Reason you left

[King Phenomenon]

Reporting a crime does help to prevent a rapist from raping his next victim. It helps to prevent a shoplifter from pocketing goods as she pleases. It helps to find and charge those committing assaults. No, it won't bring world peace (that's rather a silly thing to bring up as that is a complex issue with many layers and I wasn't even going in that direction), but many perpetrators of crime go on unimpeded and uncaught simply because no one bothered to report it. Which means those who had knowledge but didn't report did allow a criminal to go forth and commit more crime.

Never said one shouldn’t report

 

[Windwalker]

Good people outweigh bad
Always have

You can find good people in all sorts of bad religious systems. That doesn't make the system healthy for you? Good people drink bad water all the time. Should you drink bad water too, because good people are drinking it?

 

[Trailblazer]

I have to say other. What drove me from religion [christianity] is the people

What about the people drove you away?

 

[ChristineM]

What about the people drove you away?

Very long story and it's late but a synopsis goes...

The congregation of the church i attended, who i thought of as kind people slowly began taunting me for being unable to read the bible which became outright mockery calling me thick, stupid, moron etc.

By age 14 i summoned the courage to say, enought, and i left my church ...

 

[McBell]

Most of the times they are not standing by. their busy. Raising children working full-time jobs and maybe having a little free time to be a couch potato maybe they have hobbies and are trying to live an enjoyable life. Maybe they are in some little groups that try to make a difference but the bad thing still persist. They’re not law enforcement officials and a lot of times crimes are indoors where nobody can see them. It runs deeper than just chalking it up as good people standing by

This is nothing more than you trying to excuse those who do nothing.
If you know about a bad thing that happened, or worse yet is happening, and you ignore it, you are condoning the bad behaviour.

Seems to me the only reason you are making claims of "deeper" is to justify the enabling the bad behaviour.

I welcome you to prove me wrong.

 

[We Never Know]

The statistics that are available indicate differently. For example there is a higher percentage of religious people in us prisons than non religious when compared to the demographic of the general population.

Feeling may have a little to do with if but i am talking physical violence, terrorism, various atrosities, immoral behaviour

What those studies don't show are how many weren't religious before being put in prison.

Many inmates seek religion and become religious while in prison for several reasons.

In a study by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, the researchers concluded that religious prisoners found many benefits in their religion, including an easier time adjusting to prison, safety, and an increased ability to cope.[6] Studies have shown that one of the reasons inmates become involved in religion is to improve their self-concept. Many inmates experience guilt, remorse, and pain as a result of their criminal history and background. Religion helps them to feel better about themselves and thus improve their self-concept in this way.[7]

There are various other reasons inmates may find religion while in prison. Some prisoners may seek to improve their life and the discipline required to practice religion helps them to change and control their actions. Others may join a religious group as a form of protection from other inmates. It is a rarity for a physical altercation to occur in a place of worship, this means prisoners have a high degree of respect for these places. Social interaction is also an important reason for some inmates to join a religious group. These interactions not only allow the benefit of socializing with other people, but also the benefit of exchanging goods and services among each other.

Jailhouse Jesus - Wikipedia.

 

[ChristineM]

What those studies don't show are how many weren't religious before being put in prison.

Many inmates seek religion and become religious while in prison for several reasons.

In a study by the National Council on Crime and Delinquency, the researchers concluded that religious prisoners found many benefits in their religion, including an easier time adjusting to prison, safety, and an increased ability to cope.[6] Studies have shown that one of the reasons inmates become involved in religion is to improve their self-concept. Many inmates experience guilt, remorse, and pain as a result of their criminal history and background. Religion helps them to feel better about themselves and thus improve their self-concept in this way.[7]

There are various other reasons inmates may find religion while in prison. Some prisoners may seek to improve their life and the discipline required to practice religion helps them to change and control their actions. Others may join a religious group as a form of protection from other inmates. It is a rarity for a physical altercation to occur in a place of worship, this means prisoners have a high degree of respect for these places. Social interaction is also an important reason for some inmates to join a religious group. These interactions not only allow the benefit of socializing with other people, but also the benefit of exchanging goods and services among each other.

