get religion

Idioms  

1. Be converted; also, decide to behave in an upright, ethical way. For example, After the children were born, John got religion and joined the church, or After years of total selfishness, she suddenly got religion and is doing all kinds of volunteer work. [Second half of 1700s]

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Example Sentences

Sometimes before they die or stop running for office they get "religion" and try to do some good with new found perspective.

From New York Times • Dec. 12, 2017

Several pundits made hay yesterday attacking Smith personally, arguing that he waited till he made his millions to get religion, or that he only quit because he was consistently passed up for promotions.

From Time • Mar. 16, 2012

There were no demigods for the closing hours, to make audiences get religion: no Wayne Shorter or Keith Jarrett, no famous singer to rally around.

From New York Times • Aug. 8, 2011

"HellCat" Gantry, the black-maned campus bully with his boasted amours and loud contempt, get religion?

From Time Magazine Archive

They are exhorted to be converted, to get religion, and to believe, while it is seldom, if ever, made clear what all this means, and how it is brought about.

From The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church by Rhodes, M. (Mosheim)