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Thoughts on Inherited religion.

robocop (actually)

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
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?
I think I have been more careful about that in my own life than most Latter-day Saints. And I appreciate knowing a whole lot about a lot of religions.

I think what that person would probably say is that they want their kid to be safe and consider there to be a lot of wickedness in the world. You teach your kid not to touch a burning stove; that kind of thing. They probably think another religion is not necessary to teach that.
 

idea

Question Everything
I think I have been more careful about that in my own life than most Latter-day Saints. And I appreciate knowing a whole lot about a lot of religions.

I think what that person would probably say is that they want their kid to be safe and consider there to be a lot of wickedness in the world. You teach your kid not to touch a burning stove; that kind of thing. They probably think another religion is not necessary to teach that.

Some equate other faiths to a burning stove - as dangerous - rather than seeing other faiths as being as beautiful as one's own. Without understanding, love, and respect for neighbors - this is what leads to so much anger and hate, mistrust among people. A sad thing.

I was watching a TED talk earlier today from someone advocating teaching all religious beliefs in school. I know actually being a member of a religious faith is very different than just learning the theory of a faith without the experience of actually practicing it. I do think we would have fewer wars, more love for neighbors etc. if children were taught and given the chance to practice with different religious faiths. Like giving kids the chance to explore different career options, they should be given the choice to explore different faith options. Just as no career is "true" or "correct", I think the best mindset to keep is that no faith is "true" or "correct". Best to see faith as picking out a car, or getting a house, or deciding who to marry - no car/house/person/faith is the "only" one, none are "true", or perfect, they can all work, they all have pros and cons.

Let's teach religion -- all religion -- in schools
 

Deidre

Well-Known Member
I 'inherited' my parents' religion, and for quite a while, it lingered in my life. I really loathe the phrase ''I didn't know any better,'' but in some ways, that was true. I just did what they wished...for years. Not until about 7 years ago, did things unravel. Maybe a little before then, hard to remember when I first started denouncing that religion. I believe in God, I follow Biblical teachings, but not that religion...or really any religion, anymore. Religion, from my experiences with it, is very confining. Simply following where your beliefs lead you, makes it all more effortless. At least this is the road I've traveled.

I'm not sure if indoctrinating kids is a good idea, even though many parents mean well. They want to ''set their kids on the right track,'' but kids are impressionable. Teaching something as magnanimous as Godly things, seems to be something that one should only try to tackle closer to adulthood. Not saying to shy away from spirituality with children, but religion is very confining, stifling even...and kids can be hurt by that growing up, because they don't know how to process it.
 

loverofhumanity

We are all the leaves of one tree
Premium Member
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."

Firstly I believe religion is good for humanity no matter which of the major religions. They all teach to be virtuous and do good. In this respect it is one of the greatest gifts parents can give their child - a moral and virtuous upbringing.
 

Neuropteron

Active Member
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.

Hello Idea,

I understand what your dealing with.
To have major disagreements with those we love is extremely distressing.

It seems you are already handling the situation in a balanced and controlled manner by not letting yourself be pressured by irrational emotionalism.

Perhaps you can find solace that in time these attempt to forcefully induce your conversion will be replaced by more reasonable thinking.
Hopefully the realization that a God worth worshiping might not even accept a pretense veneration on display for the benefit of your family.

I wish you all the best.
 

robocop (actually)

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Some equate other faiths to a burning stove - as dangerous - rather than seeing other faiths as being as beautiful as one's own. Without understanding, love, and respect for neighbors - this is what leads to so much anger and hate, mistrust among people. A sad thing.

I was watching a TED talk earlier today from someone advocating teaching all religious beliefs in school. I know actually being a member of a religious faith is very different than just learning the theory of a faith without the experience of actually practicing it. I do think we would have fewer wars, more love for neighbors etc. if children were taught and given the chance to practice with different religious faiths. Like giving kids the chance to explore different career options, they should be given the choice to explore different faith options. Just as no career is "true" or "correct", I think the best mindset to keep is that no faith is "true" or "correct". Best to see faith as picking out a car, or getting a house, or deciding who to marry - no car/house/person/faith is the "only" one, none are "true", or perfect, they can all work, they all have pros and cons.

Let's teach religion -- all religion -- in schools
Latter-day Saints wan their religion to spread because that makes them the most happy and they think that will help the world be the most happy.
 

