Thread: Christians: what is your reason for believing in your God over the rest of the choices out there?

I should have an answer, but I'm really unsure about the reason I'm a Christian. I was born into a Hindu household. I was born here, but my parents are from India. No Christianity in my household at all. No one I know in my family is Christian either. But the schools I've gone to as a kindergartener were always Christian schools. They spoon-fed Christianity every day. Sometimes I feel like maybe I was young and vulnerable when they said Christianity is the truth and everything else is idol worship and what not.

But I really don't know. It's strange because if I hadn't have been born here and lived in India instead. I know for certain I'd be a Hindu and in no way Christian. If I lived in Afghanistan and lived in a Muslim family, I'd most likely be Muslim. Yet here I was born into a Hindu family yet became a Christian because of school. It doesn't seem right but it's true. Damn, I don't know. It really feel like I'm overcomplicating things but religious environment and background really has to do with alot of it I think.

I've thought about this kind of stuff before. I'm 17. I still have to get to college. I've got a long way to go and alot of time to think about this stuff. Assuming I don't die in a some terrible accident before then.

De-loused, that is a very good assessment of why you might be a Christian, or at least part of the reason. That is very interesting that your family is from India. Is there any sort of tension in the house because of your religious differences?

Originally Posted by Mes Tarrant

De-loused, that is a very good assessment of why you might be a Christian, or at least part of the reason. That is very interesting that your family is from India. Is there any sort of tension in the house because of your religious differences?

No. In fact, they don't know. I've never told them, and I've always told myself I would but around when I turned 16 I stopped caring. Ever since I was little and became a Christian I guess I planted a little seed of fear inside of myself. Maybe I was and am scared what they might say. Or what they might think. They'll be really disappointed. I know they will since I've always complied with all of the Hinduistic practices they've gotten me to do. I've bowed down to idols, I've gone to temples, I've done this and that all without them knowing I really don't mean it. I mean I know it seems like I'm treating something like being Christian like a closet homosexual finally revealing himself to his family, but that's just about what it probably feels like.

It really doesn't bother me anymore. It shouldn't be a subject that it's hard to talk about when it comes to family. But to understand you'd have to live in my family and have had the experiences I've had with them. There is no tension.

But sometimes I really do think about me not having had gone to a Christian school. Would I be Christian now? Most likely I wouldn't. Without outside influence I wouldn't.

But if I hadn't been taught in school about going to hell because you weren't a Christian, would I have really cared? I mean, if everyone went to hell then would most Christians even give a shit about being Christian?

Religion has brought me just as many questions as answers. I hope that if God is real, then all different religions are just ways of worshipping the same God. If God isn't real, then oh well...What can you do?

Because when I look at the world and see all the patterns and beauty I can't think it is possible there is NOT a designer.. wait sorry, I'm an atheist.

Maybe Krishna made those beauties.

Why because that's all I know! I mean my MOM says it's right my DAD sayts it's right, evryone says it's right! So it musty be right!

Oh, wait...

Originally Posted by Mes Tarrant

You could be believing in Krishna, Zeus, Thor, Allah, etc, instead of the one you believe in now. Please discuss some of the reasons for this. Thank you!

I would discuss the reasons, if I were a Christian...but I'm a Vexist.

Originally Posted by Daeva

I would discuss the reasons, if I were a Christian...but I'm a Vexist.

Vexist?

http://www.dreamviews.com/community/member.php?u=4040

You're gawd has a kewl avatar! :3

Given the massive correlation between the religions that are part of one's upbringing (school, parents, etc) and the religion one chooses, I'm going to suggest indoctination of a particular religion based on a person's location in the world and their socio-economic status.

So in most cases, the reason why someone believes religion X, is because that's the one they were brought up to believe.

Oh... I have an answer... (see sig).

You sigged that?

Stephent is officially the most awesome person ever.

Hell yeah I did!

When I read it I was like sig! Then I saw your post. Nobody else did, so I claimed it before I posted my long long reply.

I went through what Mes is asking, and eventually became a Deist.

It just doesn't seem right to pick one over the other. In many cases, what one will believe is what they were brought up as. I'm not really to speak for people who have decided though. There's usually some kind of reason whether it be some kind of experience, or just wanting to be a part of a familiar community.

So in most cases, the reason why someone believes religion X, is because that's the one they were brought up to believe.

