I think it’s safe to assume that, according to strict interpretation of mainstream religions, most people I know are probably not going to heaven. Religion has never played a big part of my life, nor has it in those of most of my friends. We don't judge eachother and I think we’re perfectly happy living our lives the way we see fit. I’m going to take a leap of faith (no pun intended) and assume that a lot of people on this site feel the same way.
However, I’ve noticed a sort of strength within amongst some of the more religious people I’ve met over the years… a strength that I’ve found translates very well – at least at the analyst level – into finance.
I saw hints of this in college; I had a couple of religious friends that were not over-the-top preachers or anything of that sort, but genuinely laid back and agreeable guys. But when it came to Friday night pregaming, or any drinking for that matter, they were out. You could see the conviction in their eyes; they wouldn’t drink it even if their life depended on it. I didn’t judge them, but on some level (perhaps due to my ignorance, perhaps not), I felt that they were missing out. But they were also more sure about their decision to stay at home than I was about whether the party/night out would ultimately turn out to be fun.
It was during my <span><a href="/guide/wso-internship-guide">summer analyst</a></span> stint that I began to fathom the long-term career benefits of having this sort of attitude. Financiers love Mormon analysts, and now I see why. The bank was full of them, and though they were a couple of years “behind” due to them spending a couple of years abroad on missions and they couldn’t participate in any of the mixers… they didn’t need to. They had the maturity, focus, and overall tenacity to compensate for it. I would even call it confidence.
To be fair, the most devoutly religious guys I’ve met haven’t necessarily been the most creative. Some were repulsively close-minded, and by generally being unwilling to associate with anyone that didn’t share their set of beliefs, some of them were rather boring. Some of them tried really hard to convert me and they all married at a terrifyingly early age. But these guys could fucking grind, no question about it. And I know they weren’t on addy.
Some of my more focused and ambitious friends tell me that if they could take a pill and wake up devoutly religious… they would. Otherwise, they simply wouldn’t be able to give up premarital sex, alcohol, and recreational drug use on their own. And until they could do so, those habits would always get in the way of their greater goal. Mitt Romney, Tim Tebow, and Jeremy Lin seem to be doing perfectly fine without any of the ‘vice’.
My question to you is: would you take that pill?
No. No no no no no no no no no.
I have a huge beef with religion. Far too many people I know let their religion get in the way of making (what I perceive to be) sensible decisions; while this may not be a problem with religion, per se, I do feel that religion has had a huge hand in making life worse for many, many people.
If someone wants to tell me that I can't be gay, or can't abort a baby I don't want, or have to donate some of my income to fund their lavish lifestyles, I'd just tell them to fuck the hell off.
I see this question as being more of: Would you change your entire personality if you could? I sure as hell wouldn't.
Interesting- not sure if I would take the pill either.
However, for the sake of mental masturbation perhaps, I've always wondered what it would be like to actually have serious belief in something (religion, a political movement, anything). I have a friend that is completely opposed to all religions- he also doesn't eat meat, drink, (still gets plenty of girls though) and lives a pretty disciplined life, at least in terms of eating and drinking. However, the way he actually subscribes to his beliefs is eerily similar to proponents of the same religions he condemns- doesn't always listen to the entire story, really opinionated, etc.... but he also really has his shit together. I guess he's just on the other side of the spectrum. He's been like that ever since the death of a friend. I don't think I could force myself to become like that.
I agree with this. I also just don't give a fuck. In general, I hate anyone who tries to force his or her views on someone else (this includes atheists who can also be a pain in the ass). Just live your life and shut the fuck up.
I don't drink, smoke, or do drugs. I have a problem with the whole abstinence thing though. But hey, 3/4 is decent enough.
Yeah, my boy Jeremy Lin is on fire. It's funny you bring this up because I was having similar thoughts today. I think part of the reason Lin overcame the odds to get were he's at is due to his mental strength and good attitude (which he probably gets from his faith).
I've been drinking a lot this weekend. Sure, it's fun and relaxing, but it makes me feel so unhealthy. So I've been wondering if it's so unhealthy, why am I doing it? The best answer that I can come up with is that I often drink out of boredom. If my life had more purpose, I would probably cut down. For example, before college my whole life was basketball. I played, watched, or thought about the sport 24/7. I was honestly obsessed with it, but it was such a healthy obsession because it kept me busy, kept me in shape, and kept me from getting drunk all the time and partying. For many religious people, their passion is their religion and I think that definitely helps them stay focused and confident.
I know exactly what you mean (re: sports). It's tough, I haven't found something I've obsessed over since high school either. The hard part I've found is that a lot of the friends I've made in college drink... which makes things really tough if I want to retain emotional and social stability while going for long-term health benefits.
Yeah, I haven't really found anything to be 100% committed and devoted to since then. Hopefully that will change at some point haha.
I totally know what you mean about the social aspects of drinking. It's such a big part of socializing among young people, so it's hard not to get caught up in it.
I think a person can be just as passionate about hedonism as they can about religion (not that the two are necessarily mutually exclusive). Using myself as an example, I worked my ass off and had laser focus on the job because I knew the pleasure all that money would buy me.
If you're truly devoted to sex, drugs, and rock 'n' roll it can be just as powerful as any religious devotion, it's just much rarer to find it in our profession because being a Type-A driver generally precludes people from being a lazy fuckabout (myself being one notable exception).
Absolutely. People can be obsessed with just about anything.
I'm obsessed with programming
As far as the LDS work-ethic goes - I believe that it's strictly cultural. They are told from early childhood that work is in itself a reward. There's an article floating around about the LDS and their impressive success in business world on a per capita basis. BYU sent just as many analysts to GS as Wharton did.
To answer your question: I would never take a pill to become devoutly religious. haha. A crazy work-ethic can be achieved with self-discipline alone and without the need for believing in Iron-Age fairytales (or the whole LDS/Joseph Smith thing).
No.
A few reasons 1 - I disagree with your premise that religious people are higher performing. None of the successful people I know are deeply religious. 2 - What are your goals? To be a more obedient person? To conform better to the establishment point of view, social norms or expectations of society? If so, taking the pill would give you an edge towards this goal. However, if you have any other goals, its not relevant and in some cases can actually be counterproductive e.g. if your goal is to enjoy the pleasures of life, or if you enjoy free will, etc...
I wouldn't trade my life for Romney's.
Not proud to say so, but I'd take the pill. I would be happier truly believing in a greater purpose/divine justice/an afterlife, even if it weren't grounded in fact.
I am pretty much agnostic with some secular humanist ethical beliefs, but I think religion can be an immense comfort if you truly believe.
And, I do know what you mean about finding something you are obsessed with. It has been a long time since I felt that fire. I am not sure if religious people actually feel the strongly about it, but still I wish I could find something to fill that void.
Inventore et eaque aliquid quae optio. Quam natus eius minus commodi eveniet nihil. Qui rerum quaerat nihil ut nobis. Repudiandae et excepturi sed adipisci incidunt non maxime.
Quasi autem laboriosam eos non dolorem rerum amet cumque. Voluptatem voluptatem ipsa laudantium dicta alias. Saepe vel earum ab possimus vel voluptatum. In dolor id ipsam. Quo soluta fuga voluptatem veniam.
Enim a iusto ut hic est eveniet eos et. Quia quo sed et enim voluptatum exercitationem. Aut cum illo eaque quibusdam sequi.
See All Comments - 100% Free
WSO depends on everyone being able to pitch in when they know something. Unlock with your email and get bonus: 6 financial modeling lessons free ($199 value)
or Unlock with your social account...