Jainarayan

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Staff member
Premium Member
What are your thoughts on automatically adopting the religion of our parents?

It’s not a matter of automatically adopting. When one is born into a Roman Catholic, Baptist, Hindu, Muslim family and grows up really only knowing that, there’s not much choice. When the person is later exposed to other religions, beliefs and philosophies they can then make an informed, and sometimes radical and objected to, choice to change religions.

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

No. I was born into a Roman Catholic family. While we are of Italian descent we are not of Roman descent. Nor are we of Middle Eastern/Semitic descent. Though we do have a decent percentage of SW Asian DNA. But that doesn’t automatically make me a follower of Christianity. I’m not Indian but I’m Hindu.

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?

No. It’s man who decided what God wants. Even Hinduism did not come from God or the gods. If it weren’t that I can’t afford a new tv and I had a gun, I would have shot it when David Childress on Ancient Aliens said the Vedas were given to the ancient Indians by the gods. No such thing happened.

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

As my step kids and their friends say “hell to the no”.

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.

Roger Shinn’s coconut has leaked and dried up. Which God, what God? Hindus accept there is only one God, i.e. the ékam sad (“one truth) the Rig Veda says, who has many names and forms, and as distastefully as he’s portrayed by some religions of Middle Eastern religions, those religions don’t think the same way. Why should it be one portrayal of God who gives that edict? Especially when the Hindu belief is that God doesn’t give commands, laws or edicts at all. That “only one religion that is acceptable to him” is arrogant and “religio-centric”.
 

idea

Question Everything
Latter-day Saints wan their religion to spread because that makes them the most happy and they think that will help the world be the most happy.

Let's say I have ice-cream flavor that I really like. I might offer it to others wanting them to enjoy the same things... but we really are all different, what others enjoy is not the same thing that I enjoy. I'm going to agree with Malcolm Gladwell here when it comes to happiness.

"Through embracing the diversity of human beings, we will find a surer way to true happiness. The movement from the search for universals, to the understanding of variability."

The deepest happiness is created with freedom, diversity, unique individuals - not conformity.

Choice, happiness and spaghetti sauce

The Creator of nature is obviously a fan of diversity. Man-made vs. made by God - each leaf on each tree is unique... it is doctrines of men and devils who punch out identical mass-produced zombies.
 

robocop (actually)

Well-Known Member
Premium Member
Let's say I have ice-cream flavor that I really like. I might offer it to others wanting them to enjoy the same things... but we really are all different, what others enjoy is not the same thing that I enjoy. I'm going to agree with Malcolm Gladwell here when it comes to happiness.

"Through embracing the diversity of human beings, we will find a surer way to true happiness. The movement from the search for universals, to the understanding of variability."

The deepest happiness is created with freedom, diversity, unique individuals - not conformity.

Choice, happiness and spaghetti sauce

The Creator of nature is obviously a fan of diversity. Man-made vs. made by God - each leaf on each tree is unique... it is doctrines of men and devils who punch out identical mass-produced zombies.
I didn't have time for the video,

but that's great; we try to unite with other Christians as Christians and find shared points with other religions.

Also, we do baptisms for dead people who learn after their dead the truth, so it's not a problem.
 

1213

Well-Known Member
...
"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."

What religion teaches to fight in wars? For example, Bible tells:

But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust.
Mat. 5:44-45

That means Christian war should not be possible and some wars are fought wrongly in the name of Christianity. The real reason for all wars seems to really be the evilness of people, fear, greed, vanity. Religions seem to be only excuses for rulers to commit their evil desires that really have nothing to do with the religion.
 

Neuropteron

Active Member
What religion teaches to fight in wars? For example, Bible tells:

Hi,
Some examples:

Hinduism:
The Rig Veda sets down the rules of war at 6-75:15,
Arjun
Krishna tells Arjuna that he should fight, ...
it is his duty - his dharma - to fight because he was born a warrior
he was born a member of a warrior caste and his duty to his caste and the divine structure of society are more important than his personal feelings
violence only affects the body and cannot harm the soul, so killing is not a fault and there is no reason for Arjuna not to kill people, nor should he be sorry for those he has killed.

Throughout recent history the martial function of religion was similar. A common faith served as a rallying cry in wars. This martial role of religion is very obvious for Muslims with their war cry of “Allah akbar” (God is great) and for Christians with their bellicose hymns such as “Onward Christian soldiers.” It is ironic that each of these religions bills itself as a religion of peace.
Is Religion Better at Making Peace or Making War?

