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jonathan79
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08 Jul 2006, 9:41 am

I read a seperate article that said that some people have a genetic disposition to having more intense "religious experiences", hence they were more likely to adopt religious views because of that, as someone who is not able to have a religious experience is less likely to become religious. Like an aspie who detaches from social interaction because he does not get the same rewards from it. A biological effect of the brain.


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Bland
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09 Jul 2006, 5:32 pm

Yes, Johnathan79, it is my experience that people who are more emotional seem to have more religious experiences. This may be a part of their personality that causes them to be more religious. I have not had these religious experiences and am always a bit dubious when others describe theirs to me but since I was not there to observe what happened.....


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peebo
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09 Jul 2006, 5:56 pm

with that in mind, bland, and assuming that a genetic factor is involved and compounded by childhood experiences and indoctrination, surely you must agree that the tendency towards religious belief would likely be more prevalent in those born into religious families? clearly some individuals growing up in secular backgrounds do convert to religion later in life, and conversely some tend to drift away from their belief, but i would feel these individuals would likely be in the minority.
bear in mind that while i am not religious per se, i do not entirely discount religion in itself, and respect the right of the individual to choose religious belief if he or she so desires.



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11 Jul 2006, 11:13 am

Peebo, I respect what you are saying regardless of your personal beliefs. (I say that because you told me to 'keep it in mind')

It would seem that it is more likely for one to be a Christian if one is reared in a Christian household or taught the faith from a young age. That is a reasonable assumption. But I have read statistics that (I'm sure a google search using "conversions" "missionaries" or something similar could produce them) the majority of Christians worldwide are converts from another indigenous religion.

Maybe these are two separate issues?
One being: people who are raised in the Christian faith are more likely to be Christians as adults.
The other being: The number of Christians who did not grow up in the faith is greater than the number of Christians who did.

Does that make sense?


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