How do you PICK a religion?

Question

Is anyone else out there confused about religion? I grew up in the Jehovah Witness Religion. I went to that church from the time I was about 5 till I was about 16 yrs. old. My family stopped attending, for no real reason really. We just got busy with life. My mom still reads their literature and has faith in that religion. There are some things I do not agree with and for that matter do not consider myself to be a Jehovah Witness, but I do consider myself to be a Christian. Now that I've grown up (Im in my mid 20's) I'd like to start attending a church again, but I don't know which one. How do I research different religions without going to hundreds of churchs'? And is it right to just PICK a religion? How does one really know for sure that it's the RIGHT ONE and that it's the TRUTH?

Answer 1

While Jehovah's Witnesses may not be a popular choice, they have a real reputation for godiness and adherence to the bible. Consider researching your family's religion, comparing it with others regarding these few points:

(1) On what are its teachings based? Are they from God, or are they largely from men? (2 Tim. 3:16; Mark 7:7) Ask, for example: Where does the Bible teach that God is a Trinity? Where does it say that the human soul is immortal?

(2) Consider whether it is making known the name of God. Jesus said in prayer to God: “I have made your name manifest to the men you gave me out of the world.” (John 17:6) He declared: “It is Jehovah your God you must worship, and it is to him alone you must render sacred service.” (Matt. 4:10) Has your religion taught you that ‘it is Jehovah you must worship’? Have you come to know the Person identified by that name—his purposes, his activities, his qualities—so that you feel you can confidently draw close to him?

(3) Is true faith in Jesus Christ being demonstrated? This involves appreciation of the value of the sacrifice of Jesus’ human life and of his position today as heavenly King. (John 3:36; Ps. 2:6-8) Such appreciation is shown by obeying Jesus—sharing personally and zealously in the work that he assigned to his followers. True religion has such faith that is accompanied by works.—Jas. 2:26.

(4) Is it largely ritualistic, a formality, or is it a way of life? God strongly disapproves of religion that is merely a formalism. (Isa. 1:15-17) True religion upholds the Bible’s standard of morality and clean speech instead of weakly going along with popular trends. (1 Cor. 5:9-13; Eph. 5:3-5) Its members reflect the fruits of God’s spirit in their lives. (Gal. 5:22, 23) So, those who adhere to true worship can be identified because they sincerely endeavor to apply Bible standards in their lives not only at their places of meeting but in their family life, at their secular work, in school, and in recreation.

(5) Do its members truly love one another? Jesus said: “By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love among yourselves.” (John 13:35) Such love reaches across racial, social, and national boundaries, drawing people together in genuine brotherhood. So strong is this love that it sets them apart as being truly different. When the nations go to war, who have enough love for their Christian brothers in other lands that they refuse to take up arms and kill them? That is what early Christians did.

(6) Is it truly separate from the world? Jesus said that his true followers would be “no part of the world.” (John 15:19) To worship God in a manner that he approves requires that we keep ourselves “without spot from the world.” (Jas. 1:27) Can that be said of those whose clergy and other members are involved in politics, or whose lives are largely built around materialistic and fleshly desires?—1 John 2:15-17.

(7) Are its members active witnesses concerning God’s Kingdom? Jesus foretold: “This good news of the kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations; and then the end will come.” (Matt. 24:14) What religion is really proclaiming God’s Kingdom as the hope of mankind instead of encouraging people to look to human rulership to solve their problems? Has your religion equipped you to share in this activity, and to do it from house to house as Jesus taught his apostles to do?—Matt. 10:7, 11-13; Acts 5:42; 20:20.

Answer 2

Well Christianity is Christianity to many people. I personally like the Baptist faith, it's very common and not too strict or crazy. Protestant is another popular one but that's a little too traditional for me.

Well to anyone, their religion will be the right one so that's not a question you will get a straight answer for here. For Christians, in the Bible it tells you that Jesus is the bridge between you and God and you need him to be saved to spend the afterlife in heaven. And that's the truth to me. But to another that may not hold true.

