I just recently began to believe in God and was asking people what the rules are for joining a religion and which one I ought to choose. It's all new to me, and I don't know about all these questions popping up, and I don't want to join one that makes it hard to get out of.
I don't want to be Jewish, because people in my town are pretty down on Jewish culture and my Jewish buddy says that they really don't consider you 'in' anyways if you're a convert.
I wanted to try Hindu first, because it seems pretty good. And I got a book at the library with good pictures, but no Hindu church or whatever in my town.
There is a church (I don't know if Christian or Catholic...are they the same?) but it's pretty far from my house-- they took my license after the car crash. I was a drunk and a criminal but I saw God appear. It's pretty far, but no one in the town really wants to give me a ride since I destroyed a lot of the town. I want to start there.
Also a mosque in town, but 2nd choice
2007-01-30 05:25:23 · 9 answers · asked by The Smuggler 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
because people think those guys are crazy in my town. There's a bunch of kids who believe in worshipping sticks and trees and things in the woods near my house, and they said to come, but they dressed weird and just got drunk and high, and I can't do it because of my parole. And I think they're all crazy anyways. One of the kids is my boss' daughter,and she tried to make out with me but I just took off because she'd ell her Dad. She's 19, and I'm 27, but I didn't want to get fired.
Also, I can't take a bible from my library. You can take the hindu book but not the jew book or islam book.
I don't want to spend a lot of money. Can you buy stuff used at church?
2007-01-30 05:29:48 · update #1
I'm glad to see that you believe in God, but it looks like you don't know what God to believe in. I strongly suggest you give Jesus a try. Buy a bible, or go to the library and study theirs there at the library.Pray that God leads you to the right church to go to.
2007-01-30 05:38:24 · answer #1 · answered by LENZ 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Ok honey those kids worshiping sticks? That is pretty much the total opposite of worshiping God. This is because they are worshiping the created thing not the creator of the things.
Catholics are Christians dear, they believe in Jesus as Messiah, God as the Father, and they believe in the Holy Spirit too. They pray to God to tell Mary to bless them now and at the hour of their deaths. Like we pray to Jesus to go to the Father God. The Bible says there is only one way to the Father, and that is through the Son.
Might I suggest a good Church of God, Charismatic or Evangelical Church? They are often in even small towns. If they aren't try a Baptist Church honey.
Blessings & Peace,
Jewel
2007-01-30 05:34:51 · answer #2 · answered by Jewel 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
You can probably buy (or be given) materials for any religion from its adherents, so this should not be a problem. But one must ask: why? What is this "awakening" of which you speak? Have you actually come upon evidence of some sort supporting some thesis of god? Or, is it simply some sort of feel-good reaction? I'll suggest that you read the reference, and then again consider your own conclusions: either you will change your mind, or come up with good reasons for not doing so.
2007-01-30 05:35:07 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Go for the sticks and tree gang dude. My folks were that religion and they loved it, the parole officer isn't going to hassle you in the woods but don't be smoking no rope, it'll show up in Your pee test and then it's off to tossed salad land! Either that or You could just buy a used guitar and express Your prayer to God thru heavy metal music and rock out to the Lord! Either way, welcome to the mystery of faith!
2007-01-30 05:35:35 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Try reading "CONVERSATION W/ GOD" or "COMMUNION W/ GOD", by Neale Donald Walsch. Also, read "THE POWER OF NOW", by Eckhart Tolle. These books are very powerful, specially for those who thinks they have been "awaken". This books are not toward any religion, they just help you understand "GOD" and yourself. I guarantee that you will feel different and will definitely start looking at things differently after reading these books. You don't have to buy them, you can go to a bookstore and just read them there, or you can borrow one from a library. (PLEASE, CONSIDER READING THESE BOOKS, they helped me a lot).
2007-01-30 05:43:48 · answer #5 · answered by Angelina 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catholic is a type of Christian. Is there a church closer to your house?
2007-01-30 05:33:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Bible is available on line. You do not need to purchase or borrow one.
http://www.biblegateway.com
http://www.intouch.org (Bible Studies)
You can become a Christian by believing in Jesus Christ.
What does it mean to be a born again Christian? The classic passage from the Bible that answers this question is John 3:1-21. The Lord Jesus Christ is talking to Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin (a ruler of the Jews). Nicodemus had come to Jesus at night. Nicodemus had questions to ask Jesus.
As Jesus talked with Nicodemus, He said "...Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, You must be born again...." (John 3:3-7).
The phrase "born again" literally means "born from above." Nicodemus had a real need. He needed a change of his heart--a spiritual transformation. New birth, being born again, is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to the person who believes (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1-4, 18). John 1:12,13 indicates that "born again" also carries the idea "to become children of God" through trust in the name of Jesus Christ.
The question logically comes, "Why does a person need to be born again?" The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:1 says, "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins..." To the Romans in Romans 3:23, the Apostle wrote, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." So, a person needs to be born again in order to have their sins forgiven and have a relationship with God.
How does that come to be? Ephesians 2:8,9 states, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast." When one is "saved," he/she has been born again, spiritually renewed, and is now a child of God by right of new birth. Trusting in Jesus Christ, the One who paid the penalty of sin when He died on the cross, is what it means to be "born again" spiritually. "Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation..." (2 Corinthians 5:17a).
If you have never trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, will you consider the prompting of the Holy Spirit as He speaks to your heart? You need to be born again. Will you pray the prayer of repentance and become a new creation in Christ, today? "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe on His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:12-13).
If you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and be born again, here is a sample prayer. Remember, saying this prayer or any other prayer will not save you. It is only trusting in Christ that can save you from sin. This prayer is simply a way to express to God your faith in Him and thank Him for providing for your salvation. "God, I know that I have sinned against you and am deserving of punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him I could be forgiven. I place my trust in You for salvation. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness - the gift of eternal life! Amen!
2007-01-30 07:00:11 · answer #7 · answered by Freedom 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Some people think that all religious people are crazy. Have you considered atheism? It's free, and you get a good education out of it.
2007-01-30 05:32:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
pray to God and ask him to guide you.
"Ask and you shall receive"
2007-01-30 06:20:55 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