Is it best to find a religion and stick to it or swap around?

[Onkara]

In your personal opinion, is it better to find a religion and stick to it and make it work for you, or is it better to switch religions when you feel like it?

Of course if the religion works for you already, would it make sense to not compare it with others but rather concentrate on it specifically?

Just wondering what you might think

 

[LuisDantas]

I would need more information. Of course, learning about other religions is rarely a bad idea anyway. If nothing else, it helps in exchanges with those of other faiths.

Also, it must be noted that there are downsides both for "keeping true" and for switching religions often. But for the most part they are a factor of how the specific person deals with change, so a general rule is meaningless.

 

[Onkara]

Hi Luis
I can agree, it does seem to depend on the individual. I wonder sometimes if making comparisons of religions leads to further complications. Perhaps it would be better to choose one and stick to it

 

[Breathe]

I think that it's best if people shop around, although to some extent I think that some people are probably better off in their own religion and never really experimenting. It depends upon the person, I guess.

However, I firmly believe that interfaith dialogue at the very least is the way to go, and I think people should even read other religious scriptures, as they can be so eye opening and bring a different style of view to them. My brother's biggest spiritual downfall, to me, is that he doesn't think there is a point in reading other religious scriptures as they are not ones he thinks are true. I think that is a waste.

My $0.02.

 

[Alex_G]

In your personal opinion, is it better to find a religion and stick to it and make it work for you, or is it better to switch religions when you feel like it?

Of course if the religion works for you already, would it make sense to not compare it with others but rather concentrate on it specifically?

Just wondering what you might think

Is it better for people to chose a religion in the first place or not? To what extent does the word 'choose' apply? Are subsequent changes in religion good? Does the value of these changes depend on the circumstances of the initial religious status? Does the value of these choices boil down to what the individual really wants at any specific moment in time? Does the individual always know what is best for themselves? Even if not, is the process of mistake and learning the real value?
Why might an individual ever choose to subscribe to any religion? To what extent is both sticking to any one religion, and moving between different religions demonstrating a misconception that spiritual enlightenment is dependant on an established religion?



Not sure why i answered totally in questions, i think my mind leans that way today.

 

[Gharib]

for me personally sticking to one is the best, i've only followed one religion all my life anyways. although i do like to know about other religions from those who are properly educated, it helps me understand other people alot better and i can make my own judgement as to whether i am following the right religion or not. because in the end it comes down to you making a choice.

so my answer would probably be to stick with one but discover others aswell.

 

[sandandfoam]

I've tried on a lot of religions. As I progress through my life I've found the need to move on. The point seems to keep coming where I don't, or cannot fit.
I don't think that sticking with or swapping is a choice that I make, it seems to reach a critical mass where I don't feel I've a choice.

 

[Noaidi]

In your personal opinion, is it better to find a religion and stick to it and make it work for you, or is it better to switch religions when you feel like it?

Many religions tend to be very prescriptive and you may not necessarily agree with all of what they (or their books) say. Where does that leave you if you can't make it work for you?

You could always just forge your own path and live by the rules and precepts that you hold dear. If a supernatural element is part of it, then fine. Define your god(s) as you wish them to be.

Or do you feel the need to part of a larger group of like-minded people? The social aspect of religion is important to many.

 

[Onkara]

Many religions tend to be very prescriptive and you may not necessarily agree with all of what they (or their books) say. Where does that leave you if you can't make it work for you?

You could always just forge your own path and live by the rules and precepts that you hold dear. If a supernatural element is part of it, then fine. Define your god(s) as you wish them to be.

Or do you feel the need to part of a larger group of like-minded people? The social aspect of religion is important to many.

Thanks Noaidi
Personally I have found I benefit most from comparative religions, swapping around and "drinking from more than one cup". But I am interested in if many would say the same or if they prefer to stick to one religion. I once came across the advise that it is better to stick to one religion.

 

[Onkara]

for me personally sticking to one is the best, i've only followed one religion all my life anyways. although i do like to know about other religions from those who are properly educated, it helps me understand other people alot better and i can make my own judgement as to whether i am following the right religion or not. because in the end it comes down to you making a choice.

so my answer would probably be to stick with one but discover others aswell.

Hello Eselam
you are the fist to say that you have found sticking to one is the best. I sometimes thinks there must be more clear focus in doing so, less doubt? Could you testify that has been the case?

 

[Onkara]

I think that it's best if people shop around, although to some extent I think that some people are probably better off in their own religion and never really experimenting. It depends upon the person, I guess.

However, I firmly believe that interfaith dialogue at the very least is the way to go, and I think people should even read other religious scriptures, as they can be so eye opening and bring a different style of view to them. My brother's biggest spiritual downfall, to me, is that he doesn't think there is a point in reading other religious scriptures as they are not ones he thinks are true. I think that is a waste.

My $0.02.

Hello Odion
I think I agree with you that shopping around is helpful. I often wonder if it makes more work for those who do.

 

[The Wizard]

In your personal opinion, is it better to find a religion and stick to it and make it work for you, or is it better to switch religions when you feel like it?

Of course if the religion works for you already, would it make sense to not compare it with others but rather concentrate on it specifically?

Just wondering what you might think

Good question. Well, for me I have no reason to choose a particular religion unless it affects my life and experiences for the better. It must improve my life. Even though I support that one should have free choice and use what's right for them, if they never stick to one particular thing then how would they ever master it and therefore benefit from all it's affects- expecially accumulative effects, which is a magor aspect of it? Bouncing around all of life does not lead to much... IMO.

