Religion in Family and Society

[ExoByte]

This is actually a question, and a more personal oriented one at that. The question is, how has your family and the society around you, be it friends, classmates, co-workers etc. taken to your religion beliefs? This is more primarily directed at those who don't follow "the norm," though I appreciate all answers. I ask this because we're working on our ISU/CCAs in the Individuals and Families in a Diverse Society class. For inclusion in my project I'd like to include direct opinions for quotation from a community that I know is diverse. This would also help with the interview aspect of my assignment. Part of the assignment requires an interview as well as outerlying opinions, I decided where better than DV?

[pj]

How has your family and the society around you, be it friends, classmates, co-workers etc. taken to your religion beliefs? With bemusement, more than anything else. I'm a Christian, though a far cry from anything even remotely "conventional." We do not attend church, as every church we've been involved in over the past 20 years or so has blown up, collapsed, schismed or crumbled (figuratively) while we were there. We decided to spare any more congregations from the curse we apparently bring along. Regarding immediate family: the kids understand my (our) faith, but have not been through the usual indoctrination practices that many churches include for their youth. They are free to choose as they see fit, and surely will. Regarding extended family: I was raised a Catholic and am now a heretic in the church's eyes. That delights me, though I have as the years go by found a new respect for what it meant for my ancestors to be Roman Catholic and the things they endured as a result. It's more of an appreciation for the historical significance, really. Those who are still faithful in our extended family actually seem to gravitate toward me to discuss spiritual matters and faith, in spite of me being a "churchless" heretic. One of the nicer things my faith has brought me are friends among the Amish, as our beliefs are remarkably similar. I have the privilege of friendship with an elder in a community in northern Michigan, and spend a lot of time in their community. Other friends range from atheist to fundamentalist to charismatic to strident evangelicals, not to mention Jewish, Buddhists, Hindus, Sikhs and Muslims. I get along just fine with all of them, and am very comfortable discussing spiritual matters if the subject turns in that direction. Is this what you were looking for?

[ExoByte]

Yes, perfect! Thanks Peej Anyone else?

[Replicon]

Well, I come from a catholic family, and was baptized catholic. I went to catholic elementary school, and catholic high school. By the end, I was agnostic . My parents were always very open-minded about it, not being big time practitioners themselves. We'd go to church on xmas and easter, and that was about it. So it's not like it ever was a big deal to them. My more extended family, going UP the tree, is more catholic. My grandparents (at least on my dad's side) are probably the bigger ones. I so seldom see them (they're kind of overseas) that that's the last thing we ever focus on. If I'm staying with them, I'll go to church with them or whatever. They probably think I'm a "more liberal catholic" or something. I don't really bring it up, as it would probably break their hearts, and it's just not worth it.

[ExoByte]

Thanks for the input guys, I could still use much more! I guess I might as well participate in my own topic. On my end, my parents haven't taken too kindly to my Atheistic views. We were never a religious family, but since announcing that I do not believe in God, we've been since getting into religious debates all the time. Its been quite the problem considering that their closed minded views often shut my opinions out, its somewhat made me an outcast in the family religiously.

[Indecent Exposure]

Basically, i was born into Shi Ismaili Islam, its a small denomination of Islam, that to most mainstream sects is rather heretical. The reason being, most influence is placed o nthe esoteric and as such the Qu'rainc interpretations are esoteric, rather than exoteric. For isntance, most Ismailis choose not to fast but rather fast from sin during Ramdan, we dont wash our hands and feet before prayer, but we "cleanse our souls" shit like that. I reject my religion, based on the fact that it's riduclously corrupt, our Aga Khan or Imam, is our "spiritual leader", Ismailis are requested to pay Dasond, this is 10% of our wages, ontop of this we should pay Zakat, 2.5% of our wages. Although, the Ismaili Imam is famous for his philantrophy he also has a huge mansion in france and many other luxuries, at the expense of his poor follweors all around the world. The Ismaili sect of Islam in my opinion, is not a religion, but a business, and a booming one. Im also agnostic/atheist, so I reject it on a philosophical basis aswell as a moral one. My parents respect my disbeleif in God (my dad is agnostic), but find it disgusting that I insult and speak badly of the Imam, someone they revere very highly. My extended family find me highly disrepscetful and I've often been called close minded by them, when in truth its obvious that they are the indoctrinated ones. My brother also rejects the faith. My grandparents don't know my opinions on the Imam, as they'd probably drop dead with shock, they come from a generation that almost worships the Imam. Imran

[Lord Toaster]

Fairly simple for me. My parents never told me anything about what to believe, and I didn't really think about it until I was too old to believe anything that was told to me. I went to Church every so often with my Grandparents, usually at Christmas, but that's not enough to convert someone. Now I'm completely an atheist. I find it hard to see how theists can be so sure of their ground, and I'm very interested in knowing what their beliefs are. I avoid threads on the forums however, as they tend to escalate into flame wars, usually involving Universal Mind and Keeper To summarise, I've never believed in God and I probably never will. I'm also interested in Buddhism, since it's much more rational than the other religions (at least that's how it seems to me.)

