Is talking about religion (or lack therof) ok for a PS Forum

[aibohphobia]

Searching through the forums I've seen some pretty strenuous debate on this topic. Basically the consensus seems to be if the statement is primarily discussing formative aspects of your development using religion as a vehicle, it's ok to talk about. If it gets down to discussing ideology itself it might have a high risk of alienating people. I wanted to get some more specific input on a topic I've been toying with writing about.

I wanted to write a statement focusing on the development of my agnosticism (not really a focal point though) and through it development of my scientific worldview, community isolation, and transition to another community. I'm a first generation american who was raised in a jain/hindu household. As a kid our mythology (in particular a monkey warrior, Hanuman, and a half elephant-half man deity ganesha) seemed more supernatural and thus more unlikely than the religions of my peers. No one outright told me the religion was absurd, but they always identified my religion as the "monkey god one" or the one with the "half-elephant thing". Rather than rejecting my religion and adopting their own, this caused me to begin asking why is any particular mythology absurd, why couldn't there be a half-elephant. Note: I don't plan on calling religious claims absurd. People's comments about my own mythology simply provided a vehicle for me to begin wondering what makes any particular claim absurd. A question that inculcated me with an obsession for the sciences.

From there the statement would focus on how those questions led me to pursue an academic career in the sciences. Additionally, I'm going to interweave the discussion of how in the absence of a religious community as a 1st generation american, I was left with a lack of any community joining me to parent's country. The isolation is what is motivating me to leave the sciences and instead apply those same skills to law.

I recognize I might be trying to fit too much in a personal statement. However, right now I'm just trying to figure out if it's worth writing this statement at all. If so, I can edit for content once I see what I'm working with.

[Nebby]

My PS was about my experiences doing reproductive justice advocacy in the MidBest. I think you're safe to write about your agnosticism.

[Sls17]

I think this has a lot of potential as a personal statement. Don't be afraid to really develop your viewpoint, even if it's a little contentious -- after all, you're going to law school. You seem to be aware of the need to be respectful and not condescending when writing about your experience with religion. With that in mind, I'd say you should forge ahead with your idea.

[xylocarp]

Maybe it is, maybe it isn't. No one can say with any certainty that you won't happen to be evaluated by an adcom or two who is very religious and gets turned off by your PS, even if subconsciously. Personally I would say better safe than sorry.

[baal hadad]

I dunno sounds sorta lame

Like people ripping on u made you want to do science