NationStates Jolt Archive

To explain the origins of this thread : Many of you know that for a long time now, the concept of religiosity has rather puzzled me.
I'm from a very religious background (well, very religious for Europe, that is), and I recently reflected on what all the religious people I know had in common. It wasn't very much, to be honest. But the one thing that seemed to be common to all of them was a rather traumatic childhood. Be that because of having lived through the war, or because of having lost parents or siblings at a very early age, or by having abusive parents.

So I was wondering, people of NS, are you religious or not? Did you have a happy childhood or not?

I am religious and my childhood was fine, thank you.

I'm relatively spiritual, albeit not particularly religious. I'm reluctant to sign up for the big group-stuff.

My childhood was happy at home, although I had a difficult time socially, but nowhere near as difficult as some, I know I was never physically bullied, well, it was attempted once. I was just kind of isolated from my peers.

I've gotten more spiritual recently, and I'm pretty much as happy as ever. Not religious per se, since that is more structured and formalized than my own personal beliefs, but still overall more spiritual than I have been in the past. I've generally bounced around, gradually trending upward in my overall spirituality.

My childhood was pretty good, and I was raised in a more or less laid-back, moderately religious Catholic family.

Happy Child Atheist.

So I was wondering, people of NS, are you religious or not? Did you have a happy childhood or not?
Not religious, had a great childhood.

My family is quite religious but I'm not. I had a happy childhood though.

Childhood=Good
Religon=Joke one or GTFO

So I was wondering, people of NS, are you religious or not? Did you have a happy childhood or not?

Hi CW, long time no see.:fluffle:

Anyway, your post's option are quite extreme, don't you think so? I'd settle for a "my childhood was quite normal on the happy side of the thing, and no, not religious, and never been".

my family is "religious" but I prefer to think of myself as spiritual. however for the purposes of your poll I guess I am religious and had a terrible childhood.

Spiritual, had a childhood that was neither great nor horrible, however rejected my family's religion at 16

Childhood was terrible, not religious.

My childhood was not also so great, with out God my life won't be great right now. He has help me to know I can be better person and what happen to me as child doesn't have to hunt me.:)

... I recently reflected on what all the religious people I know had in common. It wasn't very much, to be honest. But the one thing that seemed to be common to all of them was a rather traumatic childhood. That's because religions suck, especially the abrahamic religions. Big time.


Be that because of having lived through the war, or because of having lost parents or siblings at a very early age,what does that have to do with religion?

or by having abusive parents.this might indeed have to do with religion and, um, the conveyed values.

Hi CW, long time no see.:fluffle:

Anyway, your post's option are quite extreme, don't you think so? I'd settle for a "my childhood was quite normal on the happy side of the thing, and no, not religious, and never been".

Yep, it's a bit extreme, but I'm trying to prove myself wrong here ;)
I refuse to believe it's that simple. Although I think that it might be part of the profile...

Spiritual, had a childhood that was neither great nor horrible, however rejected my family's religion at 16What was/is your family's religion?

what does that have to do with religion?

this might indeed have to do with religion and, um, the conveyed values.

It doesn't have anything to do with religion as such, but I think it can have a lot to do with why a person turns to religion.

I've got several theories, and one would be a general loss of trust in humanity or other human beings, with an increased desire to find someone or something worthy of trust. A mental state like that would be a missionary's wet dream, I guess ;)

It doesn't have anything to do with religion as such, but I think it can have a lot to do with why a person turns to religion.or away.

I've got several theories, and one would be a general loss of trust in humanity or other human beings, with an increased desire to find someone or something worthy of trust. A mental state like that would be a missionary's wet dream, I guess but since when is religion worthy of trust? why would it be?

or away.

I haven't come across that, yet. I've come across people who were angry at their god for betraying their trust and not helping them when they felt they needed it, but in those cases people didn't so much turn away from their religion as away from their god.


but since when is religion worthy of trust? why would it be?

Religion as such isn't. But who believes in religion, anyway? People believe in gods or supernatural beings. And those, per definition, are worthy of trust. Apart from perhaps Satanism, most religions will claim that their gods are loving and caring.

To explain the origins of this thread : Many of you know that for a long time now, the concept of religiosity has rather puzzled me.
I'm from a very religious background (well, very religious for Europe, that is), and I recently reflected on what all the religious people I know had in common. It wasn't very much, to be honest. But the one thing that seemed to be common to all of them was a rather traumatic childhood. Be that because of having lived through the war, or because of having lost parents or siblings at a very early age, or by having abusive parents.

So I was wondering, people of NS, are you religious or not? Did you have a happy childhood or not?

I had an unhappy childhood and am no longer religious. I like to think I was religious at one point, but can you really say that a 13 year old is religious? Have you really developed to the point where you're no longer just aping the religiosity displayed by your parents? I don't know.

