Growing up with religion can really mess people up if done badly. Perhaps even if done well. But I’m feeling a bit positive today, so I want to ask a question: In what way did your religious upbringing make you a better person? This is not to make excuses for a prior belief system, or to absolve it of responsibility for your messed-up-edness, but to recognise the good even in the maybe not-so-good.
I’ll start.
One of the things Mormons have to deal with is that they have very clear restrictions on their actions, and not everyone will respect that. So one of the things I had to do growing up was learn to be different. I learned how not to do whatever anyone suggested (e.g. smoking, drinking, or drugs), not to need other people’s approval so much, and stand apart a little because of my value system. I think that’s important to do, no matter what your value system is.
Okay, so instead of needing people’s approval, I was trying for the approval of a non-existent being, but I didn’t know that at the time.
How about you?
14 September 2006 at 3:59 pm
I was encouraged from a young age to be responsible and was always told that age is no barrier to what you can achieve. Also I was taught that while being childish is bad, being childlike (ok, as a ‘child of god’ but I like it anyway) opens your eyes to possibilities others can be too ‘grown up’ to see/experience.
14 September 2006 at 8:10 pm
I had the most fantastic religious upbringing. My muslim father told me that ‘religion is a matter of geography’ and that if I wanted a religion I should go out and choose one that suited me. Consequently I spent a long time getting to know a lot of different religions, tried out a few, got really into one (Buddhism) and felt no fear at finally accepting that I have no need for religion.
I learnt a lot of wisdom through this process as within all religions there are some wonderful philosophies.
15 September 2006 at 4:32 am
I like that I was shown to serve others unselfishly and anonymously.
I like that I was shown that living by your convictions is more important than talkig about them.
I like that I was responsible for my own “sins” and not here to judge anyone else on theirs.
Those are the parts of my religious upbringing that I have chosen to keep with me.
Also the hippocricy of the body of the church around what I considered to be these core tenets is a small part of why I had to leavethat upbringing behind and find for myself, like Snowqueen, that I have no need for religion.
I also applaud faerie on trying to stay “childlike”. Far too many adults in this world:)
15 September 2006 at 5:17 am
‘religion is a matter of geography’
Egad, what a great insight.
I think I’m going to make that my email signature.
15 September 2006 at 9:24 pm
You’re welcome – just make sure you cite it properly – Mahmud al-Ghul 😉