Can you help me pick a religion?

Question

I am trying to find a theology that fits me. Looking into Wicca right now but totally open.

I became Christian when I got married. I got turned off by the fundamentalists and their hatred for anyone that wasn't just like them. We went to a Pentacostal church.

Answer 1

Try reading the course in miracles. It helps you to form a close personal relationship with God without all of the religious nonsense.

It works.

Love and blessings Don

Answer 2

True Teachings--Where Can You Find Them?
- True Teachings That Please God
- - How Old? & How Organized?
- - Can You Trust the Bible?
- - What Does the Bible Teach?
http://watchtower.org/e/20050715/article_01.htm

How Can You Find the True Religion? :
1 Are all religions pleasing to God, or is just one?
2 Why are there so many religions that claim to be Christian?
3 How can you identify true Christians?
http://www.watchtower.org/library/rq/article_13.htm

The above articles are designed to help a person find what pleases God. Some are surprised to find out that what actually pleases God, matches what pleases them! False teachings about God & Bible teachings have long confused a great many people. You might also want to read:

What does the Bible really teach?
http://www.worldcatlibraries.org/oclc/68191569&referer=brief_results
(Goes into much more detail thamn the above articles.)

Mankind's Search For God -- Contents:
1. Why be Interested in Other Religions?
2. Religion--How Did It Begin?
3. Mythology
4. Magic & Spiritism
5. Hinduism
6. Buddhism
7. Taoism & Confucianism
8. Shinto
9. Judaism
10. Christianity
11. Apostasy
12. Islam
13. The Reformation
14. Modern Disbelief
15. A Return to the True God
16. The True God & Your Future
+ Subject Index
http://watchtower.org/publications/publications_available.htm
(A concise, unbiased description of each world religion, inc. its history, beliefs, practices, customs. Makes a comparicson extremely easy!)

The quickest way to get copies would be to visit us ...
http://www.jw-media.org/people/worship.htm

Or, you can call, write, or contact us through the Website ("Contact Us").

Answer 3

The simple answer is that nobody can help you pick a religion. The fact you are looking into Wicca and are totally open are the best things you have going for you in this case. Think of it this way, you can only understand a story someone tells you about their life from the point of view of your own experience. In the same way anyone who attempts to 'help' you pick a religion is going to do so based on their own ideals of spirituality.
A suggestion would be to do your research thoroughly. Spirituality is a highly personal thing and only you can know what works for you.
I've spent years exploring my own spirituality, from being brought up in a methodist/protestant household thru Uni-church and the occult to now where I would consider myself to follow the Gnostic teachings and Theosophy. Whatever you do, never stop questioning and challenging your beliefs, after all how can you know if you never ask?

Answer 4

Think about what you are trying to accomplish.

I am a Christian woman. I do not even like the word religion. I believe that Jesus came down here to free us from religions. He wanted to teach us to have a personal relationship with God.

I realized that if I want to be with God after I die, I need to go to Jesus for it. I found a wonderful non-denominational Christian church where the Bible is the center of the teaching and they lead people to a life changing connection with God. Jesus is the way and the truth and the life, and no one will enter to the Father's house except through Jesus.

I believe that the Bible is true and it is inspired Word of God, written by humans. When I asked Holy Spirit to my heart, the Bible started to be a communication tool with God.

But if you do not want to be with God in eternity, then any other option is fine.

Answer 5

Sweetie, you don't have to pick anything to believe in and stay there. I have found that as I age and grow and change I also change in my beliefs and that is how it should be. I take the good from all that I am exposed to and leave the bad, or at least the things that I can't wrap my brain around. I can't take all of any belief system because I can't follow blindly. I always question and think for myself. I believe in God and I am a very spiritual person. I don't believe any one religion has it right. I believe in personal responsibility for our actions and that goodness and kindness is what really matters. That we make choices every day about what we are, how we act, decisions we make and how we treat others is who we are and what we will be judged for. Not what organization we belong to. So, don't make any quick decisions and always give of yourself to others and be kind and know that we are all the same in God's eyes. We are his children and he loves us. Whatever you decide make sure you don't do it for someone else but for yourself. good luck.

