Okay, Christians and non-Christians, here's your chance to preach at me...?

Question

Okay, so i've been many religions. I was raised Pagan, choosing a Wiccan path, i've been to baptist churches, methodist churches, evangelical churches, claiming membership in each for a short while. I've been a satanist, I very nearly converted to Islam, and am currently in a Mormon church.

I AM NOT HAPPY!

I find answers, then I stray. Here's the deal: I'm not a no-alcohol, no-premarital-sex sorta person. I'm just not. I'm 17, I'm pierced, I'm tattood, I like getting drunk, I love my boyfriend, I'm bisexual - I just don't 'fit' in Christianity!

Some days, I hate the church - I want to rebel against everything it stands for, and I feel powerful, but empty.

Other days, I love the gospel, but I still don't like the church!

C'mon people, help me out here! Answers, anyone?

Answer 1

You're 17 which to me says that you are at a time of investigation. I think it's a good age to question what you believe and what you value. I think it would help if you don't pressure yourself or feel too much pressure to commit to something right away (what I mean is, instead of becoming a member of the next places you try, just visit, even if you end up visiting for a year.) Let yourself explore different places and take your time a little bit with actually committing so that when and if you do commit somewhere (Christian or otherwise) you can feel that you mean it. There are thousands of Christian churches and I know there are just as many other places of religious worship/practice/meditation (the local newspaper here usually lists many of them in saturday/sunday papers, maybe yours does too)...So take your time, keep enjoying and finding meaning in the gospel if that is where you find meaning and love, and let the parts that inspire you most help direct you.

Answer 2

Has the premarital sex,alcohol, piercings,tattoo's, bisexuality and boyfriend not made you happy then?
You do and have all these things but you say "I AM NOT HAPPY" . I'm a Muslim and i have no desire to preach to you or try to convert you to my religion, it is not part of my faith. At 17 you have a whole lot to learn about life, even if you have been through alot already at your age there is so much more to learn about life. I was not born into a Muslim family and if you had asked me 4 years ago if i would ever be a Muslim it would not have entertained the idea at all. But life throws you curve balls when you least expect it and I'm sure for you when the time is right you will find what you are searching for. I know for sure where you wont find it thats in alcholol, percings and tattoo's if it was would you not be happy now. Good luck.

Answer 3

I am trying to understand your all or nothing requirements.
I am a Roman Catholic - that does not follow every religious tenet of man, I follow the 2 commandments Jesus gave us. Human over regulation of life is something I can not stand.
You sound as your faith is strong, can you be happy with what you have determined to follow?
The world church is not your family/town community. Focus on your family/town local community. Do not listen to news stories of the few bad people - they do not out number the good honest people - they don't - maintain your faith in family/local community because you are there and apart of this. You are correct in the church and gospel are different. Just do not give up on the people trapped like you, help them be comfortable in the church. The church is a group - a part of - the community you live in. Not some far off land. Get to know these people.
To be Christian is to be Christ-like - stay focused on this, and be honest that you are being as Christ-like as you can be. Jesus and all heavenly hosts (angels) are always just a prayer away from helping you.

Answer 4

I'm Agnostic. I don't believe any religion or discipline has the answers, yet anyway. I apply the same reasoning to theological matters as I would to anything in day to day life.

Theists and Atheists are like opposite sides of the same coin. They are both putting their money down before they have 100% conclusive evidence that what they are sayig is in fact 'the truth'. They are both faith based.

My analogy is this:
A salesman arrives to the door of a house. He is selling a new product that he claims does wonderful and awe inspiring things. This is the first product of it's kind and has never been used before by anybody. He is asking you to pay a very large sum for this product, but promises that it will be worth dedicating your very life and soul to it.

The Atheist instantly says this is bullshit, it is a scam. The probability of this product being anything more than useless is nil. He tells you to keep your investment and tells the salesman he is a charlatan and to get lost.

The Theist instantly jumps at the opportunity, encouraging you with the same zeal as the Atheist, to buy now. The theist is sure it will work, didn't you hear the saleman, he said this product would do all these wonderful things. Spend while you have the chance. He assures you that it will, in his opinion, definitely work, and that if you don't buy now you may never get the chance again.

The Agnostic simply demands a demonstration of this product before anybody spends or refuses to spend a penny.

