I was raised an athiest but am now looking for religion, any idea which one/ones i should look into?

Question

I really dont know much at all about religions or what ones there even are.

im looking to do something good with my life ^-^

Answer 1

Why must you insist on a 'religion'? A religion is a package of ideas put together by certain authorities during a long historic process. Besides, you can't just choose to believe something. If you think a belief in a higher power and a relationship with that other power would bring something positive to your life, then by all means explore your spirituality, but you don't have to settle for an accepted system of beliefs. In fact, all religions have disagreements between their members as to what constitutes the truth. Faith is supposed to be a growing experience. You can't just take a whole package and swallow it whole and hope never to question it again. A healthy faith is a faith that keeps evolving, growing and questioning. So I suggest you read up on the subject, and follow what makes sense to you and what you're comfortable with. Religion is a life-long path. It's not a question you can simply settle once and for all. That's what fanatics do.

"I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use." Galileo Galilei.

Answer 2

You can do something good with your life whether or not you follow a religion.

OTOH > If you just want to find where you "fit in" in relation to the whole spectrum of religion and spirituality in general - I would recommend you first decide what your most basic values are - identify whatever it is that you feel is the most essential part of yourself. Once you know what it is that makes you who you are - i.e. once you know yourself... figuring out the rest of it will come.

Otherwise you are just abdicating your own free will - I would say don't just "buy" because someone has a good sales pitch. I recommend that you shop around and see what deep down in your heart of hearts seems to fit.

Look at the lives of the people you know who sincerely follow a religion which you find is attractive to you. Think about this, if the religion "works" in their life, then they should be happier or more content or more at peace, etc - whatever it is you figure is an outward sign of the spiritual benefit of that path.

Then I recommend you still should "try before you buy"... go and celebrate mass with the Catholics, or listen to a sunday sermon with Baptists or maybe ask a Rabbi if you can attend prayer in a temple, or read the Quran in a Mosque or go meditate with some Buddhists, or celebrate Divali with a Hindu family or whatever... eventually you may find some path that is a fit for you - or you may not - and that is sometimes an answer to your question as well.

Answer 3

You have one of the best opportunities having been an atheist and now having decided to follow a religion. As you are aware all religions are just path ways. When you have become a theist you have alrealy realised that there is god, meaning you have reached the destination. Now you do not need a path. Eschew all religions follow God. Some great philosophers like Sri Aurobindo may be able to guide you. Wish you all the Best. Avoid all religions they are not God.

Answer 4

You are an intelligent person to shake off your upbringing and search for truth. I applaud you.

But, don't look for a religion, search for truth. Lots of religions can give you warm fuzzies for your life but don't you want to live your life in reality and truth?

You should approach your search for truth by checking out the basic tenets or beliefs of the major religions. There are not that many religions; most are just variations on others.

There are a limited number of possibilities to reality and God,
1. There is no God
2. There is 1 God
3. There is more than 1 God

There are only 2 possibilities when it comes to the nature of the Universe;
1. God is eternal; no beginning and no end and he created the Universt
2. The Universe itself is eternal; no beginning and no end

So, life on earth was either created or it sprang out of the goo of the eternal universe. You can't say aliens brought life to earth, you still must answer where did the aliens come from? You always reach a point of either God created everything or the Universe is just an eternal entity.

Find out what each religion says about these basic questions;
1. What is ultimate reality?
2. Who is God?
3. Who is man?
4. What is man's problem?
5. What is the solution to man's problem?

As you look at the basic beliefs of each religion ask yourself this question; which religion speaks more to what I really see going on in the world; in reality?

Here are Christianity's answers (These are the same no matter which denomination)
1. Ultimate reality: There is a God
2. Who is God: God is creator of everything, he is Just, Kind, and Loving
3. Who is man: Man is a creation of God, made in God's image in that man has free will and is eternal.
4. What is man's problem: Man chooses to live without God and that is call sin. People live for themselves instead of God and other people; thus we have murder, rape, war, starvation, etc etc.
5. What is the solution to man's problem: God himself is man's solution; Jesus Christ is man's way back to God

No other religion answers those questions in a manner that is consistent with reality.

Good luck in your search for truth.

Answer 5

The people on here attacking you are ridiculous. If that is what you want to do, don't listen to those who try and stop you.
It is a sure sign that they are not confident that their way is the right way because they are insecure about your faith. Since my faith tells me that I know the truth, all I have to do is share that truth with you. If you choose to accept it, then that's great. If not, then it doesn't affect me one bit. God doesn't need any of us and doesn't beg for people to worship Him. So, I'm not going to beg people to serve Him either.

As a Christian, I care about what you believe in and of course, I will tell you that Christianity is the way. This is because my beliefs tell me that unless you are born again, you cannot inherit eternal life.

However, I also understand that this has to be your choice and nobody can be forced to make any decision like this. All I can do is tell you about Christianity and what I believe in. Ultimately, it comes down to your personal decision and what you feel is best for you.

If that intrests you, then feel free to contact me and I can answer any questions you may have. I have been a bible teacher for 7 years and I'm confident I can answer what you need to know.

Also, there are some great audio files on this website you can listen to that might interest you, being an atheist.

http://www.nwcreation.net/audio/index.html

Answer 6

I'm definitely with the research idea. If you'd like someone to ask questions to, try contacting some of your local places of worship, or local ones if you are interested in a religion not in your area. Usually there is someone in charge of answering questions and talking you through the basics. Books are always good, internet usually leads to biased opinions, but it's not bad. If you're friends or their parents are religious even in the slightest bit, talk to them and see what it's like.
Wiccan, Jewish, Catholic, Baptist, Buddist, and Mormon are the ones I looked most into during my own search for a place.

Answer 7

Buddhism is an easy transition b/c in Buddhism there really isn't a strong God presence, the aknoledge his exhistance but the focus is mainly on what you should do to be a good person. Plus its currently the fastest growing religion in America...but so was kaballah a few years back :P

Answer 8

Slow down! You don't need a God over your head to do something good.

Do some volunteer charity work, smile a whole lot, help people with their problems. Do little crap to make the world around you a slightly better place.

Ever watch that show My Name Is Earl? He makes a list of all the bad things he's done in his life, and he spends the entire show going around and making things right.

Earl is a good man.

Answer 9

just being able to know and feel that you wanted to do something good is the only religion you have to have. others call it the religion of love. go to all churches, temples, mosques, etc and befriend everyone, no matter what beliefs they may have. learn as much as you can from all walks of life and believe that you are the only source of your own truth. your heart is definitely in the right direction. relgion is just a social formality. love is what matters.

Answer 10

Well, the only things I could suggest would be Humanism, Buddhism, Taoism or (maybe) Unitarian Universalism. You don't need to believe in a man with a beard on a cloud to 'do good things in your life', you know - but if you're looking for direction, these movements can provide it for you without forcing you to believe in something that you likely don't.