[Pirate]

ditto, Toast. ditto down to the last tiny detail.

[rastasteez]

Fairly simple for me. My parents never told me anything about what to believe, and I didn't really think about it until I was too old to believe anything that was told to me. same... my parents grew up with religion taught into them, but never forced it upon me. they let me have my own beliefs and i think its interesting to have conversations about what we believe. just becuase we are family doesn't mean we have to believe the same thing. i do however respect other peoples views even though i might not agree with them. i think its important to keep everyones beliefs in mind and not reject anyone. i do not believe in a certain religion, but maybe a higher power (not necessarily a god). i would like to learn more about different religions and cultures i strongly believe in whatever i think i dont let other make my decisions for me. i dont want people to tell me what i should think, i have the right to decide that for myself. other people can influence my thinking but should not force it upon me. (sorry if thats unclear haha. i try! i really do!)

[thegnome54]

I'm afraid my answer will be somewhat uninteresting... my life is disappointingly easy I have yet to run across anyone who has taken issue with my agnosticism/atheism (I believe that we can never know whether or not there is a God, but chances are that there is none). My family isn't very clear about their own religious beliefs, with my mom being 'spiritual' and my dad being somewhat of a realist/atheist. One time, one of my neighbors invited me to come to a church meeting to try to convert me or something, but I simply turned her down and she left me alone. It's hard for me to imagine being discriminated against or bothered because of my religious standings, and hopefully that will never change

[Original Poster]

Well let's see. I was raised Episciple though was pretty much saved when I was 7 and then became a philosopher at 13. My Dad, an agnostic, was an influence in me losing my faith and open minded when I turned to spirituality. A lot of my extended family took on spiritual beliefs though I've taken a much more eclectic approach, trying to find the common truths and their sources. My Mom, on the other hand, is very closed-minded and laughs at my spiritual path.

[mark]

Im a complete Athiest in fact I almost find the idea of religon to be repulsive no offence to anyone. Part of my family are Protestant very very protestant. I try to aviod the topic with them but I often get lectures on how my believes are somewhat evil. They think I am incapable of seeing the big picture. and the same goes for the catholic side im caught in the middle of their war My mum and step dad for the most part respect my believe although it was a difficult time when my nana died as there was alot of religon around and I was looked badly upon because I would not join in with the praying. My real dad tried to force me into church when I would go to visit and dismissed my believes as a phase. The people I work with think I am stupid and narrow minded for not seeing the way of the lord oh and my ex girlfriends mum called me a animal for my believes. on the plus side I do find it leads to some really intresting conversations and not everyone has a bad opinnion I have infact met a few people who agee with what I say.

[Sornaensis]

This is actually a question, and a more personal oriented one at that. The question is, how has your family and the society around you, be it friends, classmates, co-workers etc. taken to your religion beliefs? This is more primarily directed at those who don't follow "the norm," though I appreciate all answers. I ask this because we're working on our ISU/CCAs in the Individuals and Families in a Diverse Society class. For inclusion in my project I'd like to include direct opinions for quotation from a community that I know is diverse. This would also help with the interview aspect of my assignment. Part of the assignment requires an interview as well as outerlying opinions, I decided where better than DV? My parents are waaay to insecure to care about my beliefs. My sister could care less also, and my Uncle is "Atheist" also.

[Lucid_boy]

I went to a chatholic elementary school untill sixth grade and getting ready to enter middle school. I had gone to church every friday for the past six years as part of school and I found religion mostly boring and stuffy. Then, I went to church with my grandma and aunt, there church is much more modern, with a band and modern music and updated versions of the bible. I still didn't believe despite the fact that I knew all the bible storys and could recite them to you. Then, I went to church with grandma and aunt for about the 3rd or fourth maybe fith or sixth time and they had this sermon about hw our soul was like a garden and how we could clean out the weeds and mega tall tree's sin had planted there and they asked people who felt that they were having a hard time with faith to come up on stage. I didn't go up but I knew right then that this was real and that god wanted to hang with me. I am now a practicing christian and I struggle daily with doubt. At times I am so sure that this is just my rational mind trying to reasert itself but I realize now it's either god testing me or the work of the devil. My family takes a skeptic view on my religion. For years now they all have claimed that they believe in god, maybe they do, but I'm not so sure. My mother mocks often and my brothers sometimes follow suit but other than that it's really nothing major. I still believe in 95% of science and as alot of you know I am very open to Atheist views.