There is a really simple answer... brainwashing/indoctrination. I'd like to see an experiment where children aren't tought religion but only facts up to a certain age. Everybody should be free to decide what to believe in by themselves.

Teaching kids facts?? Facts are the work of the devil! We MUST indoctrinate them in what we believe in because we're egocentric enough to think that our beliefs are worth imposing upon everyone they are imposable upon!

Originally Posted by M-Cat

Teaching kids facts?? Facts are the work of the devil! We MUST indoctrinate them in what we believe in because we're egocentric enough to think that our beliefs are worth imposing upon everyone they are imposable upon!

"Science, Logic, and Reason were all made by the Devil." That was hilarious.

Not as bad as forcing them to think for themselves! That's just unacceptable!

Originally Posted by Bonsay

There is a really simple answer... brainwashing/indoctrination. I'd like to see an experiment where children aren't tought religion but only facts up to a certain age. Everybody should be free to decide what to believe in by themselves.

The result of that experiment is me, a Buddho-Shamanic Comparative Mythologist. Also, every human preceding the rise of organized religion; the result was organized religion.

Originally Posted by Carôusoul

Because when I look at the world and see all the patterns and beauty I can't think it is possible there is NOT a designer.. wait sorry, I'm an atheist.

Hehe. I said why would someone choose a specific religion.

Originally Posted by De-lousedInTheComatorium

Religion has brought me just as many questions as answers. I hope that if God is real, then all different religions are just ways of worshipping the same God. If God isn't real, then oh well...What can you do?

Given that your parents are Hindu though, I'm sure their reaction wouldn't be nearly as bad as it would if you came out as a Hindu in a Christian household. Also, there is quite a large number of Christians in India.

Alternatively, why don't you just follow what you think god might be like, if there is one? I am sure you know that there are a lot of frightening things about the Christian religion. People pick and choose certain things to quote from the bible to suit their needs... but the fact of the matter is that good and bad are in that book. From my understanding of Hinduism, it's an infinitely more peaceful religion. The only problem I have with it at the moment is the caste system, but I'm not going to get into that now.




SO! We have discovered that people believe in one god over the others solely because of the way they have been brought up. Once a religious person fully comprehends what this means, why does he/she still refuse to let go of their particular religion? If you think that you cannot go on living with the thought that there is no god, why not just choose the most benevolent one available? Or make up your own?

Originally Posted by Mes Tarrant

The only problem I have with it at the moment is the caste system, but I'm not going to get into that now.

I hate the caste system.

Originally Posted by Mes Tarrant

SO! We have discovered that people believe in one god over the others solely because of the way they have been brought up. Once a religious person fully comprehends what this means, why does he/she still refuse to let go of their particular religion? If you think that you cannot go on living with the thought that there is no god, why not just choose the most benevolent one available? Or make up your own?

Who knows? I personally don't like religious debates because there really is no definite answer. Instead there are alot of questions. I guess in the end staying with a certain religion isn't going to hurt anyone else so no one else should worry about that person's beliefs. We all only live once so we only have one life to establish our beliefs and hang on to them. In the end we're dead,and no one is going to care about this or remember it anymore.

Originally Posted by De-lousedInTheComatorium

Who knows? I personally don't like religious debates because there really is no definite answer. Instead there are alot of questions. I guess in the end staying with a certain religion isn't going to hurt anyone else so no one else should worry about that person's beliefs. We all only live once so we only have one life to establish our beliefs and hang on to them. In the end we're dead,and no one is going to care about this or remember it anymore.

If "in the end" you mean death, then you are certainly correct. But I still have to live on this earth with people who show extreme intolerance to the groups of people who they think their holy books don't like.

I think a more likely answer for why a lot of people don't switch religions or stop being a part of a religion all together is because of how tough it is for many people to renounce their religion but still maintain good relations with their friends and families. I've seen this many times with my friends. What do you think?

Originally Posted by Mes Tarrant

I think a more likely answer for why a lot of people don't switch religions or stop being a part of a religion all together is because of how tough it is for many people to renounce their religion but still maintain good relations with their friends and families. What do you think?

That could be it. Maybe even relations with their own self if that makes any sense. Maybe people feel as though they'll lose a huge part of themselves. Or maybe people just want to "'play it safe" and not to go to hell. There's a lot of possible reasons.