Some reasons for being a member of a religious group (1)
2008 June 3
Reasons for being a member of a religious group:
- upbringing; you were brought up that everyone should have a religion, and haven’t questioned that
- culture: in your country / region, religion and culture are closely intertwined: most everybody is a member of that group;
- hero; you admire the founder of the group and want to show that you identify with him / her
- heros; you admire other members of the group and the way they act/ talk/ … and want to be like them
- loneliness; membership brings you human contact, even friendship
- you’re looking for answers and they seem to offer some
- you feel uncomfortable with the uncertainties of life, and religion persuades you there are some certainties
- you want to live life according to a moral code and think that morality only stems from religious beliefs
- being a member of the group brings you priveleges in society,
- being a member of this group gives you power over others
- separateness; group membership lets you feel that you’re ‘better’ than some / all other humans
- …
- …
In other words ‘Argumentum ad Populum’
I’m not a joiner, so I guess I don’t count. I can’t really put my name to anything because I’m always drifting. But I do get lonely, I have morals, I seek answers the rest don’t suit me. If I were to join it would only be to offer my name in support. That’s all.