Fact is, I don't remember much of my preteen childhood. Generally, I don't want to.

What was/is your family's religion?

Roman Catholicism

I haven't come across that, yet. I've come across people who were angry at their god for betraying their trust and not helping them when they felt they needed it, but in those cases people didn't so much turn away from their religion as away from their god.



Religion as such isn't. But who believes in religion, anyway? People believe in gods or supernatural beings. And those, per definition, are worthy of trust. Apart from perhaps Satanism, most religions will claim that their gods are loving and caring.

Some Satanists will claim that, stating that the God he opposes is the real devil

To explain the origins of this thread : Many of you know that for a long time now, the concept of religiosity has rather puzzled me.
I'm from a very religious background (well, very religious for Europe, that is), and I recently reflected on what all the religious people I know had in common. It wasn't very much, to be honest. But the one thing that seemed to be common to all of them was a rather traumatic childhood. Be that because of having lived through the war, or because of having lost parents or siblings at a very early age, or by having abusive parents.

So I was wondering, people of NS, are you religious or not? Did you have a happy childhood or not?

I have three children. They are having (to all appearances) a great childhood.

I have not pressured any of them to accept my religion, or view of religion.

My daughter has turned out more religious than I am. My sons are atheists.

So much for your theory.

I have three children. They are having (to all appearances) a great childhood.

I have not pressured any of them to accept my religion, or view of religion.

My daughter has turned out more religious than I am. My sons are atheists.

So much for your theory.

I wasn't aware of a theory being presented. Merely an observation of facts.

My parents aren't religious, and, until two years ago, my childhood has been as comfortable and contented as one might reasonably expect. Equally, I know many people with religious parents, some who share said faith, some who don't, who have lived equally contented childhoods.

Whilst I have found Catholic children to be generally happier than most; to my mind because they can be rebellious, do what the fuck they want, andthen confess and have no permanent sense of contrition or guilt, I find such contentment is generally the result more of economic, social and geographical circumstances than religiosity.

Except for my Jhovie friend. poor man.:D

I wasn't aware of a theory being presented. Merely an observation of facts.

And a curiosity as to a possible pattern.

Except for my Jhovie friend. poor man.:D

My sympathies to your friend.

JWs...*shudder*

I wasn't aware of a theory being presented. Merely an observation of facts.

I haven't seen that pattern myself.

Usually, for people who are teenagers and college students, the more miserable their life, the more likely they were to be avowed atheists.

If they acknowledged that God might exist, they thought that whoever or whatever God might be, he was primarily a dick.

For people I've met who were in disasters, it was a mix. Usually, the more they lost, the more likely they were to lose their faith.

For people I've met who have lost friends or relatives to diseases like cancer or AIDS, the same mix - but not only did they lose their faith in God (if they lost it), they also lost their faith in science and medicine.

Well, comparing the "unhappy childhood" options, we've now got 33% religious, and 14% non-religious. Interesting.

I haven't seen that pattern myself.

Usually, for people who are teenagers and college students, the more miserable their life, the more likely they were to be avowed atheists.

If they acknowledged that God might exist, they thought that whoever or whatever God might be, he was primarily a dick.

For people I've met who were in disasters, it was a mix. Usually, the more they lost, the more likely they were to lose their faith.

For people I've met who have lost friends or relatives to diseases like cancer or AIDS, the same mix - but not only did they lose their faith in God (if they lost it), they also lost their faith in science and medicine.

That's actually been my experience as well.

My sympathies to your friend.

JWs...*shudder*

Indeed. But it was bloody funny. They chose his girlfriend for him....she was umbfugly:D

Indeed. But it was bloody funny. They chose his girlfriend for him....she was umbfugly:D

It's funny you should mention that. I was at the laundromat last night and there was an issue of Awake there, and they had an article about how secret dating is wrong and how you shouldn't date anyone until you're ready for marriage. I don't see how that's a healthy attitude, you don't get the experience of relationships. It would be interesting to see how many JWs are actually unhappy in their marriages

Has anyone else noticed that the top two options in the poll are functionally identical?

Mine was a mix

My parents were harsh and heavily religious though they loved me and my brothers totally I would classify it as good but some of the things outside of home life that happened were hard on me (the whole priest thing)

So I would say a mixed childhood

Mine was a mix

My parents were harsh and heavily religious though they loved me and my brothers totally I would classify it as good but some of the things outside of home life that happened were hard on me (the whole priest thing)

So I would say a mixed childhood

Not to be prurient, but have I read "hard" and "the whole priest thing" correctly?:D

Not to be prurient, but have I read "hard" and "the whole priest thing" correctly?:D

Actually yes, the original statement by me was not intended for that comedic effect but in the end yes

Has anyone else noticed that the top two options in the poll are functionally identical?how so?

