Thoughts on Inherited religion.

[PureX]

I think we adopt a great many attitudes, ideas, habits, beliefs, perceptions, and so on from the people around us. So I see no reason to presume that religion would be any different. We humans are a collective, cooperative species. Our lives depend on our 'being on the same page' with those around us. So we're 'programmed to assimilate'.

 

[RestlessSoul]

Has there ever been a religious war? That’s a misunderstanding of motive imo; wars are fought over land, money, power and resources, always.

Religion has been employed as an effective recruiting sergeant, but even the crusades were fought for wealth, territory, and control of trade routes. Sending Europe’s elite warrior class off to fight in the Middle East also prevented them causing trouble at home. One city the crusaders sacked was Christian Constantinople btw.

 

[Clara Tea]

What are your thoughts on automatically adopting the religion of our parents?

Should our religion be determined by a geographical accident of our place of birth ?

Is it reasonable to assume that God gave a different set of instructions to those living in Germany than those living in India, Arabia or Japan?

Should we unquestionably accept a religion because it was inculcated to us from our parents and from our society from birth ?

The words of Roger Shinn makes me think that perhaps it is God's will that there should be only one religion that is acceptable to him, just as there is one truth.
(R.S professor of ethics).
"Religious wars tend to be extra furious. [secular] wars tend to reach a point of compromise, when the war is religious ... conciliation seems to be evil."

Around 1740, kids moved from Virginia colony to cheaper North Carolina colony. But, they didn't have access to their own religious services. Instead, they figured that another Christian religion was close enough in moral values, and any religion was preferable to none. So, they switched, and generations that followed liked their new adopted religion.

So, it doesn't matter much if you are used to a religion or not, as long as you get from the religion what you intend. Teaching kids not to steal, or take someone else's wife, or make wars (like the war in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the torture camp in Guantanamo), should suffice.

Our original religion is only as strong as the preacher who ran it. For example, in modern times, Reverend Hagee was saying that we have to pray to Jesus so we can kill more effectively in war. He just doesn't understand his own religion.

We rely on the education of our clergy to tell us what God wants, but, invariably, they are wrong. Education doesn't seem to count for much, though you would think that they would understand the bible very well if they have studied it for years.

In short, we take the religion that is offered to us, and what we do with it is up to us. My advise is to read the bible (and ancient texts) for ourselves, and make up our own minds. After all, it is our decisions that make us go to either heaven or hell.

 

[Clara Tea]

Has there ever been a religious war? That’s a misunderstanding of motive imo; wars are fought over land, money, power and resources, always.

Religion has been employed as an effective recruiting sergeant, but even the crusades were fought for wealth, territory, and control of trade routes. Sending Europe’s elite warrior class off to fight in the Middle East also prevented them causing trouble at home. One city the crusaders sacked was Christian Constantinople btw.

Primarily the Crusades were about religion (though they had some secondary goals). It's sort of like the war in Iraq (really about oil, but ostensibly about "fightin's evil.")

 

[Neuropteron]

Is there a God to give instructions?

I believe there is; The only true God Jehovah

 

[firedragon]

"Religious wars tend to be extra furious. [secular] wars tend to reach a point of compromise, when the war is religious ... conciliation seems to be evil."

Was there any study of history and statistics given with this statement or was it a faith statement? Since this is about people and recorded history it is possible. So if this statement was without a good research, it is just a faith statement out of what the writer has inherited or has been programmed into. If he has done an extensive study, then it is something very important to look at. So please clarify.

What are your thoughts on automatically adopting the religion of our parents?

Should our religion be determined by a geographical accident of our place of birth ?

Is it reasonable to assume that God gave a different set of instructions to those living in Germany than those living in India, Arabia or Japan?

Should we unquestionably accept a religion because it was inculcated to us from our parents and from our society from birth ?

Every individual in the whole world is born into something. That does not mean as you said "unquestionably accept" anything. It not reasonable to assume anything since you asked about assuming Gods instructions. If everyone in the whole world thinks like you and asked this question about geographical and social diversity we would not have prototyping, generalisations and anecdotal fallacies. So its good.

 

[Aupmanyav]

I believe there is; The only true God Jehovah

Well, not my belief. You are welcome to yours.

 

[Neuropteron]

Was there any study of history and statistics given with this statement or was it a faith statement? Since this is about people and recorded history it is possible. So if this statement was without a good research, it is just a faith statement out of what the writer has inherited or has been programmed into. If he has done an extensive study, then it is something very important to look at. So please clarify.

