I'm going through a religious version of see-saw 3...wheeee?

Question

I can't make up my mind of Jesus Christ the Son of God, Jesus Christ the messenger, and Jesus who didn't fullfill the Messianic duties. Am I so lost???? Christians, Muslims, and Jews fight over me! Well, Rabbi doesn't try to force me into Judaism lol like the other two. The pastor and Imam tell me, repent today or you'll go to hell tomorrow! WTF?

Ok, seriously I'm really truly and desperately trying to find God. It hurts my heart so much that I can't find Him......and I don't know what to do. I'm 24 years old and I've never been this serious about God before. I feel like singing the song "You're Beautiful" by James Blunt to God. It doesn't help when man condemns me to hell lol, so don't try to pass that judgement to me cause I've heard those words so many times.

evasquez2.. I had Deja Vu on your answer! lol weird........I'm more into Judaism than Islam and Christianity...hmmmmmm

Answer 1

All praise is due to Allah and peace and blessings be upon the beloved Prophet Muhammad. I was looking for the Most Merciful to lead me to something as well when I was 25. I am now 27 and I have been Muslim for close to 2 and a half years now. I used to be Catholic.
Look, I asked the Creator with SENCERITY to lead me to something, I just wanted to be a good person. I didn't pray to Jesus, or a spirit, or anyone else. I asked G-d! About a day later or so, I was in a bookstore and came across a Qur'an. I went to an Islamic Center the next day to investigate and I researched a couple of days and said that if there is one thing that I don't agree with, I was not gonna do it because then my heart wouldn't be in it. The pieces of the puzzle started to fit and it was LOGICAL. Since then, I continue to learn and it blows my mind, I don't know where I would be without it. Islam is not just a religion, but a COMPLETE way of life.
The numbers speak for themselves. You can look them up for yourself, the numbers I am providing will be slightly similar to anywhere you probably look. There is a 2.9% growth in Islam each year compared to a 1.0% growth in Christianity each year. And this isn't just by babies! This includes the great number of people embracing Islam and accepting the message, without a "sword". Especially in the USA! The figures predict that by the year 2015, Muslims will be the majority religion in the world.
Regardless of the scare tactics and anti-Muslim propaganda used by non-Muslims to deter people from learning and accepting the message, it is not up to them. It is not even up to Muslims! Anyone can see we do nothing in terms of missionary work or door to door preaching. It is in the hands of the Creator. Remember, there is no compulsion in religion. Allah knows best.

Answer 2

There is a very famous story in the Talmud (the Jewish Oral Tradition) about two Rabbis, who were each approached by a man who said "I will convert to Judaism if you teach me the entire Torah (Old Testament) while I stand on one foot." The first Rabbi grew angry at the man for making a mockery of the religion, and for making fun of the complexity of both Judaism and the conversion process. The other Rabbi saw in this an opportunity to teach, and said "Love your neighbor like yourself. This is the whole Torah--the rest is just details." We learn from this story that there is more to religion than who is right and who is wrong. The most important part of living a religious lifestyle is being a good person. Have you ever heard of a religion without kindness as a major tenant? No one should try and convert you--your faith is yours, and yours alone. Do not worry about this crisis, use it as an opportunity to soul-search, and then decide what YOU believe. Oh, and never stop helping those in need, because what use is emulating G-d or Jesus or Mohammed if you are not going to improve the world by doing so?

Answer 3

First of all, holy crap. God is not a "him." Sex and gender are totally human social constructs. It's impossible that an all-knowing, all-powerful god has a gender, no matter what any holy books say.

I'm 22 and I've never felt quite the way you describe (I was raised Catholic), though I graduated college (which was a great experience in my life) a semester ago. I am a Humanist (http://www.americanhumanist.org/index.html ). Continue singing. Any and all creative acts are forms of prayer (_A Big New Free Happy Unusual Life_ by Nina Wise). Humans are naturally creative, and any god worth his/her salt would appreciate your singing as the wonderful, beautiful, appreciative thing it is. I've found spiritual (but not necessarily) connections through dance (some of your churches likely have dance-worship groups). I am most at home and connected in a ballet or modern dance or yoga class.

I don't think there is a hell for any person not inherently evil (and such persons would be extremely few). In any case, I encourage you to attend classes - any classes or even continuing studies classes - at a local university. You will meet many intelligent people in your same situation and have much to talk about.

Answer 4

Look, I doubt you'll bother to do this but the best thing you could do is read. Most people in this world believe what they believe without very much good reason.

I'm going to recommend a very good book. It's very short and can be read in one night. I'm going to tell you right up front that it's a criticism of religious belief. That may turn you off to even giving it a chance but I suggest that you keep an open mind and read it. I honestly feel that the book is so good that you'll walk away a changed person.

"Letter to a Christian Nation" by Sam Harris

Even if you don't take my advice and read Sam's book I do highly recommend doing a lot of reading. Look at it this way. What do you REALLY know about the religions you're considering? There are so many of them out there it can be hard to pick the right one for you. Not to mention you don't have to pick one at all. Most people take the easy way out and pick what they were raised with or what is most popular in their area. Don't do that. Have an open mind. Question everything. Be a good person and no matter what you choose you'll be able to sleep well at night.

Answer 5

Read Thomas Paine. Especially "The Age of Reason". Paine was the second most clear-thinking American who ever lived (the first was Benjamin Frankllin) and he was a Founding Father. Read the links I am posting under sources.

The Church tells us that the books of the Old and New Testament are divine revelation, and without this revelation we could not have true ideas of God.

The Deist, on the contrary, says that those books are not divine revelation; and that were it not for the light of reason and the religion of Deism, those books, instead of teaching us true ideas of God, would teach us not only false but blasphemous ideas of Him.

Deism teaches us that God is a God of truth and justice. Does the Bible teach the same doctrine? It does not.

Answer 6

You need not be packaged into others' religions. God is what you want her to be -- a force, an idea, a lobster, a physical principle. Make up your own rules. You definitely should NOT take as Gospel the writings of some White guys from a couple of thousand years ago. You: "Hey, Jesus, what's your honest opinion of stem cell research?" Jesus: "What?" It may turn out that WE are the closest thing we'll ever see to God. Scary, huh? Wish us luck!

Answer 7

Relax and acknowledge the fact that some things are unknowable. We don't see God, we weren't there when Jesus was alive and we don't know how accurate the scriptures are. You can give in to the pressure and the guilt trips and jump through the hoops like a trained seal. Or you can be honest and say you don't have all the answers.

Answer 8

The rabbi isn't trying to push you into Judaism because Judaism believes you don't need to be a Jew to get to heaven. You can still get to heaven without one. Pray. Talk to G-d. You don't need to follow any religion's view of G-d: what is your own? Take some time to relax and ask yourself what YOU believe about G-d.

Answer 9

You will find God in your heart, as directed by the Bible, not in man made creeds or man made religions. Yes, the three major religions worship the same God, but christianity is the only one that offers regeneration of the soul. I mean, all religions teach you to be good, but if you are blind, how can you see? Christianity offers light to the blind and power to overcome evil with good.

Answer 10

I feel so bad for you, because no matter how much you look for him, you won't find him. He is a fairy tale that you were raised to believe or were talked into believing by friends. Might as well get some Rolaids for that hurting heart you have, cause it is gonna be around for awhile. Let me ask you something. Why is it that you feel you need god in your life so badly now? You know that god only wants you to come to him because you love him, not because you are filling some selfish need in your life, like trying to cope with the loss of a loved one, when you are mentally weak.