An Accident of Birth
Duane McClearn
June, 2020
The overwhelming majority of Saudi Arabians are Muslims. The overwhelming majority of Saudi Arabians a generation ago were Muslims, as was the generation before that and before that. The majority of the people of India are Hindus. Their parents and grandparents were most likely Hindus. Most Brazilians are Christians (Catholics, in particular). Their parents were most likely Christians, and their parents’ parents were Christians, as well. Similarly, in the U.S. most religious people are Christians, but whatever faith Americans hold, it is likely that of their parents. Among American Christians, people tend to stick to their parents’ denomination. Catholics tend to stay Catholic generation after generation. Mormons tend to marry and raise Mormons.
It’s not as if people are generally questioning their own religion, working through it, comparing it to other religions, then concluding that their own is obviously the true one (or True One). Very few religious people, it would seem, pause for reflection about religions other than their own. It may be that few pause to reflect, or have knowledge, even on their own. In the U.S., for example, biblical illiteracy is remarkably high, especially considering how many politicians and other public figures declare that this is a Christian nation. In his book, Religious Literacy, author Stephen Prothero refers to a study that found, among other things, that only half of American adults could not name even one of the four Gospels of the New Testament and most couldn’t name the first book of the Bible. And it isn’t as if atheists are dragging the averages down. In fact, atheists tend to score as well as, if not higher, than most Christian denominations on measures of Bible knowledge.
Several years ago I was teaching a college course about global issues. One day I asked students to take out a sheet of paper and explain: Why aren’t you a Hindu? I already knew that none of them was a Hindu, and that all were raised either Christian or Jewish in the U.S. They asked for guidance. What, exactly, were the beliefs of Hinduism? What were the practices of Hindus? It didn’t really matter for the purposes of their assignment, I responded. You know that it is the majority religion of India, and you have the sense that it is different from Christianity and Judaism in its beliefs and practices. So write away. They struggled a bit more. They tried to get me to divulge more about Hinduism. I wouldn’t.
Perhaps I was being too obtuse. What I was trying to get at was that it didn’t really matter what religion I asked them to write about; it could have been Zoroastrianism or Jainism or Kemetism (the religion of the ancient Egyptians). It didn’t matter if they knew what the beliefs were or had examined them carefully, and weighed their merits. The reason that they weren’t Hindus was almost certainly that they weren’t raised as Hindus, and the reason that they weren’t raised as Hindus was most likely because they didn’t have Hindu parents and were not born in India. So to the Christians in my class, I asked: how many of you have seriously studied other religions before settling on Christianity. The answer: none. The reason that they were Christians is that that is how they were brought up–their parents were Christians, their neighborhoods were Christian, their towns (to a greater or lesser extent) were Christian, their churches were Christian (obviously), and so on.
So I asked the obvious question. If you had been raised in Saudi Arabia by Muslim parents, do you think that you would now be a Muslim? The answer: Well, yes, almost certainly. And if you had been raised in a Hindu village in India by Hindu parents, would you now be a Hindu? Yes, of course, they replied.
I would venture to guess that most people of faith don’t come to embrace a religion based on considering the various religions on offer around the globe. Rather, they accept without question what they are told by parents and the others around them starting at a young age. This means that for the majority of the world’s religious people, their faith is really just based on an accident of birth, much as if you are likely to be a Denver Broncos fan if you are born and raised in Colorado and a Seattle Seahawks fan if you are born and raised in Washington state (that is, if you care about football).
If there is a single True Faith, and billions of people seem to believe that there is, and if you are rewarded by a celestial being or beings for adhering to it and punished for not adhering to it, then I have to conclude that it is one of the big lucky life lottery draws for the people who happen to be born in the right place to the right parents.
49 Comments
WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..extra wait .. …
I have been surfing online more than 3 hours these days, yet I by no means discovered any fascinating article like yours. It’s pretty price sufficient for me. Personally, if all web owners and bloggers made just right content material as you did, the internet might be much more useful than ever before.
Helpful info. Fortunate me I discovered your site by accident, and I’m surprised why this coincidence did not came about in advance! I bookmarked it.
Hello, i believe that i noticed you visited my weblog so i got here to “return the choose”.I’m trying to in finding things to improve my website!I assume its adequate to make use of some of your concepts!!
I really appreciate this post. I’ve been looking all over for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thanks again
Hello! Do you know if they make any plugins to safeguard against hackers? I’m kinda paranoid about losing everything I’ve worked hard on. Any suggestions?
I like what you guys are up also. Such intelligent work and reporting! Keep up the superb works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. I think it’ll improve the value of my website 🙂
I’ll right away grab your rss as I can’t find your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service. Do you’ve any? Please allow me realize so that I may subscribe. Thanks.
It is appropriate time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I’ve read this post and if I could I desire to suggest you few interesting things or tips. Maybe you can write next articles referring to this article. I want to read even more things about it!
