i have been reading a book by Chris Hedges about how and why people accept fundamentalist, extreme, and exclusive religious beliefs (mostly Islamic/Christian sects). Hedges examines the lives of some of the people that both lead and belong to some of more radical religious right and finds a number of common elements in the pre-conversion lives of "believers"; bad childhoods/home life’s, physical/sexual abuse, soured parental relationships, chaotic upbringings, drug/alcohol abuse, regretted abortions, and poverty.
do you think that people that come from these kinds of "broken" pasts are more easily radicalized/proselytized by religious extremists? are you a very religious person? if so, could/would you share what events made you convert to your present religion, and did you experience any of the above listed circumstances? do you think these circumstances shaped your current belief structure?
thank you for your sincere thoughts.
2007-10-04 02:09:55 · 6 answers · asked by Free Radical 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
constance...thats just weird
2007-10-04 06:59:24 · update #1
It sounds very reasonable to me. I think many people who grow up with uncertainty, fear, abuse, or other unhappy circumstances need something firm to hold onto - that they feel they can count on - and religion provides that for them.
2007-10-04 02:18:53 · answer #1 · answered by Theresa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are positive and negative aspects about religion. I am Conservative but I don't have any interest in religion, even though I spent grades 1-5 in Catholic school. But here's the flip side of the coin: when religion was more prominent in our lives, there seemed to be a much stronger sense of family, responsibility, and compassion. For example, Christmas was at least as much about really getting in touch with your relatives, putting aside past differences, and helping people in need. That's how it was growing up. Now what do you see, now that relgion has been marginalized? Walmart opening up on Christmas Day because people are so bored. So while I simply can't drudge up the enthusiasm to go to church, I do recognize that society was more cohesive and caring when religion was a bigger part of our lives.
2016-05-20 22:10:48 · answer #2 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a very religious person. I had a wonderful childhood with a loving family. I've never been abused. I have a great relationship with my parents and all my siblings and inlaws. I had a very good, nurturing upbringing. I've never used drugs or alcohol. I've never had an abortion or known anyone who has. I've never been poor.
Though despite my own relatively trouble-free history, I think people who have suffered extreme trials are typically more humble and as such, tend to accept eternal truths more readily than the proud do.
2007-10-04 02:17:24 · answer #3 · answered by Open Heart Searchery 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe what the Bible says, That Jesus came to heal the broken hearted, the Oppressed and depressed, He came to the unlovely sinner those who no one else or those that the world would deem unworthy goods. There is no such things as a functional family only disfunctional and we all have been hurt or have hurt someone. So broken past is the norm. and it is those who are broken that the Holy Spirit would draw and comfort. I don't know anyone who doesn't have a broken past DO YOU? So if this seams the type that are drawen by the Holy Spirit I would say the Lord knows the market and what needs to be done wouldn't you?
2007-10-04 02:34:50 · answer #4 · answered by Tim and Karen J 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my parents like to get me pets just so they could watch me scream and cry as they killed it in front of me..
so that led me to become a me-ist
i rely on my self.. and i don't kill animals..
so yes, i guess my troubled upbringing has brought me closer to my one true goddess.. me
2007-10-04 03:55:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
get outta here! everyone's screwed-up one way or another - that doesn't mean anything!
2007-10-04 02:15:29 · answer #6 · answered by Mirko 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