Question for the pious

[WhatsHisNuts]

Are there any other factors beyond place of birth and upbringing that have delivered you to your religion?


I was listening to some comments by Sam Harris and he discussed the impact of place of birth and faith of parents to the faith of the child. The idea is pretty much that: if you were born in the USA, you are most likely a believer in the New Testament and, therefor, that Jesus was the son of God and you must believe that in order to stay out of hell....conversely, if you were born in the Middle East, you are most likely a believer in the Koran and, therefor, you know that Jesus was not the son of God and if you believed he was, you would be destined for damnation.

 

[buddy]

Where was Sam Harris hatched?

 

[WhatsHisNuts]

USA.

Why do you suppose this is such a difficult question to answer? I have my thoughts.

 

[WhatsHisNuts]

Apparently, the answer is "there aren't any". Think about that for a second.

 

[SixFive]

Apparently, the answer is "there aren't any". Think about that for a second.

or that I at least have chosen to ignore your posts on/hatred of Christianity? Also, I'm not pious enough. I fail in many, many ways.

 

[WhatsHisNuts]

Clint: I realize that you are not going to answer the question because any reasonable reflection on your religious beliefs is bound to cause distress. Feel free to use me as your excuse for not engaging in "difficult" questions, but the fact that I point this stuff out doesn't make me a bad person.

 

[IntenseOperator]

Gmrozz

I think faith has everything to do with "other factors" for many and one can't exactly quantify that.

Much the same as one's credibility on this forum.

for ex

Who in this forum do you have confidence in and why? Who is this forum do you feel deserves respect and why?

It boils down to faith and I don't think there's a right or wrong (that was just for you Buddy) side.

 

[SixFive]

Clint: I realize that you are not going to answer the question because any reasonable reflection on your religious beliefs is bound to cause distress. Feel free to use me as your excuse for not engaging in "difficult" questions, but the fact that I point this stuff out doesn't make me a bad person.

it's not a difficult question at all. Here you go...

"Are there any other factors beyond place of birth and upbringing that have delivered you to your religion?
"

yes. These 2 are the top 2 of course.

Your environment/upbringing is sure to be strong in molding you as a person, and that would certainly include religion and your belief system. In my case, my upbringing was a powerful influence on me. I was taught how to study though, and I have learned on my own, and I do hold some different opinions than my parents.

Personal study, thought, contemplation, prayer, etc. would be a strong #3 imho.

I don't think I personally know anyone who was brought up as an atheist (not counting anybody at madjacks.com). I do know several who were brought up with the belief that there is a god, but who he is or what he meant to them is not defined. One of my best friends was brought up this way, and through the influence of an ex-girlfriend and his own study, he believes what he does today.

I'll tiptoe here... I know more than 10 people who were brought up catholic who do not follow those teachings anymore but do profess to be Christians and are active in different churches. My wife was brought up Lutheran, and I've heard her say many times the Bible was never taught, and she didn't even learn the classic Bible stories until she was an adult.

I only know of 3 people (locally) who have entirely switched their faith; Christian to Muslim, Christian to Jewish, and Jehova's Witness to atheist. I won't even get into what I have seen in other countries in this thread.


Lastly, I would disagree with Sam Harris' (whoever he is) notion on Americans, because I've found most Americans do not really believe in hell. I don't know enough about muslims to speculate on what exactly they believe about hell.

I hope I've answered your question; is that what u want?

The one thing you have posted in the past that I strongly agree with is that a lot of Christians do not understand or really even know what they believe because of their own lack of study.

 

[BobbyBlueChip]

Clint: I realize that you are not going to answer the question because any reasonable reflection on your religious beliefs is bound to cause distress. Feel free to use me as your excuse for not engaging in "difficult" questions, but the fact that I point this stuff out doesn't make me a bad person.

Let it go. Just let it go.

 

[WhatsHisNuts]

Gmrozz

I think faith has everything to do with "other factors" for many and one can't exactly quantify that.

Much the same as one's credibility on this forum.

for ex

Who in this forum do you have confidence in and why? Who is this forum do you feel deserves respect and why?

It boils down to faith and I don't think there's a right or wrong (that was just for you Buddy) side.

Sorry, but your argument makes no sense. How can you compare religious faith to confidence in posters. I will say one thing, at least there is evidence of the poster (ie., a record).

 

[WhatsHisNuts]

Clint: I appreciate you taking the time, but I dont know that you really answered my question. Personal thought and contemplation are what have brought me to where I am, but in terms of religious beliefs, I'm guessing most (95% +) stay with what they were born into. Your circumstances of birth are the most influential factors in religous beliefs...and I think it is something to think about, with regard to the hellish consequences tied to "choosing" the wrong flavor.