Conversion to religion
Discussion
Derek Smith said:
There was a report, some years ago now, about conversions to a religion in adulthood compared to those who were brought up in a religion.
Fanaticism is more common in the former. Can't remember the figures.
Adult conversion included 'born again' types.
Some conversion were by way of the religious groups who go out to attract the lonely youngsters and those just arriving in a new town, perhaps running away.
We used to move on the blokes hanging around for obvious specific purposes but the religious we left alone. I felt it odd to be that discriminating. Either way you were buggered.
You could go up to a kid who had been approached by those who were after youngsters for sexual purposes and tell them what the future would hold but never did it for the religious lot. Having your body messed with was seen as bad whereas having your mind twisted was not.
I worry about you.Fanaticism is more common in the former. Can't remember the figures.
Adult conversion included 'born again' types.
Some conversion were by way of the religious groups who go out to attract the lonely youngsters and those just arriving in a new town, perhaps running away.
We used to move on the blokes hanging around for obvious specific purposes but the religious we left alone. I felt it odd to be that discriminating. Either way you were buggered.
You could go up to a kid who had been approached by those who were after youngsters for sexual purposes and tell them what the future would hold but never did it for the religious lot. Having your body messed with was seen as bad whereas having your mind twisted was not.
battered said:
Derek Smith said:
. Having your body messed with was seen as bad whereas having your mind twisted was not.
Nice display of your prejudices there. All religion is twisting people's minds, is it? Very well reasoned.Years ago I went out with a young lady whose mother had recently found Jesus. This was apparently in response to her son who she felt was a bit out of control and causing problems. The reality was that he liked going to raves, taking a few E's, playing rave music in his room at a slightly inconsiderate volume and generally falling out with his parents so no different to most teenagers at the time but apparently he'd gone off the rails and the mother blamed herself.
On the back of this the mother started attending the local baptist church and eventually talked her daughter into going along as well for moral support. It wasn't long for the pair of them to be 'saved' and then they started on me and the father.
Having been brought up in a strict catholic family I'd long ago made up my mind that religion is all nonsense and medieval superstition and the father also seemed immune, taking the opportunity to enjoy some quiet personal time however it wasn't to last. He eventually agreed to attend a few services and before long a seemingly normal, rational individual had found Jesus and was soon god bothering with the rest of them.
It was a remarkable transformation of a seemingly normal family with no interest in religion had within a year all become true believers apart from the son who saw sense and moved out the first chance he got. The chances of me getting into the young ladies knickers had also become vanishingly small so I got out pretty soon afterwards but it was certainly an interesting 12 months.
The really scary thing was the sectarianism, my parents simply dismissed them as some sort of weird cult whilst the young lady of my affections turned into a proper pope-hating protestant.
On the back of this the mother started attending the local baptist church and eventually talked her daughter into going along as well for moral support. It wasn't long for the pair of them to be 'saved' and then they started on me and the father.
Having been brought up in a strict catholic family I'd long ago made up my mind that religion is all nonsense and medieval superstition and the father also seemed immune, taking the opportunity to enjoy some quiet personal time however it wasn't to last. He eventually agreed to attend a few services and before long a seemingly normal, rational individual had found Jesus and was soon god bothering with the rest of them.
It was a remarkable transformation of a seemingly normal family with no interest in religion had within a year all become true believers apart from the son who saw sense and moved out the first chance he got. The chances of me getting into the young ladies knickers had also become vanishingly small so I got out pretty soon afterwards but it was certainly an interesting 12 months.
The really scary thing was the sectarianism, my parents simply dismissed them as some sort of weird cult whilst the young lady of my affections turned into a proper pope-hating protestant.
T5XARV said:
A dear friend of mine lost his father recently following a battle with cancer. He tells me that in his final months he had found God, and had gained much comfort in doing so.
This was a man who lived his entire life as an atheist.
I think that is what is known as "hedging your bets".This was a man who lived his entire life as an atheist.
Live your life free from the shackles of religious dogma - when you are at deaths door convert and confess your sins.....just in case.
What have you got to lose.
Moonhawk said:
T5XARV said:
A dear friend of mine lost his father recently following a battle with cancer. He tells me that in his final months he had found God, and had gained much comfort in doing so.
This was a man who lived his entire life as an atheist.
I think that is what is known as "hedging your bets".This was a man who lived his entire life as an atheist.
Live your life free from the shackles of religious dogma - when you are at deaths door convert and confess your sins.....just in case.
What have you got to lose.
AJL308 said:
battered said:
Derek Smith said:
. Having your body messed with was seen as bad whereas having your mind twisted was not.
Nice display of your prejudices there. All religion is twisting people's minds, is it? Very well reasoned.I had a friend in school who had fairly boozy tendencies at sixth form age. Total lack of control. Always in a state before we'd even meet up, having to be put in taxis early on.
