Belief in religion?

Question

I am going through a really rough time right now, and I am trying to figure out who I am, and what my beliefs are. I am just having trouble understanding that I am supposed to believe one religion over another, just because I was born into that religion. Doesn't that seem a bit closed-minded? I guess it would be a lot easier for me if I were raised more religious, and then I wouldn't feel the need to question this. I just would feel sort of brainwashed if I started to study my religion, and believe it, simply because I am supposed to. Also, the 3 very similar religions, Islam Judaism and Christianity. I have been told they all believe in the same G-d, they just believe in the different prophets of G-d. Is this true? I am also having trouble understanding the whole idea of prophets. Were they just sent down at an adult age, were they born and then started to feel like they had a more spiritual connection than other people? Please explain.

Answer 1

It does not really matter. God is smart enough to have a plan to get each and every one of us back home safely.

Just don't let any one convince you differently.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 2

" I am just having trouble understanding that I am supposed to believe one religion over another, just because I was born into that religion"
Being born into a religion is not a reason to follow that religion, but it is a reason to be extra careful before you change religion if your family is the sort to abandon you if you do.

"Then I wouldn't feel the need to question this"

Your religion is the most important decision of your life. It determines how you live, and how you spend eternity you should question it no matter what faith you are.

"I just would feel sort of brainwashed if I started to study my religion, and believe it, simply because I am supposed to."
Don't study it because you are supposed to study it and others to find out what faith is true.
For example if a religion says that right and wrong is just something we decide, and you know that some things are just plain wrong no matter what anyone thinks, you can discard the faith that says right and wrong are made up by the individual.

"Also, the 3 very similar religions, Islam Judaism and Christianity. I have been told they all believe in the same G-d, they just believe in the different prophets of G-d. Is this true?"

Islam believes that they are descendants of Ishamel(sp?)
and that he as Abram's first child should have gotten the blessings due to the first born, which would mean they should have all the blessings that the Jews have. Allah has some differing charecteristics from J-h-v-h. But supposedly is the same God.

Christians (which is what I am) Believe that God blessed the Jews, even more than they know we believe that Yeshua (Jesus)
is the one spoken of in the following verse
Isaiah 9: 6-7 6For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.
In other words Jews 2000 years ago were blessed by God in human form.


Christians believe that we worship the same God of the Jews, but our concept of God is more full than the Jewish concept, Since our idea of God is different many Jews believe they worship a different God, than we do.

" I am also having trouble understanding the whole idea of prophets. Were they just sent down at an adult age, were they born and then started to feel like they had a more spiritual connection than other people? Please explain."

The prophets were born as babies just like everyone else, and often became adults just as the Jews were going though times of trouble and needed either God's help or God's chastening.
God had a special relationship with them and communicated parts of his knowledge to them, and sometimes special abilities (Sampson and his strength for example)

Feel free to write me with more questions if you like.
I have allot of time on my hands and I ADORE doing religious research.

I hope I was able to help.

Answer 3

I would find a place of worship for each of the faiths you are looking at in your area and pay them each a visit, ask your questions and get a 'feel' for each.

Even the three 'similar' faiths you mention have different opinions and beliefs within them. I think face to face encounters with each religion will give you a better understanding of what those faiths are all about.

If you are a teenager, you might see if they have youth pastors (or whatever they're called by the specific faiths) who have dealt with the type of questions your asking. Having dealt with the younger generations more often, youth focused faith programs might be more open to your questions than more traditional religious leaders.

You're asking good questions. But, I believe the type of feedback you need is personal and will not easily be found on the web.

Good Luck!

Answer 4

Dont get stuck in the sily details there all the same. All religions are mans attempt to decribe what cannot be described with human speach, art, or thought. They attempt to describe what can only be felt. That can only be felt, by helping another human being, and trying to be a better human being. There are many churches mosks and temples that have not lost there purpose. They help the sick, and the poor. Go find group of people who help people and each other thats all the religion that God or the Gods care about.
Go with an open mind and find people you like. Reach down and help someone up that is all that is necassary.

Answer 5

The Bible’s message is clear for those who will read it with an open mind and seek to understand its meaning. The problem comes when people attempt to make the Word fit their preconceived ideas. This is not the fault of the Bible, but of the people who attempt to force the Bible to say whatever they want it to say. Often the disagreement is not so much with the interpretation of the Scriptures, but with the application.

As for various denominations, it must be stressed that these are usually not formed because of division over Christianity’s central teachings. The differences are a result of a variety of factors, including cultural, ethnic and social ones. Doctrinal differences are not always that crucial.

Some people use this argument as an excuse for not believing in Jesus, but like all others, it does not prove to be valid. Jesus made the main issue crystal-clear, "He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him" (John 3:36).

Answer 6

do not pray - you're just talking to yourself.

take a sabbatical from church for a few weeks, and watch how you get treated. If you are treated according to what christianity says - treat your neighbour/family as you want to be treated - thats good. Thats should give you some freedom to ask more questions.

If they start telling you you cant leave, if they pile on the guilt and tell you you're going to hell, if they start being judgemental, well they are not practising what they preach - which makes them hypocrites.

Now do you want to be like them when you get older? No, I didnt think so.

Read the bible and note the contradictions - there are hundreds of them. Ask questions and ask for proof (not the vague quote they always use, that you gotta have faith).

Read the website thats been posted here a few times. (see below) Its a very good site for asking the hard questions.

If you want to visit another religions - try the Universal Unitarians. Their beliefs cover a whole range of things. (website below)
Good luck in whatever you do choose.

Answer 7

I'll start with prohets. They were born like all of us and obtained a spiritual connection through their development. If you want a religion that is non-judgmental of other religions and encompasses various belief systems, google Sufi Order International. This group of Sufis are not Islamic. They believe all religions contain essential truths. If you ask a Universal Sufi (another name they use) if they are a Christian; they will say "yes." A Jew? "Yes." A Muslim? "Yes." A Hindu? "Yes."

Answer 8

I have a sincere hope that you will get through this, and faith that you can.

First of all, those three religions are not all that similar. Only Judaism and Islam are monotheistic. Christianity believes in three gods. They have very differnent beliefs about how one comes to know the divine, and those differences have huge implications.

1. Christians believe that faith is the only way to reach the divine. You will have peace (go to heaven, get a reward, etc) if you believe in Jesus, one of their gods.
2. Judaism believes through one's daily actions in obidience of God's law, you may find peace (go to heaven, get a reward, etc). Jews have act to be close to God.
3. Islam teaches that one must submit to the will of God, and acceptance of God's will will bring you peace (to heaven, or to a reward, etc). Muslems must accept what God does to be close to God.

I hope this helps.

Answer 9

religion "per se" is of very little importance.
what is important is YOUR personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.
don't get hung up on "religion".
John 3: The Words of Jesus Christ (God in the flesh)
3. "Verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God."
4. Nicodemus saith unto Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?"
5. Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God."
6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again."
16. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
18. He that believeth on Him is not condemned; but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

Answer 10

I went though a similar experience my self, I just went to different religions and asked questions, read about it in different stand points and then I realized that none of them where really for me, I found my beliefs and now I more calmer and clear. It is a path that only you most endure, I can not tell you which one to choose.

Answer 11

There is one big difference between Islam, Judaism, and Christianity....the "prophets" of Islam and Judaism..died and are still buried....but the "prophet" of Christianity wasn't just any prophet but the son of God, who died and three days later rose from the grave....no other "prophet" can say that