Why Religion does not stick to some people?

Published on October 19, 2005 By sushiK In Religion

The point of this article is not Religion is wrong but just that certain people can not make the transition to a Religion.

There has been a lot of religious debate lately in JU.

I think some people are just not made for Religion; and I'll stick the to main ones Christianity and Islam.
Lately my wife has been going to church with our two sons, but she herself is originally Buddhist. I have no problem with her bringing the kids to church for the experience but found myself wondering if I should give it a go.

I have decided no; I actually am more inclined to Buddhism myself and will counter-balance church with a mix of Buddhism and my own thoughts with my kids.

Growing up my parents were protestant at one point but gave up going to chruch before I got old enough to go.
I have been a total of 3 times to a church in 36 years.

I got to thinking on the matter of why I can't give church a go and that Religion just doesn't "stick" to certain people, like me.
Since I never went as a kid, going to church and Christianity never got engrained in me, so here at 36, it just seems like an alien world to me. Sadly I was ready to give church a try but I got turned off again after actually talking to a few certain believers

Is it as simple as some people can make that leap of faith and believe where others can not?

Why is it these big Religions just don't take to some people and to others they do?

Comments

Texas Wahine

on Oct 19, 2005

I was raised religious and was essentially forced to go as a child all the way up until I left home, so it was definitely ingrained in me.

As an adult on my own I tried, and I went to church and read the Bible and all that jazz up until about a year ago. I've never "felt" God. Other people apparently do.

I never did. I just went through the motions, trying to be what I thought I should.

I felt constantly guilty for falling short, and inconsistencies in the Bible, as well as its incompatibility with science, nagged at me. I had some personal issues about a year ago, and discovered that my belief in God not only didn't comfort me, but neither did most of the Christians I knew.

It doesn't make sense to me, and I can't "feel" it. I think, like you've said, it just doesn't stick with me.

I am much happier now, though. I still am able to do the things that I feel are right, and many of them have been influenced by my religious background, but I don't feel that awful guilt because I'm not good enough.

sushiK

on Oct 19, 2005

If I did go to church with wife and kids I too would be forever feigning and interest and belief.

Bu I guess i am asking at the very heart why some can believe and others can not...

Dr Guy

on Oct 19, 2005

You Heathen! You will burn in the fires of hell!

Seriously, I think you answered your own question. While Buddhism is not a religion per se, it is a belief system, and it makes more sense to you. I think something, altho not one of the major ones as you point out, has taken to you.

And just because there are 2 big ones (and actually Christianity has such a diversity of faiths, that at times it is difficult to classify it as a single religion), has not eliminatd the multitude of smaller ones for that reason. There is no one faith that fits all.

dharmagrl

on Oct 19, 2005

For the same reason that some perfumes smell good to one person and gosh awful to another. For the same reason that I can understand and enjoy reading poetry and someone else thinks it's stupid and makes no sense.

It's all about personal preference, what makes sense to one person may not make sense to someone else. For example, despite having been christian my entire life I decided at the age of 30 that it didn't make sense and that I was being a hypocrite by continuing to attend church. So, I went about reading and experiencing other faiths and philosophies, and withing a fairly short amount of time found that Buddhism just made sense to me. I get it. It feels right...Christianity felt like I was wearing someone elses shoes. Buddhism feels like I'm wearing the most comfortable pair of shoes that ARE mine, that I own.

foreverserenity

on Oct 19, 2005

Exactly Doc, there's no one faith that fits all. A profound statement. Tex and Sushik, you two unfortunately have been speaking to and been around with people who haven't left a good impression about the Christian faith with you. That's unfortunate. I won't try to persuade you otherwise though from your beliefs you have now. It is good to believe in something.

You can't live your life for others you have to live it for yourselves. So you can't live by anothers' religion, you have to live it for you. Most church will tell you to live their way and do what they do, but you don't have to. The grace and power of God is there for everyone to share and accept if they want to. It's not mandatory, although the churches make their practices so and that is wrong. That's why they lose so many believers. At least you both give your children something to hold on to, that's the important thing.

Dynosoar

on Oct 19, 2005

The Catholic Church, since its reformation in the 1970's, has adopted an all-inclusive theory, basically that all religions ( monotheasiastic that is ) worship the same God, just in different ways and with different names.

"There's a thin line between Saturday night and Sunday morning " quote; Jimmy Buffett, "Fruitcakes" 1995.
" Religion is for the weak minded " ( later amended to Organized Religion is for the weak minded ) Jesse Ventura, Playboy interview, 1997.

In essence, Organized religion is nothing more than a social clique based around the religious beliefs of the leaders of that group. Hence we get 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Reformed Baptist ( whatsa unreformed Baptist like?) 14 different Presbyterians, 11 Methodist, a gaggle of "Non-denominational", plus a myriad of other faiths and religions.

Faith in a "higher power" does not require social interaction, "Belonging to a Church" does require that socialization, and all of the psychological / political baggage that goes along with human interaction.