[Howie]

I have personally had many variations and varieties of different beliefs effect my personal life. First and foremost my mother was brainwashed into believing the Jehovah's witnesses for a stint of six or seven years. The year I was born, 1972 this all came to a head as my mother had a nervous break. This was a result of the..END COMING, which it did not, for the many times they had claimed it to be coming . I can go into further detail why I hold a large resentment toward this particular relgion. My aunt and uncle who were the conveyors of this blinded "good" religion. (For they know not what they do) This created a lot of turmoil and struggles with what then was the family, consisting of my two older sisters and my one older brother. My best friend was raised a Christian. Their entire family. As a kid I was susceptible to a lot of what they had preached. It was good, it was wholesome. It my friend was ignorance. Blind ignorance and a complete, or I believe it to be a sheltered life from, well..... life. Many stages through out the years as I struggled with reason vs. belief. As a young adult, of 22 years old I began to date a girl who had very strong religious convictions. Church of the Abrahamic Faith. (if any one does find interest in this, I can elaborate) I found first that the church, like the others I had attended, were filled with hypocrites, sluts and liers. Also yes, they were all blind and still are. I tried to follow her religion for our sake. As I opposed some of their logic, or lack there of, we eventual parted ways for this reason alone. I do not hold her, my uncle and my aunt, my friend or any one else who is religious in contempt for any of my own hard comings. I do blame religion. I once did not. I told myself what they do is their own doing to be none of my business. It is the children I grow up with. The people I hire. The people that hire me, my friends. The entire society that I myself am am a part of. Wake up. Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence. Or so god perceived us to believe. In either case, would [/FONT]god not be wrong?

[ClouD]

I keep my thoughts to myself. I feel no need to share them with people that mean "something" to me. Even if they would understand, such knowledge would serve no purpose unless gained independently. I think that is how it works with every belief. Everyone wants people to understand how they think. Even though, that is impossible. No person has been through the same set of experiences. I think it's so forceful to tell someone your beliefs. It seems, as if when i talk about it, i am persuading people to believe. Of course, i want people to believe, because my beliefs are 100% accurate, though in a sense that most people would have to experience to understand. They are also 100% inaccurate. Believe in nothing, yet everything. I think that everything is as it is. If someone chooses to share their beliefs/experiences with others, they should get ready to be assaulted in the greatest way. People live because of their supposed purpose. When it is questioned, it becomes either very hostile, or depressing. cloudWalker

[Howie]

Or a cop out? If people you love matter, then what is 100% accurate would matter too.

[james-25:22pm]

I would call myself an agnostic. I believe what I have proof for, or trust in. I have no proof for or against A god. My family...a mix of agnostic too i would say; but the older members possibly christian; of no real specific mix. My friends...it seems they almost rely on religion without contributing. THe people I grew up with acted like atheists (just like I did when I was younger). But as I grew to being agnostic...they grew to Christianity. I feel an inability to CONSIDER that life is ALL there is, could be the reason for this amongst my friends. I believe that in society, and it scares me...that without religion we would have anarchy. BECAUSE i see people around me who do good things; not because they CAN, but because they want something almost... I feel without religion, from which laws are drawn...we would have more murders... I feel without religion, we would have almost no charity or appreciation However, I know religious people who act for GOOD, not religious reward...if that makes sense too. Hope this helps you a bit!

[nerve]

opposites attract

[NonDualistic]

opposites attract From the Sufi Poet Rumi : "Enduring her public disdain has made me strong and patient. She is my practice. Nothing can be clear without a polar opposite present. Two banners, one black and one white, and between them something gets settled." This is how it is with my wife and I. Polar opposites. The more I go within, the more ridicule and such I have to endure. One need not explain ones beliefs, eventually the letting go of things is noticed by all one is close to, regardless of being tight lipped or not. And, when those around one are set in their ways, in their beliefs and their religions, the fires of ridicule, disdain, hurt and sorrow can burn very hot. One must learn to work with such polarity as it is. You learn to see yourself through their eyes. Work on yourself, not them. Others can see you more clearly and more honestly than you can see yourself. Use that clarity. Its all about clarity and letting go of attachments. And by attachments I do not mean physically leaving, but rather the inner attachments that tie one up and bring on the duality of happiness and sorrow. Indifference is what is arrived at when letting go, and not in relation to love, but in realtion to attraction and desire. Both of those fade. Love is ever present as it is geared towards well being, an outward pouring of ones energy towards all that is around ones being. Such is the natural flow, that of love as thus defined. Eventually the indifference will be so great that one just watches as the scenery unfolds and people go their own ways. No grief, no regrets, no sorrows, and no relief nor thanksgiving. Just indifference. Its always hardest on those around oneslf, those who are still caught up in attraction, desire and duality. The more opposite of you the harder time they have of dealing with it. Its just as hard on them as if one had died, which is pretty close to what it is. The aquired "I" sense is what has died, or faded away. In my case still fading...