How I you overcome giult when converting to a new religion?

Question

Hi. Thinking of becoming a Hindu, but was raised a Xtian.. I grew up hearing that if you change another religion, you'll go to hell. a part of me doesnt beliebe this. I will be a hindu that still believes in Jesus. (and you can go that) But how do you get over feeling guilty, because the support isnt around you? I don't think it's god telling me not to either, so please, serious, non judgemental answers. you can be a hindu (because it is also a way of life) and believe in Jesus, God, ect.

Answer 1

When giving up any long held belief or behavior, there can be a sense of loss, grief, and guilt. This is just a part of the process of change. But change is not only a part of life, change is Life.

If your old belief system didn't bring you peace or help you to live in your world better than the new belief system, then how can clinging to the old system really be of any benefit to your emotional and spiritual well-being?

If you find that your new way of life makes you feel more comfortable as who you are, makes you perhaps even change for the better, and generally makes you a better person for yourself and for your world around you; then what else do you need?

Mourn the loss of your old way of life, then let it go. The butterfly does not weep for long the loss of the caterpillar. Life is ever moving forward. Celebrate finding a way of being and believing that helps you to grow more fully in the You-that-you-Are and the You-that-you-will-Become.

Answer 2

I appreciate your religious ambivalence and your desire to be at peace with your spirituality.

Your contention, however, that one "can be a Hindu and believe in Jesus, God, etc" shows that you haven't done enough research on your new religion. Hinduism _is_ a religion. It is approached as a "way of life" but nevertheless contains certain tenets which are fundamentally irreconcilable with Christian wisdom. Furthermore, it is futile to even speak of "Hinduism" as such -- there are thousands of different aspects of Hindu worship and you will have to find your unique devotion within Sanatana Dharma.

While you may have a yearning or a longing, this feeling, though valid, has not yet been well-enough developed by true religious knowledge. At this premature stage, an early decision might alienate you from both Christianity and from being a Hindu.

I recommend you continue reading books, asking questions of religious authorities, and praying until such time as your guilt is resolved.

Good luck!

Answer 3

Good question.
First, you need to understand that the Hindu does not accept Jesus (at least his teachings they don't accept).
It would be wise for you to, before you switch religions, compare the Hindi teachings of Jesus to the biblical teachings of Jesus. You will find that they reject him.

As you look at different religions keep in mind the fact that our emotions are unreliable. You really need to dig into the truth. Probably the best way to look at the truth is to look at who Jesus is, look at the resurrection, look at what Jesus did, and then go ahead and make your decision.

By the way, I speak from a lot of experience. I have served in countries with many Hindus. I have studied and taught world religious systems. By the way, don't get Christianity and following Jesus confused.

I really hope this helps you.

Answer 4

i can't answers this so objective, so I will skip my subjective part.

My most objective answer will be "if you feel guilty when you want to convert religion, that can means two thing:

1. Your current religion (before you convert) is already the right religion and your God (or gods) doesn't wanted you to convert, or

2. You are not ready to convert.

Because, as far as I know, in Christian, when people, who are in my context mostly my friends, repent (and maybe also converting from other religion) they don't ever having a guilty feeling, and also don't hesitate and don't having any second thought. And support from other people is not very necessary too, because lots of my friends who converted from other religion must have a hard "fights" from their environment - their parents, their friends, their brother sister, and such. But when I watching them, their spirit doesn't lessened - they are more and more enthusiasm day after day to follow their new religion.

For objective's sake, this is supposed to applied to other religion too. But I never converted to other religion, so I don't want to continue this because this will be my subjective part. =) including about can people live in other religion while in the same time believe in Jesus and such. That's very hard to be talked about.