Jailhouse Jesus - Wikipedia.

One would expect non religious prisoners to adopt the same attitude, after all they are in danger from religious criminals...

Sorry that reasoning doesn't follow unless you apply it across the board

 

[We Never Know]

One would expect non religious prisoners to adopt the same attitude, after all they are in danger from religious criminals...

Sorry that reasoning doesn't follow unless you apply it across the board

I would think they do. That's why there are so many. Plus I would think when time comes for parole it looks good to act religious and such. However I wonder how many once out of prison lose their religious findings found while in prison.

 

[ChristineM]

I would think they do. That's why there are so many. Plus I would think when time comes for parole it looks good to act religious and such. However I wonder how many once out of prison lose their religious findings found while in prison.

I am not sure of the temporary christian thing, it just seems so convenient to excuse the statistics. It must happen to a small extent but i don't think it's enough to slew the stats.

 

[We Never Know]

I am not sure of the temporary christian thing, it just seems so convenient to excuse the statistics. It must happen to a small extent but i don't think it's enough to slew the stats.

Many seek/find religion once in prison. Whether its temporary or not, the stats don't show how many weren't religious before they went to prison.
If the stats are going to be used to reflect a large % of prisoners are religious. It should also reflect how many/what % weren't religious before going to prison.
Its not a very accurate stat for what % of religious people go to prison.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Never said one shouldn’t report

You didn't say that, but you did seem to imply it's pointless doing so, and that people can't be held accountable for not doing so.

Most of the times they are not standing by. their busy. Raising children working full-time jobs and maybe having a little free time to be a couch potato maybe they have hobbies and are trying to live an enjoyable life. Maybe they are in some little groups that try to make a difference but the bad thing still persist. They’re not law enforcement officials and a lot of times crimes are indoors where nobody can see them. It runs deeper than just chalking it up as good people standing by

Unfortunately standing up to A bully or reporting a crime isn’t gonna bring about world peace. Teaching the young unfortunately won’t do that either.
I wish it would though

It's a step in the right direction. And teaching people while they are young today is how we go about changing who we are as a society tomorrow. Too many groups place a value on not reporting and harshly stigmatize those who do. This needs to change, and it won't change if we believe reporting crime is a bad thing to do or won't achieve anything, or think bullying should be protected or that people just don't have the time to stand up to it. Like George Floyd's death. Those people who stood by and recorded it were regular, ordinary, every day people who, by taking what action they could in a very difficult situation, did act in a way that helped to put a murderer behind bars. Had they walked by and done nothing--as has certainly happened many times even with camera phones being everywhere--then this murderer very likely would have went on to abuse and kill again. Their actions didn't bring world peace, but they helped to take a step in that direction.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

What’s the biggest reason people leave religions?
Is it:
1. They disagree with the religions teachings?
2. They believe that God doesn’t exist?
3. They have found their own spiritual path?
4. Other

biggest for me is #3

For me, there is a subtle but important difference in why I left the religion I was raised in (Church of England) - Combination of 1 and 2 - and why I left religion as a whole - basically didn't see value of non-theistic religions for me personally.

1 and 2 came somewhat together for me. The teachings, and the hypocrisy of the Church and individuals believers led me to suspect belief was far less widespread or comprehensive than I was initially led to believe. People didn't ACT as if the teachings of the Church and the God they claimed belief in were all simple facts. This led me to further consideration and research both of Christian and non-Christian belief systems.

I was pretty young at the time. I'd probably approach it quite differently now.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

You can find good people in all sorts of bad religious systems. That doesn't make the system healthy for you? Good people drink bad water all the time. Should you drink bad water too, because good people are drinking it?

That's how I feel about many Mormons I've met and their the church they belong to. I've met many Mormons who are very kind, friendly, pleasant people, but the religious organization they belong to is a political hate machine, and its cup overflows with examples of bigotry that comes from the top.

 

[McBell]

That's how I feel about many Mormons I've met and their the church they belong to. I've met many Mormons who are very kind, friendly, pleasant people, but the religious organization they belong to is a political hate machine, and its cup overflows with examples of bigotry that comes from the top.

