How to Choose a New Religion
Religion is a topic that most people consider intensely private. For people who want to leave their faith, they often find there's no one to talk to about other options. The same is true for those who were not brought up in a particular religion, but who feel drawn toward it later in life. Where do you turn for information?
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Instructions
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Deciding on a New Faith
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Choose to change. If you're making a decision to turn to a new faith, this decision shouldn't be made lightly. It should be the result of soul searching and genuine desire, not a need to be trendy by joining a different religion.
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Do your research. Any library will contain a wealth of knowledge on world religions, from Christianity to Hinduism and many faiths in between. Before any decisions are made, do a general reading of the myths and legends of the various world faiths to gain an idea of the direction you want to go.
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Look at your priorities. Make a list of what's important. Do you want a religion that has an established church and clergy? Do you want a faith that you can practice alone? Do you want pomp and ceremony, or do you just want something that you can believe in and dedicate yourself to? Do you want a faith with lots of rules, or do you want one that's more open to interpretation?
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Narrow it down. Once these steps have all been completed, start looking at specific faiths based on the list you've made. If you're looking at polytheistic religions, choose a patron deity. A patron god or goddess is one that you specifically dedicate yourself to, even though that deity may be a part of a pantheon. For instance, if you chose to worship Hephaestus, you would uphold the ideals of that god specifically, and hold a respect for the ancient Greek Pantheon in general.
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Take time to think about it. Once a decision has been reached, take a few days to reflect on it. If you still feel the same way after that time, move forward with whatever steps are required to join your new faith.
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Tips & Warnings
When searching out a religion, you may feel "drawn" or "pulled" towards a particular faith or deity. Don't ignore this feeling. Explore it; see where it leads you. It might be the answer you've been seeking.
Do your research before you seek anyone's opinion. Asking other people for advice can influence decisions, and in some cases, can lead to a person being tricked into joining a religious cult.
