Not surprising that the "faithful" people no less about other religions than athiests/agnostics... I'm just thinking from experience and people I know, most people are brought up as one religion and stay that way without really thinking about it or checking out alternatives. Agnostic people may have been raised with one religion, but have probably "shopped around" more to see what else is out there (learning more in the process).
Higher education makes sense as well.. look at most public schools, you get a little info about religious people/events in history classes, but that's it. In college, chances are you either took some sort of world religion class or just learned more detail in history classes.
good point. We are all born into a system - ideological, religious, political, and some of us recognize that and try to break down the walls of that system. Some of us are content with living within the confines of the system. What is sad to me are those who fall victim to sheepdom - never confronting the system.
...
That was me. I was born into a Christian family... but, it didn't stick. I actually tried it a couple more times... in High School and later in life. Still, didn't stick.
It wasn't so much the religion itself... it was the people and they way they acted and things they said and did. There were so many aspects that just never seemed to add up. And no one even answered any of my questions... questions I thought about. Being told that i just had to believe... have faith... never sat well. I guess i'm just not wired to follow because I am told to follow without any reasoning attached to it.
That is why i'm out here on my own. It wasn't Jesus or God that I had forsaken, it was the church's doctrine that had forsaken me. I feel closer to God... trying to apply the teachings of Jesus... now that the barrier of the church is no longer between us.
I now believe that many paths lead towards God and He does not choose one way over another and accepts all. I am not bitter towards religion.. i just know that it is not for me... at this point in my life. I don't care which religion people choose... if it fits them... that's good enough for me. But, i'm not going to be forced to shut up and follow. I'll find my own way. Just let me be.
Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
Hail, Hail!!!
Results don't surprise me...
And this is just one of my guesses, not meaning to offend anyone, and it is just a guess, but I assume that people tied to no religion at all think more objectively about learning religions, where as some people who are very religious in a specific religion prefer not to see all sides of another religion, rather just to hear what they want to hear or know what they want to know.
Results don't surprise me...
And this is just one of my guesses, not meaning to offend anyone, and it is just a guess, but I assume that people tied to no religion at all think more objectively about learning religions, where as some people who are very religious in a specific religion prefer not to see all sides of another religion, rather just to hear what they want to hear or know what they want to know.
I don't even know if i'm making any sense.
...
Actually... it makes sense to me.
I believe as you seem to feel... that if people do not question their own religion, they will more than likely jump in without considering any of the other religions. This probably holds true for all major religions... Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hindism, etc...
People who have not taken hold of one religion will look into other religions to see whether or not they have the answers those people are seeking. These people will know more about various religions, rather than sticking to the doctrine of one religion.
Again, not a knock on religion on my part. I believe that there are many paths that lead towards God and that it is up to the individual to choose which path they wish to take. This includes those who choose to not follow any religion at all. My belief is God's love is unconditional and that He loves us all... even those people who do not believe in Him as long as they lead a good life and leave a positive imprint on our limited existance in this level of conscienceness.
What you are saying makes perfect sense to me.
Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
Hail, Hail!!!
...
Actually... it makes sense to me.
I believe as you seem to feel... that if people do not question their own religion, they will more than likely jump in without considering any of the other religions. This probably holds true for all major religions... Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hindism, etc...
People who have not taken hold of one religion will look into other religions to see whether or not they have the answers those people are seeking. These people will know more about various religions, rather than sticking to the doctrine of one religion.
Again, not a knock on religion on my part. I believe that there are many paths that lead towards God and that it is up to the individual to choose which path they wish to take. This includes those who choose to not follow any religion at all. My belief is God's love is unconditional and that He loves us all... even those people who do not believe in Him as long as they lead a good life and leave a positive imprint on our limited existance in this level of conscienceness.
What you are saying makes perfect sense to me.
Comments
That was me. I was born into a Christian family... but, it didn't stick. I actually tried it a couple more times... in High School and later in life. Still, didn't stick.
It wasn't so much the religion itself... it was the people and they way they acted and things they said and did. There were so many aspects that just never seemed to add up. And no one even answered any of my questions... questions I thought about. Being told that i just had to believe... have faith... never sat well. I guess i'm just not wired to follow because I am told to follow without any reasoning attached to it.
That is why i'm out here on my own. It wasn't Jesus or God that I had forsaken, it was the church's doctrine that had forsaken me. I feel closer to God... trying to apply the teachings of Jesus... now that the barrier of the church is no longer between us.
I now believe that many paths lead towards God and He does not choose one way over another and accepts all. I am not bitter towards religion.. i just know that it is not for me... at this point in my life. I don't care which religion people choose... if it fits them... that's good enough for me. But, i'm not going to be forced to shut up and follow. I'll find my own way. Just let me be.
Hail, Hail!!!
Results don't surprise me...
And this is just one of my guesses, not meaning to offend anyone, and it is just a guess, but I assume that people tied to no religion at all think more objectively about learning religions, where as some people who are very religious in a specific religion prefer not to see all sides of another religion, rather just to hear what they want to hear or know what they want to know.
I don't even know if i'm making any sense.
Actually... it makes sense to me.
I believe as you seem to feel... that if people do not question their own religion, they will more than likely jump in without considering any of the other religions. This probably holds true for all major religions... Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hindism, etc...
People who have not taken hold of one religion will look into other religions to see whether or not they have the answers those people are seeking. These people will know more about various religions, rather than sticking to the doctrine of one religion.
Again, not a knock on religion on my part. I believe that there are many paths that lead towards God and that it is up to the individual to choose which path they wish to take. This includes those who choose to not follow any religion at all. My belief is God's love is unconditional and that He loves us all... even those people who do not believe in Him as long as they lead a good life and leave a positive imprint on our limited existance in this level of conscienceness.
What you are saying makes perfect sense to me.
Hail, Hail!!!