(no subject)

[badstar]

Does religion change you or does it bring to the surface things that were there but hidden?

Have we actually freely chosen to worship the god/s we do or have we chosen to answer their calling to us?

Does it matter?

I don't have a clue.

Comments

[totallypinkrock.livejournal.com]

Buddhism has been a natural fit for me, but it's then taken some pre-existing traits (a pleasant demeanor, some diplomatic skill, and a little cowardice about getting what I want) and made them all wonky and distended. I'm currently grappling with the cowardice, and I'm getting better as the whole truth-shall-set-me-free schtick continues.
The Buddha just... works for me. Always has, most likely, and I would have been a Buddhist years ago had I been ready to listen to the words.

[grntserendipity.livejournal.com]

Brings things to the surface, and I think to explain the second one, I would have to explain my "how destiny and free will both simutaniously exist in the world" theory and that's long. :)

[fuego.livejournal.com]

I wonder if your theory is anyhitng like my theory....

[leiacat.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure. I quite consciously chose to engage in religion after a non-religious background. The deity I went for was the one that I was culturally connected to, essentially the deity of my tribe. I did ponder other paths, but the ancestral link won out; I can't say whether that counts as a calling or a free choice.

As for being changed or traits being brought out, I don't think I can claim either. Religion changed which things I pay attention to and how I pay attention, but I don't think I'm different for it, nor more myself.