Good luck in finding your path of life! God bless you. =)

NB: this is also objective: be beware that every path you choose had consequences. It's from the consequences that poeple tell if the path that one's choose is the right or false one. This is not different with other decision in our life. We decide to eat later, then we must receive the consequences that we will hungry for some mean time. We decide to make savings since we are child. So we are determined ourselves to take consequences that we will have some extra money in the future for our own good. =)

Answer 5

I've experienced this. It's sad when religious leaders tell you that you will go to hell for believing in something that's a bit different than what they believe. I think that is really about their need for control. You have to do what is right for you...if what you are doing is positive and life-affirming and suits your needs, how can it be wrong? Others may not understand, but they are not you - and everybody has to find their own path. What is workable for one person may not be for another. Follow you intuition. I think the guilt goes away over time...particularly when you see that your old path and teachers (and fellow devotees) don''t have to be completely rejected when you convert to a new religion (as you have realized). You can keep a place in your heart for them. I think that guilt is a natural part of the process of transition, and if you can accept that, it will diminish over time.

Answer 6

Well, for something, if you are going to transform to a brand new faith, you must most likely cross the entire approach--there is a change among a culture and a faith, and Hinduism is absolutely a faith in each experience of the phrase. Now, as to the guilt, it is practical. If you're doing the proper factor for your self, you do not believe guilt. I undoubtedly did not. I was once raised a Christian and transformed to Wicca, anything that is nearly thoroughly reverse, however to me Wicca is the faith that matches flawlessly. If you would not have that a few comfy feeling, the understanding that you are proper on this topic and that what you had been taught was once simply that--educating, now not notion--then you'll now not real convert and can most likely go back for your former faith finally. Sorry, however for those who suppose in Jesus and many others (and I notion it was once God you had been meant to suppose in, now not Jesus, however oh, good, I have not been a Christian in nearly ten years so goodness is aware of it would have transformed), you are not going to be something however Christian.

Answer 7

There should not be any guilt when you are deciding about converting to some new religion. If it is there, your conversion is not pure and true. I am a born muslim, i never thought about converting to any other religion nor i would do it ever. But if i was in place of you, i would have done it without any hesitation and feel of guilt. If you think that your new religion is better than your previous religion and it shall earn a better place and life after your death (the life after death), then go for it, no price is too big for that!

Answer 8

Hindus believe in Jesus, Buddha, and all other spiritual Masters. They do recognize their worth. I grew up in a Christian religion, did not like it. It did not feel right for me. I walked my own solidary path until I fell in love with Hinduism recently. It is such a beautiful religion that helped me get closer to God.

God is not judgmental. God is Love. It is yourself that judges you. Love and accept who you are unconditionally. You are fine the way you are. All rivers lead but to the same ocean. There is no wrong way, just the right path that feels right for your Soul.

Don't worry about things you cannot control such as people not agreeing to your religion. But this is your life, it is not their life. It is their problem, not yours. Don't let their unhappiness become your unhappiness. It is over something trivial. Be happy inside.

Hell is just a symbol for the ego not wanting to take responsiblity. It is ego that creates fears. It is all unreal.

Answer 9

plz dont worry,....hinduism doesnt support conversion...coz hinduism is sanatana dharma which means understanding the laws of nature,and that of life...

newtons law of gravitation is the same for hindus and christians..so says hinduism...reach god in anyway you like, religion is not just names..and sprinkling of holy water...

so you need not convert to hinduism coz

1. there is no conversion in hinduism..
2. the idea of converstion is a narrow minded concept..coz nature is the same to everyone...

hell is nothing but the guilt you are feeling for abandoning your religion...

just realize that religion doesnt mean, changing your life style..but realizing god....

you can do this by being a hindu or a christian or anything else..

they are just names

but god is one...

this way your guilt will go away...

Answer 10

what made you thinking of converting to other religion, if you have guilt it means that you know that in your heart you will be unfaithful to God and Hindu is not a religion as well, is only a practice according to you and you are just being brainwashed because in your heart you know of a God that is love and you know you won't find Him where you are planning to go...good luck and I hope you find what you are looking for and hopefully your search is over by now...