Hi,
There is a study on this subject by John B. Noss who is the author of a book called "Mans Religion"
https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Religions-John-B-Noss/dp/B003YEL5RQ

Alternatively there is a book called "World religions- from Ancient History to the Present"
https://www.amazon.com/World-Religions-Ancient-History-Present/dp/0871961296.
I hope this will help to clarify this subject for you.

 

[RestlessSoul]

Primarily the Crusades were about religion (though they had some secondary goals). It's sort of like the war in Iraq (really about oil, but ostensibly about "fightin's evil.")

Conflict in the region of South East Europe and Asia Minor has occurred almost continuously, and began long before Christianity or Islam even existed. The Trojan war is perhaps the earliest we know about. I’m sure both sides in that conflict thought the Gods were with them.

 

[firedragon]

Hi,
There is a study on this subject by John B. Noss who is the author of a book called "Mans Religion"
https://www.amazon.com/Mans-Religions-John-B-Noss/dp/B003YEL5RQ

Alternatively there is a book called "World religions- from Ancient History to the Present"
https://www.amazon.com/World-Religions-Ancient-History-Present/dp/0871961296.
I hope this will help to clarify this subject for you.

Thanks for the links. I cannot purchase these books to read them to make a summation of the data presented in order to respond to this particular thread. Thus since you have read them, can you give the summary of the data or/and meta data presented by them in order to make that conclusion you provided that says "Religious wars tend to be extra furious. [secular] wars tend to reach a point of compromise, when the war is religious ... conciliation seems to be evil."?

As far as I can understand, world religions is almost an encyclopaedia of religions. But does it make that summation? I would say he does not make that summation.

So could you provide the data you gathered to make that summation?

 

[pearl]

What are your thoughts on automatically adopting the religion of our parents?

At some point you have to 'own' it for yourself or move on. Otherwise you are just going through a meaningless routine.

 

[idea]

What are your thoughts on automatically adopting the religion of our parents?

Should our religion be determined by a geographical accident of our place of birth ?

Is it reasonable to assume that God gave a different set of instructions to those living in Germany than those living in India, Arabia or Japan?

Should we unquestionably accept a religion because it was inculcated to us from our parents and from our society from birth ?

The words of Roger Shinn makes me think that perhaps it is God's will that there should be only one religion that is acceptable to him, just as there is one truth.
(R.S professor of ethics).
"Religious wars tend to be extra furious. [secular] wars tend to reach a point of compromise, when the war is religious ... conciliation seems to be evil."

Thanks for posting this Neuropteron, it is something I struggle with as I have not adopted the religious beliefs of my parents, and it has created a big strain between us. Cards, phone calls, texts, voice messages with mom crying because I will not adopt their religious faith. They have their congregation pray for us, I have overheard testimony meeting with everyone talking about my family etc. Our family is doing great, great jobs, great health, solid marriage, kids are happy etc. and yet everyone at parents religious group talks about us like we are really "struggling" and cries etc. over us.

What do you do in such a case? I have ignored, changed subject, shared our beliefs (on fb, keeping it simple, upbeat, positive - not attacking others). It is like some kind of insanity... It has gotten to the point where I just see it in my mind as similar to dealing with people who are mentally handicapped, and treat all of them as such. I hesitate to allow my kids over there as it will be religious beliefs pushed on them... Ugh. I know I am not the only person who has to go through stuff like this if choosing something different than parents.

 

[idea]

No, but what choice do we have in our earliest years, before critical thinking skills are developed? If one is born into a religious home, he will generally be indoctrinated into that religion.

Strange thing, as much as it was pushed on me I never joined my parents faith, not even as a child. They would ask things like "have you felt your calling?" and the answer from me was "no". Haha, my experience of "not being called" made those who did feel they "were called" think of themselves as being even more chosen and special because not everyone is called.

Not being "called", not being special made me feel like **** as a kid, but at least I was honest. Many kids are honest, I wasn't trying to prove anything to anyone, not being rebellious, just a sad little honest kid.

 

[robocop (actually)]

What are your thoughts on automatically adopting the religion of our parents?

Should our religion be determined by a geographical accident of our place of birth ?

Is it reasonable to assume that God gave a different set of instructions to those living in Germany than those living in India, Arabia or Japan?