Catholics and Protestants fought in Northern Ireland

To be fair religion is rarely the intrinsic cause of conflict and explicitly religious wars, such as the medieval Crusades are rare.

Nations that adhere to religions of peace may be fond of smiting their enemies but they generally do so only if there is some practical benefit to be gained.
 

JustGeorge

Not As Much Fun As I Look
Staff member
Premium Member
Hi,
Some examples:

Hinduism:
The Rig Veda sets down the rules of war at 6-75:15,
Arjun
Krishna tells Arjuna that he should fight, ...
it is his duty - his dharma - to fight because he was born a warrior
he was born a member of a warrior caste and his duty to his caste and the divine structure of society are more important than his personal feelings
violence only affects the body and cannot harm the soul, so killing is not a fault and there is no reason for Arjuna not to kill people, nor should he be sorry for those he has killed.

I think you're oversimplifying this. In my understanding, Krishna wasn't telling Arjuna just to go ahead and kill whomever stands in his way, because that's what warriors do, he was encouraging him to put his personal feelings aside and fight in this war on the side of good and against evil. If Arjuna stopped and dwelled on the fact of whom may die, evil would overtake. The fate of the people overall was more important than simply Arjuna feeling bad. By telling Arjuna not to mourn for them, Krishna was trying to comfort him by telling him not to worry for those who die on the opposing side, for their death is an illusion.

Also, the situation you are talking about comes from the Mahabharata, not the Rig Veda. If you read the entire thing, you will see that all measures were taken to prevent this war by Arjuna and and his family. Even at the last moment, any on the opposing side that wanted to switch over were allowed to without judgement.(if I recall right, only one did). This was not something carelessly rushed into.
 

sayak83

Veteran Member
Staff member
Premium Member
Hi,
Some examples:

Hinduism:
The Rig Veda sets down the rules of war at 6-75:15,
Arjun
Krishna tells Arjuna that he should fight, ...
it is his duty - his dharma - to fight because he was born a warrior
he was born a member of a warrior caste and his duty to his caste and the divine structure of society are more important than his personal feelings
violence only affects the body and cannot harm the soul, so killing is not a fault and there is no reason for Arjuna not to kill people, nor should he be sorry for those he has killed.

Throughout recent history the martial function of religion was similar. A common faith served as a rallying cry in wars. This martial role of religion is very obvious for Muslims with their war cry of “Allah akbar” (God is great) and for Christians with their bellicose hymns such as “Onward Christian soldiers.” It is ironic that each of these religions bills itself as a religion of peace.
Is Religion Better at Making Peace or Making War?

Catholics and Protestants fought in Northern Ireland

To be fair religion is rarely the intrinsic cause of conflict and explicitly religious wars, such as the medieval Crusades are rare.

Nations that adhere to religions of peace may be fond of smiting their enemies but they generally do so only if there is some practical benefit to be gained.
Just a point of clarification.
In Mahabharata, people were not fighting over religious beliefs. It was a war of succession for an empire where a tyrant had injustly gained the throne. All the participants were followers of the Vedic religion.
Hinduism (unlike Jainism) is not a pacifist religion in that it declares all forms of war all immoral. But it does not condone war or violence for spreading religion.
 

Jainarayan

ॐ नमो भगवते वासुदेवाय
Staff member
Premium Member
But it does not condone war or violence for spreading religion.

Or for any reason other than restoring dharma, balance, order. Almost like police action. People miss this point.
 

1213

Well-Known Member
Hi,
Some examples:

Hinduism:
The Rig Veda sets down the rules of war at 6-75:15,
Arjun
Krishna tells Arjuna that he should fight, ...
it is his duty - his dharma - to fight because he was born a warrior
he was born a member of a warrior caste and his duty to his caste and the divine structure of society are more important than his personal feelings
violence only affects the body and cannot harm the soul, so killing is not a fault and there is no reason for Arjuna not to kill people, nor should he be sorry for those he has killed.
...

Thank you, interesting information. However, I don’t see that to be commandment to all Hindus to fight. But, maybe I am wrong. I can agree that even Christians have fought, but, it is not something that can be supported by Bible. In Biblical point of view, people should not be violent. That is why I think it is wrong to accuse religion of that. The reason is the people who are evil and don’t follow teachings of Jesus.
 
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