I want to believe in god. But it's like believing in magic.?

Question

I can only see three outcomes of death. Two of them are hard to believe, and the other one i dont want to believe. I was introduced into christianity from my family, and at times i think i honestly believed in it. But as i have gotten older, it seems more like something magical, or made up than something factual. I've spent the last 5-10 years contemplating what's going to happen to me when i die. I'm not really scared of death, but what comes after death, if something does come after death. Basically what i'm scared of is going to hell, because i'm not living a christain life, like my family is. But as more time goes by, it seems more and more like it's just all made up so we won't be scared of death, or what may come after death. The only other things that i believe can happen after death is, that we just blink out of existence, and are never alive ever again, or go to another reality or dimension other than this one. I just don't know what to think, or do. Please help me. Thank you

Answer 1

nine years ago, my daughter was killed in a car wreck. a month later a lady we had only recently met was delivering a horse we bought from her.
we sent her around the back way because the pasture was in the back.
when she go there she said a strange thing had happened to her.
at the end of the road there was a young girl sitting on a rock holding a small dog.
she said the girl told her to tell mother that she was o k and that bandit was there with her.
she then described our daughter and the dog she was holding.
the dog was bandit, her dog that had died two years earlier.
it may be magic but it is wonderful.
Jesus loves you.

Answer 2

I do not believe that God exists, and nor do I believe in Heaven or Hell. However, I believe that there is more to life than simply birth, life, death, and that's the end of everything. I used to think that, but then one day when I was thinking that I thought of something entirely different. Please be aware that this probably won't make any sense to anyone (I've tried explaining it before, people just thought I was a right nutter).

The first question I asked myself was why am I myself and not someone else? I kept trying to contemplate that, but I just couldn't grasp it. Then I asked myself what if when people die, they are reborn into some other living thing or person (simple reincarnation)? Then I realised that if that was the case, people wouldn't know it because we all have separate brains and our brain in one life wouldn't have any connection to our brain in the next life. But the concept of reincarnation still didn't seem likely to me. Then I thought, well what if rather than being reincarnated after death, we were reincarnated during life. That is to say that out consciousness simply exits our own mind and then inhabits another's instantaneously. The same concept applies: we wouldn't know it happened, because our brains are separate entities and therefore would continue to function as normal (it would seem as if it never happened). But that still doesn't seem logical; there's no reason for it. Then I thought, well what if a conciousness could inhabit more than one person (or animal) at the same time? The same principle still applies; there is no way for both parties to know, because their brains are seperate from one another. So then I thought, well what if one conciousness inhabits every concious animal an the face of the earth? With that I could answer my original, seemingly unanswerable question: Why am I myself? The answer is that I am not only myself, but also every other living thing. In fact, there is no such thing as "The Self," because it implies an individual conciousness for each individual person.

Interestingly enough, the concept of the inexistence of the self is that of Buddhism, in which there is no god, but in which all life is interconnected. This was a refreshing discovery, because it meant that I was not the only person who believed this idea that would probably seem outrageous to most. I know what I have said probably seems like a load of bogus to you, but that's fairly reasonable. It's just how I came to an understanding of life and death after doing a fair bit of thinking about it. Sorry if I sort of rambled a bit.

Answer 3

The christians will try to help you. I am sorry I can't, I have nothing to provide but more questions and confusion. The truth is that you can't be sure. I don't believe god exists but I have dealt with it. You have to find your own way to deal with death. Try reading some philosophical views on death. Read what the great minds had to say about death. You have to find a way to be alright with it because you can not change it. Obsession with death will ruin your life and then you may as well not have lived. Nothing you do can change the fact of death so just think about the things you can do while you live. Death is just death but it's the fear of death that kills people.

Answer 4

When you think about where we go when our life ends, you should also think about these things:

Think about the origins of human beings. Where we come from, how (or who) created the first human being. Why are we put here on Earth? What purpose do we serve?

It will all tie in together. Think about these basic questions first.

Just because you can't see, touch or feel something, it doesnt mean that it doesnt exist. Just it hasnt been discovered by mankind. This is why it is called faith.

Learn about the other two major religions as well, aside from christianity. The truth will prevail. May you find your answers.

Answer 5

I doubt I can really help you. I personally am convinced that the Old Testament is just the myths of the Hebrews living 2500 years ago, and just all of the three major monotheistic religions are just based in myth. I also am pretty sure that there is no soul, and we cease to exist when we die.

