Zone1 You didn’t choose your faith. It chose you.

[Meriweather]

What if a child is born into a household with one devoutly religious parent and one atheist parent? Would that child be able to truly decide for themselves without being "programmed"? Or would it just be a different kind of programming?

My Catholic grandmother married my atheist grandfather. They had three children--two Catholic and one atheist. "Programmed" or not--each decided for him/herself.

Like my grandmother, I married an atheists. He broached the subject of religion saying maybe not teach the children about religion, but let them decide when they are adults. I countered with, "Yes, and maybe not teach the children about football, but let them decide when they are adults." Children are naturally exposed to what each parent loves, it's not hidden away from them.

 

[Zebra]

The vast majority of people don’t put much thought into their religious beliefs.

Christian parents tend to have Christian children. Muslim parents tend to have Muslim children. Atheist parents tend to have atheist children.

What does that say about us? A lot.

you are right!

 

[ding]

You were born into a story. Before you could read, think critically, or even consent, you were told who God is, what sin is, what eternity means, and how to earn love. That’s not faith. That’s programming.

If you had been born in a different house, in a different country, under a different flag, you would believe something else. Maybe you’d worship a different god. Maybe you’d call that god by a different name. Maybe you wouldn’t believe in any god at all.

If what you believe had been given to you in reverse order, would you still call it truth, or just loyalty?

So you believe there is no choice in the matter? I disagree. Everything is choice.

 

[Papageorgio]

You were born into a story. Before you could read, think critically, or even consent, you were told who God is, what sin is, what eternity means, and how to earn love. That’s not faith. That’s programming.

If you had been born in a different house, in a different country, under a different flag, you would believe something else. Maybe you’d worship a different god. Maybe you’d call that god by a different name. Maybe you wouldn’t believe in any god at all.

If what you believe had been given to you in reverse order, would you still call it truth, or just loyalty?

Then if you grow up in no belief in a god, then you are programmed not to believe in a god.

So no matter our beliefs we are essentially programmed.

 

[ding]

The vast majority of people don’t put much thought into their religious beliefs.

Christian parents tend to have Christian children. Muslim parents tend to have Muslim children. Atheist parents tend to have atheist children.

What does that say about us? A lot.

It says a number of things but traditions aren’t necessarily bad things. Personally I don’t care what one’s worldview is as long as helps them become a force for good. For me my personal relationship with God helps me do that.

 

[BreezeWood]

You were born into a story. Before you could read, think critically, or even consent, you were told who God is, what sin is, what eternity means, and how to earn love. That’s not faith. That’s programming.

how the programming is interpreted is significant throughout the life of the individual very few accept at face value anything they are taught and from the beginning their manipulation of what is being taught will be their destiny wherever that may lead them - and the distinction of right and wrong is for them to learn correctly as the unwritten goal necessary for their success or failure.

 

[XponentialChaos]

It says a number of things but traditions aren’t necessarily bad things. Personally I don’t care what one’s worldview is as long as helps them become a force for good. For me my personal relationship with God helps me do that.

It says that the religion many people follow is heavily dependent on tradition.

They follow that religion simply because their parents did. Their parents follow that religion simply because their parents did. Etc.

 

[ding]

It says that the religion many people follow is heavily dependent on tradition.

They follow that religion simply because their parents did. Their parents follow that religion simply because their parents did. Etc.

Not necessarily. To see it otherwise is to believe no one is in control of their fate. That their religious beliefs are outside of their control. Do you believe you are in control of what you believe?

 

[XponentialChaos]

Not necessarily. To see it otherwise is to believe no one is in control of their fate. That their religious beliefs are outside of their control. Do you believe you are in control of what you believe?

Some people truly think for themselves. Many people just mindlessly follow the traditions of their parents.

 

[Meriweather]

Some people truly think for themselves. Many people just mindlessly follow the traditions of their parents.

How many mindfully follow traditions--and how do you tell the difference between those "mindlessly" following them, and mindfully following them?

 

[ding]

Some people truly think for themselves. Many people just mindlessly follow the traditions of their parents.

How do you know?

 

[XponentialChaos]

How many mindfully follow traditions--and how do you tell the difference between those "mindlessly" following them, and mindfully following them?

That’s entirely subjective.

 

[XponentialChaos]

How do you know?

Common sense.

Christian parents tend to have Christian children. Muslim parents tend to have Muslim children. Etc.

If you want to stick your head in the sand and pretend that this isn’t because people tend to just follow the traditions they were brought into, that’s on you. But it’s entirely obvious.

 

[ding]

That’s entirely subjective.

So is saying many people just mindlessly follow the traditions of their parents. Many people do follow the traditions of their parents. Saying they do so mindlessly is the subjective part.

 

[ding]

Common sense.

Christian parents tend to have Christian children. Muslim parents tend to have Muslim children. Etc.

If you want to stick your head in the sand and pretend that this isn’t because people tend to just follow the traditions they were brought into, that’s on you. But it’s entirely obvious.

How do you know they do so mindlessly?

 

[XponentialChaos]

So is saying many people just mindlessly follow the traditions of their parents. Many people do follow the traditions of their parents. Saying they do so mindlessly is the subjective part.

If their parents were of a different religion, they would likely follow that. True or false?

 

[XponentialChaos]

How do you know they do so mindlessly?

Call it what you want.

I’m just saying that they would likely follow the religion of their parents, whatever religion that is.

Whether that’s done mindfully or not, many are just following the traditions of the family they were born into.

If their parents are Christian, then they become Christian. If their parents are Muslim, then they become Muslim. Mindful or not, their “personal relationship” with a higher power is dependent on their traditions.

 

[ding]

If their parents were of a different religion, they would likely follow that. True or false?

That’s not the question. The question is whether they follow it mindlessly. How do you know they do that. You can’t.

 

[ding]

Call it what you want.

I’m just saying that they would likely follow the religion of their parents, whatever religion that is.

Whether that’s done mindfully or not, many are just following the traditions of the family they were born into.

If their parents are Christian, then they become Christian. If their parents are Muslim, then they become Muslim. Mindful or not, their “personal relationship” with a higher power is dependent on their traditions.

I’m calling it subjective because that’s what it is. You chose to see it as mindlessly following religion because that’s your bias. Your bias has affected your objectively.

 

[XponentialChaos]

That’s not the question. The question is whether they follow it mindlessly. How do you know they do that. You can’t.

Answer mine.

If their parents were of a different religion, they would likely follow that. True or false?