He went to live in London, and got robbed at knifepoint which I belive contributed to him seeking salvation. Started telling us we could be saved if we turn to God etc...
Then seemed to drop back onto the booze again- out of control, next time I saw him, as before then disappeared for a bit.
Resurfaced as a preacher giving sermons very involved in his church life, and eventually emigrated to China to spread the good word.
Always assumed he needed it to stay sober, but don't think I'll ever really understand.
He went to live in London, and got robbed at knifepoint which I belive contributed to him seeking salvation. Started telling us we could be saved if we turn to God etc...
Then seemed to drop back onto the booze again- out of control, next time I saw him, as before then disappeared for a bit.
Resurfaced as a preacher giving sermons very involved in his church life, and eventually emigrated to China to spread the good word.
Always assumed he needed it to stay sober, but don't think I'll ever really understand.
Moonhawk said:
T5XARV said:
A dear friend of mine lost his father recently following a battle with cancer. He tells me that in his final months he had found God, and had gained much comfort in doing so.
This was a man who lived his entire life as an atheist.
I think that is what is known as "hedging your bets".This was a man who lived his entire life as an atheist.
Live your life free from the shackles of religious dogma - when you are at deaths door convert and confess your sins.....just in case.
What have you got to lose.
BigLion said:
Very true.
Girl in the admin team became a Mormon in her early 20s.Said she read about it and it 'just clicked' for her. Her brother followed suit.
Parents are Irish and from the RC side of things.
Last I heard her Brother was off doing the missionary thing for 2 years which all Mormons must do.....very little contact with family allowed; typical brainwashing approach,
I've lived in a Muslim country for 20 years I know loads of people who have converted to Islam, they all did exactly that they 'converted', they all had a religion before, I know no one who was an atheist who has 'found' religion in latter life, My best friend converted, his father was a Methodist minister in Texas, he is typical of the people I know.
Born again Christians, there is a clue here 'again' they had a religion in the first place. I don't think any one comes to religion in latter life, from my experience.
Born again Christians, there is a clue here 'again' they had a religion in the first place. I don't think any one comes to religion in latter life, from my experience.
Religion provides satisfying answers and puts meaning into some pretty meaningless events. I imagine that can come as quite a refreshing relief if you were ignorant of it before and have been battered by 30 years of life.
I have always been of a philisophical bent and ultimately couldn't maintain belief in something like the idea of a monotheistic God who cared about us, which in some ways is a shame as reality is much less pleasant than having faith in some higher plan and there being a reason for your suffering.
The search for meaning is powerful and what leads many out of religion. I imagine it is what leads others into it, alongside peer pressure.
I have always been of a philisophical bent and ultimately couldn't maintain belief in something like the idea of a monotheistic God who cared about us, which in some ways is a shame as reality is much less pleasant than having faith in some higher plan and there being a reason for your suffering.
The search for meaning is powerful and what leads many out of religion. I imagine it is what leads others into it, alongside peer pressure.
Edited by glazbagun on Tuesday 26th July 07:14
battered said:
Derek Smith said:
. Having your body messed with was seen as bad whereas having your mind twisted was not.
Nice display of your prejudices there. All religion is twisting people's minds, is it? Very well reasoned.However, my specific point was to criticise those predatory religions that hunt for the vulnerable. I'm sure we could all name them but as money acquisition seems their only intent, it is best not to put money into Haymarket's lawyers' pockets.
I am in no way religious but I pay regularly into the funds of the Sally Ann. I've seen the work they do with those whom no one else seems to care about. I once had to deal with a woman who had attacked her sister, so no complainant. She wasn't a serious danger to herself or others so she could not be taken to the nick. I went to two 'established' religions and was turned away, ironically just like the bible, then I remembered a couple who were in the Sally Ann. They took the woman into their house at 2am or so.
In the wee smalls the SA would be down on the Embankment dishing out tea and food to the bottom rung.
I've never seen anyone acting in their role as a Salvation Army bod ever try to convert in the same way as those at the stations used to.
I was at a fire. One of the biggest in the City since the Smithfield Great BBQ. Plantation House, a whole block, was destroyed. More than 100 fire appliances turned up over the course of the fire. The fire brigade service truck turned up but had little stock. The Sally Ann one came along and didn't charge - firemen don't carry money in their pockets at a fire. When I asked how much for water - you wouldn't believe the smoke - I asked how much they wanted and they said they supplied the needy and at that time I needed them.
No religion stuffed down throats, just assistance when needed.
So I'm not anti religious, just anti religion. If you're going after the vulnerable because they are open to persuasion and not because you want to help them, then I'm against you as well.
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