Should we unquestionably accept a religion because it was inculcated to us from our parents and from our society from birth ?

The words of Roger Shinn makes me think that perhaps it is God's will that there should be only one religion that is acceptable to him, just as there is one truth.
(R.S professor of ethics).
"Religious wars tend to be extra furious. [secular] wars tend to reach a point of compromise, when the war is religious ... conciliation seems to be evil."

The Book of Mormon says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

 

[idea]

I think we adopt a great many attitudes, ideas, habits, beliefs, perceptions, and so on from the people around us. So I see no reason to presume that religion would be any different. We humans are a collective, cooperative species. Our lives depend on our 'being on the same page' with those around us. So we're 'programmed to assimilate'.

Political and religious collectives seem to be the strongest users of some program created by an "alpha" in the group. The laws of nature vs. the laws of humans - political or religious laws... laws designed to enslave the majority to the will of the minority. Laws that are not "true", or the "only way" to do things.

Some communities are formed through forcing each member to lose themselves and completely conform to some authority figure, while other communities, though more rare, celebrate diversity.

a strange thing, different than normal emotions, but some kind of chemical or conscience connection some groups form... unfortunately they tend to be "cult" groups that experience this type of connection.

 

[idea]

The Book of Mormon says, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it."

So.... do Mormon missionaries believe everyone else's parents were wrong, and children should not honor their mother or their father if their parents come from a different tradition?

Though my parents were not Mormon, they held similar beliefs about forcing their child to follow their same path. It was not love to any child, it was only a love of their own rationalized beliefs. Judgmental, controlling, conditional relationships are a horrible thing. Imagine if you were a girl raised in a controlling devout ____ family. ← fill in any religious group you disagree with. How would you feel in such a family? .... what makes your religious indoctrination different than theirs?

 

[robocop (actually)]

So.... do Mormon missionaries believe everyone else's parents were wrong, and children should not honor their mother or their father if their parents come from a different tradition?

Though my parents were not Mormon, they held similar beliefs about forcing their child to follow their same path. It was not love to any child, it was only a love of their own rationalized beliefs. Judgmental, controlling, conditional relationships are a horrible thing. Imagine if you were a girl raised in a controlling devout ____ family. ← fill in any religious group you disagree with. How would you feel in such a family? .... what makes your religious indoctrination different than theirs?

You caught me off guard.

I meant to say, for instance, that Jewish parents who taught Judaism would have their child eventually be Jewish again, that Muslim parents who taught Islam would have their child eventually be Muslim again, etc...

But people do convert and I didn't factor that into the equation very well.

 

[idea]

But people do convert and I didn't factor that into the equation very well.

There are many faiths who would like other people to convert to their own faith, but see those who leave their faith as apostates, fallen, deceived, or just plain evil. Interesting that you decided to return to Mormonism. Do you think you are now labeled as weak, will never become bishop etc. because you left?

I think it is similar to high-school relationships. There are some couples who break up, then get back together, then break up again haha... Others who just need to break up once to be done with it. I suppose if you were with someone for awhile, that relationship will always be there in the back of your mind, trying to resolve itself.

Blessings to you on your journey.

 

[robocop (actually)]

There are many faiths who would like other people to convert to their own faith, but see those who leave their faith as apostates, fallen, deceived, or just plain evil. Interesting that you decided to return to Mormonism. Do you think you are now labeled as weak, will never become bishop etc. because you left?

I think it is similar to high-school relationships. There are some couples who break up, then get back together, then break up again haha... Others who just need to break up once to be done with it. I suppose if you were with someone for awhile, that relationship will always be there in the back of your mind, trying to resolve itself.

Blessings to you on your journey.

OK I want to address this fully.

Religions are sticky on the inside and prickly on the outside; those inside love them and those outside can't stand them. I don't judge apostates; I have explored many religions. I was Raelian for 8 years. As far as I know there are no penalties for leaving except that I feel I have lived a less than perfect life, but they told me it was not a revolving door if I wanted to keep going out and in.

The scripture was, "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." Most religions are quite similar. Children who do not explore other religions as much will eventually gravitate to the obvious good in the one they grew up with. But if someone else can teach you something better than when you were trained as a child, then there can be conversion.

Any other questions please?

 

[idea]

Any other questions please?

Do you think it is hypocritical of any faith to send out missionaries to convert people, while at the same time not wanting their own children to explore other faiths, or convert to another belief system?