Don't just pick a side on a leap of faith, so you can be right. Keep searching and exploring and questioning different ideas and religions until you are satisfied.

That's my advice.

Answer 5

What you said about loving the Gospel, but not liking the church, I totally understood. There isn't one church made by man, that I have seen, that gets the message right that Jesus was trying to put forth. Why? Because they were built by man. They aren't the Church that Jesus built on Peter's rock. If you get with a community of believers, even in your home, Jesus is there. That's in the Bible, I forget where. It says something like, "When two or more are gathered in My name, I am there." Forget the Churches with names. Even the prayers in Church of I am not happy, are heard by God I tried not to preach, because I try not to in general. For me, preaching just turns me off. To anything, be it a church or whatever. What you might want to do is just find a group of believers, and have a Bible study every week to learn about your faith, and to share it with each other, have a discussion time, and make it a social event as well.

Answer 6

If you have been Wiccan, you will know that no Wiccan will preach to you. You have to find a religion you are comfortable with.

Also, you are 17, so how long have you tried these religions for, before chucking them in? With Wicca, you are supposed to give it a year and a day of learning and research before deciding not to pursue it, as the year is to help you get to know the religion in depth so you can make an informed decision about it.

I would suggest possibly going back over the religions again and looking at what in them first drew you to them, if you believe in any of the principles, do you believe in God or many Gods? Do you believe there is no God? These are questions you need to clarify first before pursuing any religion.

BB
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Answer 7

It is a natural instinct for humans to rebel against God's laws. This is because of our sinful nature. Until you absolutely submit to God, making Him the Lord of your life, you will experience this unhappiness and lack of fulfillment.

I also think you don't yet see that your ways are sinful. That's also normal (I'm not judging you -- believe me, I've been EXACTLY where you are in life). Right now, you just don't understand on a spiritual level how far your actions have distanced you from God.

May I suggest two things? Try taking this test to see if you're a good enough person to make it into Heaven: http://www.livingwaters.com/good/

Then, consider reading Ezekiel Chapters 38 and 39. This is a prophecy telling us of an invasion of Israel in the end times. The invasion is lead by Russia (Magog) and Iran (Persia), who are joined by many Muslim nations. The prophecy even tells us Russia will supply most of the weapons. Doesn't this sound at all familiar? We are seeing prophecy close to coming true right before our very eyes. Consider also the fulfillment of Ezekiel 36 and 37, which tells us the Jewish people will be regathered to their land, Israel, in the end times. Jesus tells us that the people alive when this happens will see His return.

Understand that there is very little time left. Please, I beg you, turn to God before it's too late. Go to an evangelical, non-denominational protestant church and seek pastoral counciling; join a Bible study group; do whatever it takes because, BELIEVE ME, you don't want to have to go through the Tribulation. Nor would it be the best decision to condemn yourself to eternal punishment, simply because you didn't do whatever it took to draw near to God.

Answer 8

Ok- First of all I will not preach at you, but I will share why you are unhappy, with yourself and your search for "religion". Interesting you should say that you do not fit into Christianity. I have a question for you? Is it because you know that if you accepted Christ and started to have a personal relationship with Him, you would have to change your lifestyle. Because being saved is not just a "free ticket" to heaven, but a change of life and a change of heart. God loves you. It looks like you are seeking for the truth. God is really seeking you or you would not be asking these questions. The emptiness you feel can only be filled with Christ. You and I were created with a part of us that can only be filled with Him- that is why you feel empty. Read those gospels again that you say somedays you love. This time ask God to reveal Himself to you, and He will- He desires you to have a relationship with Him- Christianity is not a religion, but a relationship. Hope this helps- my desire is not to judge you but to help you.

Answer 9

Some things you didn't mention is if you know who Jesus Christ is and if you are His friend and if you love God and have been blessed by His Spirit. These are things you need to experience to have real happiness even joy, peace, and forgiveness. Learning to Love is what life is about. God is Love. Mormonism is not that Love and their gospel is not Christian. Learn all you can about the different religions, I did when I was your age. But know who God is and you will then know who you are.

Answer 10

At your age you are asking a lot of questions to help you define who you are which probably explains the god-hopping. But why do you think you need a religion to complete yourself?

You don't seem to know how to control your life and so are looking for others to do it for you. Obviously there is something missing in your life, or something you are trying to escape. Figure out what that is and you will help fill your own void.