Answer 6

Worship is much too important a matter to "pick" as though finding a dress or a pair of shoes.
My study of the Bible has led me to an understanding of the Creator and the love he has for me. I fully expect true religion to satisfy my spiritual need. (Matthew 5:3) However, I also expect at least some of it to be uncomfortable, even difficult at first because I am the one doing the conforming not he other way around. I expect my religion to make me a better person. As such, at times, I must change. I don't go looking for one that "fits" me but one that I truly believe from study and research to be true and correct.
Ephesian 4:22 that YOU should put away the old personality which conforms to YOUR former course of conduct and which is being corrupted according to his deceptive desires; 23 but that YOU should be made new in the force actuating YOUR mind, 24 and should put on the new personality which was created according to God’s will in true righteousness and loyalty.

From what I have read about Wicca in this forum, some practitioners consider themselves witches, some don't. Some whom I have had personal conversations with are drawn to it because they are lovers of nature and seek harmony with the environment. This is what my research says:The English word “witchcraft” comes from the Old English “wicce” and “wicca,” referring to female and male practitioners respectively.
Some say that witchcraft has become one of the fastest growing spiritual movements in the United States. Throughout the developed world, an increasing number of people, inspired by feminist movements and disenchanted with mainstream religions, seek spiritual fulfillment in various forms of witchcraft. In fact, so numerous are the forms of witchcraft that people disagree even on the meaning of the word “witch.” However, professed witches often identify with Wicca—defined in one dictionary as “a pagan nature religion having its roots in pre-Christian western Europe and undergoing a 20th-century revival.” Consequently, many also refer to themselves as pagans or neopagans.

Answer 7

Yeah, I have been in your situation. I consider myself a "pluralist" and was very much a "spiritualist" for some time (still am). I got really into Hinduism (my version at least) for awhile, but was always pulled towards Catholic churches. I did go to a Catholic university, but grew up in a very Protestant area. Anyhow, i would just visit the church by myself and go to mass. Long story short, I am "becoming" Catholic. I have gotten a lot of crap from friends. They think i am "selling out" and that I believe that homosexuals are evil (very far from the truth), but I explained to them that it just feels right for me, i love the connection i have with Mary (a fem aspect of God i missed in the Protestant faiths) and it is a personal decision. I go to a really liberal catholic church and love it. Of course, there is lots of dogma and things i sorta shrug off, but overall, i feel so comfortable and happy there. My point: I think you will "find" your theology naturally. Don't force it...and keep your heart open.

Answer 8

Sounds like you're looking for a solution to a problem that doesn't exist. Since you have no theological beliefs why in the world do you need a religion to express them?

In your case Wicca is probably a good choice since it has no real structure for formal theology. Wicca is whatever the "practitioners" say it is and Wiccans believe whatever they feel like at the moment -- Perfect for someone that doesn't know what to believe.

Answer 9

Study several different religions, don't limit yourself.
There is a wealth of information under the headings: Christianity, Paganism, Buddhism, Taoism, and many others.
There are so many different Traditions under each heading that I doubt anyone could completely study all of them, but search anyway.
Keep an open mind! Don't let anyone tell you "believe my way or else." You will find the one that suits you and gives you the answers you need.

Answer 10

You are obviously a broad-minded person and you recognize the need we have of divine guidance. That is why you are seeking a religion, yes?

At Matthew 7:13-14, there is recorded some very valuable guidance in the words of Christ.

In harmony with those words, it is beneficial for us to seek the religion which is solidly on the narrow road spoken of at Matthew above. Most people seek something that fits in well with them. But as a practical matter, it is beneficial to seek that which "fits in" with God - that which pleases him.

Hannah J Paul