Perhaps in matters of faith we should have an " unaffiliated" designation for the agnostic among us.

"Preacher man talkin' on the TV, puttin' down the rock and roll, wants me to send a donation, cause he's worried about my soul." Charlie Daniels, "Long Haired Coutry Boy" 1974

I can't find the source, so attack me for putting in print something I think I remember, but religious institutions gross more income than most fortune 500 companies ( steeple envy I guess ) they hold more real estate and do not pay a single dime in taxes !!

Brother, let me tell you, I'm in the wrong business ! ( can I get an amen )

Nuff ramblin', hope my point was made in all the bombast.

Dr Guy

on Oct 19, 2005

I can't find the source, so attack me for putting in print something I think I remember, but religious institutions gross more income than most fortune 500 companies ( steeple envy I guess ) they hold more real estate and do not pay a single dime in taxes !!

Knee patches cost a lot of money!

AndyBaker

on Oct 20, 2005

But I guess i am asking at the very heart why some can believe and others can not...

It's all a question of spiritual growth, in my opinion SushiK. But don't worry if none of it clicks yet. You get loads of lifetimes, and it's a process of continual growth.

For the same reason that some perfumes smell good to one person and gosh awful to another. . . . Buddhism just made sense to me. I get it. It feels right...Christianity felt like I was wearing someone elses shoes. Buddhism feels like I'm wearing the most comfortable pair of shoes that ARE mine, that I own.

Brilliant Dharma. That's the best thing I've read in a long time.

HC1240

on Oct 21, 2005

Sushik - thanks for the heads up about your thread...

I might not have seen it otherwise.

I have been a total of 3 times to a church in 36 years.

This hardly seems like enough time to base such a potentially important decision on... wonder what would happen if you gave it a thorough examination or trial period?

As an adult on my own I tried, and I went to church and read the Bible and all that jazz up until about a year ago. I've never "felt" God. Other people apparently do.

May I ask what kind of church you went to, TW? I'm curious. I have "felt" God... but not in the way that some extreme Pentecostal church-goers "feel" Him. I have experienced situations where I just knew God was there... but I've never been "knocked out" by the power of the Holy Spirit (slain in the Spirit?) or spoken in tongues. For me it's more of a gentle whisper than some earth shattering force. It's seeing circumstances work out and knowing it could only be God. It's being so moved by singing a worship chorus about His love that I'm brought to tears... then again, you can get that sentimental feeling at a Garth Brook's concert too. *g* Just not the same "Spirit".

I am much happier now, though. I still am able to do the things that I feel are right, and many of them have been influenced by my religious background, but I don't feel that awful guilt because I'm not good enough.

I guess, for me, that sense of guilt isn't gone completely, but I don't live constantly under a cloud of guilt. My sins have been paid for by Jesus' death on the cross, so when I come before God, He sees me as blameless. It's actually freeing for me, to realize that I have new life in Him. I seek to walk as Christ walked, not out of guilt, but out of a desire to please my Heavenly Father... and I do it through His Spirit, not of myself. People think of God as some kind of weight that keeps you in bondage... but in reality, Jesus came to set us free from all that. Because of His death, my getting to Heaven doesn't depend on my good works... it's not about me, but all about Him and what He did. He paid my debt... I could never be good enough to get there myself. Knowing that I don't have to earn my way in releases me from the burden of that. I do try to live according to the Bible, but not because doing so is what buys my ticket... only because I want to please God. Who doesn't want to please the one they love?

That's my take on it, for what it's worth. I pray you'll find your way, sushiK.

Dr Guy

on Oct 21, 2005

That's my take on it, for what it's worth. I pray you'll find your way, sushiK.

You continue to amaze me. Thanks.

HC1240

on Oct 21, 2005

You continue to amaze me. Thanks.

Aaaaaw. Thanks, doc

I'm enjoying getting to know you as well. And sushiK... and TW.. and Dharma... and... and...

MasonM

on Oct 22, 2005

My personal take on it goes something like this:

I don't think God really cares what church you go to or whether you go to any church at all. I think He cares far more about what kind of person you are and how you treat others.

My just 2 cents

Dr Guy

on Oct 22, 2005

don't think God really cares what church you go to or whether you go to any church at all. I think He cares far more about what kind of person you are and how you treat others.

Yea, I just said that on MM's article. My evil laugh was that there are going to be some very disappointed Atheists in heaven!

Moderateman

on Oct 22, 2005

Nice article sushik, shows you at least are giving thought to how you feel and why, not just some blind comdemnation.

I agree completely with mason and drguy, btw

{whatta suprise} heh

Welcome Guest! Please take the time to register with us.
There are many great features available to you once you register, including:

Richer content, access to many features that are disabled for guests like commenting on the forums.
Access to a great community, with a massive database of many, many areas of interest.
Access to contests & subscription offers like exclusive emails.
It's simple, and FREE!