From your heart, why do you believe, don’t believe, or just don’t know what to believe?

Question

There’s no doubt at all our world is troubled, there are huge clashes between the various religious beliefs, and those who oppose all such beliefs. Even within the same major religious group (eg Protestants and Catholics, Sunnis and Shiites) there are violent clashes. History shows that religion is extremely provocative, and those who disregard religion are just as offended or offensive.

So for a moment, forget everything you have been taught, forget every reference book, in fact forget everything that anyone else has ever influenced you with.

From your heart, in just a few of your own genuine words, why do you believe in whatever religion you follow, or why do you not believe in any religion at all, or why you sit on the fence and don’t know what to believe or not.

Answer 1

i'm one who sits on the fence not knowing what to believe...it like, if u think about it, one religion says this and another says that (which is like the opposite of the first) it makes no sense whatsoever. what's true and what's not? personally i dont really let a religion take over my life, how i run my life is my decision, and only mine...i am actually catholic but dont practice it (i had my baptism as a baby but really dont think i had much of a choice there) ppl are so into their religion that they will not do something just b/c of it (even though they want to do it) for example the whole fasting thing...why are u not going to eat just b/c it is ur religion...what are they trying to prove...i have nothing against these ppl, if they feel they need to fast then by all means go ahead, i wont think them less of a human being for doing so...i just dont see what the purpose is...and that's just one thing!

Answer 2

Religion is a highly sensitive topic for discussion. I admire your courage to post such question.
Ever wonder why are there so many versions of teachings within the same religion? Who can be 100% sure that the teachings that was being taught is from the original source or carries the original meanings.
Now, think about it. Who are the ones doing the preaching? HUMANS! Humans are NOT perfect!
What is the life span of human under normal circumstances? About 80? And religion has thousands of years in history or even back in BC.
Under a same phrase, people may interpret it differently or understand it differently. Can you be very sure that there won't be deviations? Eg. When someone says I love you. What comes into your mind? What comes into other people's mind? What comes into the mind of the person who said these words?
Some people make use of religion to instigate undesirable act. As you can see for yourself, the massive suicide in Japan and religion clashes in Indonesia, etc.
So, whatever religion you are in. The most important is to digest what was being preach.
At the bottom line, I believe the origins of all religion is to teach people to do good deeds. If you feel unconfortable in some of the teachings. Congratulations!!! You are using your brain to ponder.

Answer 3

Im Catholic, and i cant talk about other religions since i really dont know them well, so if i say any comment will be without any bases and that is not fair.

As a Catholic i think is my duty to be in peace with my family and friends and all my community, not to judge and being honest. To love, not to make war. To see a Jesus in each of every one of us. To love the rest of the people as God love us.

Its not easy but true love is not easy. Being understanding and tolerance is not easy but i believe God is understanding and tolerance with us.

You said that there are huge clashes between the various religious beliefs, even violent ones. But i have noticed that sometimes those who dont believe or dont have a faith sometimes are even more aggressive towards the people who have a faiht, u can see that one of the person who gives u an answer just said idiots and morons to the people who have a faith.

Answer 4

I'm on the fence with this subject. I was baptized catholic, but so many things that they do or have done has put me off. I believe their is a greater force, whether it be GOD or something extra terrestrial. I don't believe in the bible, IMHO it was written by a bunch of drunk guys over a long period of time. I know there has to be something greater than ourselves, I just don't know what it is. My hubby is a Jehovah's Witness, and I don't like what they have to say either. I haven't really checked into any other religions.
I personally think that if you are a good person, that's all that matters.
Sometimes I think I may beleive in the after-life and reincarnation.
LIke I said, I am VERY on the fence with this subject.
Thanks for asking this question.

