Why serve God if you're not sure whether or not you're being manipulated?

Question

Suicide bombers have been manipulated into thinking that they are serving God. They are convinced, they have faith. Now suicide bombers may or may not be serving God, but they are absolutely convinced they are just like you are absolutely convinced that you are serving God (assuming you're religious).

Why else would they commit suicide unless they weren't absolutely convinced?

That being said, how can you tell whether or not you're being manipulated? If you believe someone else's doctrine instead of your own, you won't know. We come into this world with a blank slate, and we don't decide what gets filled, our culture does. Maybe we should study something that's geuninely honest more of the time like art or history or science. We should learn, not serve.

Suppose we let all the Hitlers and all the bin Ladens believe in whatever they want. Suppose we let their followers do whatever is in their power. Suppose we forget about human decency if gets in the way of our beliefs...

You see, there's a major flaw in your thinking China Doll.

Answer 1

Let people believe what they want to, don't force people to conform to your own beliefs.

What you're doing is kind of what was done to the suicide bombers. You said they were convinced to have faith and you're telling people to get into art, history and science.

Answer 2

I am a Christian Aliotheist. Being an Aliotheist means you cannot be manipulated, because each aliotheist decides for him/herself exactly what it is they believe and what makes sense to them. Some aliotheists believe in certain aspects of some established religions (like me, believing in some of the Christian belief) but still forms their own personal religion that will bring peace of mind to themselves and personal fulfillment. It's all down to the individual. No one ought to take what they're told at face value- everyone should research as many different relgions for themselves, and then decide independantly what they believe, with no input from anyone else. That's all anyone can do.

But even the suicide bombers really did think they were doing what is right, even if it obviously wasn't- but I'd suspect any God that appears to be telling me to kill other people. That's where religion and faith seperate. You have faith in something, and generally someone else comes along (pastor, pope, rabbi, whoever) that tells you exactly what your faith means, and what rules and laws you must obide by, and he tells you exactly what your God thinks and wants- and tha'ts religion. So the best thing to do is go by what you feel. if there is a God, or a holy spirit in whatever religion you choose, then rather trust that HE'll be the one to guide you, rather than another fallible human.

Whew. Done.;)

Answer 3

undestanding their mind and mental process .... my guess is that like most of religious persons we believe that god is real (not yet proven) and we would do as he or she commands (ex. Noah ). Suicide bombers are no different from him they are just doing as God commands them. As we know its all idiotic. Of COurse you are being manipulated. In this world who isnt?

Answer 4

I believe in Jesus. He is not a manipulator-
I chose to serve the God of the universe.

Answer 5

Those who Seek, Find.
Matthew 7:7"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Proverbs 1:20-33 "Proverbs 1:20-33 (King James Version)
20 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:

21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,

22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?

23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.

24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;

25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:

26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;

27 When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

28 Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

29 For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:

30 They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.

31 Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

32 For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.

33 But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil."

Answer 6

That's the trouble with believing in a god you're never sure what he/she/it wants.