In any discussion about religion, one must account for the fact that a religion and the culture within which it evolves are inextricably intertwined. Each shapes and is shaped by the other. So it is almost impossible to understand or discuss one without understanding and discussing the other.
More than that, it is almost impossible to fully “convert” to a religion one didn’t grow up in. One can certainly learn the theology and the rituals, but it is almost impossible to learn all the subtle cultural aspects, the unspoken attitudes and assumptions, and the many unspoken things no one even thinks to teach a newcomer because they are simply obviously “the way things are”. Converts certainly have a valid religion, but it isn’t quite the same religion as practiced and experienced by those who were raised from childhood in that religion.
What draws many people to their religion is only partly the dogmas and beliefs of that religion. The rest of the pull is to the familiar and comforting cultural aspects. It is perfectly possible to find comfort in the rituals and music and group support of a religion, and yet question or outright disbelieve that religion’s dogmas. Indeed, I suspect many people who are religiously observant are not wholly in agreement with all the beliefs they profess.
This is one of the reasons it is difficult to change cultures, or religions. It’s not possible to change the one without changing the other.
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