Your Childhood Religion

Think about your view of religion. Print this out and fill in your thoughts at your own pace.
The purpose is not to find right or wrong answers, but to sort between your personal feelings and your beliefs.

1. Did your family have a religious foundation while you were growing up?

2. Are you actively involved in this same religion now?

3. Do you attend services or meetings from this religion?

4. Do you base many of your beliefs and opinions on this foundation?

5. Have the practices seemed unusual within your daily society?

6. Were you ever beaten, criticized or teased for belonging to this group?

7. Do you feel that your religious culture is easy to understand by outsiders?

8. Do most of the practices make sense to you?

9. Do you ever feel like your religious life is very separate from your daily life?

10. Do you participate in the holy days?

11. Do you give of your time or resources to support it?

12. To what extent do you follow the practices and ordinances?

13. Does this religion value a set of recorded stories from the history of its founders?

14. What do you think of these stories?

Check how you feel about following the original theology:

The local organization exists within the original intent of the religion.

The things that the local sect has changed from the original will help people function in today's society.

The theology is so new that it's always changing.

The theology is so new that I feel I have some control in its direction.

It makes sense in daily life today.

It can promote an individual toward a successful life in this decade.

It offers answers to dealing with everyday problems.

It makes followers feel better about themselves, and more able to accomplish what needs to get done in life.

Jot down your other thoughts on the subject.

If you had a childhood religion, what comes to mind when you think of it?

Echoes that this is the only way

Security and stability

Boredom

Fascination with the unusual

Confinement, restrictions

Lots of hats, suits and handkerchiefs

Lots of jumping and shouting

Tough on the knees, afraid to blow my nose

Family pressures to follow that track

Nice to know it'll be there if I need it

A home away from home.

Excitement, but can't go back

Can't find anything as good now

So glad I'm not obligated any more

So glad I'm still connected

The right choice that I'm not ready to make

The wrong choice that I'm still in

It's not quite right for me but close

I don't question it, out of self-discipline

What does the Bible say about controversial cultural theology?


Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.

Matt. 7:15 RSV

...You are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citzens with God's people and members of God's household.

Ephesians 2:20

Beware of practicing your piety before men in order to be seen by them; for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 6:1 RSV

No one hates his own body but lovingly cares for it, just as Christ cares for his body the church, of which we are parts.

Ephesians 5:29-30 TLB

Be sure that no one leads you away with false and empty teaching that is only human.

Colossians 2:8 NCV

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others....Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Romans 12:4-13 NIV
see also I Corinthians 12:12

..so that the body of Christ may be built up...

Ephesians 4:12 NIV

For you won't let others enter the kingdom of Heaven, and won't go in yourselves. And you pretend to be holy, with all your long, public prayers in the streets, while you are evicting widows from their homes. Hypocrites! ...you tithe down to the last mint leaf in your garden, but ignore the mportant things -- justice and mercy and faith.

Matthew 23:13-14, 23 TLB

...Since my flock has been pillaged and for lack of a shepherd is now the prey of every wild animal, since my shepherds have ceased to bother about my flock, since my shepherds feed themselves rather than my flock, very well...I shall take my flock out of their charge...Look, I myself shall take care of my flock and look after it.

Ezekiel 34:8-11 JB
See also Jeremiah 23

Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith...Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings. It is good for our hearts to be strengthened by grace, not by ceremonial foods...Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. Pray for us.

Hebrews 13:7-8, 17-18 NIV

You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of men, but God knows your hearts. What is highly valued among men is detestable in God's sight.

Luke 16:15 NIV

Now, brothers and sisters, we ask you to appreciate those who work hard among you, who lead you in the Lord and teach you. Respect them with a very special love because of the work they do. Live in peace with each other.

I Thessalonians 5:12-13 NCV

Look up other verses online

Feel free to print this page out once for yourself and take time to think over these issues on your own. We will not collect information on you, especially on these personal questions. If you have questions, contact us or find a kind and trustworthy person nearby.

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