Which factor most convinced you to choose the belief system you now hold, or were you just born into it?

Answer 1

I am an agnostic. I developed this viewpoint through constant exposure to unanswerable questions. I have been offered many answers to unanswerable questions, but all have been unsatisfactory. I have determined that I would prefer to live with the questions than with bad answers.

Answer 2

I was religiously persecuted the first 18 years of my life by my family and their friends into becoming christian at an early age. It took me almost 50 years to unbrainwash myself, the best thing was the internet with loads of info the christian church would like to destroy like everything else. Knowing what I know now, I'd never become christian on my own account unless I were forced. A person does not have to be religious to be moral since most christians are not moral people anyway. Treat people as you want to be treated, is a concept all religions share, not just christianity. Now I am happy just being human and waiting for the trip off this planet, but not on Hale-Bopp.

Answer 3

What a long, strange trip it's been!

Without providing all the details, I was brought up Christian, but became very lackadaisical about it as a teen. I examined several other belief systems and took courses about philosophy of religion, psychology of religion and anthropology of religion in college, eventually became effectively agnostic.

Then one day I was talking to my friend who was an Episcopalian chaplain at the university about women who were becoming deacons in anticipation that the church would soon be ordaining women priests. In my ignorance, I said, "Wouldn't they be called priestesses?" "No," he replied, "That sounds too pagan." "Well," I asked, "What's so bad about sounding pagan?" "If that's the way you feel about it," he replied, "you should go out to California and become a pagan priestess."

So I did.

Some 25 years later, when my High Priest committed suicide, I was forced to re-examine all my beliefs, all the things he had taught me, the rituals and the magical tools, everything. And I realized that I was using the gods and goddesses as metaphors, myths, archetypes. I did not take them literally, did not "worship" them in any sense, and had not done a ritual or spell or charm since Steve died. So now I refer to myself as an atheist, and I'm comfortable with that. I can still use metaphors and symbols, but I don't act as if the gods and goddesses had physical existence.

Answer 4

I was definitely not born into it, I was raised Baptist but have been an atheist for nearly 40 years now - ever since reading the bible, cover-to-cover, convinced me it was nonsense at age 12. Developing the power of reason was crucial; some never do, others do long after indoctrination has controlled them.

Answer 5

I was christened Cof E, but i quickly realised that the fact that I was christened meant nothing, like all other religious ceremonies, I have found through my life, through reading and learning all I can on the subject of Theism, it is all built on lies! there really is virtually nothing that holds true. The bible was written by men, religious organisations are just now profit based corperations. I have converted all my family accopts 1, but they are agnostic, plus I convert virtually everyone I meet at social gatherings, for knowledge is the key, if you have knowledge you will will reach a point of enlightenment.

Answer 6

I almost killed myself once- and I received a sign from God- literally. A church sign said a bible verse that was all about cleansing my consciousness and forgiveness. So I turned around and didn't drive off that cliff.
Didn't become a Christian until years later. The seed was planted. Then years (at least 5 years) later I felt something missing in my life. Decided to go to Church give it a whirl.
I found God there waiting on me. It wasn't immediate. It was about a year into going every now and then. Yet there he was- all along- waiting on me. :-) I didn't grow up in religion- never really gave any of it a second thought. Had a lot o fun did a lot of things and it all brought me to where I am now. So I am thankful for that. I am thankful that he waited on me. God Rocks!

Answer 7

The delusion of religion was the factor that made me choose humanism instead. Humanism is a philosophy of life inspired by humanity and guided by reason. It provides the basis for a fulfilling and ethical life without religion.

Humanists make sense of the world using reason, experience and shared human values.
Humanists see no convincing evidence for gods, the supernatural, or life after death.
Humanists believe that moral values are properly founded on human empathy and scientific understanding.
Humanists believe we must live this life on the basis that it is the only life we'll have -- that, therefore, we must make the most of it for ourselves, each other, and our world.
Humanist philosophies have arisen separately in many different cultures over many thousands of years. Whether or not they use the term humanism, tens of millions of Americans and hundreds of millions of people around the world agree with the humanist philosophy of living a happy and productive life based on reason and compassion.

Answer 8

My parents were both nonbelievers but all through growing up I felt something inside me that wanted to know Jesus. I've made a lot of mistakes in my life living it my way, so I asked Jesus into my life. From the moment I asked, my life completely changed. I don't belong to a religious group, Everything I know has come from Gods guidance. I do read the Bible and the things I don't understand, I don't worry about. I just know how He answers me and shows me what I need. I think most of us have it all confused anyway when it comes to God so I believe in the way I do and it works for my life.

Answer 9

As are all Christians, even those who no longer believe, I became a Christian at my mother's behest when I was baptized. I was ten years old.

At 25 I took a brief but frightening foray into paganism. I ran back to Christianity. It is the only way to life eternal. My life has only gotten better since then.

At 40 I joined the Church. It is commonly called the Catholic Church to distinguish it from others. I call it the Church because it has been, is, and always will be the only Church.

Yours in Christ Jesus

Answer 10

I was born into a Luthern family (Catholic lite) I couldn't find the answers I sought there, so I explored a lot of other religions. I am now agnostic. Buddism & Taoism make the mose logical sense to me.