Have you ever considered creating an e-book or guest authoring on other blogs? I have a blog based upon on the same information you discuss and would love to have you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would value your work. If you’re even remotely interested, feel free to send me an e mail.
924301 269263As soon as I discovered this internet site I went on reddit to share some of the enjoy with them. 761689
Hello! I just wanted to ask if you ever have any issues with hackers? My last blog (wordpress) was hacked and I ended up losing months of hard work due to no back up. Do you have any methods to prevent hackers?
I carry on listening to the news update talk about receiving free online grant applications so I have been looking around for the most excellent site to get one. Could you advise me please, where could i acquire some?
Terrific work! This is the type of information that should be shared around the net. Shame on Google for not positioning this post higher! Come on over and visit my website . Thanks =)
Excellent weblog right here! Also your site lots up very fast! What web host are you using? Can I am getting your associate hyperlink for your host? I want my website loaded up as quickly as yours lol
336565 640524To know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding 185099
402507 900581I gotta favorite this internet site it seems extremely beneficial . 457932
you have an excellent blog right here! would you wish to make some invite posts on my blog?
i love this perfect article
I really was amazed to find this page. Thank you for making this terrific read!! I definitely enjoyed your content, have bookmarked it and will be looking for future posts. If you have a chance check out my web site. It’s a work in progress, but I hope that someday it will turn out as useful as yours.
accidents happen in the wrong time wrong place
i like this article, thanks for information
I cherished up to you’ll obtain performed proper here. The caricature is tasteful, your authored material stylish. however, you command get bought an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following. sick no doubt come further previously again since exactly the similar just about very continuously inside case you protect this increase.
An accident of birth? how can you say that is an accident?
Hey, you used to write fantastic, but the last few posts have been kinda boring… I miss your super writings. Past several posts are just a little bit out of track! come on!
DreamProxies.com review – 100 quality and anonymous private proxies, most useful prices and USA private proxies
When I originally left a comment I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I get four emails with the exact same comment. There has to be a way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
279942 360881I conceive this internet web site has got some really superb information for everybody : D. 759313
Excellent read, I just passed this onto a colleague who was doing some research on that. And he just bought me lunch because I found it for him smile Therefore let me rephrase that: Thank you for lunch!
Thanks for making me to get new strategies about desktops. I also possess the belief that one of the best ways to help keep your mobile computer in perfect condition has been a hard plastic-type material case, as well as shell, that will fit over the top of one’s computer. A lot of these protective gear are model unique since they are made to fit perfectly above the natural outer shell. You can buy these directly from the vendor, or through third party places if they are readily available for your notebook, however not every laptop may have a covering on the market. Again, thanks for your ideas.
Vqgwew saowjs generic cialis tadalafil all its secrets, is lumbar upon us during the vague.
I was looking at some of your content on this website and I believe this web site is really instructive! Keep on posting.
There may be noticeably a bundle to learn about this. I assume you made sure nice factors in options also.
These are genuinely fantastic ideas in concerning blogging.
You have touched some fastidious points here. Any way keep up wrinting.
I have read so many posts about the blogger lovers but this paragraph is genuinely
a nice article, keep it up.
Hey There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article.
I’ll make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful info.
Thanks for the post. I will definitely comeback.
It is the best time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest
you some interesting things or advice. Perhaps you could write
next articles referring to this article. I want to read more things
about it!
I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every bit of
it. I have got you book marked to check out new
things you post…
Buy Lowest priced USA Elite Private Proxies – Exclusively About https://DreamProxies.com – Ideal Proxies Costs!
Cheapest private proxies – prices as little as $0.15 per proxy! Buy now and get 50 discount for the proxy deal – https://DreamProxies.com
DreamProxies.com evaluation – 100 quality and anonymous private proxies, most useful prices and USA private proxies
While Agen Judi Bola
does specialize in sports and football betting in the world, you’ll find that tens of other sports are also included and that events can range from world-class to minor, local matches.
Spadegaming
I’m truly enjoying the design and layout of your blog. It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you hire out a designer to create your theme? Excellent work!
Awsome info and straight to the point. I don’t know if this is actually the best place to ask but do you people have any ideea where to employ some professional writers? Thank you 🙂
Thanks , I have just been searching for information about this subject for ages and yours is the best I’ve discovered so far. But, what about the conclusion? Are you sure about the source?
wear sufficient graver grits geldings overindulge although inconsistency scolding. generic cialis tadalafil and clinicians are present to help from each other’s heads.
I like the valuable info you supply in your articles. I’ll bookmark your blog and take a look at again here frequently. I’m moderately sure I’ll learn lots of new stuff right here! Good luck for the next!
Amazin!
One Trackback
… [Trackback]
[…] Read More here: blogs.elon.edu/servingatheists/?p=1582 […]