Is religion nature or nurture?

Serenity71

Nuture comes from loving people. I know many Christians who nuture and look after people that others wouldn't go near. Faith is part of nurture. (And I mean anything,) A person without faith in anything is more likely to harden thier heart to protect it and miss valuable wisdom. If you ever read the life of Jesus and his ministry, he nutured many people who were not accepted by society ans often were shunned. I follow his example and just love people- I have spoken to athiests who recognise his works and respect it.

Faith is a choice, not something to be forced onto people. (Same with non-belief in God, or atheist its still a choice not to believe or have faith in anything.)

Religion- is a set rules and often people can spend years learning those do's and don't without ever knowing God. A lot of people get burnt by this because there is little grace and more condemnation when the rules are broken. (Like. "You can't eat meat." Or " Eat meat on Easter Friday and you won't go to heaven.")

But we are complex beings, and being a Christian doesn't suddenly make a person perfect or pure.

Faith- Comes from the heart therefore nuturing is a natural part of it, and I find those who follow faith more than just rules aren't preachy or carry offences when others don't follow their beliefs, and grace is something thats just part of their lives.

BTW- Athiests could learn to have more grace at times too. Not having a faith doesn't mean you can just go and be preachy either. I've had preachy athiests who can be pushy in their ideals and dimiss anything that isn't in their line of sight. (Thats how we end up with dictators.) Goes both ways.

Maybe this is something you both could have worked through and come to a respectful understanding. Grow from it and move on from there.

All the best. I hope she realizes her mistakes with you and forgiveness can become part of your relationship one day with her. (And recognise some of your own too.)

Talking and asking her why its so important might be a good start rather than being offended by her yourself. (Thats if you are offended.)

Gosh I hope that didn't become preachy while I waz trying to explain my POV! LOL! :) If I did...opppss.

Marnie B

I think your explanation answers your own question, it was nurture in your case!

amtotheber

Religion is nurture. It is your decision to become whatever religion you believe is true if any at all. I encouraged you to seek after the Lord for answers.

7rin

Nurture, because religion is a man-made construct.

Spirituality, on the other hand ... :}

Apple Juice

I think if it mattered enough to her she should have made sure you were placed with a christian family.

monkeykitty83

Neither.

Both nature (innate personality) and nurture (the religion/culture we were brought up in and exposed to as children) affect the decision, but ultimately the choice of religion is one we have to make for ourselves as adults, rather than a purely inherited or learned behaviour. People of certain cultural heritages may tend to follow a certain religion, but some individuals will not. Some will choose to remain in their childhood religion, and some will not. And so on.

Ultimately, while our innate personal nature and our upbringing both influence our religious choices, neither entirely define them.

Someone

Ironic... If her morals were so "right" then why were you put up for adoption in the first place? Typical religious nuts.... stick with your adopted parents.

Cambria

I think it is generally nurture since that controls what you are exposed to throughout your life.

However, a long time ago I read about adoption studies that found that while your actual -religion- was related to nurture, there was evidence to suggest that your level of religiosity was related to nature. I can't remember the source or the specific data, but it was something that always kind of stuck in my head because I found it interesting.

Pip

Neither, I believe it's personal choice. My dad's an astheist, my mum is chapel (Welsh Protestant), my sister is agnostic. I have been to various churches over the years - Catholic church for Sunday school as a young child, Methodist, Church of England, Baptist, Catholic church with catholic friends, Salvation Army Pentecostal which was my finally choice as an adult.

Flower

I would say Nurture there is nothing natural about religion, religon is spiritual.
In the free world your birth right is to believe in whatever you choose. You should honestly and firmly explain to your mother that ''god'' gave you free will to find the lord however way you want an it will be his judgment not hers on what beliefs and disbeliefs you decided to follow when it comes to god. Allot of religions will be that way they think that there the only light at the end of the tunnel. When truthfully no one really knows that to be a fact. So where really just running blind with religion we take what beliefs we are comfortable with an we stick with them. Your natural mother should have made sure that you where given to a family that was Pentecostal if she was indeed very concerned about your spiritual upbringing. There is nothing wrong with being an athiest as well again that is the path you as an individual decided to follow.
People generally have belief in what they where raised to believe an no one should feel bad about it the same goes with your mother. If you indeed change your mind about your religion, that should be your choice and your religious path to follow.
Take Care

ETA Kathy

Well Put !=]

Triton9815

Religion, belief, or lack of belief is the conscious choice of the person. People can attempt to impose their influence on others in the form of preaching and the like, but ultimately it is still a matter of choice no matter how much some people may act like it isn't. Personally, I see preaching as just an attempt to break people down and get people to agree with them without proving anything. It's really rather hostile when you think about it.

