I’m Christian, Episcopalian. What drives me to continue practicing? There’s a lot of things:
Socially, I enjoy the sense of community that comes with being an active member of a congregation, and it provides both a reminder to and a venue for giving back in the form of volunteering and charity.
Personally, I appreciate the rhythm it gives to my weeks and years, with specific times set aside for joy and grief, reflection and action, uncomfortable growth and quiet recovery.
Spiritually, I draw both comfort and strength from my relationship with God; whether or not this is a spiritual sort of “rubber ducking” doesn’t change how it affects me.
Morally, I think the example of Christ is a good one to follow, and again, that doesn’t really depend on Him being a real historical figure.
My college chaplain often said “If religion makes you comfortable you’re doing it wrong.” So, yes, I’m bothered that so much of my connection to my religion is circumstancial, but I’d rather be uncomfortable about it than dishonest with myself. And admittedly, I’m kind of at a low point right now, so my answers might be very different in eighteen months.
That said, God exists or doesn’t regardless of what I believe. I don’t particularly need to take anything on faith to find value in my religion.
I know this would be difficult to know for sure but you’ve probably thought about it before, do you feel you would have the same desire to belong to a religious community if you weren’t raised in that environment? Furthermore, did being raised in that environment lead you to turning down the possibility of belonging to another religious group?
Honestly, it’s such a deeply core part of my personality that I can’t envision someone without it that’s still “me”.
I know most people who don’t grow up religious don’t seek it out later (though some do) and I’m not vain enough to think that I’m that different from most people.
As to changing religions, yes, I’ve had the opportunity to convert, and yes, I felt no desire to because I’m mostly satisfied with my religion. I flirt with the idea of attending a Unitarian or Quaker congregation sometimes but I already belong in an Episcopal one, y’know?
There are doubts and things we can’t understand or explain no matter what we ultimately believe.
I personally left my religion and considered myself atheist but I continued to research other religions and belief systems and happened to have found one that I agreed with on a pretty consistent basis and didn’t oppose my other understandings of the world, obviously belief still fluctuates and I do have doubts but on average I believe my religion to be true more than I doubt it.
TLDR: No explanation/understanding is “beyond all reasonable doubt”, so “more likely than not” is enough and that happens to be a religious framework for me personally.
Wait, there’s more: Some people are skeptical even of religion, yet still practice a religion.
We reconcile that by:
admitting that we can’t make sense of everything
recognizing that many of the ways our religion interacts with reality are aspirational rather than descriptive
rejecting dogma
choosing to persevere in doubt rather than cling to false certainty
Can I ask what religion you practice and what drives you to continue?
I’m Christian, Episcopalian. What drives me to continue practicing? There’s a lot of things:
Socially, I enjoy the sense of community that comes with being an active member of a congregation, and it provides both a reminder to and a venue for giving back in the form of volunteering and charity.
Personally, I appreciate the rhythm it gives to my weeks and years, with specific times set aside for joy and grief, reflection and action, uncomfortable growth and quiet recovery.
Spiritually, I draw both comfort and strength from my relationship with God; whether or not this is a spiritual sort of “rubber ducking” doesn’t change how it affects me.
Morally, I think the example of Christ is a good one to follow, and again, that doesn’t really depend on Him being a real historical figure.
Sounds like a hobby
Does it bother you that only one of those criteria is actually tied to faith in a god’s existence?
Sometimes!
My college chaplain often said “If religion makes you comfortable you’re doing it wrong.” So, yes, I’m bothered that so much of my connection to my religion is circumstancial, but I’d rather be uncomfortable about it than dishonest with myself. And admittedly, I’m kind of at a low point right now, so my answers might be very different in eighteen months.
That said, God exists or doesn’t regardless of what I believe. I don’t particularly need to take anything on faith to find value in my religion.
This is a very profound realisation
Did you grow up religious? Or maybe more specifically, did you grow up around this religious group and established connections young?
yes to both
I know this would be difficult to know for sure but you’ve probably thought about it before, do you feel you would have the same desire to belong to a religious community if you weren’t raised in that environment? Furthermore, did being raised in that environment lead you to turning down the possibility of belonging to another religious group?
Honestly, it’s such a deeply core part of my personality that I can’t envision someone without it that’s still “me”.
I know most people who don’t grow up religious don’t seek it out later (though some do) and I’m not vain enough to think that I’m that different from most people.
As to changing religions, yes, I’ve had the opportunity to convert, and yes, I felt no desire to because I’m mostly satisfied with my religion. I flirt with the idea of attending a Unitarian or Quaker congregation sometimes but I already belong in an Episcopal one, y’know?
Greatly worded imo.
There are doubts and things we can’t understand or explain no matter what we ultimately believe.
I personally left my religion and considered myself atheist but I continued to research other religions and belief systems and happened to have found one that I agreed with on a pretty consistent basis and didn’t oppose my other understandings of the world, obviously belief still fluctuates and I do have doubts but on average I believe my religion to be true more than I doubt it.
TLDR: No explanation/understanding is “beyond all reasonable doubt”, so “more likely than not” is enough and that happens to be a religious framework for me personally.