Why the difference in beliefs?

[Jolixte]

I'm not sure this question can be answered, but why do you think that there are so many views on the divine, religion, spirituality, etc. What makes a person believe one thing and not another? What makes someone a fundamentalist Christian and the next one an Atheist and the next one Pagan?

[LadyCelt]

To me, atheism or losing belief is something I see happen when people go through and/or someone they love goes through heartache. They feel how can any god exist with this? They see the negative etc and don't see god as possible due to not seeing positive. Or, they listen to science, reason, etc so they find that explains it and their is no spiritual out there.

I think people live and are inspired by things differently, so there are also many beliefs. I also feel it is experiences in life and how you're raised. Some keep how they're raised, some find faith in another system etc. It coudl also be a vision, a dream, etc.

I just feel people are unique, so having the same spirituality for everyone would not necessarily always happen.

For me, what is interesting is how even in the same faith people are inspired differently. Different saints though Catholic, different deities though Pagan, etc.

[Philosophia]

I'm not sure this question can be answered, but why do you think that there are so many views on the divine, religion, spirituality, etc. What makes a person believe one thing and not another? What makes someone a fundamentalist Christian and the next one an Atheist and the next one Pagan?

Because we are not all carbon copies? Because we're all individuals with different personalities? Because we come from different cultures? The reasons are endless. Its one of the wonders of being an individual, I guess.

[rawrTigress]

I'm not sure this question can be answered, but why do you think that there are so many views on the divine, religion, spirituality, etc. What makes a person believe one thing and not another? What makes someone a fundamentalist Christian and the next one an Atheist and the next one Pagan?


A person's spirituality or religious beliefs can be identified by so many things. Often times traumatic events that happen in a person's life can make them want to look for something specific in religion that will explain it... or mostly a person's spirituality identity is created by their interactions and influences from their culture and society. Pressures from parents also influence this. Example, if I was born and raised in India I probably wouldn't be Wiccan, or even know what that is. A person either accepts what is taught through their parents or they reach out in what ever way they can in their society to fufill them spiritualy. It's all rather complicated and interesting.

But when it gets down to it, I really believe that we follow and worship the same spirit or entity that governs everything in the universe. Yet, we just all perceive it in a different way based on our culture and influences we have in that particular life.

<3 rawrTigress

[Zephyrstorm]

Different people, different experiences, different perspectives and different interpretations.

Different callings. It's just part of the diversity of life.
I think there are things that most people share in common in terms of belief, but how many of them really think about what they believe and why and then look at their own inconsistencies?
*shrug*

[Greybird]

Look at at Rorscach blot. (http://www.soundbiteinstitute.com/images/rorschach.jpg) What do you see? Now ask the guy next to you. When there are no obviously correct answers, different interpretations will occur.

[Shanti]

I believe there isn't just one non-physical realm to begin with so, we are not all connect to, or from, the same realms!

The realm I am connected to has no deities within it, but it has all sorts of other spirit existences. Another person may be connected to a realm with a deity or deities within it so they believe differently.

My beliefs are not based on tragedy. I'm an atheist because that's what my realm I am connected to supports. Its just fact, for me. My life is wonderful and the realm I am connected to is wonderful. :)

[Adrianus]

Why the difference in beliefs?... What makes a person believe one thing and not another?

Human nature, imagination, fear.

[LostSheep]

Look at at Rorscach blot. (http://www.soundbiteinstitute.com/images/rorschach.jpg) What do you see? Now ask the guy next to you. When there are no obviously correct answers, different interpretations will occur.

I see Jabba the Hutt. _inabox_

As to the question, I think what decides what the individual believes, or at least puts down in response to the question "what do you believe?", will depend on upbringing; if they're from a devout Catholic family, or whaever, they'll probably describe themselves, at least, as Catholic. But as to why they choose a different faith, again I think that can be a reaction to upbringing - if you're brought up in a devout catholic family, there could well be a reaction to that, and I've seen quite a few people say that they took up paganism (or some other path) after they'd rejected the one they were brought up in ~ often Catholicism or similar forms of organised Christianity. And then sometimes, people can reject one form of organised religion, and then a few years later go back to thinking about it again and realise that they don't have to follow the exact form that they rejected originally, but if they get a chance to think about it for themselves, there can be other forms, other directions within that basic faith, that do actually appeal to them. That's kind of what i've done, i think. _inabox_

[ShadowStalker]

I sometimes wonder if it is because the religions have evolved over the years... and while the old ones never really go away, the new ones that spring up are different somehow, and gain more attention at the time. Does that make any sense?

[SidneyCozzoi]

Geography.

[Vigdisdotter]

We are all individuals, with our own personality and life experiences. And it is these thing's that we filter our understanding of the universe and Divinity through.

So it only makes sense that there are many millions of different ideas on the subject.

[Semele]

The same thing that makes some men prefer blonde, leggy, airheads and other men completely appalled by this type. It is a combination of two things. Environmental conditioning from the time we are born. None of us can avoid being conditioned, no matter how influential or insignificant we feel our connections. That and the amazing human brain and its ability to adapt and mutate as needed.

The brain will literally turn off parts of itself and activate other parts in order to better support the whole, based upon medical need and emotional need. The brain makes the body shunt the blood to the major organs during crisis to preserve function and The brain will create alter egos in extreme emotional times to let the real person rest.

Why not think that our brains do so much more on a subtle level everyday. I mean, we do breathe and our hearts pump blood and we never notice that until it stops.

Maybe just maybe all of our brains are connected like some sort of super computer and the brains send messages back and forth about various topics. One of which would be the God idea and the need for divinity that is strong in all humans at some point. It must be key for all of us to seek and find this divine relationship in whatever ways our brain can help us grasp it. *shrugs* Sounds good to me.

[Darbla]

I sometimes wonder if the answer is because it's all made up. If a bunch of people from different cultures see a red car, then they all have proof that there's a red car. But because nobody is really seeing religion, ergo nobody can prove it's there, they've made it up as they went. I've read that we have a built-in urge to seek a deity or other "higher" beings, so if they really aren't there then it all gets invented.

Darbla

[Arion]

We're influenced by different experiences, different people, and our own imaginations. We're all products of our environment, to a certain extent, and it affects how we perceive things. Sometimes people don't have a great grasp on reality and can let their imaginations run away with them.

[StarEyedShelly]

I believe that there is no way we can fully comprehend the divine. Therefore, we all have our own interpretations of the divine. I see the divine as one great jewel, but we as humans can only see a facet of that jewel. So, however the divine appears to one person is unique to them. Their perception is based on their own personal experiences through life.

[David19]

I believe there isn't just one non-physical realm to begin with so, we are not all connect to, or from, the same realms!

The realm I am connected to has no deities within it, but it has all sorts of other spirit existences. Another person may be connected to a realm with a deity or deities within it so they believe differently.

My beliefs are not based on tragedy. I'm an atheist because that's what my realm I am connected to supports. Its just fact, for me. My life is wonderful and the realm I am connected to is wonderful. :)

I think I really agree with you belief, Shanti :).