Do Beliefs Dictate Your Religion, or Does Your Religion Dictate Your Beliefs?
By JeztheNun
@JeztheNun (90)
United States
December 4, 2008 10:12pm CST
I'm non-religious. By this I mean that I choose to remain free of a religious title. I suppose some people would call me agnostic, but the reality is that I find truth in many aspects of many religions. My personal beliefs are not reflected in any one religion. I have to wonder if many people who claim a religion aren't in the same boat. How is it possible for a religion to sum up a person's entire belief structure perfectly?
Consider, though, that this may not be the case. Most people take on the religion of their family, or other loved ones. Wouldn't it be more accurate to say that your religion dictates what you believe to be right?
Would a Christian person believe that gay marriage was wrong if they weren't Christian?
Would a Buddhist believe that their body was a temple if they weren't a Buddhist?
Thoughts?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@sudiptacallingu (10879)
• India
5 Dec 08
What you say about Christians and Buddhists (as example) are true only because our religion in most cases, is an intrinsic part of our upbringing, our social values. I am a Hindu and by my upbringing, I would never be able to actually do or witness an animal sacrifice, as done in many religions. I would fall sick. But unlike many Hindus, I am a non-vegetarian too. Similarly, majority Hindus believe in polytheism and my upbringing makes me respect all the idols (I could never kick or behead one) but my own understanding makes me believe in monotheism. So you could say that I am a mixture of both my religion and my own consciousness.
1 person likes this
@JeztheNun (90)
• United States
11 Dec 08
Well, thanks for the great response! I calls 'em like I sees 'em, friend!
@dark_joev (3034)
• United States
5 Dec 08
I am a indpendant spiriualist. I follow my own way I find alot of the asian type religions seem for me to have truth to them. I was a catholic for a few years but then I decided that it seemed like it was a bunch of well you most likely know where I am going. I think that for a person to follow a religion becaues there love ones believe in it but they don't is wrong. I think that what you believe without a religion telling you what is right or wrong should be what you base your relgion if there is a relgion that fits your beliefs 100% which you may or you may not find one.
1 person likes this