Answer 5

Religion is the number 1 cause for war. But here is my belief. I believe in the holy father. What I dont believe is that it takes the form of a person. Im sick of hearing people thinking of God as a human male. God is not a certain Sex, nor does he take a physical form to look like one. God is the word of belief. Belief is what drives us to do any action. To eat, to get up in the morning, to accomplish big tasks in life. Belief is what drives us to do what we do. I also have a few issues with every religion. First and formost. Every religion has differences which they cannot agree on. For instance, the true date of Jesus's Birth. This is insignificant it does not matter when he was born. what matters is what he did for his people. Jesus was not about healing hurting bodies. He was about hope. Hope that people would realize they do not stand alone when overthrowing rule. He died for that purpose, which is the same reason that father had brought him back from the dead. To show them that even Death could be overcome. So again my belief is that belief is what is important. To believe that you can be better than what you are, and help others see that just as you do. To help them accomplish things they did not think they could do. In a sense it is the same role that Jesus himself was doing.

Answer 6

I like this one. I don't believe in God. It just doesn't sit well with me. I've seen what havoc religion can raise, so I've decided to avoid it at all costs. I could have chosen a personal faith, but it doesn't fit with me. I see God as an easy way to rationalize what we do not yet understand as well as reassurance for the future, reassurance that could be very misleading. I don't know if there is an afterlife, but I know there's a life. And I will live it by my terms. Even if there is a God and an afterlife, life would be a gift, right? Why shouldn't we live it to get the most out of it by our standards, as long as we don't try to impede others' quest for the same.

I guess I could see myself living as a lax Deist if it weren't for the fact that I really don't believe in God.

Answer 7

God came to me in an amazing and personal way over thirty years ago. In one moment He changed my life completely. I walked in a staunch non-believer that night in December of 1975 and walked out a very confused but absolutely convinced believer. A few nights later I received the gift of the Holy Ghost just a described in the Book of Acts. I didn't go there looking for God, He called me
Since that night so long ago I have seen God do things that cannot be described. I have heard and seen things that I cannot tell and I have felt things in my spirit that make me know without any doubt that our time here is short. So very short. He's shown me things that He's required me to lay down and things that I'll have to endure for the rest of my life. He's answered prayers in ways that make me know He stands at my side continually. He hears my every whisper, He holds me when I have no one else, He gives me tears of joy, He knows the desires of my heart, He has given me all things I've ever needed. He is alive and here and caring. And He allows us to connect with others whom we would never have known if not for Him.

He is so real. More real than the world imagines.
Thank you for this question.

Answer 8

For me it started as a child when i heard the story of Noah and the Ark....ever since Ive felt the tug at my heart....my life has been a trying one....i practically raised my self from about 10yrs old and on....Ive been through 70s and 80s drug seen and running with the gangs....as a teenager and living on the streets....Ive lost many friends to death and suicide...and many friends to prison for very bad things....and Ive faced death several times....Ive even seen into the eyes of a person as he shot another person....my best friend....and as he laid on the floor i screamed for God....and we prayed for him...and he lived....after being between the eyes it was truly a miracle that he lived....and even after that my life continued to struggle with the tug on my heart....after that with yrs of marriage and my wife committing adultery...i had to start my life over once again....Ive always known that God is watching....and Jesus has always been there...cause I'm still alive and i have two beautiful children...Yes God is real and so is Jesus...and so is Faith and hope...even though life seems unfair at times i know its a test of my will and faith to continue the best i can....theirs much more but for this....this is why i believe....

Answer 9

This is a damn good question! And since I'm sure I'm the only person in america that has actually questioned my own actions. I will answer. I believe in nothing, yet I accept all possibilitys. Every religeon is just a possibility. Yet idiots just accept it as truth. We dont know the truth. So we should just accept all possibilitys. But, more importantly. We should follow our own possibilitys! STOP GROUP THINKING AND THINK FOR YOURSELF, YOU IDIOTS! Come up with your own ****, and stop relying on others thoughts.

Answer 10

Having my children convinced me that there is the Christian God. They have impressed upon me that the unique and beautiful individuality of their souls could only be hand crafted, and I can see into the eyes of my heavenly father, and why He wants me to live by His Commandments, because I know that if my children lived by those guidelines their lives would be so much easier. The kind of love that I feel for my children is love that goes beyond just protective instincts. It is love that I feel surge through my soul, and it is soo deep that my heart can barely contain it.