Choosing a Religion: 4 Starting Points

In seekers and skeptics posts, I write specifically for those outside of the Christian faith. I know some will be considering the faith, some will be exploring spiritually, and some will come to any consideration of Christian claims with considerable suspicion.  If this describes you at all, I’m glad you’re here. Welcome!

Choosing a Religion. For most of human history the question of being religious was not a question. And most people didn’t choose a religion, they were born into a religion. To be religious was to be human and to be human was to be religious.

Today many perceive religion as an obstacle to human flourishing and development. Despite a vocal minority, the  majority of billions of human beings still find meaning, purpose, and answers to life’s most persistent questions in religion.

These humans may be rigorous in the practice of their religion. They may be casual in their practice of their religion, but they are religious to some degree. You probably encounter people who are religious on a regular basis.

Their religiosity may intrigue you. It may also be confusing , be off putting or raise lots of questions for you. Maybe you do not encounter people like this very often. Yet, you still feel a spiritual curiosity to learn more about religion.

4 Starting Points For Choosing a Religion

1. Know the Difference Between Denomination and Religion

It is important to understand what we are referring to when we use the world religion. Very often people mistakenly use the world religion to refer to a denomination or branch of a particular religion. For example, Catholics and Lutherans are not members of different religions.

They are members of different denominations of the Christian religion. Shiites and Sunnis are not members of different religions but are members of different branches of the Islamic religion. This is important to know when exploring or choosing a religion. The world’s religions are often composed of several branches or denominations.

When exploring a religion that interests you, say Buddhism for example. You want to learn about Buddhism in general, but you want to also learn about the different kinds of Buddhism. For example, Theravada and Mahayana.

Atheism and agnosticism are not religions, they are beliefs people have about certain religious claims. An atheist does not believe in God. An agnostic believes there is not enough evidence to prove or disapprove the existence of God.

Most atheists and agnostics, while not persuaded by the claims of religion, are not active in opposing religion. They simply choose not to include religion in their lives.  

2. Begin Your Search at Home

If you grew up or around a particular religion it might be worth starting your exploration there. People raised in a religion sometimes know little about it. They have collected bits and pieces of information and impressions about their religion but may not have every studied it seriously.

This often leads to misunderstandings about their religion. Beyond that most religions comes in many denominations and branches. Test your assumptions about what your religion is about or what it teaches by doing your homework, both on paper, and in connecting with people who practice your religion.

Some parents say, “We leave it to our child to choose a religion for themselves when they get older.” A problem that sometimes confronts people raised this way is that they have no point of reference for exploring religion as an adult.

If a child raised in one religion chooses another, their foundation gives them a point of comparison for understanding all religions. Atheist or agnostic parents could make sure their children receive some instruction in the religions of the world.

If you didn’t grow up with or around a religion, that’s ok. Start with a religion that shares some of your values as a starting point for your exploration.  

3. Use the Exemplar Principle

Since human beings practice religion, no religion is free of atrocities, scandals, or short comings. Atrocities, scandals, and short comings are not unique to religion. A principle to use when evaluating the merits of a particular religion or philosophy of life is what I call the exemplar principle.

Each of the major religions of the world have their exemplars. These include not only the founders of certain religions (e.g. Siddhartha Gautama ) but followers of a specific religion who are recognized as models worthy of admiration  (e.g. Mother Teresa). Research  several exemplars or role models of a religion and see if they inspire you to learn more.

The presence of one or more amazing human being in a religion does not excuse all the atrocities or scandals sometimes done in the name of that religion.

However, it does demonstrate that these failings were done not because of the teachings of the religion itself, but because followers of the religion disobeyed the teachings of their religion. For example, if a Buddhist leader (secular or sacred) was found to be cruel and malicious, this is clearly contrary to Buddhist teachings on compassion.

Also, many religions will have statements on record addressing their failings and the problem of human weakness, check these out as well.

4. Look Out for Hijacked Religion

Religion is like medicine. Just because there are bad examples of how medicine is practiced in the world does not mean we get rid of all medicine. Instead we look for better medicine, practiced well.

In the same way, just because religion is sometimes practiced in harmful ways does not mean we get rid of all religion. Instead, we look for better religion, practiced well. Throughout history there have been individuals and groups who have used religion not for its intended purpose, but their own purposes.

This still happens today. Religious individuals or groups that make unreasonable demands on your time, finances, and freedom of thought should be approached carefully and potentially, avoided all together.

Along the same lines, if you run into groups that isolate themselves from other members of their religion, groups that have no accountability beyond themselves, you should proceed very carefully.

There are noble and venerable religious traditions that as a matter of religious faith withdraw from society, such as monasteries in Buddhism and Christianity. But these monasteries still have connections to the public and to other religious communities.

Religious leaders that demand or suggest you perform violent or other immoral acts should be abandoned immediately and when appropriate reported to the authorities.

Choosing a Religion: The Adventure of the Human Spirit

Dr. Houston Smith, the late author, philosopher and scholar, wrote:

“Religion alive confronts the individual with the most momentous option life can present. It calls the soul to the highest adventure it can undertake, a proposed journey across jungles, peaks, and deserts of the human spirit. The call is to confront reality, to master the self. Those who dare to hear and follow that secret call soon learn the dangers and difficulties of its lonely journey…What then can rival its power to inspire life’s deepest creative centers?”

– The World Religions  

Religion, like any human endeavor, has its faults and failures, but religion at its best taps into an expansive understanding of the human spirit.

While many human beings in their search for meaning begin with the idea of choosing a religion, they often claim in the end, their religion choose them. May your explorations of religion bring you to the heights of beauty, truth, and goodness.

[Feel free to ignore this, but I invite you to explore Christianity, maybe for the first time or the first time seriously in a long time. Click here.]

Visit the Welcome Page or Read More Posts for Seekers and Skeptics