For those... (Jesus, disciple, America, atheist, faith)

[Buttons*]

For those of you who have always known your faith, and have not changed it. I have to ask, "What if you hadn't been brought up in your religion?"

I thought about this a lot when I changed my heart*. People living outside America don't have quite the Christian fetish that we do. What if America had been settled by Islamic leaders. I think that we would all be muslim. It's interesting to think about because it changes your perception from, "i know this is right because i've always known it," to, "maybe it's only right because i've always known it."

wadda ya think?

[Buttercup]

Originally Posted by Buttons*

For those of you who have always known your faith, and have not changed it. I have to ask, "What if you hadn't been brought up in your religion?"

I thought about this a lot when I changed my heart*. People living outside America don't have quite the Christian fetish that we do. What if America had been settled by Islamic leaders. I think that we would all be muslim. It's interesting to think about because it changes your perception from, "i know this is right because i've always known it," to, "maybe it's only right because i've always known it."

wadda ya think?

I can't really answer because I have changed my faith but when I was a Christian I didn't think,

"i know this is right because i've always known it,"

I simply knew it was right, period end of discussion.

Thank the stars my brain cracked open a notch.

[ChristineES]

I actually went against the "faith" I grew up in. My mother was an atheist before I was born and she raised me as one. She told me that Jesus was just a "good man" and things of that sort. My friends were all raised in Christian homes, but they never spoke to me about God or Jesus. Becoming a disciple of Jesus was something that happened when I got older, at age 17. My mother is no longer an atheist, either, but that is another story.

This country was founded for the freedom of religion, or at least that is what I was taught. That includes all religions, not just Christianity.

The Puritans (who we call the pilgrims) came here for religious freedom for themselves, but they killed and persecuted Quakers and others, which, in my opinion made them hypocrites. So if we really want to get into it, this country was actually founded on hypocrisy.

[Hema]

If I wasn't brought up in my faith, I would still be very tolerant....most people in my country are tolerant of each other's religion...MOST of the time! There are lots of people of different ethnic backgrounds here. The main religions are Christianity, Hinduism and Islam.

[Buttons*]

Originally Posted by ChristineES

I actually went against the "faith" I grew up in. My mother was an atheist before I was born and she raised me as one. She told me that Jesus was just a "good man" and things of that sort. My friends were all raised in Christian homes, but they never spoke to me about God or Jesus. Becoming a disciple of Jesus was something that happened when I got older, at age 17. My mother is no longer an atheist, either, but that is another story.

This is a great story! I like that you actually gave it thought and followed your heart. That's what faith should be, imo.

This country was founded for the freedom of religion, or at least that is what I was taught. That includes all religions, not just Christianity.

hahahahaha..... hahahaha..... you'd think so wouldn't you? I think it's more like, "you can be any kind of Christian you want... we dont care.....except you fellows over there, and you natives.... yeah, you dont count. And that girl over there playing with her doll, she must be a witch because she's not married yet! BURN HER ANYWAY!" ... that's how I see the Pilgrims.

The Puritans (who we call the pilgrims) came here for religious freedom for themselves, but they killed and persecuted Quakers and others, which, in my opinion made them hypocrites. So if we really want to get into it, this country was actually founded on hypocrisy.

funny how that happens huh?

[Buttons*]

Originally Posted by Buttercup

I can't really answer because I have changed my faith but when I was a Christian I didn't think,

"i know this is right because i've always known it,"

I simply knew it was right, period end of discussion.

Thank the stars my brain cracked open a notch.

Yeah, and I know that most people see it that way. It's just interesting how many people never give "background" any kind of credit for the way they see things sometimes.

[Bishka]

Originally Posted by Buttons*

For those of you who have always known your faith, and have not changed it. I have to ask, "What if you hadn't been brought up in your religion?"

I probably would not have gone for it -- to be completley honest. I have a love/hate relationship at the moment, and for the time being, I believe, I would not have found it or gone for it on my own. Time will tell though...

[Buttons*]

Originally Posted by Hema

If I wasn't brought up in my faith, I would still be very tolerant....most people in my country are tolerant of each other's religion...MOST of the time! There are lots of people of different ethnic backgrounds here. The main religions are Christianity, Hinduism and Islam.

May I ask if there is a majority of any of those faiths?

[Buttons*]

Originally Posted by beckysoup61

I probably would not have gone for it -- to be completley honest. I have a love/hate relationship at the moment, and for the time being, I believe, I would not have found it or gone for it on my own. Time will tell though...

I'm glad that you're honestly considering the faith you have. Most people dont challenge themselves at all, and instead of wondering about "why" they'd rather just hate anyone who sees differently. It makes me happy that you're examining your heart, and I hope that it guides you to the right place. Mormons are some of the most kind people I've known. If other people give you crap for it, it's because they're scared you might be right

at least, that's how I see it

[FFH]

Originally Posted by Buttons*

For those of you who have always known your faith, and have not changed it. I have to ask, "What if you hadn't been brought up in your religion?"

I thought about this a lot when I changed my heart*. People living outside America don't have quite the Christian fetish that we do. What if America had been settled by Islamic leaders. I think that we would all be muslim. It's interesting to think about because it changes your perception from, "i know this is right because i've always known it," to, "maybe it's only right because i've always known it."

wadda ya think?

Nah, it's right because I've had God witness to me that my particular religion has the most truth, not because I was raised LDS...

My parents rarely, if ever, taught religion in the home, just brought us to church and let us decide for ourselves.

The spirit of God witnesses to human hearts the truth of all things, to those who are willing to listen and want to learn.