Jehovah's Witnesses have a lot of beliefs that I find strange and don't agree with, or see any reason why they believe those things. Mormonism is that way too. I don't mean to pass judgment but that would be 2 religions I would stay away from. I believe that are not faith based.

Good luck with your decision. Visit a few different churches and the one that you like the best, God will put you there for His purpose. God bless.

Answer 3

I know your looking for a Christian answer, but I hope this helps. Picking the right religion is very important. You have to go with the one that makes the most sense to your conscience if your conscience is clear. Search all the religions and see which one is more realistic. I decided Shia Islam b/c of its prophesies in the Bible, Torah, Hindu religion and other places. I just recall one from the Bible ~ genesis And from the seed of Ishmael I will create a great nation and from him I will give 12 righteous descendants. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was the only prophet to claim to be from prophet Ishmael and he had 12 righteous descendants. In the Hindu scriptures of Sanskrit it is a prophet by the name of Muhammad will appear from the Paran Peninsula (Arabia). There are hundreds of other prophesies for example according to the banned Bible according to St. Barnabas, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) will come after prophet Jesus. Even in the current Bible it says Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as 'paraclytis' but of course you can not see it except in the original Bible in prophet Jesus' original language, Aramaic. So from logic, I just chose this but every one has their own journey they should go through, I guess. Just don't be the ones on judgment day when asked why did you not recognize the truth, and just say, this is how my parents raised me b/c our parents may not have been aware of certain knowledge. A couple of things don't connect is that if God is God, and He created all, why would He need a son? If I am good, why would I need any one to die for my sins, it is irresponsible. If prophet Jesus did not have a father and was of the spirit, so was prophet Adam and he didn't even have a mother. Prophet Jesus brought the dead to life by the will of God, so prophet Moses brought an inanimate object like a piece of wood into life; into a snake. Plus, the Holy Qur'an has never been changed in 1400 years and within it's texts it promises this and it can be proven. Every thing just makes logical sense. There is no theoretical, practical, philosophical, or scientific contradictories at all. I don't want to go on for ever, but it also seems the Muslims seem to respect prophet Jesus more. Jesus, Isa, is a very common Muslim name.

Answer 4

It's hard when there are so many different religions out there claiming to be the Truth. Personally, I am a Christian, but I don't call that a Religion at all. It's more of a relationship. Christianity is unique in that every other religion in the world is about man trying to make contact with God. Christianity is about God connecting with man.

Why don't you try checking out Not Religion and www.notreligion.com. It may help. :)

Answer 5

Picking a religion is not like picking a comfortable pair of shoes, you don't just pick the first one that is comfortable.

I find a lot of people pick their faiths based on the dumbest reasons. What kinds of song do they sing, what kinds of prayers do they pray, what are the holidays, what are restrictions. They pick a faith like they are trying to find a good deal on a used car.

The first step in picking a religious community to belong to is finding out what in your heart you believe independent of what other have told you.

After that you do have to do a lot of research, you may have to go to a hundred Churches or read a thousand books to find a faith that best suits you. It may seem like a lot of work but it's more important then any other job you have ever had, this is your soul that we are talking about.

Answer 6

You can't "pick" a religion until you have a belief system.
Religion is just a way of connecting with others who share some of your beliefs. And, of course, receiving guidance from someone who's insight you value-because of your shared beliefs; and possibly common goals.
As long as you have a belief system and are at peace with it, any religion (that doesn't offend you aesthetically) will suffice.

You'll probably need about 5-10 years to learn about yourself and the world around you.
If you are looking for absolute truth and have a need to be correct, don't even bother.

Answer 7

first i would begin your journey with a prayer, Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to where you need to go, i would do some research on line into the basic beliefs of each church and go to the one that the Spirit leads you to. Usually it only takes one visit to know if a church is right for you. Always follow you instances. Happy hunting, so glad you are in the search, always seek the face of the heavenly father, and many blessings to you along your way.

Answer 8

achtung_heiss Said it all quite clearly. There is no other religion that can live up to the scriptures he stated.
Just do not expect perfect people - since perfect people do not exist.
The doctrines, morality, hope, truthfulness, non-violence - every other aspect is - clearly far surpassing any other. They have the truth.