Is a person born in some other country  WRONG for believing what they have been taught since birth?
92820
No, unless they have been told that THEIR truth is the only truth...at that point they are able to make judgements and commit acts against "WRONG" thinking types that are consistent with their belief system...this type of thinking leads to things like the crusades, 9/11, the spanish inquisition, and genocide...you see none of us is going away or changing our beliefs because someone else says we're wrong...so INTOLERANCE is the problem NOT different belief systems.
1139759
Anybody who is honest will admit that throughout their lifetime their beliefs change.  Only a child can honestly say, "my beliefs haven't change."  Only a child could think that they never will.\n\nLife teaches lessons.  If a person goes through their life and never learns anything new they become spiritually retarded.  They also become more vulnerable to deception.\n\nI cannot list all the things I have learned I was once wrong about.  There isn't enough bandwidth.\n\nI'm looking forward to finding out what I'm currently wrong about.  I embrace the learning process.  Doctrines and beliefs are human inventions and are flawed.
474338
Living in an extremely religious country I'm afraid I have to agree with you. \nThe most educated and knowledgeable people I know are atheists, agnostics, secular humanists.\nI don't think it's a coincidence.
1152452
I think you are very mistaken when you say you have a culture of freedom and tolerance.\n\nI assume you are from the US?  Your history does not support your statement
340669
If those are you beliefs then you do not have to feel as if they are wrong because someone of different beliefs tells you that you dont need to prove your faith by doing xyz. Faith can take on many different forms and if you feel you must express your faith a certain way then that is what is best for you. However, if you dont want people to judge your way of faith and tell you that you are wrong, remember that when you look upon other people practicing their faith in a way that is different than yourself. \n\nWe can all show our faith in God through a mulititude of ways, just express it in the way that comes most naturaly to you as long as you arent keeping others from doing the same.
657653
At best, I would say that this could be an interesting intellectual exercise.  It is more than a stretch though, especially since you have presented a series of half finished thoughts.\n\nA note to the first responder.  If you believe in the Bible as prophesy, it would not be unreasonable for there to be something about a foreign born man, who comes to a new country and becomes leader in one of its biggest states.  Or should I be even more cryptic?
34912
I think what this guy is trying to point out is the frustration with so many people being led blindly by dated or 'obsolete' ideologies. I think this question is more akin to people with 'leftist' ideals, that see in the masses a repeating pattern of spoon-fed idiocy. Whenever I think of this question, I think of the millions of people that believe in anything without questioning or analyzing the deepness of the subject. What really comes to mind is RELIGION and PATRIOTISM. So many have been led into believing things that are not even entirely certain, are very subjective and bound to relativity and seemingly created to keep a group of people in power. \nI think this person is frustrated with so many people not questioning beliefs and believing blindly just because 'tradition' demands it.\nWhat frustrates me is that I see so many backwards things and so many people not even questioning them, buying into them and being told how to be and how to act by non-founded dubious sources... this is very saddening, and yes, I think it affects us all. Open-mindedness and an analytical, critical attitude is much needed nowadays, when we're being bombarded by propaganda and lies every day. It's time for society to evolve, go beyond tradition, rid of the old attitudes that have proven wrong, and WAKE UP!
666269
Why would a person need a text or tradition to know right from wrong? The golden rule is extant for all of us. Don't do to other what you wouldn't want done to you. Be fair, honest and care for your fellow man. All these things are pretty much universal but sadly overlooked, even by religionists.
19770
No.  Not in America.  This country was founded on the principle that a citizen's life is his or her own property.  My life was not destined to be spent making a feudal lord whose only claim is that he was born into the right family richer, nor shall it be sacrificed for a cause not of my choosing.  Betraying this ideal would be decidedly un-American.
1143513
Of course, your question 'do you still think I am in the wrong group' will raise the ire of those whose belief systems are more rigid and dogmatic than your own.    If this religion suits you, who am I to tell you that there is something better somewhere else?  So, go on, surprise us then.....  you're a Hindu following the Smarta tradition.  Am I right?  The only thing you have not mentioned is reincarnation, but that would have given it away.
794939
I have been going through the same thing right now.  I have done a lot of research and it is something that is really hard to prove.  Also there are 5 or 6 books that aren't in there and it makes me wonder who decided which books belong in the Bible and which don't.  Also have you noticed that other religions are just a loyal and believe just as strongly in their religions or "bibles" laws.  It's a strange thing.  Sometimes it makes me wonder if I always believed just because I was born here and my parents do .... I'm interested to see the answers you get though.
422145
It started off nice but toward the end, the last comment I have to disagree. I think even though someone is from another country its good to learn the English language but a person should not be forced to one language or to change what one believes in. When a person is diverse, it breaks down racial and ethnic barriers. We should show loyalty to our country but this country does not solely run  on its own. This country also depends on foreign imports and exchanges for goods and products. We should have loyalty to whom God has said "Love Thy neighbor as you would yourself". God did not specify that you had to American to apply this to your life. There are plenty of people that were not born in America that have made great contributions to this country that we all benefit from.
921787
Depends.  A lot of people are raised to be of a certain faith.  These people often don't question what they are taught.  In that way, it isn't a real choice because they just believe what their parents/church told them to believe.  However, it becomes a choice if the individual thinks about what they believe - accept or reject certain aspects of different religions and make a decision to follow or not.
901559
I will tell you the truth..... I am strong in my faith.... I believe as I believe, not because my parents taught me the way, or that it was passed on to me from any other... but because I have studied it myself and came to the conclusion that what my parents have passed on to me is the Truth.......\n\nYet, if I were born in another country whose faith differs from what I know today, then I would be strong in another faith.....\n\nand that is because I would have studied what was given me from my parents and because it is the way that my people have always known the Lord God..... and that is how I would serve Him.\n\n\nYour sister,\nGinger,\ngmcfayden@yahoo.com
503033
I concur. If you are in a new land and desire to become a citizen of that land, you must learn the ways, the language, the tradition. You don't forget your past, but you use it in a way that you can adopt your new country's ways and customs.\n\nYou cannot be a citizen and have two countries, either you are or are not a citizen...
918790
LOL. Ah! Sensationalism and Prejudice!\n\nIt's really sad in a way. So many are like that.\nI am from two very different cultures, and was raised to look at the indvidual, and not the label.\nI taught my sons the same values.\n\nI was Blessed with Beautiful Parents.
80190
'superstitions' as it suggests: not yet proven science.\nso, no. \nbut somehow, you are obliged to follow relatives' or family's way of life. it's the basic respect for others' beliefs.\nso, there...