Should I Feel Forced To Be A Christian?

Question

Okay, so I've been oddly obsessed with what happens when you die latley...I know that death is a part of life itself but, when I think about I feel like I am being scared into believing in God. I AM NOT BASHING ANY RELIGIONS HERE! It's just, you know when your in a religion, what you believe just "clicks" with you? I have never really felt that way about Christianity. And now I scared that I'll go to Hell because of it. I feel like there is a God up there, but I don't see him as such a God that would send you to Hell for eternity. I would like to believe that we all get our own personal heavens to be in. I am scared about death and I know I shouldn't be....any suggestions/comments?

I think the worst aspect of this is that I'm only 13 years old....

Answer 1

If Christianity doesn't click for you then it doesn't. I'm sure that some kook will try to tell you that Jesus will send you straight to hell because you're not one of his believers, blah blah. Don't let that scare you. It's unhealthy to be in a place where you don't click - especially if you feel burdened. In essence, no - you should not feel forced to be a Christian. If Wicca or Paganism clicks and you feel comfortable then that's where you should be.

Your fear of death is natural. Humans have a great phobia of the unknown. We don't know what happens after we take the eternal nap. Where do we go? What happens? These are natural questions, after all - the homo sapien is a curious creature. And what we don't know we are afraid of.

Here are some questions to help you get started:

What religion are you? Are you comfortable there? Are you religious at all? Are you confused?

Do you live a good life? Are you happy? Are you hurting any one physically or mentally?

If you want to talk privately, please send an e-mail and I'll be happy to chat with you about your concerns - confidentiality assured.

Answer 2

First of all
u are NOT going to an eternal torment called HELL
That doctrine isnt even supported in the Bible

Ur smart
that is a good question u are asking
If God is love, why would he send his bad children to an eternal torement in a fiery hell???
If u had a child and he did something wrong, would u keep his hand on the hot stove? No! So what more of God doing it?God does beleive in discipline but the doctrine of HELL is not in his nature to do that.
Read Jer 7:31 in the Bible
not even an idea like that would come up into God's heart.

Do u want to learn the truth about the Bible?
U can request a free home Bible study here
https://watch002.securesites.net/contact/submit.htm
a person will come to ur house willing to help u understand the Bible so u can make ur own opinion and find out the what the Bible really teaches =)

go ahead. dont be scared. learn u dont have to be scared of death. If u want u can also email me =)

Answer 3

You should never feel pressured into being anything in this life. If it doesn't click with you, it just doesn't. I'm a Satanist and christianity never clicked with me either. But I do not fear going to hell, rather I look forward to it because I do not believe in the christian version of fire and brimstone. You can't always believe what christians tell you is always true. Do some research online on different religions until you find one that clicks with you. And I assure you, one will at some point. Not everyone HAS to be christian.

Answer 4

First off, congrats for being open enough to share your questioning. I'd suggest that you examine the book of Romans in the Bible. Contained in it is the "nuts and bolts" of real Christianity. After that, have a conversation with God (aka "prayer"), and ask for clarity and meaning from what you read.

Some Christians give a black eye to Christianity. Religion is a search for a bridge between God and Man. You're searching now, and you should be commended. What should "click" for you is the relationship with a loving God that loves you and wants you to know him personally. I'm praying you find Him.

Answer 5

You should not feel forced to be a Christian. Forcing yourself won't help you to be less afraid of death. Please talk to a counselor about your fear and be aware that you aren't alone. I am a Christian but I don't believe that God would send anyone to hell for doubting. God's love for us is so great that He took on the sorrows and joys of human flesh, so he understands your fear. If you can't believe in Jesus Christ, try praying to God to relieve your fear and show you what is best for you. One thing someone told me many years ago was that is should take what I need from religion and put the rest on the shelf until I could use it. Hell has been on the shelf for a long time.

Answer 6

It sounds like you are not ready yet. God is not sending you to hell. We as humans create our own hell on an as needed basis, so that we can pay the last farthing due for our love of sin. Maybe for now just learn to recognize what sin actually is and how it hides within us and deceives us. Later, when your heart is ready, you can start to call yourself a Christian in thought only, and then later you will progress from there. But the bottom line is this. It is Christ that will deliver you from evil, through the destruction of sin, sickness, and death. It's a no-brainer.

Answer 7

Wow, you poor thing! Perhaps you're spending too much time with fundamentalists who are trying to sell you fire insurance.
They use scare tactics to get you to convert to their belief.
Why would you want to worship a God that would create human beings and then send them to a place of eternal torment because He refused to show them a truth other than a collection of 66 books filled with historical, scientific and medical inaccuracies, not to mention total and complete contradictions.. but gives you the intelligence to see those inaccuracies and contradictions? It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.

This is not the Creator of the Universe, sweetie. That's a man-made mind-control device strictly for the purpose of gaining power over the masses.

Have you checked into other beliefs to see what's out there?
http://beliefnet.com is a good place to start if you're looking for a path of spiritual fulfillment.

Answer 8

No you shouldn't be forced to be anything out of fear or anything else. However maybe what you think of as fear maybe telling you that you want to believe in something.

I would suggest you explore different philosophies and religions there are hundreds of them. If you find one that clicks with you then great if not great too becasue you will then have a better idea of what you believe in and what you don't. Once you know what you believe in and what you don't you can then live by the guidance of your beliefs. There is no reason to think you have to have a specific religion.

Fear of death comes with being mortal but I wouldn't fear it as long as you live according to conscience you will be fine.

Answer 9

It appears you have just realized you are not immortal. Don't worry so much about death, it will one day find us all. The important part of life is to live well and to treat others well. Be mindful of your loved ones, you'll not always have each other.
Seek your own spiritual path, not one based on fear, but one based on love.
I am posting the link to a text which may help you answer some of lifes questions. It is spiritual without being religious and will take less than an hour to read but may follow you throughout all your days. I hope it helps.

http://www.columbia.edu/~gm84/gibtable.html

Good luck on both your life and spiritual journey, Pat

Answer 10

None of us want to die, it's not natural. When God created Adam and Eve, he wanted them to live forever. It was only when they sinned that they lost their eternal life. But, the Bible doesn't teach Hell in the way that most churches will have you believe. Try reading, in your own Bible, a few scriptures about death and then see what you think. There's actually hope for our dead loved ones. (John 5:28,29; Acts 24:15) And too, the earth will be once again be restored to paradise. (Psalms 37:10,11,29)

Rachel

:)