Have your beliefs and values change over the years?

[cricketworm]

Let say you are 30 some years, You were brought up and taught values. You learned a lot when you were under 1-10 years old. Then you build up on it during your teenage years.

During that time, you got an education. You got in contact with the outside world. You have a universal knowlede now. You are more open minded now. You probably have different perspective of the world.

In the meantime, worldwide or nationwide, something happened, and then you change your perception of the world again.

At the same time, you are focused on your family more than ever before. Now you are faced with a challenge to teach those values that you have learned over the years to teach your children.

So, would you teach your children the same values you learned over 30 years ago, or now you give different reformed values as your values have changed?

 

[troodon]

Brought up in liberal Hindu household. Never forced to go to temple or pray to God etc etc. We used to celebrate all major Hindu festivals.

I am practically an atheist now. Thanks to the lack of evidence of any super natural power.

 

[Pakistanian]

I'm in my 20s and yes my values and beliefs about life have changed a lot in the last 2 years and drastically when I look back 5-10 years ago.

 

[Madplayer]

They have changed a little. I have begun trying to get to the core of my belief system and understand why it is the way it is. 10 years ago i didnt have this kind of a mindset.

 

[rhony]

The values need to change based on changing times. Otherwise we will deprive ourselves and our children of being relevant. Clinging to the old belief system is why world is going to hell. Nutjobs wanting to go thousands of years into the past to claim lost glory and killing people. Nut jobs blowing themselves up because of flawed beliefs. Nut jobs putting their kids in harms way by not vaccinating them because of some weird belief system. We don't want to be one of those nut cases.

 

[troodon]

The values need to change based on changing times. Otherwise we will deprive ourselves and our children of being relevant. Clinging to the old belief system is why world is going to hell. Nutjobs wanting to go thousands of years into the past to claim lost glory and killing people. Nut jobs blowing themselves up because of flawed beliefs. Nut jobs putting their kids in harms way by not vaccinating them because of some weird belief system. We don't want to be one of those nut cases.

Change is something that is hard to accept for many people. They think the current problems are due to people moving away from Deen or Religion.

What people do not realize is that the world is very peaceful now compared to the past centuries. Most of the countries have moved past blind faiths. Some do try to cling on to their old beliefs which have no basis. But deep inside they too know that what they are trying to dearly hold on to is nothing but lies and blind faith.

 

[rhony]

Change is something that is hard to accept for many people. They think the current problems are due to people moving away from Deen or Religion.

What people do not realize is that the world is very peaceful now compared to the past centuries. Most of the countries have moved past blind faiths. Some do try to cling on to their old beliefs which have no basis. But deep inside they too know that what they are trying to dearly hold on to is nothing but lies and blind faith.

Belief in a guiding light or divine power that controls our lives is what gives people hope. The acceptance of a higher power or God makes one responsible and helps in coping with loss or misfortune hoping for better days. I have absolutely no problem with religion. Every religious text has great set of values that are still relevant. However, they are also smartly written in a broad sense making them easily vulnerable to misrepresentation. Some of the content in religious texts was suitable and relevant to the times they were written. The problem is the religious heads in the current generation have not adapted to the modern needs and preach with strict adherence to the texts. People blindly follow them.

 

[Pakpak]

Yes they have. I used to be religious, but my family went through catastrophically horrific events, that most people don't go through 2 lifetimes never mind 6 years, not once but twice and it changed my entire outlook on it. It wasn't a snap process. There was a lot of inside struggle and a lot of conflicting views in my head till finally I found my peace.

 

[troodon]

Belief in a guiding light or divine power that controls our lives is what gives people hope. The acceptance of a higher power or God makes one responsible and helps in coping with loss or misfortune hoping for better days. I have absolutely no problem with religion. Every religious text has great set of values that are still relevant. However, they are also smartly written in a broad sense making them easily vulnerable to misrepresentation. Some of the content in religious texts was suitable and relevant to the times they were written. The problem is the religious heads in the current generation have not adapted to the modern needs and preach with strict adherence to the texts. People blindly follow them.

Religion does not simply end with the good things that you mentioned. Major religions claim that its our way or hell fires. The supremacist ideology of religions create a big rift between people and it is very volatile. Not to forget, every religion comes with a set of rules and anyone that breaks the rules will be punished both in this world and the so called heaven/hell.

We are already born with differences in Color, Race, facial features etc to fight on. We do not need another major difference to fight for. A reason which can lead to brainwashing of masses to kill others.

 

[troodon]

Yes they have. I used to be religious, but my family went through catastrophically horrific events, that most people don't go through 2 lifetimes never mind 6 years, not once but twice and it changed my entire outlook on it. It wasn't a snap process. There was a lot of inside struggle and a lot of conflicting views in my head till finally I found my peace.

