In my opinion it is better, more fair, smarter, and more prudent to start choosing a religion after you have a fundamental knowledge of what each of the world's major religions (and any minor religion that interests you) is about. You seek to understand the basics of their teachings, goals, brief history, and practice; whether you are comfortable practicing it, whether it serves your spiritual/mental/emotional needs. Finally you compare them and make your decision. In Asia, where I come from, it (the above) is a bit more common and easier to do that than in the West, but, anyway--

Do you agree with my opinion?
If not, why? And what is the better way to choose a religion, and why?

Unfortunately, many people do not have the time to study each and every religion, though that would be the wisest course to take.

Not only do most people not have time to study all religions, I think they also tend to believe the religion they were raised as (e.g. raised as Catholic, always Catholic)

Originally posted by biochemgirl
(e.g. raised as Catholic, always Catholic)
Oddly, I have found that a disproportionate number of atheists were raised Catholic. Coincedence?

More Catholics than any other faith. That's all.

I was raised as a Baptist Christian and will always be a Baptist. I have no interest in studying another religion, but I really get a kick of reading about them on message boards.

However, everyone has the right to study what they choose, so I see nothing wrong with it, for people that want to explore.

Religion is not like buying a car, you can't go out and say I like this one because it uses pretty books. I do think it is important for ALL people to atleast have an understanding of anothers life style. Choose a religion, but don't hate others because their religion is different, religion should come from within. I have seen alot of folks except Christianity because of fear of going to hell. The funny thing is they're not even sure if they believe in God. Their choice is based on "well better to be safe then sorry". Religion should not be a safety net but something that a person believes in. Even after a person makes a choice they should still listen to others, I'm not saying change your beliefs just share thoughts.

I was raised as an Episcopalian. Went to an Episcopalian middle school up to 5th grade. I am now non denominational. I think the parents should expose their children to whatever is their preference but not try to shove it down their child's throat.

i'm an atheist and my parents didn't raise me with any particular religion in mind. my dads a secular jew and my mom's a pretty nonreligious quaker. i think my nonexposure to religion has made me more interested in it. for example, this religion section is my favorite section on this forum. i'm totally fascinated by faith, why people will believe in god and these huge complicated religions even though they have no solid proof that what they believe is actually the truth.

personally, I think everyone should study all cultures and religions as much as possible, becasue education is the way to bring about aceptance and eliminate hatred. religon should be chosen based on belief, so whatever fels right to the person is important. From the way I was raised (an athiest with a strong Jewsih identity) I have realized that my religion is a big part of my heritage, becasue of that I think parents should teach their kids about their background, but not force it on them. Even though I'm an athiest I still apppreciate the culture of my family's religion, and consider my self a secular Jew. everyone should have the frredom to choose whatever religious options work for them, and fel free to mix and match (that's fairly common in China, right?) peices of diferent religons to suit them. spirituality is such a personal thing that I don't think it should be bound by specific religions.

So could some one be a Jehovah wittness-Catholic-moslem-native American Indian-Buddha-Wicca-Jew or would that be called a Jwcmnaibwj? :)

Some religions just don't work together, there differences is what keeps them seperate, so it would be impossible to be part of all. I do agree that humans should have respect for others and the way they see things as long as no one is harming another with a "BELIEF"

it's true that some religions don't work together, but everyone should have the right to do what they like to express their spirituality. if they're mixing traditions from all those religions and still specifying denominations then they should just give up on the labels.

Some religions just don't work together
Which ones, please inform me. I'm not talking about "fact"tual differences(even though almost every religion has something like Noahs ark, and other stuff). Find me two religions(that still exist in modern society, so no Zeus) with conflicting(I mean conflicting, not word differences) philosophies and I will nominate you for the nobel peace prize in religion.

Dio, the largest problem with that, is that it essentially destroys organized religion. If you study multiple religions, you find that philosophical differences are, frankly, nonexistant. You find reasons as to why every religion is wrong. You find that organized religion is crap. The largest reason why most people(in general, not just this forum) are in the religion they are in, is because they know no other.

Here's one major philosophical difference (there are many others):

> Orthodox Christians believe that, at death, one is damned to suffer eternally in hell unless one repents for one's sins and accepts Jesus Christ as his lord and savior. Scary, 'eh? See where the self-loathing, paranoia, guilt and fear come from?

> Gnostic (Christians) believe that, at death, one is destined to have one's "incomplete" soul reborn here on earth to live another life unless one has achieved a state of personal "gnosis" - living right and finding enlightenment. Gnostics do not focus on damnation and despair, but rather the search for spiritual completeness in one's own life!

