igion in the first place but rather just a series of events that lead them to that particular faith? Plus, in most areas, communities generally have superior family values. So, by the scare tactic the children stay in a religion that they grew up in rather than a religion they could personally relate to better and have more personal gain. By the time that the children grow up, they are so fine tuned into the religion that they grew up in that they do not explore other religious ideas even if it would benefit them. Family habits become traditions and those traditions latch on to a person to become rituals, which is yet another element of religion. Rituals are practiced throughout all religions. From Christianity to Hinduism to Buddhism to Taoism rituals are observed invariably. Although some, like Taoist rituals, are very severe, like taking ones own life drinking an elixir, people follow them without a doubt. They do this not for personal gains, but for the recognition and approval of the community. Rituals are proven to be very social since most of the time performing one is done in a group. Therefore, while a person does gain individual experience participating in these rituals, the social aspect of them is predominant. Rituals are done throughout the community. It is the community as a whole that decides which rituals are going to fit with the religion and which ones are actually going to be practiced. If the community decided that one such ritual was no good, no one would do it anymore. It would not matter if he or she liked it or not. Personal or individual preferences would not matter if it conflicted with the majoritys vote. Coincidently, if a person did perform a banned ritual, they would most likely be exiled, excommunicated, or alienated from that community and/or religion. An example is Buddhism. In Buddhism a person can get kicked out of a community for wrong behavior, it is an orthopraxy religion. Therefore the thought of ...
