Nature and nurture

YellowFeather

Hi all

I'd imagine that this may have been done to death in here, but I'd appreciate some thoughts.

I'd consider myself a Catholic, even though I rarely go to Mass. I would attend for weddings, christenings, and funerals.

I would never try and press my faith on anybody, although I'd always say that I believe in God.

I definitely believe that there's something up there, and, I would hate to lose that. It's the one thing that I'm steady about. I've had some amazing experiences in life, and - when they happen - I'd give a little nod upwards and say thanks. Not everything in my life has been perfect at all, but I have had a lot of 'luck' and I do genuinely feel there's somebody looking out for me. There are also some really bad points, but.. şuch is life.

But, I'm having a bit of trouble with the nature / nurture part of things. If I was born to different parents and was raised in a different way, I could be any auld kind of person. And not necessarily a nice one.

I really can't lose my faith. I am very lucky that I have it in the first place. But - logically - it's not making sense right now. I'm trying not to over question it because I don't have the answers.

I don't think people are born with a personality - it's a product of their upbringing and - to a lesser extent - their genetics. So how can they be asked to answer for that which is beyond their control?

Peregrinus

I'm not sure I understand your question. In what way are people being asked to answer for that which is beyond their control? And who is doing the asking?

Turtwig

Likewise I'm struggling to understand your question. So I'm going with what my gut thought before I read your post entirely.:p

Disclaimer: nonreligious, forum co-dictator.

From the point of view of Catholicism and many mainstream flavors of Christianity, God is the ultimate judge. It is not our place to judge others on any facet of their life. Rather, it's the duty of Christians to help spread the teachings, methods and love of Christ, to others. If someone's personality is one of delinquency then that is between them and God whether they get absolution. It the duty of a Catholic to do everything in their ability to help, not persuade or force, this individual achieve a personal relationship with Christ. It's up to God to determine whether the sins committed are absolved i.e. what, if anything, they are expected to answer for.

lazybones32

1: There are always more questions than answers, so try not tire of 'asking'.

2: If I was born in any other Country, I would most likely not be on Boards.ie answering your Q...if Hitler was successful in defeating UK in WW2 would we be speaking German or would the People of Ireland be somehow subservient to Germany? If Collins wasn't killed?...and so on and so forth.

3: Nature V Nurture divides scientists but I am of the opinion that Nurture is of more importance in the development of the human person - if it were solely genetic, feral children would develop normally despite being deprived of human contact. However, genetics must play some part in our development (I have a 3 year old cousin who is almost a carbon-copy of his Grandfather's personality, who died before the boy was born....it's strangely amusing to hear him speak about hunting and shooting)

No-one is ever called to account for things that are beyond their 'control'. The human brain isn't fully developed until the ages of 18-21 but that doesn't mean that at 21 you are the finished article: you will age and get older but you may not necessarily mature...aging is beyond your control but maturing and developing your personality is definitely within the remit of your responsibility.

Hope it helps.

eviltwin

Don't understand your question or what it has to do with religion specifically. Of course you would be a different person. So much of who we are is as a result of our life experience.

Peregrinus

Worth pointing out that nature and nurture are beyond our individual control. So, fascinating as the nature/nurture question may be, I don't see what relevance it might have to the question of personal responsibility that the OP seems to raise.

Manach

My own 2c:
In response to the OP, the question might be reshaped as individual and community, and a perspectives view taken from both internal or external to a social group. This latter is a term from the writer Jonathan Haidt ("Righteous Mind") when describing how questions are posed such as the OP's.

So likewise as Catholic, the nature vs is in the lens
of who the individual is developed as part of the wider Christian community: which entails placing nuturing emphasis on the immediate family as well as the environment which they themselves grew up in. On the whole this inter-generation transmission of values and tradition is a good mileau to bring up a person and has usually provided a solid bedrock for family development.

Joe1919

YellowFeather wrote: »

....... If I was born to different parents and was raised in a different way, I could be any auld kind of person. And not necessarily a nice one.....

Ah.....'there but for the GRACE of God go I'

http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/there_but_for_the_grace_of_God_go_I

Festus

YellowFeather wrote: »

But, I'm having a bit of trouble with the nature / nurture part of things. If I was born to different parents and was raised in a different way, I could be any auld kind of person. And not necessarily a nice one.

I really can't lose my faith. I am very lucky that I have it in the first place. But - logically - it's not making sense right now. I'm trying not to over question it because I don't have the answers.

I don't think people are born with a personality - it's a product of their upbringing and - to a lesser extent - their genetics. So how can they be asked to answer for that which is beyond their control?

Scientifically speaking personality is primarily genetic - or nature if you will. Nurture does affect it, as does life in general. It can be modified by conditioning, good or bad, but if that was the real issue I guess you wouldn't be asking in this forum. I only say it because what you think is not supported by the science or borne out by experience. We are born with our personalities. Nurture should then bring out the good and help us control the bad.

I'm not an expert but excepting those with serious personality disorders, or mental issues, we all have self control. This is what we are called upon to develop, with the help of the Holy Spirit.

If you are having difficult with something you believe is beyond your control it may help to find a good spiritual advisor.

Prayer is also helpful and part of the daily routine of all practicing Catholics. An Our Father, Hail Mary and Glory Be on rising and retiring and a Hail Mary or three at any time during the day when a crisis strikes helps.

God Bless and I hope you find some answers