Question for those who have kept their birth religion

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes I do believe I lucked out and was born into the correct religion.

would this mean that God doled out bad luck to a lot of other people? Any ideas of why God would do that? (if he's a loving god)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My take on this question is that it is not that surprising that so many feel that the religion of their birth is the one for them. Religion is a two-way street -- each adherent is shaped by the religion and also shapes it to fit her/his character and personality.

If the religion of your birth is at all reasonable for you, you will adjust yourself and your religion to make the fit even better. If the fit is really bad, you will look elsewhere.

Terminology also plays a role. My parents were secular Jews who more or less believed in God. I'm a secular Jew who does not believe in God. Have I kept the religion of my birth because I consider myself a secular Jew, or have I abandoned it because I also consider myself an atheist?

It's not surprising at all considering that the question was directed at people who had kept their birth religion.

[Anonymous]

Strange question, OP. People's religion is part of their cultural heritage. Naturally, it often feels right for a particular person and their circumstance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My take on this question is that it is not that surprising that so many feel that the religion of their birth is the one for them. Religion is a two-way street -- each adherent is shaped by the religion and also shapes it to fit her/his character and personality.

If the religion of your birth is at all reasonable for you, you will adjust yourself and your religion to make the fit even better. If the fit is really bad, you will look elsewhere.

Terminology also plays a role. My parents were secular Jews who more or less believed in God. I'm a secular Jew who does not believe in God. Have I kept the religion of my birth because I consider myself a secular Jew, or have I abandoned it because I also consider myself an atheist?

It's not surprising at all considering that the question was directed at people who had kept their birth religion.

I was happy with my birth religion as a kid, but later decided that no religion at all seemed like the right fit.

[Anonymous]

I feel lucky to be Jewish because I think it's a beautiful religion and, having been brought up in the culture, I enjoy it. I also think it's given me a good and empathetic perspective as a member of a minority group. Other than that, I don't think I lucked out in being born into the "correct" religion. Honestly they're mostly kind of the same in the end. The beliefs vary and the rituals vary but ultimately it's about being a good person, doing good in the world, and living a good life by whatever standards you define it. I guess some religions also emphasize an afterlife or life after death, but Judaism isn't so big on that. But for those that are, mostly you get a reward after death by living a good life (Calvinism and jihadism excepted).