Geographical Location + Social Environment= Religious Faith?

Question

I believe that relgion is geographical, for example what is the chances of a child growing up in afghanastan becoming a jehovah's witness or a child from a mormon family in utah proclaiming to be a muslim. . . beliefs are conditioned and taught, what makes someone think they are so right when there is some one at the opposite end of belief, believing they are so right. . . I believe the strong can break through these boundaries and find their own beliefs and spirituality, what are your views?

Answer 1

I agree that for many people the religion they practice (or end up hating) is often reflective of whatever the major religion is in the area they grew up and live in. There are some who research on their own....who go on a search through the many traditions...and end up either practicing no religion or practicing a religion that is a "minority" religion in the area. The geographic location mostly determines the religion, the social environment determines their attitude towards religion. If the social environment has been negative the person may either also be negatively religious or negatively anti-religious. If the social environment has been positive the person may either be positively religious or positively anti-religious.

I personally fall into the category of someone who stepped out on their own searched. Though part of this I can attribute to my family upbringing and my social environment of friends....both of which are multifaith and both of which encourage personal exploration and research. Thus despite growing up in a heavily Christian area, I am a practicing Hindu.

Answer 2

I think you are right most people will do as there childhood conditioning will lead them to do, there will be other social and environmental influences as they grow but you have a sound premise. That's why I think religion and dogma for a large part are a platform, a jumping off point to develop a personal relationship with the sacred.

Answer 3

The majority of Jehovah's Witnesses came out of 'other' religions, thus your question though accurate in concept is wrong in contents.

There are J.W.'s in all countries of the earth who were once members of the community 'church' be it Muslim, Hindu, etc.

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Answer 4

Most of Jehovah's Witnesses worldwide formerly belonged to other religions. It has nothing to do with location.

I guess it's all that door knocking. ;-))

Answer 5

I agree. You must also include the parents religious views, of course,

Answer 6

Far and away the most powerful predictor of one's choice of religion is the religion of one's parents.

Answer 7

Absolutely, just as you are conditioned to believe that. We believe what we do because of our environment.

Answer 8

I think everyone needs to find their own truth. The truth as they see it through reasonable, rational, human eyes.

Answer 9

Yeah, religious majorities will do that.