I believe that the institution of religion has curropted the message that God was trying to send. \nI believe God is a supreme force that guides all of us, regardless of our religion's name.\nWe all pray for inner peace, our families, our health, and when we need help.\nWhat do you do when you need help. just hope for the best?
218348
I think that it could be for different reasons.  \n\nSome people don't want to understand it because it can be scary to look into the unknown (outside the perception of the 5 senses).\n\nI think that the majority of the people are turned off by 1)The wars and killing over religion. 2) Religious fanatics who try to push their religion and beliefs down other peoples thoughts by threatening them with hell or eternal damnation.\n\nThe whole - Believe what I say or you're going to hell! Is a real turn off to some people. And the whole "God Loves You", yet "He's going to send your son or daughter or mother or father to HELL if he or she doesn't believe in what we believe.\n\nI am spiritual and I believe in god, but I never force or make hateful statements such as so-and-so is going to go to hell.\n\nI think that many have perverted the true spiritual meaning of religious texts.\n\nGod Help us All\n\nP.S. Atheists are NOT going to hell. God will show himself to them at the right time in a loving way.
358143
Not that i can really claim that i speak for God but one of the functions of having a set of laws could very well be to create a necesity for reconcilation. Until there are rules to be broken its hard to really know one is screwing things up isnt it?. Until people realize they are flawed and that they fall short it is a little bit more difficult to understand why exactly we need to change from the course we are on. Also its hard to realize that there may be something different (better?) out there for us. Its hard to understand that there is a God humanity may fall short of and thusly need in their lives without a set of Laws.
615488
I lost a loved one on christmas day, came home from church that day an dwas told that a loved one have just passed away. i was ticked off because I was at church during that time asking "god" to help this person out during their time of need. \nSince then my resentment for pray and god has grown. \nIn fact I had started to question the concept of god and religion more than ever and then after a few years have realized that god does not exist and that religion is used to exploit the ignorance of people.\n\nThings happen in life, people die whether by illness, accident, or other situations. What should matter is keeping their memories in your heart and never forgetting the good time that you have had with your loved one. But also cheerish their advice that was given to you. \n\nIf there was a god both my prayers and yours would have been answered by "god"
177249
It is the responsibility of everyone who is a believer to pray for those who govern over us. Th bible states that there is no authority in existence that is not placed there by God. There are multiple insights in how God works through government in the first and second book of Kings. It is important to have our trust in God since the outcome of our prayers "let it be thy will" will result in just that. The right decisions are not always aligned with our expectations and this is where we must increase in faith, by knowing that God is in Control and utilizes even evil acts by humans towards the good of those who trust in him.
248445
Look what others think about this and try to find a convincing solution.\nBut if u ask my opinion This whole system of orders cant be a coincidence.There must be a Creator. I looked to three big one  god religions The most convincing one for me was Islam. But as  I told no one can give you the answer you must find yourown.\nGoodLuck :)
638749
You've just pointed out the biggest contradiction in a belief in god.  Religious people answer this (it isn't really an answer) by usually saying, "we can't understand god's will" or some such response.  But the truth is, it's contradictory and illogical.  Same thing for prayer -- if god's got a plan and it's already all laid out, why bother to pray to him for anything, since he's apparently already decided if you'll get it or not? \n\nAnd, apparently, if god has a plan, then me not believing in him is all part of his plan, and I'm just fulfilling his wishes by not believing in him -- so christians, stop trying to convert me!\n\n:)
490777
I am a Christian now, but I am reading the Qur'an. a large book . The Message of THE QUR'AN so I may understand better.I pray for all people. I love all people. theres One God. one Spirit of God. and a soul in each of us. and many religions. in my fathers house or many mansions, theres a place for all who love and trust God and try to truly do Gods will by following the guidance of the Holy Spirit within them,May God continue to Bless you and care for you and guide you in the Spirit. and by the way, if most Islamic people were terrorists with the billions of followers we would all be dead.Peace, May some day there be Peace. I pray this in Gods holy name.Allah . Sugmod. whatever people wont to call the higher power which I call God.theres many names for God. I sure dont think he cares what name we call him.as long as we love him. and ask for his guidance.
113285
i would like to put aquestion in front of you\nmy question is do you believe in GOd?\n\nif yes , then please keep faith in him\nhe has never shut the doors of his heart for anyone who came to him for help\n\nplz pray to him, know him better because he is the only one who can understand you better\n\nand later in your life one day you may realize that this problem had come to you so that u could come closer to God as i have
299913
Everyone needs God. But God gave us a choice on who to serve. Him or Satan. People say God gives us free will, but not so. The inly will God gives us is His holy word. The Bible. That is the will for us. the devil doesn't have a will. Therefore whoever follows him will be doomed for eternal damnation. That's why it is important to hold to God and serve him. He is the only one who sticks closer than a friend, brother, mother, father, cousin, aunt, teacher or anybody else. He's there in the good times and the bad times. He'll never leave you or forsake you. God can\ndo more than what other man made gods can't do.
