Religion
In reply to the discussion: what is the most important aspect of the interaction between belivers and non believers [View all]Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)I do not believe that faith and religiosity are genetic, but I do believe that they are learned. Nurture, not nature. But that doesn't mean that it is not just as ingrained. I have to say that it is a choice though, being raised going to Sunday school every week, Bible camp every summer, and even going overboard with the evangelical movement in my early teens. Many atheists were believers at one time but lost faith for whatever reason---often it has come from studying the Bible and finding too many things that made no sense to us.
You are right, though, I could no longer choose to believe again.
And of course I have strong core beliefs. It does not matter where these beliefs come from, and if a believer just acts on the things that are important to them without pushing their religion on others, I say that is great. If it takes trying to emulate Jesus or following his example for how to live, I have no problem....whatever gets you through the day. But I don't see why there is a need to profess this belief to everyone at every turn, or to try to get others to follow whatever belief system that person happens to follow.
Why is it asking too much to be left alone? Live and let live....however we do it.