Want to throw this out there...food for thought...Do you think part of the reason that theists insist on believing these outrageous biblical fairytales could be they somehow believe that they are dishonoring the things that their parents drummed into their heads from when they were children?? And to go ahead with a different opinion of these "teachings" ( which takes a strong person...someone with their own mind, which is not very common with theism) is in some way disrespecting thier parents?? Going through my own life experiences, having had the opportunity to have met many different people from all over, I have come to the conclusion that sadly, in all too many cases,many, or ALL of the crazy ideas, rules, and traditions were drummed into peoples heads by their own parents. And if an individual stands up, and becomes their own person, with their own mindset, and chooses NOT to live by these things that they were taught...simply because the person has figured out that none of it makes sense, it will cause untold dissention, and chaos within their families for not doing things the way that their parents believe they should be done. I've seen many GOOD people disassociated from their families because of these kinds of differences...and it's sad. Confirming once again my point that theists are some of the most UNFORGIVING PEOPLE... they will hold a grudge forever!! And have no tolerance for anyone believing, or doing things any different. I'm not trying to offend anyone, but... parents in TOO MANY cases have messed up their kids more than anyone would like to admit... when someone is brainwashed from a very young age, it takes a very strong person to come to their senses and realize that what they were taught maybe WAS NOT the right thing...maybe it was all bullshit!! What do YOU think??
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It is not easy predicting what the backlash will be when one comes out and admits non-belief in a god. I had an uncle that would not shut up. The ones that try over and over and over to “fix you” can be extremely annoying.
I think you're right. Part of maintaining faith can be the practical use of keeping your community.
In Islam, for example, to leave is a death sentence. In the modern world, the death sentence has come to mean something more akin to excommunication. In some places it still means death.
I think it is the brave souls who dare to leave, and the parents who choose to love them anyway, who offer humanity the best hope for our continued survival.
I truly, truly empathize with the brave people that are trapped in the Islamic faith and forced to live a lie. Praying five times a day would get really old if one does not believe but goes through the motion out of fear.
Yes, I think that is definitively part of it.
Many fear the reactions of their family. Often it extends further to relatives, friends, co-workers, and other people depending on them. Among the reactions they fear, dishonoring is one of them, but also anger and other reactions.
But also I think it goes even deeper then just fear of their reaction.
Realising the truth and letting go of their faith, would mean that their parents and everyone else they have trusted, have been deceiving or have themselves been deceived. It would also mean that all the time, money and effort that they all have invested into that religion has been under false pretence.
The whole thing is a "folly," and a waste of time and energy.
Parents are always the basis for the failings of their children. No news here. Knowing that, my father made no effort to mold his kids in his image of life's aspects that could be wholly founded upon opinion. My mother, however, insisted on pushing her kids through religious training. I acquiesced but only after she was duly aware of my persuasion.
I often had debates with my parents regarding the illogical pursuit of belief systems. It really beat them up because they were weak in the area of debate and easily bruised. So, charity coming at home first, I relieved them of any further abuse. They never brought the subject up after that and I think the logic I did bring to the discussions destabilized their previously held beliefs.
But, no, I was not one of those people who folded under the weight of familial pressure to subscribe to parental viewpoints. I was about 9 when I acquired atheist status followed by 51 stable years of it. My folks never let on whether they were still theists or not after we stopped communicating in that context. I don't think they were atheists but they ceased all outward theist behavior around me after their attempts to dissuade me from atheism backfired.
Otherwise, yes, the majority of people follow in their parental footsteps. It defines the difference between ignorant masses and free thinkers and has since the soup.