Are there closet atheists out there? I mean, when I left the baptist church I was utterly ostracized from everyone including to an extent my family. So... do you wonder if for some it is all a matter of peer pressure?
2007-11-14 23:41:20 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Without a doubt. They do not want to lose their standing that they have earned by repeated visits to the brainwashing center.
2007-11-14 23:45:10 · answer #1 · answered by timbers 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
If William doesn't qualify being a paedophile as "sinister" then I'm not sure I want to know what DOES qualify...
But honestly.... yes. Humans are very social creatures. That is one of the key reasons why religions exist: humans are individually weak creatures, and sharing belief goes hand in hand with sharing responsibility...... Many will compromise their real understanding or beliefs in favour of staying where they can fit in and displace part of their responsibility onto others.
And for what it is worth... I personally find that kind of behaviour reprehensible.
I would rather get myself outcast from society entirely and die as a result than deceive myself or anyone else into thinking I believed something that I don't.
I have little patience for the high social dependency of most people.... and hope in future to completely ween myself off society.
2007-11-15 08:00:18 · answer #2 · answered by Lucid Interrogator 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm quite sure there are some out there who are in church for friendship, social life, or just business contacts or to look good. They're sometimes called "benchwarmers" because they go and sit but never do anything that is outside their convenience.
The difference between a professing Christian and a professional Christian is:
A professing Christian really believes in the truth of the Gospel. A professional Christian goes to church because it's good for business.
2007-11-15 07:55:27 · answer #3 · answered by anna 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know for some people - Sunday Morning pew-warming Christians - church is more of a social hour; a time to be with family and friends - than any deeply moving spiritual experience or even praising and worshipping God for that matter.
That's why as a Christian - I had to leave the church five years ago - all the legalism and the hypocrisy was killing me.
2007-11-15 07:46:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Of course there are people who participate in Christian religions who are not really Christian. God tells us that there are tares among the wheat. Tares are grassy weeds that somewhat resemble wheat. Some do it because they just do not have faith but want to belong. Others do it because they want people to think they are "normal" when, in fact, they have something to hide, like being pedophiles or things like that. Others do it for more sinister reasons.
2007-11-15 07:48:44 · answer #5 · answered by William D 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i have found this to be so-i know many people who go to church just to be accepted in the community-with that said i also know many people who are very sincere in their beliefs-as time goes on i do think it will be more acceptable to not be a member of a church or religion but for now it still comes into play in buisness and politics and life in general--just my thoughts-smile and enjoy the day
2007-11-15 07:47:33 · answer #6 · answered by lazaruslong138 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Of course.
Think of it in much the same way as a young homosexual who dare not 'come out'.
There are so many including those who fit in just to get the votes - politicians. Do you REALLY believe that all of them are religious? Well, we know that GWB is but spread your thoughts.
2007-11-15 07:47:03 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
i think some do stay with religion to fit in. i used to go to youth group when i was about 16. i got so tired of them telling me i was going to go to hell for every little thing i did. they were so judge mental and i couldn't stand it. i think it is a matter of peer pressure.
2007-11-15 08:03:12 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
We need to have an 'open' mind to find the TRUTH . We need to have a 'testimony' of the 'truthfullness' of a belief that firmly defines our very existence and our relationship with our CREATOR........sincere communion with GOD is always the 'best guide' ...we stick to a certain principle that we believe to be true.
2007-11-15 08:00:29 · answer #9 · answered by TESS 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes its true some people stay with religion so no one will think theyre athiest. its because many people look down on athiests.
2007-11-15 07:45:48 · answer #10 · answered by i_w_o_s 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