For theists and religious people out there, what are your criteria in choosing a religion? Is it there holy book, afterlife promises, church schedules, preachings or beliefs?
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Not a theist, but I imagine most people just go with the religion that they are born with. I do have friends who have converted one way or the other, but most times it appears to be to gain the acceptance of their spouse, and/or spouse's family.
Of those that appear to have switched of their own accord, the large majority (of my own acquaintances, mind you) have switched to Buddhism.
I agree with what you have said here, there are a lot of people who just go with what they learned growing up. I also know of people who have converted for to gain acceptance of spouses, families of spouses or even just for business purposes which is another form of seeking acceptance. Most people that I know of who have switched, did so to gain advantage one way or another, I would also say the largest group of switchers tend to become Buddhist but I have meet people who have switched to most any modern belief system you can think of. There are people switching religious beliefs almost every day all over the world. I find Buddhism quite interesting and want to study it more soon when I get the the time to really dive into such a large and time consuming task! A lot of people have told me over the years that Buddhism lines up with my own train of thought more than other religions do but I have yet to look into this. However I must say Buddhism is not something I would join as a religion even if it were to line up with what I believe almost 100% I would just tell people that I agree with it a lot. I am pretty convinced that Buddhism is following a Similar path many other religions have followed in terms of the evolution of religious deities. I do think that its inevitable that one day Buddhism will be plagued by some of the same internal problems that have turned what most likely started as good religions into things I can't accept.
This certainly is the reason I am a catholic, as you have said, I also have many friends whom have converted from either one religion to another or from being unreligious to becoming catholic.
I think buddhism is the only reliable choice for most people who dont want to be entangled in any religious things.
I think Buddhism is on its way to becoming much more like Christianity than people would care to admit.
What do you mean in saying "becoming much more like Christianity"? There are extremely significant differences between the two religions, even in more modern times.
What you say is true there are extremely significant differences between the two religions, but there are also similarities between the two and many other religions, IE: the Golden Rule, Alms ect...
To me they are becoming more the same because I see the fundamentals degrading, people passing the name around and corruption taking hold as it becomes more popular and thus more lucrative of a franchise if you will let me use the word franchise loosely, This happens to all things that get large enough be they religions, political parties, non profits or any number of things when they get large enough. Most great things start out as good intentions but eventually sub-come to human natures of greed and selfishness. With belief systems come faith and with faith there is trust, with trust there lies the ability for someone to take advantage of another.
I didn't say it, but I would say that it's becoming dogmatic and losing it's meaning to most of the people that go through the motions of the faith.
Not really knocking Buddhism in it's essence, but I think that's the eventual fate of most religions.
What makes Buddhism reliable enough compared to other religions? There are still rules to be followed and responsibilities to fulfill there..
But little in the way of monothestic mumbo-jumbo.
most people don't choose their religion, they were born into their parents religion and indoctrinated from their childhood. Love your fellowman, treat others as you would like to be treated, care for animals and nature, to be in peace with yourself, others and your surroundings... that is my religion
I think all religions must be given equal respect.No religion is superior to any other religion.Everyone follows all the rules of their religion and have respect for their own religions.
When a religion insists all other beliefs are blasphemous, when a religion uses severe punishments on it's own followers for daring to question or for disobeying some silly edict, when a religion embeds itself into the government of a nation and proceeds to change laws and take away the rights of those living there...it does not have my respect.
Nicely put, TW! Any religion that does as you say here also has lost respect from me.
No one should have a criteria for choosing a religion at all. You should take what you find productive and good about all of them and just have your own indentity.
Pretty much whoever has the best donuts.
Being as I am without a religion at the moment I'm curious... who *does* have the best donuts these days? I have some free time on Sunday to go pick them up.
I'd say the Holy Order of Our Lady of Krispy Kreme of Latter Day Sinners.
Most of us were born in the religion of our parents, but later in life, as we grow older and understand more, we can choose the religion that we want for ourselves. If none of those religions became acceptable for our knowledge ans beliefs then we can stay firm to what we really want to believe and never forget to keep our morals high.
Donuts, Aaaahhh.
I became a theist and have followed my religion since birth, there hasn't been anything other than that which has influenced me along the path I have followed.
"Is it their holy book, afterlife promises, church schedules, preaching or beliefs?"
none of the above....
food...its free food....no food means no show....who cares of what they say or preach..??
Love these old threads, they are like a warp into the multiverse (think Star Trek TNG finale) with people I've never seen playing the roles of our current heroes.
They are starting to make me want to believe in resurrection.
I had it shoved into my head as a child. Actually I was not religious as a child. I became a Christian out of loneliness and seeking something to do in a small mid-west town with not much going on. Having left home and dropping out of school at 16 and needing to work for my own survival. the Church became a surrogate parent. I gave it up as I was influenced by Carlos Castaneda , GI Gurgieff, Buddhism, Taoism, Krishna Consciousness, and the writings of J. Krishnamurti to name a few. Religion was a place for me to hang my hat for a while.
I managed to continue school as an adult and earn 2 university degrees. I now teach at a university and am a published author. (Nothing to do with Atheism or Religion). If it were up to religion, I would still be working in a hamburger joint and going to church on Sunday. Moving on may have been the best choice I ever made.
@Cognostic
Your opening statement sound like me. I had Christianity forced onto me through horrific and abusive physical and mental trauma. Eventually, I faked becoming saved and a believer (by memorizing large chunks of that septic tank known as the Bible) just so I would no longer have to endure the humiliation of being a rationalist (atheist was unheard of in that area back 50 years ago).
I was just fortunate that in accordance to my dad's traditions, once 13, a child is capable of choosing for him/herself about church and religion. I still had to fake being saved and a believer, but only until I left to join the Navy.
Then the most wonderful thing happened. I met my SoulMate who was also an atheist. So were her parents.
Anyhoo, I know what it is like to suffer the violence. However, mine was from religion and my mom. If it had not been for my dad, I am afraid that I might have eventually succumbed and become as idiotic as the Absolutists.
Thus, my opinion shall always be that religion is the most violent and vile ideology to ever be created by man. The only purpose religion serves is to completely enslave the entire human species, or to destroy it.
rmfr