See details before answering. What should I believe?

Question

I don't know what to believe anymore & it's driving me crazy. What is the TRUE religion? IS there a true religion? I feel the need to believe in SOMETHING, but the "people of the book" (Jews, Christians, Muslims) have caused more death & destruction throughout history than anyone else. I know of all the other "world" religions & the lesser religions (wicca, etc). Please do not answer in an attempt to convert me. Don't just tell me I need Jesus, etc. I need real answers. Please answer in detail.

Answer 1

follow your heart, look to the spirits of the earth make up your own mind then and only then will you know the truth as you see it. good luck in you adventure, it is not an overnight happening.

Answer 2

Only you can answer. It's in your heart. Remember: The Past is The Past. You shouldn't let the past hinder you spirituality today. Yes, "people of the book" have caused more death and destruction throughout history than anyone else, but there has been many that have died For the Bible also. A time in history it was against the law to believe in God or own a Bible. I will simply remind you to look into your heart, why did you start this path to religion? Read the Bible, talk to someone (in person, not online). Honestly, there is no one true religion. Everyone will tell you "this is the only true religion" but, no, God spread man across the globe, then he changed a lot of mans languages so there would be variety around the world. This is true in religion also, thats why when you drive down the road you see several different churches of different faiths, ONE GOD, MANY DIFFERENT WAYS TO WORSHIP.

Answer 3

First off, Muslims will get "fighting mad" at being called people of the book. That is a word that they call Christians and Jews and it is not a compliment.

Death and destruction is a fact of life on this earth, and no matter what you choose to believe with the Free will given to you, this fact will not go away.

If you decide that you want a belief system of complete love and tolerance, you will find that you cannot live this way any more than you could live a life of just death and destruction.

Choose with facts and match them up with your heart. Believe no one mans opinion about the world or even just your own opinion for that matter.

You did not create yourself, and no person created you either. So, given this fact, figure out who created you and why you were created . Your creator is the one you should believe in , worship and give all glory to (for the good and the bad).

This fact of your creation will not all be pretty, no matter how much we would wish it to be. Our own lives are not all good, no matter how much we wish them to be.

Not "trying to convert", but trying to instill knowledge. Please read and re read the bible. If for no other reason than learning history from the source, and then the new testament for the covenent that we are now living in. Please read the Quran, you will find that it reads like a storybook and novel, not like the living word as the bible does.

If you choose to read the book of Mormon or the watch tower, please read the bible first, so that you can compare. You will find in these books and magazines that they are simply the bible rewritten to adhere to another mans wish that the bible would have been. Not what it is.

Answer 4

I see why you would be lost and I totally understand. I was like that. Everyone claims that they are going to warfare in God's name. Like the crusades or today's extreme Muslim groups. It's totally wrong. The Roman Catholic Church supported Hitler during his power!!!! The ongoing war between Ireland's protestants and catholics. The conflict between Pakistan and India due to religion. Lebanon's civil war! It's all crazy. In a world with this much violence makes a person doubt the existence of God.

But according to Jesus Christ, a true Christian "is no part of the world" John 17:16 They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world. This doesn't mean denial of existance in this world, but it means that you don't participate in wars, it means that you remain neutral no matter what. This is an important quality of a true Christian.

I don't want you to think that I'm converting you to anything, but during Hitler's reign, Jehovah's Witnesses were persecuted and killed even before the Jews for their refusal to salute to Hitler, refusal to support the National Socialist Party, or to participate in military activities. This neutrality to war caused many witnesses to be killed or prisoned in the Nazi camps. The main idea for this neutrality is a scripture from the Bible in Acts 5:29 which reads: "We must obey God as ruler rather than men."

You can read about this persecution by the Nazis here: http://www.watchtower.org/library/g/1998/7/8/article_01.htm

A lot of people still persecture Jehovah's Witnesses today, and if I were you, I wouldn't let any of that get to my head. Don't judge a book by its cover. Look at its content and then decide for yourself, don't let people mold your way of thinking. Check out a local Kingdom Hall [the place where JW meet] for yourself, and I am positive that you will like it.

There is more on this website: http://www.watchtower.org

Answer 5

Boy...reading the crap some people try to lay on you. Most of the coneheads responding to your question have no clue. The important issue here is what YOU beleive is the truth. Religion is a practice of dogma and ritual and leaves most people cold, wanting, and discouraged. The reason for that is religion, in itself, is manmade. Relationship with God through Christ is where you will find what you are really looking for. I hope you will find someone, whom you trust, to lead you on the correct path by living example.

