Please help I'm beginning to doubt my own religion?
927280
Hun the bible is full of contradictions and pretty much the entire bible is full of lies....Im not trying to take away your beliefs but you really need to educate yourself on the truth. Remember.....people of all different religions have faith just like you do...but are they right? are you right? Who can tell....if you want to talk more just feel free to email me. And please....don't believe everything you read in the bible...remember its just a book. Do you believe in Allah? or Zeus? or buddah? NO? there are books about them too.
299489
Of course when you ask a question like this you are going to get mixed answers from believers and non-believers.  Believing in God is a conscious choice. You either decide He is, and conform your life to that belief, or you chose not to believe and act accordingly.  DO NOT let anyone else make that decision for you!!!  Believing in Almighty God is a step of faith; God is beyond our comprehension.  We cannot even begin to understand His thinking or His "ways" because we have nothing to compare Him with.  That is why it takes faith.  \n\nI suggest you pray and ask God, with all your heart, to reveal "truth" to you; pick up your Bible and read.  This is how you "Seek" truth.  If you seek Him; you will find Him!\n\nBe careful you do not let the devil into your mind!  By asking a question like this you are inviting input from the spirit of the anti-christ.  You are spiritually vulnerable right now.  The Bible tells us to "guard your hearts and minds".  Input from non-believers is going to add to your confusion!  Surround yourself with believers and when you come into unity with them; you will see the manifest power of God.  First comes the believing (faith), then comes the seeing!  You won't see God until you believe He's there!  We take the first step then He keeps feeding our faith to grow it stronger by showing Himself in many ways.  \n\nIf you don't look for Him you won't find Him.  But that doesn't mean He's not there!!!  Just like those who chose not to believe in God, doesn't mean He's not real.  They just chose not to believe in Him!  \n\nI am believing for you.  You will find out that God is real and you will become a powerful witness to His Glory!!!
1044483
Maybe you should get a Bible and read a little bit and decide for yourself. You have to believe. Think of all the things in the world that are not man made, where do you think all of it comes from? we did not create the mountains, oceans, trees, animals, rocks, rivers and much much more beautiful things that GOD himself has giving us. All he wants is for all of us to love one another and take care of each other. So of course he is real. I have faith that God will find you one day and let you see his light, love and glory. Believe me you will be amazed at the things our Father can make us feel. When you find him I hope you look back on this and say WOW!!!
128102
Your question strikes at the very heart of religious debate in the world.  And the answer always seems biased.  First of all, you should really desire to know the answer to this question, not just expect it to be handed to you on a silver platter.  So instead of giving what I think is the correct religion, here are some pointers in your search: Beware of religions who will tell you what you should believe without suggesting to you to find out for yourself, in other words, inquire of God. \nDon't look for a religion that fits your needs, but one that aligns you with the will of God, again this is a religion that suggests that you ask from God. \nFinally, follow your feelings and beware of religions that say that you can't trust your feelings, for God speaks by feelings.\nOne last point, if you don't believe that the correct religion has a supreme being, then all of religion is essentially pointless.
134195
i am in a similar situation.  I want to understand what is out there.  how others believe and all of that.  I have been doing alot of reading.  Looking stuff up on the net. Asking people questions.  I am at a point where I want to go to places and see what they do what they go through.  I want to see what they see and try to feel why they do.  I want to know why they believe in what they believe in.  Dont be afraid to search and ask.  You might get slack for it.  Ppl tellin you its not necessary. (i have gotten that.  they say this is the faith theres no need for all this)  It isnt their journey, its yours.  If there is anything in particular you are curious about.  start there.  And as you go your search will guild itself. And most of all listen to your heart.  if your search leads you some where and your heart and soul are ok with it, stick with it.  if your soul or heart says stay clear then listen to it.  Thats what the journeys all about.
304040
This all total crap. Overcome your conditioning and recognise that you have been brainwashed.\n\nDon't you think that if there was a God then after 2000 years and more we'd have just a bit of evidence? By evidence I mean something objectively measurable - not the mumbo-jumbo circumstantial stuff spouted by the Bible-bashers.\n\nWake up and get a life.
1187774
You are no different from an atheist. Hanging your believe on mere iron with the suppossed inage of Jesus. He warned you against imaging.\nIf you are truly sincere about God, go search deeper.
986951
Sweetheart, the truth is that no matter how you handle the situation, it will be a little hard for your parents to take. Be honest with them in a proper setting. Sit them down privately and explain your truth to them. But make sure that you have all of your facts straight first because they will have many questions that you will have to answer as sensitively as possible. Also, explain clearly why you don't believe in the Christian way of thinking. They will be hurt, but they are still your parents and will love you no matter what (hopefully). Furthermore, only bring up that you are agnostic if and only if you are absolutely sure that is your true way of thinking.
128378
Perhaps you need to stop praying at God and surrender to God. Your attitude clearly shows that you feel you are the god of your life and are unwilling to even consider who the one True God really is and what He might want for your life. Try saying this prayer from your heart and out loud.\n\nDear God I have struggled with who you are and why you have not done as I have asked and begged for you to do for so long. Where have I gone wrong God? What is it you want from me? I mean I admit I am a sinner you already know that. Why then won't you do what I ask......Oh I see that would make me God and I have been telling you the Creator of all things what you should and shouldn't do. Please forgive me Dear God. Help me Dear God to understand. I can't do this anymore and I now surrender to my Creator. Dear God i accept your Son's death on the cross as payment for all my sins. I accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I give you my life from this day forward. Please send the gift of the Holy Spirit to live within me from this day forward to comfort me and Guide me all the days of my life. I thank you for all you have already done for me Dear Jesus and I ask you to help me to understand what you want me to do with my life and why I have gone through so much. I accept the Holy Trinity, there Persons yet only one true God. In the Holy name of my lord and Savior Jesus Christ I pray all this and accept you now in faith, Amen
1079982
Once I was asked “Have you found Jesus?” I replied “Damn? You guys just keeping losing him” (and probably your faith as well). And while I appreciate your thought and intent the answer is “No Thanks”.  I am pleased that you have found a path but with all due respect, do not try to drag others along! (Usually kicking and screaming).  Make you a deal! I’ll attend a service with you if you attend one with me! Neither will probably convert but I’ve seen yours before. You attending mine may uplift you and at least give you a different perspective.
315079
I did have a similar situation and I left that religion. If you truely believe in something you will not have issues with it, like you said here that you have issues you can't resolve. If you truely believe in something you can't take part and leave another part.\n\nYou said everytime you hear them speak of the church you know it is true. You need to know it is true though it beliefs and teachings not what other people say about a church. What people say and do, don't make something true. Thats one of the reasons I left Christianty.\n\nLook inside your heart. Does it really all make sence, does it really seem like the truth. If you do this and it does then you should not have any issues. If you still have issues maybe it is not as true as you feel it is.\n\nPray to God, any only God. Ask him to guide you to the truth. God willing he will lead you to the one true faith.
615831
FOLKS, LISTEN UP!!!!\n\nThere are 10,000 religions practiced on Earth today!!!  TEN THOUSAND!!!  You would "die" for your beliefs in just ONE of them?  Have you even studied any of the others?  What if you got it WRONG?  What if you're dying for the WRONG belief system.  Can you really say, TRULY, that you've studied all of the belief systems and that yours is THE ONE?\n\nMy goodness, there are almost 34,000 DENOMINATIONS OF CHRISTIANITY!!!  Have you studied ALL OF THEM?  It would be a shame to lose your life over one belief system out of TENS OF THOUSANDS...when you've only studied one.  It's like saying, "Carrots are the one true vegetable!", when there are thousands of vegetables, and you've only eaten one.  I would invite you to go back to the "religious salad bar" and eat from more than one tray.  Then, you get to pick from experience, not from blind acceptance.\n\nI wish you Peace.
242653
"FIND YOURSELF" it took a while but I did it and I recommend it to anyone.  Forget what the church says, organized religion in the modern day is little more than corrupt brainwashing.  For once, follow your hearts.  Form your own oppinions because your mind and heart say it is right, not because a man of God tell you to think that way.  If you find that with no persuassion you still seek out God or whoever, than that is your way, but if you find you stray from their teachings, than perhaps you need something more than they could offer you.  None are right, none are wrong, you cannot prove otherwise and arguing is pointless.  Let God make the arguments and choose the rightcheous.
1071194
You've got theology, and then you've got religion.  Are you searching for a religion or a theology?  Do you want a set of guidelines to follow, or do you feel a need to worship?\n\nIf the former, check into Buddhism's nine-fold path.  Far superior to the ten commandments, they are all anyone needs to live a good life.\n\nIf the latter, sit down and decide what you believe in.  There are websites that will rate your answers to questions and tell you where you fit in.\n\nOr how about simply believing what you believe, and doing what you feel is right, and not mucking that up with organized religion?  There's no reason you can't worship your conception of god all by yourself.  If you're looking to connect with others who feel as you do....that may not be possible.  Just be yourself!
21246
Remember that there will always be people or messages that will challenge your beliefs.  If you believe God and in his only Son Jesus Christ in your heart, then nothing or no one can change that.  Don't let them doubt yourself, or even make you angry.  Try to show them how what you believe has affected you, but don't get in a fight.  Most of all, don't let anyone make you doubt your faith.
1132925
The best advice I will give is to live your Christian life openly. Don't be judgemental or intolerant. As my youth pastor used to say "you may be the only Bible some people ever read." So keep that in mind as you go about your day. Stay focused on practicing your religion. Take the time to listen to your family members about what they believe and how they experience God. Just listen. There is a great value to listening, so many people forget that. A lot of people have more respect for people who take the time to listen and get to know what they believe. If you don't understand something they are saying, it is okay to ask for clarification, but don't judge or put down their beliefs. Just listen. Keep doing this. Eventually they'll start to ask you what you believe if they're curious. If they've been watching you and how you live and go about your life, they may start to get curious. When beginning to start to tell them what you believe (when they ask...remember no one likes to have someone tell them information they haven't asked for) make sure you make it clear that this is what you believe. What I mean is, don't make references to what they believe. Just state what you believe. This keeps you from showing signs of intolerance, disrespect, or that you are judgemental. Continue to take the time to listen to them. Ask them about their beliefs, why they believe it. Ask them about their spiritual experiences. That sounds odd, but all of us have them in some form or another. Sometimes we can explain them through our religion, and sometimes we cannot. You are getting personal with them and building trust between them and yourself. Be willing to answer questions about yourself, but never feel like you have to defend your believes or offend others. If all goes well, they will start to inquire more and more, they may start to go to church with you, they may want to read the Bible and that will open even more questions for you to answer from them. Don't always be so quick to answer questions. Sometimes you'll be asked questions that if you answer right away you might later regret answering the way you did. If you feel like you need more time to ponder a question, be honest and let them know that you'd like to think of how to give the best possible answer to their question. Most people will be understanding. DO NOT GET INTO RELIGIOUS ARGUMENTS. I can't stress this enough. Most religious arguments are not actually about spirituality, they are about ego. Be strong enough to step away from them.\n\nThis is my advice to you as a former Christian missionary turned Hindu (coincidently). What I have told you I have found to be much more effective at helping people in their spiritual life and helping them look more closely at what they actually believe. As a Christian I'll admit that I did get into trouble with my church who was more interested in gaining more members for revenue than it was about truly helping people spiritually (I took the words of a pastor there to heart when he said that "a hospital is a place where people go when their physical bodies are sick to get treatment, a church is a place where people go when their spiritual bodies are sick to get treatment.") I also still am friends with a great many Christians. They are all very tolerant and respectful of other people's beliefs. It is not that they do not want to 'save' people, they just have realized that being judgement, intolerant, and condemning people or even trying to provoke fear in them doesn't really seem to very effective. Respect, patience, and tolerance seem to work a lot better (remember tolerance means that you acknowledge their religious beliefs, it does not mean that you accept them).\n\nAnd most importantly, pray for your family. Be thankful for them, but also ask Christ to help you. Take time to not just pray in the sense that you do all the talking, but also take time to sit
119244
Maybe instead of worrying about a particular religion, you should focus on a relationship with God, and let him lead you.  Don't get me wrong, i belong to a church, but i study the bible and ask questions and follow my heart.  Go to several, and find a place where you fit in.  Personally, i think "religion"  is man-made most of the time (men's rules, not God's).  Best bet is to read the bible, get one that has modern language if the king james is too hard to follow....good luck, sugar...