MamaKate is an Aunt!

I agree with you. Religion is "nurture" not nature. This also says a lot about how your bmom was raised. :S

I'm sorry about you situation, I can't imagine that is easy to deal with. I hope your bmom comes to her senses someday and realizes that you as a person are more way more important than any religious differences you may have.

AnnaBelle

Whatever it is, it isn't nature. It SHOULD be a personal choice, but when people drag their kids through the fire and brimtone parade their whole childhoods, it can make personal choice a little more difficult.

I was born to 2 Catholics. My father died non-religious and my mother has left the Catholic church, and is currently attending a United church (not sure if that would be the same in the states...?). Anyway, I am something of an agnostic/pagan. I don't do organized religion, though I sometimes attend a Unitarian church, which has more of a focus on social justice than doctrine. All paths are welcome, including pagans and atheists. My mother was born Anglican and converted to Catholicism when she married my Dad. My husband was raised Baptist and is currently practicing nothing.

So...where was the "birthright" for any of us?

Kathy

I agree with you. She either accepts you for who you are or you don't need her in your life. Who is she to say who you should be?! She choose to give that influence up when she gave you up for adoption. I am not knocking adoption and I am not "blaming" her for giving you up. BUT, you are who you are and you should be able to make your own decisions of what "you" believe in, not your bmom or your adoptive parents. There are a lot of choices out there, see which one fits "you". Your birthright is to be who you want to be. Stand up for yourself and tell her you are sorry she feels that way, that this is who you are take it or leave it.

gypsywinter

Belonging to any organized religion is either forced upon the child while very young and who are not allowed to have a say-so in the matter....or a choice.

I am sorry that your natural mother is so religiously extremist in her beliefs...surely is not the way to spread 'tolerance' of others' beliefs or lack of.

Your 'birthright' was from day one to know from whence you came...your ancestry and heritage. Religion is not a 'birthright'! Sorry that your nmother is so intolerant with her religious beliefs.

Callie

It's nurture, you aren't born with it, it's something you choose to practice.

olderwiser100a

you are absolutely correct. religion is a choice, as is atheism, certainly not something we are born with.

Jennifer L

I agree with you. Religion, for the most part, is a "nurture" thing, not a "nature" thing. But wow, going from atheistic adoptive parents to Pentecostal bio-parents is really going from one end of the spiritual spectrum to the other! Incessant preaching is rude enough but trying to guilt you into her religion by calling it your birthright is over the top.

Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries!

Best of luck!

Josephine

Nurture.

aka, brainwashing.

cassakane

Religion is definitely nurture. How in the world could your birth mother ever assume that you would magically turn out pentecostal?

Lucky you to be raised atheist :). Although, I am sorry that it interfered with trying to build a relationship with your birth mother. Then again, there are a lot of things that could have interfered with your reunion. Because my mother moved across the country when I was a small child, I never got to know my father as a child. I met him when I was 17. He was nice and everything, but so different from me that trying to build a relationship was like pulling teeth. I eventually just gave up.

You were raised to fit into your adopters family and unfortunately that means that you don't fit with your birth mother. Although, if she were more accepting and open-minded, it might not be a problem at all. But, she is what she is.

Miss LONDON. W A N K.

I think parents shouldn't force religion on children and allow them to make up thier own minds. End of.

Squeakeh

Nobody is born religious. Religion is a set of idea's and rules instilled into someone as they grow older and seek answers to life's questions.

Therefore, religion is nurture.

Teresa

Generally, people keep the religion of their childhood, so I say nurture.

I find it funny that being Pentecostal would ever be called a birthright, since the idea of pentecost was that the "birthright" of the old testament Israelites as God's chosen people was being transferred to gentiles who chose to believe in Christ and accept the Holy spirit. Pentecostals have no birthright, since salvation is an individuals choice.

I'm very sorry religion interrupted you reunion with your biomom. Hopefully you'll be able to continue contact with her without discussing religion.

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: