I believe in God but I think that every religion is flawed in one way or another. What should I do?

Question

I don't feel there is a true "religion" out there. I believe in the bible, God, and Jesus as God's son. However, every religion is filled with beliefs and/or practices that do not seem right to me. I'm not trying to bash anyone else's beliefs, just trying to work through my own.

JackBauer- It just feels strange not being part of a religion I guess. Does God accept that? It's hard to say.

nf2peh47k...- I have problems with that religion too.

Answer 1

An intellectually honest person doesn't subscribe to a package of beliefs developed by other people. Figure out what makes sense to you one concept at a time and believe in that. Later, if a more reasonable explanation comes to light, revise your belief accordingly. But use your senses and your intellect to make these determinations. Dogmatic doctrine is mere propaganda and was developed to control people. Locking yourself into an unchanging faith in 1 explanation of things is intellectual suicide. By adhering to doctrine you are submitting your life to the control of long-dead authors who may have had some insight into morality and philosophy, but who are hardly divine. Be a thinker. Study philosophy and various world religions. It will open your mind rather than closing it. I was thrilled to discover in a college religion class that Buddhism is almost perfectly aligned with my previously developed beliefs. You'd be surprised what amazing ideas are out there if you don't get locked into a Christian (or any other religion's) box and shut out the rest of the world.

Answer 2

Could you hold God close to your heart, think about spirituality, and live your life in a good way? That always seems to be the best. It can be a very personal thing. I come from a religion that claims to be this big truth. Everyone else is going to die in armageddon. A lot of people in the church, I felt, were just going through the motions. You can know that bible from back to front, it doesn't make you a better person. Besides, many religions were started by one person or a small group, they just caught on really big. Thats why they can claim to be the truth.

Answer 3

I'm a Pentecostal and am part of the Foursquare denomination. I also believe in the Bible, God and Jesus as God's son and I don't believe my denomination's perfect ... I've read some strange things about the lady who started the denomination which may or may not be true. However, I don't worship my denomination, and I consider myself a Christian first (rather than a member of the Foursquare church) I go to my church because I believe it has solid Bible-based teachings and because I feel the presence of the Holy Ghost when I'm there. I think it would be a shame to not be part of a church and I don't know if there's any that have a perfect history ... however, I do believe that God is perfect and going to church is how I learn about Him and feel closer to Him.

Answer 4

I feel that you don't know what is religion and you have no criteria to tell what is a true religion. Otherwise, you don't appear so vague in your belief about God.
I propose that you think about the following quotation, and if you really interest in looking for a true religion, you should spend some time to read the Holy Scriptures which are available at the Gutenberg Project:

"Bahá'u'lláh taught, that Religion is the chief foundation of Love and Unity and the cause of Oneness. If a religion become the cause of hatred and disharmony, it would be better that it should not exist. To be without such a religion is better than to be with it."
(Abdu'l-Baha, Abdu'l-Baha in London, p. 28)

Answer 5

Hello!! :o) Every religion is flawed because every man is flawed. And every religion was created by man. The ideal Christian church is one that embraces the fact that each member of that church is TRYING to follow Christ the best way he can. But fully accepts that no man IS following Christ. For if he was [or if he could] he would be without sin. And God tells us that NO man is without sin. The most righteous of man is STILL a sinner. Nothing [and that includes a religion] is EVER going to be perfect. We have to appreciate what WE think is OK and tolerate what we find offensive. Which is [basically] the same advice I'd give to someone who was having a problem finding the 'perfect' bowling team to join. Craig!! :o)

Answer 6

The religions given by God Almighty are only Jew religion
,Christian religion and Islam religion.You can make an indepth study comparatively among the 3 religions and then after that you select the best one.You must read the Islsamic teaching by reading all books which are written by muslims writers.Non muslim writers will make you a misleading picture of Islam.

Answer 7

I think you should read the Bible, like you would any other book, with an open mind and without putting on rose colored glasses to whitewash the filth that's in it. Also use your reasoning abilities to determine whether you think it is true or not. If you don't believe a man lived in a whales stomach for three days then why should you try to make yourself believe that just out of fear of punishment or hope for rewards? If you see a blatant contradiction then why do mental gymnastics just to try to convince yourself that it is not there?

http://www.skepticsannotatedbible.com/contra/by_name.html

"Shake off all the fears of servile prejudices, under which weak minds are servilely crouched. Fix reason firmly in her seat, and call on her tribunal for every fact, every opinion. Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason than that of blindfolded fear." [Thomas Jefferson, letter to Peter Carr, Aug. 10, 1787]

Answer 8

Religion is not perfect. But the Bible, God and Jesus are.
You're on the right tract. Keep up your Bible study and prayer,
God will lead you to where you should be.
I Corinthians 13;8a, Love never fails!!!!!
9-14-6

Answer 9

You will never find perfection in this world. Think that no
religion is 100% correct? Just try and deal with all the imperfect people when you get to church. But you will have that anywhere
you go. The trick is to be righteous yourself. We all make
mistakes. The difference is that righteous people own up to
thier mistakes, and make them right.

Answer 10

You should read the bible. The holy bible, and every other bible you can find. Look for the similarities. I know that "The catholic living bible" and "The Holy Bible" have alot of similarities. Only difference is that the Holy Bible only mentions God's name once and in the Catholic Living Bible, it's mentioned all over. In case you are wondering, read Genesis.