I have talked to a huge number of Mormons who agree with the theology and completely disagree with the politics.

 

[Sand Dancer]

What’s the biggest reason people leave religions?
Is it:
1. They disagree with the religions teachings?
2. They believe that God doesn’t exist?
3. They have found their own spiritual path?
4. Other

biggest for me is #3

I at first wanted to say #2, but #3 might be the biggest reason. People are finally starting to leave "organized" religion for their own spirituality that works for them. I was scared into Christianity, which sadly, is probably pretty common. I stayed in it for 28 years because I didn't know there were other viable options...and I didn't want to go to hell. When you're in that bubble, everything non-Christian scares you. I finally got over my fear and now am much happier. I like having a spirituality and I value things about all religions but also dislike things about them. I am still learning and growing, but that is a lot of fun.

 

[Sand Dancer]

Christianity I left as it was horrible for me. I was a Southern Baptist, on a path to become a pastor, I had a lot of inner turmoil, severe depression, I was tormented with dreams of going to hell, and things only kept getting worse. I wanted to die and prayed god would let it be. Getting educated outside of the highly insular world I was in started to crack my faith, as I learned so much of what I was taught was wrong. I turned to the Bible for guidance but the violence, genocide, rape, and other atrocities committed by god and those he ordered to commit them was another harsh blow to my faith. And my life kept getting worse.
I still remember thinking to myself, making the choice between the god and church I had always known and what was up until then the only thing I really knew, amd putting that all behind me.
Amd I found there is some truth to that idea of needing that religion and god for morality, because once I gave it up the uptight, prudish ways came to an abrupt end. I got into music like Pantera and White/Rob Zombie, started going to Ozzfest, started cussing, guilt free sexual thoughts and masturbation, and my personal library grew exponentially even as all the Christian stuff was discarded.

I get it. My already low self-esteem got worse when I was Christian. Who wants to hear they are a sinner who deserves hell, but oh yeah...god loves you? Yeaaahhh...

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I get it. My already low self-esteem got worse when I was Christian. Who wants to hear they are a sinner who deserves hell, but oh yeah...god loves you? Yeaaahhh...

Yup. It was just one more place I got to hear all about how wrong and low and undeserving and unworthy I am.

 

[Viker]

What’s the biggest reason people leave religions?
Is it:
1. They disagree with the religions teachings?
2. They believe that God doesn’t exist?
3. They have found their own spiritual path?
4. Other

biggest for me is #3

When I left Catholicism/Christianity,
A little bit of 1 and 2 but mostly 3

 

[King Phenomenon]

This is nothing more than you trying to excuse those who do nothing.
If you know about a bad thing that happened, or worse yet is happening, and you ignore it, you are condoning the bad behaviour.

Seems to me the only reason you are making claims of "deeper" is to justify the enabling the bad behaviour.

I welcome you to prove me wrong.

Petty

 

[Sand Dancer]

Hmmm.... not easy to pin down exactly. Number 1 would apply more to the teachings of the groups that adopted the teachings of the religion. To try to put that into words, I like what Ghandi said, "'I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.'

Had I been exposed to a more grounded, reasoned, and mystical understanding of the Christian religion, I might have been able to find the nutrients I needed to grow on my spiritual path I had begun. Instead it was more about being on the 'winning side' of good versus evil, correct beliefs vs. the heresies of everyone else but us, evangelizing everyone to convert them to the religion, and all that fledgling war on culture garbage of the Christian Right beginning in the early 80's. Yuk.

Belief in God was not the problem. Belief in their teachings about God was. Finding my spiritual path through that bramble patch of self-righteous otherism, back to what I was hoping to find in the first place was a pretty lone path spanning decades.

I like what @SalixIncendium had to say about encountering someone like @Vouthon back then. I think that would have probably been a better beginning. Instead, most whom I encountered were either clueless about the mystical, or mistook ecstatic experience as God affirming that they were the chosen ones in some ego-validation effort.

But perhaps, all that was what needed to be for me. Who really knows. Growth and strength sometimes requires hard obstacles to overcome.

Religion is like a swimming pool. All of the noise comes from the shallow end.