Religion: [undefined]

[Jayhawker Soule]

What are some reasons that an RF member might choose to leave the religion field undefined in his or her profile?

 

[Secret Chief]

I've got boxophobia.

How can you say that? A Buddhist wouldn't because....

It's why I also baulk at other labels.

You say you're a vegetarian but you wear leather shoes...

 

[lewisnotmiller]

What are some reasons that an RF member might choose to leave the religion field undefined in his or her profile?

I considered it, since I don't subscribe to a religion. In the end, whilst technically inaccurate, I thought listing atheist would be more informative.

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

What are some reasons that an RF member might choose to leave the religion field undefined in his or her profile?

One reason: they don't have a religion.

More often, I think: my impression is that a lot of members just can't figure out - or can't be bothered to figure out - how to update their profile.

 

[Left Coast]

What are some reasons that an RF member might choose to leave the religion field undefined in his or her profile?

I think in some cases it's the rise of "spiritual but not religious" folks who aren't formally affiliated with any religion so they have a hard time giving a pithy label to their view.

 

[BSM1]

I left mine undefined to avoid being ridiculed...oh, wait...

 

[PureX]

So I wouldn't have to debate myself.

 

[Spirit of Light]

What are some reasons that an RF member might choose to leave the religion field undefined in his or her profile?

Could be if they know their religious belief Lead to heated debatt or ridicule

 

[dybmh]

What are some reasons that an RF member might choose to leave the religion field undefined in his or her profile?

All good answers so far, here's a few more:

They don't want to be judged based on the poor behavior of others in their religion.

Alternatively, so they themselves can misbehave without making the others look bad.

 

[Daemon Sophic]

What are some reasons that an RF member might choose to leave the religion field undefined in his or her profile?

Frankly I had never noticed that box to fill in my personal information page before now.
Ah well. One’s words and implications (since actions are not perceivable on a forum page) are better at revealing a person’s motives and thoughts than any singular claim on a page. Many times people claim a benign religion only to show that they have never even attempted to follow its edicts.

But all that rambling aside, as an agnostic I really don’t have any “religion”, although I suppose that I do have a loose, general philosophy on life.
Others may simply wish to let their words and implications demonstrate their religion (my best wishes for them). And others may simply not want to be “labeled” while in conversation with other forumites.

 

[columbus]

I put "none".
Because while I'm not really a theist, atheist implies "strong atheist" so often it's annoying. I'm certainly not that. Nor "anti-theist", although I have plenty of criticism for religion and religionists.
Tom

 

[Katzpur]

What are some reasons that an RF member might choose to leave the religion field undefined in his or her profile?

So that their comments might be taken seriously instead of just automatically dismissed without consideration.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

I left mine undefined to avoid being ridiculed...oh, wait...

how'd that work out?

 

[Twilight Hue]

Some people probably don't want to be confined by its tenants, as if you need or must act or do things in a certain way while engaging in discussion and debate for sake of your religious identifier.

 

[Sunstone]

I think of myself mostly in terms of my behaviors, rarely in terms of my beliefs.

However, just yesterday I decided more or less on a dare to pick a belief label, give it a go, see if it feels fitting to me a month from now.

 

[beenherebeforeagain]

I think most people don't really know what mine means. I don't think it comes up often in discussion, and I try to be very clear about it if/when it does.

 

[Katzpur]

I think most people don't really know what mine means. I don't think it comes up often in discussion, and I try to be very clear about it if/when it does.

I'm genuinely interested... What exactly does it mean?

 

[Brickjectivity]

I think people who come here and have no label on the religion profile are sometimes hoping to gain a debate advantage. Other times they don't want people to jump to conclusions about themselves. Some may wish discuss 'Religion' without reference to their own religion...sort of get away from it all I think.

I think most people don't really know what mine means. I don't think it comes up often in discussion, and I try to be very clear about it if/when it does.

At least one animist I've met would not wear any shoes -- not anywhere. I also met a Christian who wouldn't. Maybe it was because the shoes had labels. They wouldn't say why.

They lived their lives with no shoes or socks, even when they had shirts and ties on. Neither would tell anyone the reason, and they did not know one another as far as I could tell. Two completely separate people independently decided that they just would never, ever wear shoes despite everyone else wearing shoes.

 

[Rival]

You haven't even got a tag to fill in if you notice, like some others for some reason? It's a mystery!

It's not there because he hasn't filled it.

 

[Mock Turtle]

It's not there because he hasn't filled it.

I gathered that - so I deleted my post.

PS You mods are sometimes a bit quick for us oldies.