How to pick a religion?

[joanneg]

My parents are not religious at all, so I have no idea about religion and what my beliefs are. I really want to explore this area more. Where do I start??
If you are not brought up with any particular religious beliefs how do you know what religion you are??

I really dont know where to start. Any advice appreciated. thanks xx

Why do you want to pick a religion? Genuinely curious.

well, I want to explore my faith because I have never had the chance (or been interested) before. I think in part becoming a mother has made me think about it more as well. But it is really hard to know where to start.
Sorry if that sounds lame - it is so hard to put into words!!

Hi Joanneg - I think that sounds as good a reason as any. One suggestion is to start by doing some research to find out what the basic belief systems / principles of each faith are and seeing if any seem particularly close to your own.

My question would be whether you are looking for religion or spirituality? I'm not saying that they are mutually exclusive (before anyone takes offence) but more for what you are looking for do you need to 'pick a religion' or rather explore your own spirituality? (Hope that makes sense )

An interesting thread, though...

Hmmmm. Don't think you can pick a religion as such.

Although I guess some do. I'm a Christian but I'm not "religious" in that my life is entirely based on my faith in God, but I'm not legally bound by rules or regulations like wearing certain clothes or reciting certain words - to me that's relgious but you could choose to do all that if that's what you're after.

The church I used to go to was full of "religious" people, but very few believed in God if you see what I mean.

So you could choose to follow any religion you want and adopt all their traditions etc, but unless you have faith in something bigger than yourself then you're kidding yourself on I think.

I was brought up by an agnostic mum and an atheist dad. I got interested in Christianity through friends at school, but never went to church. So I bought a Bible and started reading it. I asked around for advice about praying ( why?, how? etc) and after a year or so of reading a lot and questioning other religions, I asked God if he was real and could he prove it to me when I was 13.

I didn't have a big lights in the sky "experience" but I did suddenly have an overwhelming sense of peace, that everything was going to be ok. For a hormonal 13 year old that was convincing enough for me, having not felt peaceful for quite some time! So I guess I would call that becoming a Christian. But I've never been baptised - may do one day.

I got involved with a friendly traditional church (mainly old ladies, but lovely) and asked loads of questions. If Alpha courses had been around at the time, I would have loved that, but I just pestered my friends instead!

I'm a Christian because I believe the Bible to be 100% true. I believe God is real and interested and involved in every part of my life. I believe I've seen loads of answers to prayer and evidence of God helping me and supporting me and my family.

Um.. I could go on and on obviously, but the other thing I believe is that God will show people who he is at the right time for them, so I can only share my own experiences.

Christian churches run a short course on exploring christianity, which you may find interesting. It was Alpha that first brought me to a church. Details can be found on Alphacourse.org. I'm not sure whether other religions would run something similar.

Sorry, that wasn't very clear. The course that the christian churches run is called 'Alpha'.

Joanneg, Is there anyone in your life whom you consider to be particularly spiritual? Who is a calming and quitening and peaceful person? Might be a good idea to start off by chatting to them and seeing what they do or don't believe? Other than that you could give us a clue as to whereabouts you live and people of every religion could reccommend some places to go or people to hear speaking?
I'm a Christian of the wishy-washy liberal variety who believes in Hooker's 3-legged stool ie truth should be sought by consulting and balancing the bible text, tradition and reason. Good luck with your search.

What an interesting thing to ask. Here's a potted guide to some world religions from the BBC site. I always thought that the Quakers looked an interesting lot too.

why don't you just go along to a few churches and see which one feels right for you?

I'm sort of thinking about the same thing at the moment, my parents are not at all religious although my dad was brought up in a strict catholic family and believes in God. I definitely believe in God but I'm not sure if I believe in religion IYSWIM?

To be honest i'm a bit scared about going along to church, silly but i'm not sure how welcome I would be.

Beansmum, are your kids pre-school age? If so, lots of churches run mother & toddler groups, and you could maybe chat to the people who run it to get a feeling about what sort of a welcome you'd get.

I know one of my local churches runs a toddler group but bean's a bit young for that still.

he's only 22wks and part of the reason i haven't been to any of the churches round here yet is that I'm a bit nervous that he will start crying or need feeding during the service!

I can totally understand. When DD1 was a baby we took her to the evening service, which children never attend, so we slipped in at the back to try and be inconspicuous. During the prayers, she let out the most enormous belch, and I could see everyone's shoulders moving up and down in laughter. I was trying not to laugh. The person next to me tried to be tactful and said that they wouldn't have thought anyone noticed, but it is such an echoey church, the people down the road would have heard!! Sorry Joanneg, I'm moving off the subject.

Any church that's remotely unhappy about you feeding your baby in the service isn't worth going to IMO!

our church is full of mums with their baps out

The mums and tots idea is good- they also tend to be very friendly (not clicky)
Also Look out for Alpha, "The Y course" and "CAFE" as they are all intro course.
Have you got any christian friends? Cos you could go to church with them-I sometimes go to church with a couple of my friends and it's less daunting than going on your own.
Don't know about other religions! Don't think you CAN be too little for M&T BTW!!!

Thankyou all from the bottom of my heart for your wise words. It is one of those things Ihave been thinking about for ages. I remember going to sunday school briefly as a child - but after that life takes over and you forget.

You are all so smart and you responses well thought out. It is such a relief as it is a hard thing to ask. You have given me food for thought and I am looking into some of the things that you suggested. Thanks again.

Beansmum - at the parent/toddler group I went to lots of people took tiny babies. It is actually easier to go to that sort of thing with a tiny baby because once they are toddling you end up running around after them like mad!

I was brought up to be a christian, or well at least I have been christaned as my mum decided if the worst should happen and we died she wanted our souls to go into heven and not wonder between worlds?? she however was brought up as half christian half catholic (maltese catholic) but we also have a strong spiritual line in the family on the maternal side in all of the women. I am following the path of Paganism. Something which my family and DH have accepted, however we can't decided on how to raise our children, I would like to teach them pagan ways, however DH wants them to be christians. so I am at a loss really. What will probably happen is we will show them both ways and allow the child to chose.

As a Christian I must confess to finding pagan ideas much more imaginative!!!!!Maybe we can learn something!

Haven't read all of this -- sorry! But maybe ask the people in your life that you respect what their beliefs are? Chances are that if they're religious, you'll happen on a religious group where you feel comfortable.

for the most part thou, I do think that all religions, not matter what they are, (feel free to disagree here) are all basically the same foundations, just with differnet names slightly, esp. for 'god' but the ideas and jist of it is the same.