Religious beliefs vs. self identification

[Rainn]

Years ago, I met a woman who is of Lebanese Arab origin and lives in France. She had told me "Arab identity is associated with being Muslim but I am not a Muslim but an atheist. Therefore, I am not an Arab and I identify as Greek from Lebanon because Greek identity does not have a religious a basis." Do you think that religious beliefs usually affect self identification of people?

I asked a similar question but that time, I couldn't express myself well. Therefore, I decided to revise the question and ask once more.

[Rainn]

Bump

[Incal]

It still does in many cases, just look at northern Ireland or the Balkans for example. Of course there is also people who are beyond religion or even nationality when it comes to identity (those are minority of course).

[Mixdguy17]

I kind of underdtand what u mean. Here in latin america even some atheist still ask for the blessing of their family members when greeting them or saying goodbye, is kind of customary. I remember when I was an atheist for a period of my life, I would still have great respect and affection for the virgin mary bcs its such a crucial part of many latin americans. So I guess its something along of the lines of what u mean?.

[Rainn]

I kind of underdtand what u mean. Here in latin america even some atheist still ask for the blessing of their family members when greeting them or saying goodbye, is kind of customary. I remember when I was an atheist for a period of my life, I would still have great respect and affection for the virgin mary bcs its such a crucial part of many latin americans. So I guess its something along of the lines of what u mean?.

In fact, what I mean is religious sects might reshape people self identifications related to their ethnicity. Arabs identity among both Christian Lebanese (including me) and Lebanese Druze is weak and they usually don't identify as an Arab. However, Arab identity among Muslim Lebanese usually is much stronger and significant amount of them identify as such.

[Incal]

In fact, what I mean is religious sects might reshape people self identifications related to their ethnicity. Arabs identity among both Christian Lebanese (including me) and Lebanese Druze is weak and they usually don't identify as an Arab. However, Arab identity among Muslim Lebanese usually is much stronger and significant amount of them identify as such.

Any ideology actually, not only religion. Specially on these Narcissistic times when everybody follows whatever like sheep.

[Kross]

Why does she identify as Greek? Is she Greek Orthodox?

[Rainn]

Why does she identify as Greek? Is she Greek Orthodox?

She told me she was once eager to convert Greek Orthodoxy but she went atheist. Her identifying as a Greek might be a habit remaining from the times she was eager to convert Greek Orthodoxy.