from a fullfilment that only the Lord can give me.
On that ultimate judgement day, yes, i would be punished. And It won't be a one off thing either, it would be for the rest of eternity.
Its not worth losing everything for. Its not the thought of punishment that keeps me with the Lord, its the thought of loss of what is truly an AMAZING life.
2007-09-14 01:03:35 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I abandoned my religion about 7 years ago and the church punished me. I was a Jehovah's Witness and decided to "disassociate" myself from the religion (to no longer be recognized as a JW within the organization). I had to write a letter to the headquarters in New York and state my intentions. Now, they label me as apostate and poo-poo everything I say on here. My family can have no association with me as well.
2007-09-14 01:16:54 · answer #6 · answered by Elphaba 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Everyone who doesn't agree with or understand my ways.
Religion is not for me. Even Atheism is a religion in my eyes. Rather I fear punishment or not, it will come for my wrongs. I can't escape that no matter what conversion I try...so I face it.
2007-09-14 01:04:15 · answer #7 · answered by thisguy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Spirituality is veery much a personal thing. I love the rituals of being catholic it helps me get my head round life. To answer though it depends on your understanding of god. I think if you abandoned god, the love he has for us all would prevail and he will unconditionally forgive. The question is, since god is within everything then, will you punish your self for questioning your faith or will you explore into spirituality and emerge on the other side wholesome and enlightened?
2007-09-14 01:03:44 · answer #8 · answered by finn mchuil 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I find knowledge to be liberating. I don't think I abandoned religion, but rather educated myself out of it. As for ridicule, Thomas Jefferson once said, “Ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions. Ideas must be a distinct idea of the trinity. It is the abracadabra of the mountebanks calling themselves the priests of Jesus”
Logical answers and retorts invalidates any ridicule that may be spilled my way.
2007-09-14 00:57:58 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Abandoning your religion has nothing to do with punishment. Abandoning God is everything to do with punishment.
2007-09-14 02:04:19 · answer #10 · answered by ROBERT P 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Q: If you abandoned your religion, who would punish/ridicule you?
A: If I abandoned my religion nobody would punish/riducule me.
I don't become a non-believer because I prefer to be a believer [in my particular faith]
2007-09-14 00:59:04 · answer #11 · answered by Jack P 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