I'm looking for a religion that I can believe in......................?

Question

I just saw on CNN that pple who are religious are happier. I thought this was ironic b/c when i was younger and very religious, it brought me nothing but grief, b/c i felt like everything i did was wrong. I brought up in a WASP household and was brought up to believe Jesus, and I do. But i don't think he is the end all be all to salvation. I'm thinking about "United Church" or a very liberal-Prosetant church, but I dunno. Can anybody help. I also have a deep respect for Judiasm and have studied many different religions. I need something i can believe in,but is in line with my liberal, progressive beliefs.

Yes, i was thinking of Buddism!!!

Answer 1

Have you spent much time looking into Buddhism? Since it is a Way or Path, and not a religion, it does not (according to many Buddhists) conflict with religious beliefs you may have. It's more about a way of living in order to achieve a goal (enlightenment). It stresses things like compassion and denial of the flesh (as opposed to the spirit or true self), which I believe it has in common with Christianity, Judaism, and probably Islam (which I know little about). It teaches many of the same core values from a perspective many of us brought up in western cultures are not familiar with. Try reading The Art of Happiness by the Dali Lama or Awakening the Buddha Within by Lama Surya Das.

Many Christians and Jews will argue that the differences between their faiths and Buddhism are crucial and irreconcilable. I'm not attempting to argue with that, and I'm sure they have excellent points, I'm just working off your statement that you are coming from a liberal ideology.

p.s., the notion, mentioned by another poster, that only one is correct is by no means universally held. In fact, it's largely due to the big three Abrahamic religions (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam).

Answer 2

Why are you looking for a religion that happens to suite your specific personal basis, nothing like that will make you happy. The truth is the only thing that will make you happy and that will only make you happy if you're willing to change your life based on the truth.
Instead of seeking a religion that happens to allow you to keep you existing beliefs seek a religion that is true, either that or reject all religion, something that's not true is never good.

As far as Christ unless you believe in some vast conspiracy to falsify the bible, based on the bible he's either God, a Nut job, or a con man. He clearly claimed to be God and the only source of salvation so if he's not he's got to be a con man or crazy.

Just my advice.

Good Luck

Answer 3

Check out the basics that most large religious organisations seem to have either got wrong or twisted to suit their own ends.
Chjeck their stated beliefs against JUST what the Bible says.
IF the Trinity teaching is correct, why did Jesus not mention it. Why is the word 'trinity' not in the Bible.
IF Jesus is God or a part of Him in another form, why did Jesus say hw could do nothing of his own 'initiatice' [ John 5;`19] Can you be so far apart from yourself that you can do nothing unless you give yourself authority. It does not make sense.
The early Jews dealt only with one God, whose personal name can be found at Exodus 6;3.
And Psalm 83;18.
This is the same God who Jesus claimed to be his 'Father in heaven'.
So any religion that puts all its effort into worshipping Jesus, is in fact ignoring his Father, who grants Jesus the power he displayed.
This does not mean that Jesus is not respected,
but just that his Father is separate and the more powerful.

Answer 4

I would first have to ask, please consider making your *reason* for finding a religion more than just “to be happier.” For instance, you could probably make up (or find) a religion that says you are perfect and always right, but it would not be true. Instead, I would suggest that you frame your search in terms of “where can I find a community that will support me like family, and also challenge me to live more deeply and lovingly”? This may be a religious community or it may not.

When looking at religions, I would suggest researching many different ones. A great place to do so online is http://www.religioustolerance.org/ which provides indepth and (I believe) fair explanations of religious communities both large and small. Also talk to members of these religions and visit worship places. When doing so, I would suggest asking yourself the following questions:

“Does this religious community’s beliefs and values, in general, ring true to me?”
“Does this religious community support its members in reaching towards truth, instead of claiming to have a complete grasp on truth?”
“Does this religious community’s values and priorities earn high respect from me?”
“Am I interested in this community because it’s fundamentals are easy – comfortable – familiar – convenient – simple – or can be used to benefit oneself at the expense of others? Or am I interested because they seem like a group of people working on seeking truth and living with compassion?"

If you are interested in Christianity, I made a detailed list on how to find a progressive Christian church on beliefnet.com:
http://www.beliefnet.com/boards/message_list.asp?boardID=381&discussionID=542033

My first suggestion is to take a look at The Center for Progressive Christianity which includes a directory of affiliated churches:
http://www.tcpc.org/

And, I always have to put in a good word for my own community – the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).

Good luck!

~ Lib

Answer 5

I propose you learn a sprint approximately many distinctive religions inclusive of Christianity, Buddhism and Pagan paths. you may locate what's right to you, what calls to you yet you may no longer. no person yet you would be certain that's the main astounding direction for you. you may nicely be extra suitable in Atheism or Agnosticism who's usual with?

Answer 6

Since no one will believe this 64 year old student of Religion, what difference does it make? On the other hand, what if I know which religion is the true religion that has been given to very few by the true "god"?

Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Of who? Jesus is not his name. That name is Greek, he was Hebrew in life.

God is not his name either, that is a title.

Your answer does not appear in any "religion", but the answer is in the Bible. No one version is correct, so study on your own is the only way you will come to true religion. You will not be "Christian" or Jewish when you have come to understanding because both are in error.

How bad do you really want to know? Not bad enough, methinks.

Answer 7

Only you can answer that question for yourself. In order to make an informed decision though, you will need to check them ALL out. And I mean all of them. You cannot think "oh, well I would never be a Jehovah's Witness or ANY other religion if you haven't really learned what they are all about. I think the Holy Ghost will help you guide you though if you will listen. Don't be afraid though. If you are sincere, you will find the answer and the answer may not be what you might think.

Answer 8

This is a great link that I was recently given:

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html

It's the beliefnet.com web site and they have a little quiz the Belief-o-matic. You anser a few questions and it tells you how close your views match with those of some of the world religions. It's interesting, quick and fun - and I didn't have to give my email address or anything.

Peace!

PS - I am a religous person (I think) but I follow my own path. I don't think any of us needs to be part of an organized religion to be happy. The organized religions are trying to kind of do the thinking for us, it seems often times.

Answer 9

Religion does not make people happier. A purpose in life makes people happier. A loved one makes people happier. Religious people are happy if they truly believe they are going to get into heaven. Personally, I was not happy when my parents made me act religious and stuff. I did not believe in a supernatural being or a heaven or hell, I became atheist and I'm much happier. I don't waste time going to church or praying or anything.
You should become Buddhist. Buddhism is a way of life that requires you to only own what you need. Don't be greedy and buy all sorts of new-fangled items or electronics if you don't need it. But don't deprive yourself of things you do need. They don't pray to any god or anything. Personally, I think buddhism is the only philosophy that makes sense.

Answer 10

Religions exists to make people happy but of course to be happy you have to accept everything happening to you, whether good or bad, as a Muslim i can tell you that im very happy even when the worse is happining coz i do realize that Allah loves me by testing me to see if i will be strong or not!! Plz read about Islam and you will know then why Yousif Islam (Cat Steven) choosed it instead of Christianity or Buddhism...
www.islamway.com