My childhood couldn't have been better and I'm religious.

My family and I were religious and I had a happy childhood. Now, my parents weren't the hardcore Ned Flanders religious type and I couldn't read more than three pages of the bible (or most books. Why do authors have this urge to turn a three-page story into a novel? Way too much filler nowadays), but we were religious.

Now I have met some militant atheist assholes. That's one thing I don't get. I can understand if you hate because you think some big guy in the sky told you to, but to be a violent asshole because you DON'T believe in said big guy in the sky? I wonder who's in more need of professional help: guy who hears voices or guy who's violent because he DOESN'T believe in whoever is talking to previous nutjob?

how so?

Never mind. I read the options wrong.

Never mind. I read the options wrong.

Silly DM.

i wouldn't say that my childhood was particularly terrible, but i certainly have many unpleasant memories and few stand-out happy ones and i generally didn't enjoy it. i'm not religious now but i was until i was about 15 or 16. and immediately prior to losing my religion i was very heavily into it: getting confirmed, voluntarily attending church and communion, praying, involving myself in church activities, all that guff. shades of grey.

I had a religious childhood (not religious now). It was good, I don't think I missed out on anything significant.

Silly DM.

Ain't that the truth :p

Incidentally, this poll seems to suggest the split is pretty even between being religious and non-religious relative to your childhood.

It's almost 50/50

I'm still a teenger, 14 and my parents are pretty religious. Strict about going to church and all that kind of stuff. But I think my childhood's been OK. Parents are pretty strict but they're in no way abusive.

I need an option that says, "I had a beautiful childhood, I wasn't spiritual then but I am now."

I had an ok childhood and fortunately I wasn't exposed to religion though my mother has this notion that being an atheist makes me a bad person even though she is the last person who would actually follow a religion given her personality and propensity to not being a critical, selfish bitch.

I had an ok childhood and fortunately I wasn't exposed to religion though my mother has this notion that being an atheist makes me a bad person even though she is the last person who would actually follow a religion given her personality and propensity to not being a critical, selfish bitch.

everyone's a bad person, some of us are more annoying than others.

I am sorry you have to deal with one. ;)

I grew up with a paranoid, abusive lapsed-Catholic of a father and a kind but quelled, mildly religious mother. I'm the youngest of three brothers, all of whom were home schooled. I had a very miserable childhood and even considering that, I didn't even realize how bad it was until I was old enough to know it wasn't normal. Life was a hard, endless cycle of suspicion, guile for the sake of appeasement, and outright physical and emotional abuse with a healthy dose of manual labor thrown in. Religion was somewhat present but never forced or particularly significant... For the most part, our father tied to indoctrinate us with materialism, emotional detachment, misogynistic hatred, and cruel, self-interested opportunism. Basically, to make money, use women, and trample anyone who gets in the way. He was a first-class bastard of the highest order.

My eldest brother voluntarily converted to Catholicism at the age of 20, largely for the sake of a woman. He hasn't been taking it too seriously. He believes in God but in a very lukewarm manner. He sees it as part of being a good person, really.

The middle brother is mostly agnostic but honestly doesn't think about it often enough to be either religious or atheistic. Mostly his opinions on religion (on the rare occasion that he has them) are dismissive and irreverent just short of outright rejection.

As for me, I consider myself highly spiritual, pantheistic, and largely opposed to religious institutions of any kind. I dislike the corruption, subversiveness, and destruction often wrought by outward expressions of faith. To me, spirituality is a deeply personal, introspective experience - it should never be inflicted on others.

So, the eldest accepts the Abrahamic God, the other ridicules it, and I reject it in favor of something I feel is better. We all largely had the same childhood experience, but we are all completely different people.

Your hypothesis is too narrow, really. There is much, much more to religiosity then your upbringing.

I had an overall good childhood, with a few bad experiences here or there. I've largely rejected organized religion, but consider myself Christian.

Never mind. I read the options wrong.So, you read what you want now? :D
Are you Jocabia? :eek:

I need an option that says, "I had a beautiful childhood, I wasn't spiritual then but I am now."Well, spiritual doesn't equal religious.

Good Childhood, and not religious....although I was as a kid

Well, spiritual doesn't equal religious.

I've never seen much of a difference. The whole "I'm not religious, I'm spiritual," comment seems to have developed out of a distaste for organized religion, not religion itself.

I've never seen much of a difference. The whole "I'm not religious, I'm spiritual," comment seems to have developed out of a distaste for organized religion, not religion itself.

religious people I know tend to be overly legalistic, I get the feeling from them that the rules are more important than the relationship, but then again, they only care about the rules when someone else is breaking them.

everyone's a bad person, some of us are more annoying than others.

I am sorry you have to deal with one. ;)

It happens. At least I don't have any obligation to her now that I'm grown and on my own.

