What priority do you give your religious convictions?

Question

Some say that the reason religion divides the way it does is because people are fanatical about their beliefs and would risk ANYTHING for their god (or for their religious convictions). I'm not sure if that is the case... but I'm interested in finding out.

Would you deny your God/beliefs in order to keep a friendship?

Would you deny your God/beliefs to save your life?

Would you give up your God/beliefs to save the life of someone close to you?

Would you deny your God/beliefs to maintain peace between countries?

Would you kill for your God if he asked you to?

(or for nonbelievers: would you kill in order to promote nonbelief).

And if the answer is no - at what point do you draw the line?

Tikva : Yes you have a good point but the questions themselves are purely hypothetical. They're just asked to determine the extent of your resolve.

Answer 1

I'm going to answer this line by line.

"Would you deny your God/beliefs in order to keep a friendship?"

No. My Goddess and My God are a part of my life and a part of what makes me, me. I'm not going to be someone else and sell myself out pretending to be something I'm not just to gain some fake/cheap acquaintances. (Because that's what they would be. Friends are people who like you for you, not because of who you pretend to be.)

"Would you deny your God/beliefs to save your life?"

No. Again, not going to sell myself out. But I'm not going to stand back and let the person kill me either. Somebody wants to take my life they better be prepaid to face the fact they might go with me... or they might go alone. If they leave me alone, I'll leave them alone. And that goes for anyone trying to kill me for ANY reason.

"Would you give up your God/beliefs to save the life of someone close to you?"

If it's a situation where I know the person won't kill us once I say it and I can re-neg on it latter? Sure. Otherwise... see last answer. And add some fury. You do NOT mess with the people I care for.

"Would you deny your God/beliefs to maintain peace between countries?"

No. Any country that would ask me to give up my religious freedom to become allied with it is NOT a country I want to be allied with.

"Would you kill for your God if he asked you to?"

No. But then, my Goddess looks down on taking life for any reason other than survival. So, I don't see this becoming an issue.

"And if the answer is no - at what point do you draw the line?"

I am who I am. I tried for a while to be someone else and it was my own personal hell. I will never again try to be someone who I am not. And if someone does not like who I am... they don't have to hang out with me. Pure, simple, easy. It's more about being true to myself than it is about my religion. I may survive the day by selling out my beliefs and ideals... but will I be able to look at myself in the mirror again? To me, my sense of self is more important than anything. Even my life.

Answer 2

I don't have any religious beliefs.

My friendships are based upon mutual desire and how healthy they are.

If someone wanted me to deny the existence of God or else they will kill me, they will probably kill me anyway.

I'm not quite sure how I'd have to give up my non-existent beliefs to save someone else's life.

I'd like to work towards peace between countries without it having ANYTHING to do with God, but rather the fact that it would just be great if people could get along.

I don't think God, if he exists, has the time to ask me to kill anyone. And if I heard God talking to me, I'd probably check myself into a mental institution first before obeying that little voice in my head....

I draw the line at using God or religion as an excuse to do anything. Common sense, compassion, courtesy, respect for human life, having integrity, being honest, etc.--these are the values I use to manage my life.

Answer 3

The answer to all of those questions is no. And God does not ask us to kill. I would not draw the line anywhere.

True Religion Promotes Spirituality

This skeptical view of religion is understandable. Many religious organizations are mired in political intrigue and moral hypocrisy and are drenched in innocent blood from countless religious wars. However, while rejecting the religious organizations that are sullied by hypocrisy and deception, some have made the mistake of also rejecting the Bible, which they think condones such practices.

In reality, the Bible condemns hypocrisy and lawlessness. Jesus said to the religious leaders of his day: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because you resemble whitewashed graves, which outwardly indeed appear beautiful but inside are full of dead men’s bones and of every sort of uncleanness. In that way you also, outwardly indeed, appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”—Matthew 23:27, 28.

Moreover, the Bible encourages Christians to be neutral in all political affairs. Rather than urging believers to kill one another, it directs that they should be willing to die for one another. (John 15:12, 13; 18:36; 1 John 3:10-12) Instead of being “intolerant and divisive,” true religion, based on the Bible, is “broadly inclusive.” The apostle Peter said: “God is not partial, but in every nation the man that fears him and works righteousness is acceptable to him.”—Acts 10:34, 35.

Answer 4

The simple answer is "No".

The reason's are numerous as jeff b indicated.

Consider this, any conviction involves the choice you make for your ethics, morals, personal standards, etc.

Our religious convictions entail not just the items you listed, which are very thoughtful, but how we live our daily lives, how we work, how we play, how we treat others, etc.

Our convictions are our way of life. And, for some of us, our religious convictions are more important than our lives. They do not include taking someone else's life. Jehovah doesn't ask us to do that.

Answer 5

"What priority do you give your religious convictions?"
Highest in a spiritual sense.

"Would you deny your God/beliefs in order to keep a friendship?"
Never.

"Would you deny your God/beliefs to save your life?"
Never.

"Would you give up your God/beliefs to save the life of someone close to you?"
Never.

"Would you deny your God/beliefs to maintain peace between countries?"
Never.

"Would you kill for your God if he asked you to?"
Yes.

"And if the answer is no - at what point do you draw the line?"

There is no line to be drawn.

Answer 6

First of all, I believe in God, but I don't have a particular religion, so these questions are easier for me.

I wouldn't have to deny my God/beliefs to keep a frienship. The only way that could happen is if someone would refuse to be friends with me if I wasn't of their religion -- and I wouldn't like that type of "friend" anyway.

I don't think God needs/requires anyone to die for him.

I don't think God needs anyone to fight wars/kill for him, either.

Answer 7

1. no
2. yes
3. deny yes, give up no (I can't change my belief when I want to, if I believe something that's not a matter of will)
4. yes
5. no

Answer 8

Allah is the center of my life...well He created me after all and I am pretty sure He wants me to defend my self only...so I dont see my self killing anyone