But I suspect you are already aware that there are people who believe as I do. In what way can we help you? You'll have to reach your own conclusions. I can tell you that if you were indoctrinated from a young age with religious teachigs that there will be ways that those teachings are embedded in your mind and affect you subconsciously. You might feel fear and guilt and might wonder if those feelings are the "holy spirit" trying to "save" you. It might take years to work through those feelings before you can be fully rational and not feel fear or guilt. Don't give up, it is possible, and its all worth it.

Answer 6

What greator magic can there be thats greater than creation and you doubt your own existance.
thats your physical body speaking and the little scared primative person you keep locked in a cage thats causing most of the fear.
so your not living the christian life.the creator will still take you back no matter what as you are a part of each other.
to much wondering and contemplation on death is just as bad for you as not enough so stop obsessing on it . have a talk between your soul and your body.your soul knows the answer already.
a spiritual crises i what your going through.
and i'm rambling so good luck with your problem.

Answer 7

Read Matthew 24 carefully, it is a very good explanation of what you might be experiencing. Do not be deceived. Our culture, our society is becoming very anti-God, we are saturated with it, our schools teach it, Harry Potter's abilities seems more believable than a God who created the universe. The problem is not in doubting, as Christians we all experience "valleys of death," but do not lose heart, do not reject the teachings you have grown up on. Don't doubt for one second that Satan knows your weaknesses and will pick at them until you give in and turn your back on God. He would love nothing more than that, it is his mission because "he knows his time is short."
1Co 15:16 For if the dead are not raised, then Christ is not raised.
1Co 15:17 And if Christ is not raised, your faith is foolish; you are yet in your sins.
1Co 15:18 Then also those that fell asleep in Christ were lost.
1Co 15:19 If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
1Co 15:20 But now Christ has risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruit of those who slept.
1Co 15:21 For since death is through man, the resurrection of the dead also is through a Man.
1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all will be made alive.
1Co 15:51 Behold, I speak a mystery to you; we shall not all fall asleep, but we shall all be changed;
1Co 15:52 in a moment, in a glance of an eye, at the last trumpet. For a trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall all be changed.
1Co 15:53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
1Co 15:54 But when this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and when this mortal shall put on immortality, then will take place the word that is written, "Death is swallowed up in victory.
1Co 15:55 O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?"
Psa 14:1 The fool has said in his heart, There is no God! They acted corruptly; they have done abominable works, there is none who does good.
Romans 8:38-39

I encourage you strongly to get into the Word of God, study, pray, talk to your family, your pastor, they will help you through this if you let them.

Answer 8

I'll help out here. The premise is backwards, the reward or journey is the now. The future is at best uncertain and the past is not ever going to be again except in memory; and that's subjective to the ego; so it's the now that God has given Mortals. That's what makes us special in this Universe, Dimension; whatever; we're able to interpret and manipulate both the physical realm and the metaphysical realm in the moment. all this before and after stuff is a waste of time even considering in light of this. It's all about the right now, Gods gift to Mortals.

Answer 9

Life is so short and death is for eternity. But what's so bad about it? Death is the absence of life. We were death, therefore, before we were botn. Was it bad for you? Of course not. This hell thing was something made up by the Christians long ago, to keep people in line with the church and to pay a healthy tithe to them too. Relgions have been the root of many wars and much hatred throughout mankind. Don't feel badly that you're not superstitious, that you find it hard to believe in something you cannot see, but believe in something you can. And it isn't a bad thing.

Answer 10

Arguments for and against the existence of God have been proposed by philosophers, theologians, and other thinkers. In philosophical terminology, existence of God arguments concern schools of thought on the epistemology of the ontology of God.

The debate concerning the existence of God raises many philosophical issues. A basic problem is that there is no universally accepted definition of God. Some definitions of God's existence are so nonspecific that it is certain that something exists that meets the definition; while other definitions are apparently self-contradictory. Arguments for the existence of God typically include metaphysical, empirical, inductive, and subjective types. Arguments against the existence of God typically include empirical, deductive, and inductive types. Viewpoints represented include God does not exist, God exists, or the issue is unknowable..................

This is the first step
The second step is...realizing Jesus knows what happens when we die because He came back from the dead.

The third step is Talking honestly to the Pastor of the church your family goes to.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resurrection_of_Christ