So have you left religion?

 

[rhony]

Religion does not simply end with the good things that you mentioned. Major religions claim that its our way or hell fires. The supremacist ideology of religions create a big rift between people and it is very volatile. Not to forget, every religion comes with a set of rules and anyone that breaks the rules will be punished both in this world and the so called heaven/hell.

We are already born with differences in Color, Race, facial features etc to fight on. We do not need another major difference to fight for. A reason which can lead to brainwashing of masses to kill others.

Religion actually is a great unifier. People from different origins, race, color can be part of the same religion. The heaven/hell concept makes people responsible to a certain extent. However, the glorified death and hence a glorified after life is a flawed concept.

 

[Bilal7]

The older I get, the more I am able to appreciate the beauty and truth of Islam. I guess as kids, most people blindly just do what their parents ask them to do but when you get older, you start worshipping Allah because you want to and that makes a big difference in your enjoyment of it. Also, I realize that this is something to be thankful for because guidance is with Allah alone. It has been said that through the Quran many will find guidance and others will be led astray.

Additionally, I find myself having a much deeper admiration of Pakistan than I did a couple of years ago. Before, I would never want to go live there but now, it is something that I am considering. I guess all those years of supporting the Pakistan cricket team has made me love the country too.

 

[CricketCartoons]

With time i have realized that deep down i was always a bigot having radical views and the secular and liberal nature in the past was an attempt to fit in with the people around me.

 

[Robert]

My own morality has changed considerably over the decades. I used to try to do the right thing out of fear of authority / God.

Now I no longer believe in God and try to do the right thing out of love and compassion for my fellow people, and out of respect for their personal freedom to live their lives without interference from state and religion.

 

[Mamoon]

My faith in Allah SWT has strengthen leaps and bounds. 10 years ago, I was a borderline atheist. I had no faith in the Almighty but because of social pressures, I did not have the strength to come out.

However, my experiences in the last decade have shaped my beliefs and have given me tremendous faith. I find peace and support in it and do I know that there is someone up there who listens to and answers my prayers.

I have gone through situations where nothing but divine help could have seen me through it. Anyway, I strongly believe that Islam is not what people claim to be - and I am not talking about the right-wing nutters and extremists. I don't think anyone has ever understood what faith is.

 

[Waq]

I question my beliefs and values regularly and change accordingly. This makes me the person I am, good or bad.

My faith, I treat separately as ultimately Islam is teaching me to be the best person possible but which route is individual to all of us.

In my experience (almost 40 years of age), most people do question their beliefs and values but not as regularly as I do. That shows in my forever changing hobbies and goals.

If you younger guys can avoid going stale as you graduate then keep on improving and questioning. Don’t become one of these monotonous middle aged men who wished they were doing x,y and z but feel they can’t.

 

[Realromeo]

I was slightly conservative, slightly religious and slightly jingoistic. Now I'm neither of all that. That doesn't mean I disrespect all the above I mentioned.

 

[troodon]

My faith in Allah SWT has strengthen leaps and bounds. 10 years ago, I was a borderline atheist. I had no faith in the Almighty but because of social pressures, I did not have the strength to come out.

However, my experiences in the last decade have shaped my beliefs and have given me tremendous faith. I find peace and support in it and do I know that there is someone up there who listens to and answers my prayers.

I have gone through situations where nothing but divine help could have seen me through it. Anyway, I strongly believe that Islam is not what people claim to be - and I am not talking about the right-wing nutters and extremists. I don't think anyone has ever understood what faith is.

I had a feeling that you were atheist. Surprised that you are a believer.

 

[Mamoon]

I had a feeling that you were atheist. Surprised that you are a believer.

The concept of atheism has never appealed to me. It almost seems like a cop-out. Religion can be beautiful - it unites people and gives them hope. In fact, religion is all that the poor live for.

A beggar on the streets watches another man go past him in a fancy car simply because he was lucky to be born in a rich family. This beggar seeks comfort and solace in the belief that he will be rewarded in the afterlife.

The same beggar prays five times a day and thanks God more often than the rich man in the fancy car. If he finds out that there is no life after death and this is all he is, he will kill the rich man first before killing himself.

 

[troodon]

The concept of atheism has never appealed to me. It almost seems like a cop-out. Religion can be beautiful - it unites people and gives them hope. In fact, religion is all that the poor live for.

A beggar on the streets watches another man go past him in a fancy car simply because he was lucky to be born in a rich family. This beggar seeks comfort and solace in the belief that he will be rewarded in the afterlife.

The same beggar prays five times a day and thanks God more often than the rich man in the fancy car. If he finds out that there is no life after death and this is all he is, he will kill the rich man first before killing himself.

