Choosing... religion...
By Khayam
@Khayam (346)
Romania
November 19, 2008 2:53am CST
Gender, religion and some genetic heritage seem are - to some extent - a given. Should a person be able to choose it's religion at 18-21 years instead of being automatically assignated to the religion of his/her parents?
Changing religion seems to be - according to all religion's norms - a sin that attracts subsequent punishment from the Divinity. So what do you think, we should be able to choose what religion we want or just cope with the inherited one?
2 people like this
10 responses
@remrick (202)
• Philippines
19 Nov 08
By all means, you have every right to choose and decide for yourself what to believe in or which religion to subscribe to. In my country, and in most parts of the world I believe, there are no laws prohibiting it and religious freedom is often a constitutionally guaranteed right. religion shouldn't be "inherited" because it must be a personal choice, not something that is imposed on you, and people should have the freedom to exercise this choice. It has to be something you personally believe in.
technically, I am now an evangelical christian but I used to be catholic. my family didn't understand my change in beliefs and didn't like my decision that much, but they respected my decision as it was my personal choice and my right to decide and choose for myself.
@Khayam (346)
• Romania
24 Nov 08
For an Orthodox Christian like me, it is difficult to picture. I mean, the Orthodox Church puts alot of emphasis on the rituals and on the inconografic symbols of the religion, even more than the Catholic church. Although in my country there are no laws prohibiting religious freedom, the Church leaders have a very offensive position when it comes to accepting other Christian Churches except Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant.
@remrick (202)
• Philippines
26 Nov 08
I see... I must emphasize though that the heart of biblical christianity does not put emphasis on religion itself or church, but on a personal relationship with the Lord... And from that relationship now springs the need for fellowship and the Church... :)
@mariposaman (2959)
• Canada
19 Nov 08
Everyone has a right to choose their religion. Parents who are religious bring up their children in their own faith but when you reach the age of majority you have an obligation to choose what feels right in your heart. Unfortunately religious leaders do not like to lose adherents so will put the fear of god in them by telling them they will go to hell if they change religion. Do you really believe that god cares if you change from Greek Orthodox to Roman Catholic or some other religious sect? I would ask the muslims among the posters that I have heard they take this to the extreme that if you convert out of the muslim faith you will be killed?
Apparently if you raise your children with religion they will choose one or the other, usually the one they are brought up with, but if you bring them up with no religion they usually choose none at all.
1 person likes this
@Khayam (346)
• Romania
19 Nov 08
"Do you really believe that God cares if you change from Greek Orthodox to Roman Catholic or some other religious sect?" This mariposaman is a perfect question. Jesus Christ created One Church. It was the decision of man, that split the Christian religion into multiple Churches, mainly due to administrative, rather than spiritual reasons.
@shivram123 (656)
• India
19 Nov 08
you hav all rights to choose a religion of ur choice,
but u must be more selective i say
cause u hav to see that the religion can convince u in all means,it can give u hope in living,happiness in living,peace in living and most of all it must be better than ur parents religion orelse i could only say ur going to a religion which wont suit u,cause u were in a rituals which was more efficiant and good than the religion u choose so u will not get so much happiness in being in that religion,
and most of all please dont take any religion as a toss,it must be taken for ur whole life.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
24 Nov 08
You don't have to be 18 to change you religion.In Judaism,you are responsible for your religious life at the age of 12 for girls and 13 for boys.As for " changing religion being a sin that attracts subsequent punishment from Divinity",I don't believe a Deity would punish anyone for finding a different path that leads to Him/Her. All paths lead to the same Divine being. So if you end up at the same Bliss, why would He/She be upset if you choose a different path. The main thing is to find a religious path that works for you and be faithful.
@6precious102 (4043)
• United States
23 Nov 08
I can only speak for Christianity, but in that faith it doesn't matter what you're parents are. You don't "inherit" their religion. Parents may make their children attend the same church, etc. as they, but they can't tell you what's to be in your heart. It's up to the individual to accept or reject the faith. The decision is yours and yours alone.
@tennissandgirl (196)
• United States
19 Nov 08
The parent has every right to make sure their children go to church. However, when they are old enough to choose a religion the parent needs to be respectful and I think that is where the controversy comes in. I grow up LDS, I still am. Why? Because I personally chose to stay LDS when I moved out of the house. Many do personally choose to stay with the religion they grow up with. As for their reasons, they are theirs.
Everyone has a choice as to what religion they practice. No one should judge them for their choice because it is personal!
@tennissandgirl (196)
• United States
19 Nov 08
I don't see it as manipulation. Others might. I want what is best of my child. I know that learning about the LDS teachings will benefit his life. Will he stay active in the LDS church that is up to him when he reaches the age of understanding and can make a sound choice. He loves to go and if he ever said he didn't want to go of course we would talk about it, but I would listen and understand. I would also help him to understand why going to church is important to me and our family. I will not force him to go though. When they are little they go wherever their parents are and the parent has the right to get a babysitter or take them with them. That's what I meant!
1 person likes this
@Khayam (346)
• Romania
19 Nov 08
Your experience gives alot of substance to your answer. That's for sure.
But I don't understand the first sentence. "The parent has every right to make sure their children go to church".
Childhood is a period when a child's mind, vision of life, education are usually shaped by various symbols. A church represents a very important symbol. If a parent takes his kid to church isn't actually impregnating the child's mind with the parent's own need for religion? Isn't that manipulation? Or not?
@sid556 (30959)
• United States
20 Nov 08
I have 4 kids...I never ever subscribed them to any religion. Instead, I did expose them to all and encouraged them to follow their own path. 2 are very interested in religion and such...one of them has actually chosen a religion to follow. The other two...not so much but still are curious and well, it is their own choice. I was raised catholic and try as they would...I just didn't buy it...it wasn't for me. You have to follow your own heart.
@bestboy19 (5478)
• United States
20 Nov 08
You have a free will. Choose for yourself. Even God allows you to do that. He tells you the consequences, but He gives you the right to choose.
@summersatine (85)
•
20 Nov 08
religion doesn't really matter as long as you have faith in God. my Family comes from different religion..mothers protestant baptist in particular and fathers pure catholic.we attend both churches.. we never got problem in it. Ah only my grandmama. She's been into mormons and my grandpapa beens furious about it..but now they settle their dffrences.. Am now more into catholic..and my family never force us to what to choose.
@carmelsuarez (329)
• Philippines
20 Nov 08
As a person we dont have to follow the religious norms of our parents...as we get older we need to decide what's wrong from right. And decide which to follow.
... and people dont need religion for them to be saved or prevent them from sinning. It is human natures to sin. All we need is a relationship with God (Jesus)!