552557
YES,l believe God answers and listens to prayer,even when a person is doing something deliberately knowing that is wrong.The reason why some people's prayer are not answered is because first they don't believe in them self's, and they don't have faith.when you ask God 4 anything,you have to believe in what u have asked 4 and have faith that you will receive an answer.thought answers may not come immediately but that does not mean that u should give up.God heal all kinds of sickness,disease ,he is a great healer till today.God is not a man that promises and fails,God sees us ,and hear.All he needs from us is faith ,thanksgiving.patients,praises and u will see what he will do 4 u.even if something was done deliberately knowing that it was wrong,all u do is ask for forgiveness and promise not to do it again.one other reason why some people prayers are not answered is because they were not open minded, thinking they could play games with God which is not so.l absolutely believe that God answers prayers no matter were u are from or what type of sin as been committed .all God needs from you is FAITH,OPEN MIND,HONESTY,CONFESS YOUR SINS NO MATTER HOW BAD IT IS.MY GOD IS WILLING TO FORGIVE,GUIDE,AND ANSWER YOUR PRAYERS .JUST DO THESE AND I PROMISE U THAT THERE WILL BE GREAT CHANGES.AND ALSO BELIEVE THAT YOUR PRAYERS WILL BE ANSWERED.GOD BLESS YOU.
658702
I have to agree with you. I have argued with my mother in law on countless occasions about this. Everyone believes in something. I do believe there is a superior existence , I do not, however follow any specific religion. In any religion there is always some kind higher existence. There is no TRUE fact proven (in any religion) on what and or who is right. I find people tend to quote things from the bible but don't actually know what they're talking about. And to those who believe that everyone should have a faith, I do. I believe there is something, or someone who will show us our true religion, everyone, as a whole. I apologize if I have offended anyone. That was not my intention.
49512
AMEN!! \n\nThis is what is so confusing to me about religion. I do believe in God. But I question religion. If differing visions mean that we battle due to our beliefs, I want to do away with all religions (as if!!) and allow people to just "believe." Ok ok ok........so that's not going to happen. But you put it so perfectly. God would never torture or codemn us for our beliefs. Why do we do it to each other?? *sigh*
10934
By the time I read all of the answers I realized that my thoughts had pretty much been covered. So kudos to all above me!\n\nBut I do want to emphasize what Snehal has proposed. One world........no religions. I agree with the answer that said that religions have basic similarities but that man has chosen to use their religion inappropriately. Wars have been fought merely over "interpretations." People have died for believing differently. Lives have been controlled because of those reading religion as a misinterpreted call for power. People are told what to think and what not to think and are condemned for differing opinions. \n\nI'm sure right now someone reading this is shaking their head thinking, "She has no clue what she is talking about." If it would stop with that, all would be fine. We are all entitled to have our own opinions. It is when someone will write me slamming me for my beliefs and finding  a way to avenge my thoughts by blasting me somewhere that we realize this is symbolic of our world's problems. It's not just because of religion of course. Religion is the scapegoat. Man can blame his judgements of others on the fact that they belong to "the wrong" religion. If we didn't have religions..........we would all have to face what we really are without the use of the scapegoat. \n\nGod? Well I believe we have a higher order. Does he want religions killing and disagreeing? *cough* Think about what He would write if he answered this question. :)
128785
I believe God has an end goal for us. Either we arrive there as a result of our own choices, or God will help guide us there. \n\nYou're not alone - sometimes I think I'm not seeing it either! But praying keeps you close. Be familiar with God and His word, and you'll more quickly recognize anything that doesn't seem quite right. You can also pray for more obvious signs, but be careful! I've done that, and then the signs were sort of like getting slugged upside the head with a cast iron skillet! OUCH! But I got the message, loud and clear!
663163
Depending upon your opinion about what God can and cannot do for you--depending on your "religion and beliefs" you can answer that question any way you want. \n\nI would say, with what I have heard about what God does and doesn't DO for us, would be that God has given us free will.  He doesn't make things happen.   He has set out a path for us or possibly we have chosen it before we even came to Earth.  You could pray and wish all day, but if God gave the other person free will, they have the chance to choose whether or not to like you or not.  \n\nEver hear the song, "Unanswered Prayers" by Garth Brooks? look up the lyrics....  www.letssingit.com \n\nAlso, and not to be rude or anything, but don't you think, with your strong religious belief and being a religious person, that God, has better things to "solve" than making someone "like you"? \n\nNot that your needs are any less than those of the less fortuneate.  That is not what I am saying... but think about it.  If God would do that for you, that would help just one, possibly two, people.  If He would help solve some overseas issue, then He could help an entire community.  \n\nWhich is more sensible?  which makes more Godly sense?
300731
Humans have an innate longing for meaning and purpose. Then as life continues, the need for hope, importance, and worth grow and consume us. Religion fills those needs. But God is not a religion. There is a difference between following a religion and having a relationship with God. Religion will not give you what you need...only God can do that. But you have to discover that for yourself.
148336
i read what everyone else wrote and have one point to get across. muslims do help there own but unlike christians they don't help everyone out. christians don't try to force there religion on people by helping them out they simply help people around the world no matter what the race, country, personal beliefs or religion.\n\nand i did have help from nearby christians who did not care that i do not attend church or ever plan to. they helped me because they enjoy helping people and not due to expecting anything from it.