Many many people in Europe are Atheists. Are they killing each other because one of them is poor and the other is rich? In fact, Scandinavian countries which are majority atheistic have very less crime compared to religious societies.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

Never doubted Islam. Always a believer since my earliest memories.

Always pro democracy.
Never a racist.
No hate for people with different sexual orientation than mine.
Don't hate any nationality etc.

Do believe that there is intelligent life beyond Earth.

I believe: if someone thinks that they got "the perfect religious roadmap"™ then most probably they are wrong or at least suffers pride. I consider only The Creator has the ultimate criteria to judge human beings.

 

[ManFan]

The concept of atheism has never appealed to me. It almost seems like a cop-out. Religion can be beautiful - it unites people and gives them hope. In fact, religion is all that the poor live for.

A beggar on the streets watches another man go past him in a fancy car simply because he was lucky to be born in a rich family. This beggar seeks comfort and solace in the belief that he will be rewarded in the afterlife.

The same beggar prays five times a day and thanks God more often than the rich man in the fancy car. If he finds out that there is no life after death and this is all he is, he will kill the rich man first before killing himself.

Your belief system echoes Napoleon's; religion is a great unifier of men and essential to the survival of society.

He was the one whose quote is often mischaracterized as "religion is what prevents the poor from murdering the rich".

But I suggest studying his excerpt on St. Helena about Jesus (SAW) as it is truly remarkable from the viewpoint of a man who dominated an entire era of history.

 

[SarfiBabarHaris]

My beliefs are changing about Indians.

I have always supported peace but as i am growing older it is getting more and more evident that vast majority of Indians hate Pakistanis and dont want peace.

 

[PakLFC]

Yes for sure! I am more tolerant now as compared to when I was in my teens! I have become more Muslim in many ways with a much greater interest in politics as well. Entertainment does not mean that much to me anymore. My other interests are now mostly business oriented as I seek to make my first million then I will change my username to "Pak_millionaire" here

 

[Rayyman]

Happy International Women's Day to all of the women out there!

 

[ElRaja]

my beliefs were pretty much formed by the time i was in my late teens. the only real difference is age has made me far more cynical, i was a bit of an idealist when i was younger, believing things could change for the better.

as ive gotten older ive accepted humanity as one giant superposition of individual fear and greed, and have made peace with the fact that the vast majority of people are so focused on their daily survival that they have neither the will, ability or the desire for critical thought.

on the positive it has made me value those people with whom i can discuss abstract and practical matters with similar fluidity and understanding even more.

I have also greatly developed my own emotional sensitivity towards others behaviours after having gone through some really tough times, a side of my personality i didnt know really existed until in my mid twenties.

 

[Mamoon]

Many many people in Europe are Atheists. Are they killing each other because one of them is poor and the other is rich? In fact, Scandinavian countries which are majority atheistic have very less crime compared to religious societies.

The dynamics of the subcontinent are different. The class divide is too great - the homeless people aside, you cannot compare the poor in Europe to the poor in Pakistan/India in terms of standards of living. We spend on one meal what a family of five earns in a month. The absence of minimum wage has been a major driving force in making the poor poorer and the rich richer.

 

[Mamoon]

Your belief system echoes Napoleon's; religion is a great unifier of men and essential to the survival of society.

He was the one whose quote is often mischaracterized as "religion is what prevents the poor from murdering the rich".

But I suggest studying his excerpt on St. Helena about Jesus (SAW) as it is truly remarkable from the viewpoint of a man who dominated an entire era of history.

I regret the fact that I haven't had the opportunity to study Napoleon extensively. Perhaps one day.

 

[Theo_14]

I use to visit Pakistan almost every year. I use to love everything about family, from the smell of the rain to purposely setting my alarm to 7am so all of my days are well utilised; making sure I don’t waste any days.

However as I got older... Specifically speaking, as I graduated and got a job in the UK, I got wiser in terms of my thinking. I could detect things far easier and this unfortunately led to me witnessing what I call politics within my extended family in Pakistan. Politics, jealousy, back-biting, pretending to be happy. Not all families, but certain ones that I never saw coming. That broke me from the inside but also made me realise that human nature comes before family “bonds.”

Following deaths of my Nani and Dadi, I completely became detached to Pakistan. I felt they were they keys to uniting families, they were the purpose of me visiting Pakistan. They were the ones that made Pakistan so appealing to me. They were the reason why I had such a strong connection.

Visiting Pakistan without them, for the first time I didnt set my alarm as I had no real purpose. I would be in my room. I would be counting days of when I am returning to Pakistan and I sensed a lot of friction and isolation. For the first time, I didnt greatly miss Pakistan when I got back.

Don’t get me wrong, I love the country and I class myself as a Pakistani but it’s just sad how this feeling has developed.