Still a child, and I'm very religious (although I generally keep it to myself - evangelicalism is certainly not one of my spiritual gifts!)

Childhood has been awesome so far. Good education, good food, good shelter, good family, and good friends. What more could I ask for?

It happens. At least I don't have any obligation to her now that I'm grown and on my own.

yeah, I am going through a bit of that myself right now, it's hard to get rid of her though when I legally have an obligation to her.........I have to talk to my lawyer again and figure out how to push her off on someone else. (don't I sound like the charming daughter)

Ain't that the truth :p

Incidentally, this poll seems to suggest the split is pretty even between being religious and non-religious relative to your childhood.

It's almost 50/50

True... but if you look at it in relation to the overall number of religious/non-religious voters, its 32% of religious people with a bad childhood, and 25% of non-religious people with a bad childhood.

Good Childhood, and not religious....although I was as a kid

You're Indian. I think being religious in childhood is fairly standard.

So, you read what you want now? :D
Are you Jocabia? :eek:

Oh good GOD no. :D

Depends on what part of my childhood you mean.

If I stopped being a child when I moved to NC at 7, then I had agood childhood. If I didn't and still am a child (though I'm now 15), it sucked.

Either way, I wans't religous and neither was my family.

My childhood was great because my family's borderline at best.

My childhood was great because my family's borderline at best.

Borderline...sane? Or just...borderline...something else?

The curiosity...it kills!

The two are obviously not related.

I wonder who's in more need of professional help: guy who hears voices or guy who's violent because he DOESN'T believe in whoever is talking to previous nutjob?

I vote the guy with the voices. I mean, being violent isn't all that unusual, really...

yeah, I am going through a bit of that myself right now, it's hard to get rid of her though when I legally have an obligation to her.........I have to talk to my lawyer again and figure out how to push her off on someone else. (don't I sound like the charming daughter)

Good luck with that. It's never fun dealing with a parent who treats you like you're a little freak because you're not a "normal" human being (yes... I spent most of my life hearing from my mother about how I should learn to act like a "normal" human; which means, acting like her ;)).

I'm religious and I had a pretty good childhood.

My teenage years were traumatized by the church, but childhood no. As a boy my parents kept me far away from Priests. :D

I grew out of the indoctrinated veil as I aged, which resulted in my life promptly turning sour. The more I questioned it the less religion made sense, so I walked away. Now, of course, I need to deal with passive-aggressive crap every day, but whatever.

I had a fair childhood, more or less. I was only really religious because I was ignorant, so I would discount actually being religious and just say I wasn't.

I had a fine childhood. My parents were and are wonderful parents who gave me freedom, but discipline, and ethics without the cost of slavish desire to obey. However, my life outside of home was miserable, and I had trouble interacting at all.

I am a something. I'm not religious, I think that religion is a waste of a perfectly good life, but I'm not a non-beleiver either. I just don't give a fuck. I see religion as a product of fear, and therfore the greatest limit to human capacity, but I see that there are many who are religious and perfectly fine. I label myself an ignostic, because that is sorta close, but I'm really just a spiritual anarchist.

Good luck with that. It's never fun dealing with a parent who treats you like you're a little freak because you're not a "normal" human being (yes... I spent most of my life hearing from my mother about how I should learn to act like a "normal" human; which means, acting like her ;)).

she came to my daughter's birthday party tonight and threw a snit because we weren't paying enough attention to her. :rolleyes: I told her (like I have many times before) "if it's a choice between you and the kids, I choose the kids, every time."

she doesn't get that, I think she thinks they are pets.

My childhood was good. I was religious when I was little and now I'm agnostic. I don't think it really affected my childhood though. I always questioned myself to why I was Catholic when I was younger, so I was already on my way to losing my religion without anyone convincing me.

Depends on what part of my childhood you mean.

If I stopped being a child when I moved to NC at 7, then I had agood childhood. If I didn't and still am a child (though I'm now 15), it sucked.

Either way, I wans't religous and neither was my family.
Uh, why are they up in arms about your atheism then?

Happy childhood, not religious.

Uh, why are they up in arms about your atheism then?

MY mom is, my dad isn't really...

Though I have no clue... :confused:

I'm not religious, and my childhood was rather average. It had its good moments and it's bad moments.

With the exception of my dad, it has been pretty good and I'm an atheist. :)

she came to my daughter's birthday party tonight and threw a snit because we weren't paying enough attention to her. :rolleyes: I told her (like I have many times before) "if it's a choice between you and the kids, I choose the kids, every time."

she doesn't get that, I think she thinks they are pets.

It goes to show that religion or no religion, it doesn't make someone a good person because they believe one way or another. It's the actions or inaction as humans that makes someone a good or bad person; a good or bad parent.

And you seem like a good parent since you put your children first.