Originally posted by Blibblob
Some religions just don't work together
Which ones, please inform me. I'm not talking about "fact"tual differences(even though almost every religion has something like Noahs ark, and other stuff). Find me two religions(that still exist in modern society, so no Zeus) with conflicting(I mean conflicting, not word differences) philosophies and I will nominate you for the nobel peace prize in religion.

start nominating, Wicca - Christianity. Native American Indian - Jewish, etc... Blib there are alot of religions that have absolutely nothing incommon.

If you study multiple religions, you find that philosophical differences are, frankly, nonexistant.

very wrong

You find reasons as to why every religion is wrong.

wrong again, you can find things that can't be proven, this does not make them wrong just unproven.

You find that organized religion is crap.

that's your opinion, good things have come from organized religion, helping others, a feeling of belonging, etc...

The largest reason why most people(in general, not just this forum) are in the religion they are in, is because they know no other.

I do agree somewhat most people just go with the flow and never check things out.

Eyeful, is that a philosophical difference? And second, the orthodox belief doesn't exist in the bible. I can't refute it as a "fact", just that it isn't philosophical.

start nominating, Wicca - Christianity. Native American Indian - Jewish, etc... Blib there are alot of religions that have absolutely nothing incommon.
You have to be careful, after breaking it down into philosophical beliefs(I was very careful with my wording), there aren't any. Explain though, I didn't find any conflicting points between wicca and christianity. And explain native american indian, I am aware of some beliefs but not in a full sense, but I doubt there are philosophical differences.

very wrong
Prove it.

wrong again, you can find things that can't be proven, this does not make them wrong just unproven.
I meant that through a logical sense(and was refering mostly to organized, not personal beliefs). If you look, they all say they are right, and so many people think that there can be no others, also there are a lot of religions. If they all say that they are right, and there are many of them, then in logical sense they all cancel out, and I just say "whoo, they're all wrong".

that's your opinion
Exactly, I threw that in there mostly as a joke.

I do agree somewhat most people just go with the flow and never check things out.
YAY, one point we agree on.

Now then, I will offer up some examples of how there are no philosophical differences. Every religion says murder is bad. Every religion says that you should be nice you your neighbor. Every religion says that you should be humble. Uh, and "much much more".

Originally posted by Blibblob
start nominating, Wicca - Christianity. Native American Indian - Jewish, etc... Blib there are alot of religions that have absolutely nothing incommon.
You have to be careful, after breaking it down into philosophical beliefs(I was very careful with my wording), there aren't any. Explain though, I didn't find any conflicting points between wicca and christianity. And explain native american indian, I am aware of some beliefs but not in a full sense, but I doubt there are philosophical differences.

Some Wicca believe in just the now, no one almighty, only the life force. Christianity believes in Jesus one creater Heaven hell, Wicca has none of this.

Indians believe in nature and all things not just Jesus, church etc...

very wrong
Prove it.

Religions can be, and are very different, you did say compare ALL religions. I do agree many believe in a god or gods, many believe in an after life, etc... but some don't. Some believe they are in one life, they don't die, even though the body dies they just keep going on about there busines in a different form. Some religions believe in reincarnation, others believe in a heaven, or hell.

wrong again, you can find things that can't be proven, this does not make them wrong just unproven.
I meant that through a logical sense(and was refering mostly to organized, not personal beliefs). If you look, they all say they are right, and so many people think that there can be no others, also there are a lot of religions. If they all say that they are right, and there are many of them, then in logical sense they all cancel out, and I just say "whoo, they're all wrong".

Look at it this way ford verses chevy, one guy says his truck is the best and the only "real truck", the other guys say "no your wrong I own the only "real truck". Neither are right or wrong, but both vehicles still exist and there is no prove that one is better then the other. All there is, is a difference of opinion.

Could it be possible there is more then one type of after life, Christians go one place, Jews go to another, Pagans to another. In the end they all could be correct, just not correct about there disagreement with anothers beliefs.

that's your opinion
Exactly, I threw that in there mostly as a joke.

I figured :)

I do agree somewhat most people just go with the flow and never check things out.
YAY, one point we agree on.

Now then, I will offer up some examples of how there are no philosophical differences. Every religion says murder is bad. Every religion says that you should be nice you your neighbor. Every religion says that you should be humble. Uh, and "much much more".

First off not every religion says these things, second are you confusing humanity with religion? There are thousands of folks that will not kill, are nice to their neighbor, and are humble, that don't believe in anything except there bank account.