 

[dawny0826]

In your personal opinion, is it better to find a religion and stick to it and make it work for you, or is it better to switch religions when you feel like it?

Of course if the religion works for you already, would it make sense to not compare it with others but rather concentrate on it specifically?

Just wondering what you might think

In my personal opinion, I think there's more benefit to exploring and finding value in the spirituality that can be found and nurtured (for lack of a better word) through religion. I think it's natural to compare and question religion, whether it's working for you or not, as any sort of growth and expansion requires a willingness to learn and expand. I tend to be restless and untrusting in my faith. Doubt, questioning, prayer, reaffirmation...it's part of a process.

 

[Onkara]

Thanks The Wizard and Dawny for your input.

 

[Gharib]

Hello Eselam
you are the fist to say that you have found sticking to one is the best. I sometimes thinks there must be more clear focus in doing so, less doubt? Could you testify that has been the case?

from my personal experience if i didn't have one specific religion/path to follow then i would be struggling to actually decide which i should follow (is true) and which i should not (is not true).
by sticking to only one religion i have found it easier to decide which religion contains more truth and which doesn't. the 2 religions that i know more about than the others is islam (which i follow) and christianity. by having followed only islam i had no doubt that i was following the correct path to god. then a time came when i came into contact to people of other faiths mainly christians. by seeing their perspectives from both an islamic and christian point of view i have been able to say to my self that from the christian perspective what christians say makes sense, but from an islamic perspective what islam says about the same thing makes more sense. so through comparison while holding my views that islam is true, i have come to a point that i now have even less doubt (just as you have said) as a result of giving islam my full attention rather than believe that 2 or more religions are true and then to not be able to view other faiths from one single perspective instead of many. and the best example for this would be if i was unsure of islam or christianity being the right religion, and one day i decide to look into judaism, that for me would further complicate matters, becuase you have similarities in both islam and christianity while all along they all have major differences. i find it dificult to make a judgement or decision if i am not based on something. and i don't know how the concept of being 'based on something' would work when believing many faiths to be true because all faiths have differences and their differences ussualy overstep their similarities and creates a problem, so i personaly just don't see how it would work.

i wouldn't actually mind if someone wanted to explain this, because as i said before i have always stuck to one religion so i don't know how one would go about this issue if they didn't follow only one specific faith.

i hope thats helpful to you Onkara.

 

[Onkara]

Thank you Eselam, I enjoy reading your (and others) views and experiences as quite often we find ourselves in a pattern of thinking or taking the world. Also we don't all have the same background experiences, so it is interesting to hear how you make your choices.

Do you feel obligated in anyway to take Islam as your religion? I admire Muslims for their dedication, but would like to ask if you feel any obligation at any time (not that obligation is bad, but perhaps it is a part of being a Muslim)?

 

[Madhuri]

I think it depends on the individual and their unique experiences.

I've seen that some people seem to flit around from one religion to another and then next weeks it's a completely different religion. These people remind me of individuals who are looking for love but get into relationships too quickly without even getting to know the person or understanding what they are looking for in a relationship. It seems their approach is very superficial and thus can be extremely fickle.

On the other hand, some people go through certain experiences that lead them to the conviction that another path is either more suited to them, or is the absolute truth. So for them, the change is not superficial and is probably beneficial.

 

[Onkara]

You summarise it well, Madhuri.
I like your analogy of fickle love and passion. Religion is a bit like shopping: people seem to go about it like they are trying to find a perfect pair of shoes which will fit them easily and exactly from the start and then they reject it when it feels a bit uncomfortable, boring or just not for them. (Not judging anyone specific)

I have asked myself if I am a "Spiritual Shopper" too, but it seems the more I look the more I am convinced of what is right for me. So there is benefits of comparative religion in my opinion.

 

[Madhuri]

You summarise it well, Madhuri.
I like your analogy of fickle love and passion. Religion is a bit like shopping: people seem to go about it like they are trying to find a perfect pair of shoes which will fit them easily and exactly from the start and then they reject it when it feels a bit uncomfortable, boring or just not for them. (Not judging anyone specific)

I have asked myself if I am a "Spiritual Shopper" too, but it seems the more I look the more I am convinced of what is right for me. So there is benefits of comparative religion in my opinion.

I agree
and the shopper analogy is a good one too.

 

[Gharib]

Thank you Eselam, I enjoy reading your (and others) views and experiences as quite often we find ourselves in a pattern of thinking or taking the world. Also we don't all have the same background experiences, so it is interesting to hear how you make your choices.

i too like hearing others due to the different experiences as it helps me learn more.
i can tell you many such examples where people have come up to me and said ' look, don't do this and this, i did it and i got nothing out of it.' so for me to hear others experiences is a big thing in my life.

Do you feel obligated in anyway to take Islam as your religion? I admire Muslims for their dedication, but would like to ask if you feel any obligation at any time (not that obligation is bad, but perhaps it is a part of being a Muslim)?

well other than the fact that i was born and raised in a muslim family, i don't feel obligated. if i had a doubt about islams truthfulness then i would find it dificult to be the muslim that i am and that would eventually lead to my belief in another faith. but based on what i know about islam i have no doubt that it is true and the lack of doubt that i have is what keeps me tied to islam. and i have come to learn from my own experience that doubt arises only due to lack of knowledge when it comes to religion. so i agree fully with Madhuris first statement in her post about those people who change very often, it is all due to lack of knowledge and proper study.

i hope that answers your question.