Questioning The Pattern

In this reflection, I explore how religion is often inherited like a family pattern rather than chosen. I share a conversation with my mom that revealed how beliefs are passed down through generations. This is an invitation to gently question the faith we were born into, without asking anyone to change theirs.

Transcript

One day I was talking to my mom and I asked her why we were Catholic.

And she replied,

Because your grandparents were.

So I said,

Okay,

Well why were my grandparents Catholic?

And she said,

Well I guess because their parents were.

This was around a time in my life where I was questioning a lot of things.

And for the first time,

I saw something clearly.

Religion often flows like a pattern.

We follow what we were born into,

Almost by default.

For example,

If someone is born in India,

People tend to assume they're Hindu.

If someone is born in China,

Most assume Buddhism or a related religion.

Very rarely do we stop and wonder,

Which faith would I choose if I could decide for myself?

Now I'm not saying anyone's religion is wrong.

And I'm not urging anyone to change their faith.

I simply want to ask you the same questions I ask myself.

I'm curious,

Has anyone else thought about this?

And if you have,

Please share it in the comments below.