Answer 6

Dear J, I understand this anguish of yours. I have myself gone through it some time ago and do understand how empty one feels without a foundation for soul. We as humans are too vulnerable and experience such devastating events in our lives which deny and defy every logic and law. Technology helps us only in shortening the distances physically and lengthening them emotionally. We are drifting away from each other and getting magnetized to the gadgets around us. This basic vulnerability is what makes us wish and crave for that something you have very correctly described in your question.
For a supreme being to whom we can submit and relate at the same time we need something far above any flesh and blood. We notice flesh and blood getting rotten, converting and decomposing into molecular compounds. Our mind and thoughts revolt against such a diety. The concept of oneness is to me, very important. There has to be just one supreme being who has created this vast uinverse, because otherwise I have wondered if a small cell phone needs so much intellect to get conceived and invented its against logic that this compicated universe with so much diversity came into being without a purpose. So second thing I found was that there has to be a purpose for that divinity and that purpose has to be knowledgable. Human mind can't accept things which are at random. I found out that if I believe in one god who is omnipotent, omnipresent and is not begotten himself nor has begotten any children can be the entity whom my soul and mind would submit to in awe and in being humble I would find my foundation. But I needed that God to be all knowing as well. An ignorant from suffering diety or a cruel diety is not what I could believe in. So many questions remain unanswered. I also found out that I can probably never have the whole divine truth withing my grasp because my mind and senses are limited and its self contradictory if I want that diety to be completey within the grasp of my limited knowledge. I also wanted a God and a belief system which abhores violence but who has the ultimate destiny in his hand otherwise how could I justify that Adolf Hitler and Stalin or a common rapist and killer would meet the same fate as an innocent victim of terror or torture. This took me many years, many disillusions but I guess I did find something which as I said is nearer to finding that "something" whose absence is rightly making you feel empty. This indeed is the journey of a soul and a lifetime and I wish you find peace and real faith in this world so filled with hatred and violence. May I suggest that among the three major religions, Christianity, Judaism, and Islam no scriptures command its followers to indulge in war and killing its us humans who have become intolerant and remember that 100 years's war between France and England or the two World Wars where faith didnt incite us to kill. Its essentially our own evil.
Good luck Julie.

Answer 7

Religion is the practice of supposing something is true when in fact there is no evidence for it. If there was evidence, it would not require faith. You should believe whatever benefits you. You are in control. "God" is in control only if you decide to put him in control. The simple fact is "god" was created by man.

Some religions are truly evil, such as the one that teaches to cut off the heads of non-believers. I'll bet you can guess what religion I'm referring to here. The different religions are NOT all different paths to the same goal, as the uneducated and simple minded might suppose.

Answer 8

That has got to be one of the best, most well thought out, sane questions I've seen on here...

As the daughter of a Congregational minister, I grew up in "the church". I can quote scripture better than most Christinas I know, & can analyze/dissect/discuss/dispute it as well as any self-proclaimed theologian...

Fact is, organized religion leaves me dry.

My senior year in high school, I wrote a term paper on this very topic. "Religion vs. Spirituality" Doing research, I found that all 'religions' (barring the obviious, ov course...) pretty much have the same ideals, & goals.

Be kind, don't kill, cheat, steal, etc. I don't care if you call it the Ten Commandments, or the Eight-Fold Path...it's all pretty much leading to the same thing.

My Pops left "the church" after 30+ years, cuz he got tired of the Trustees & Deacons fighting over who gets to sit in the front pews!! LOL!

It was a struggle for me, trying to battle alcoholism, cuz in AA, they talk about your "Higher Power". I didn't really have one...but then I came across a poem that I used to love, but had forgotten about.
Maybe it can help you decide about what to believe...



Desiderata

Go placidly amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexations to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain and bitter;
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals;
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially, do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.

You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be,
and whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, Desiderata, Copyright 1952.

Answer 9

The Judaism Christianity and Islam do not promote killings wars and distructions. These religions are used by very smart political and religious scholars for their own agendas.

What you believe is your personal choice? Study and chose one which you find appropriate.

Answer 10

the recent testomony did no longer exist as a collective physique of textual content textile till the tip of the 4th Century. the guy letters and different writings that could desire to ultimately develop into the recent testomony have been handed around from one interior sight church to a various, as have been many different texts, and those interior sight church homes took great pains to be sure that the writing of the apostles weren't replaced in any way. it extremely is basically dazzling how some "Christians" arise with those weird and wonderful claims that the international's maximum efficient biblical historians on no account heard of.

Answer 11

Islam is a true and simple religion that will guide you in a correct path. There are no intermedaries between you and God. You will make your life healthier by not drinking alcohol or gambling.

Islam will put peace inside you, and you must not base yourself totally on the Qur'an to be a true muslim. Follow what God tells you inside you, not like Jews, that have to do everything that is written for them.

To convert to Islam. You must say the shahada:"I witness that there is nobody to be worshiped but God, and that Mohammed is his last prophet". You must do so in arabic and with a witness to become muslim.

Still, follow what you think is best, I hope you choose Islam.