How can someone choose to believe?

Question

I would love to believe in Jesus but I don't know how. I've read the Bible back to cover six times and talked to many pastors and just sat down and tried to believe. Nothing works.

Christians keep saying that belief is a choice. I find it hard to choose without sounding like a fake or a liar to myself. I was raised in a very pious Christian family and yet I never once believed in the doctrine for a second. To me it always seemed like adult make-believe.

So why do I want to believe? Simple: 1.) Without a divine plan all of my life's work and sacrifices are for nothing. The future extinction of souls would make it look like the present never happened. 2.) I want answers to the unanswerable questions that currently cannot be answered by any of the intellectual skills of mortal beings.

So what do I do now?

If the generations after me are just going to wind up dying and ceasing to exits, than all I did was for nothing. I probably wasted my life in service to the children.

mettophobic,

It is still as bad as it looks for me. I don't live for my personal pleasure (my insanity, even with the best drugs and treatment, makes that impossible), I live for the wellbeing of the human race. If the children die, than so does everything I did. All would be a waste.

Answer 1

The true seeker must first free himself from all prejudices, traditions, superstitions and anything else that will hinder his spiritual path. You must look into all things with an open and inquiring mind and try to understand the truth of things. To really believe in Jesus, you have to love Jesus.

Try to read the writings of Baha'u'llah and 'Abdu'l-Baha. They explain many common Christian themes and prophecies in a new and refreshing way. I recommend "Some Answered Questions" by 'Abdu'l-Baha and "Kitab-i-Iqan (Book of Certitude)" by Baha'u'llah.

Answer 2

Zeek, What do you believe and why? Do you believe that you are real? What evidence do you have? How do you know? Just reading the Bible is not enough. Your study of the Bible must have direction and meaning. The Bible speaks of "a faithful and discreet slave" who will feed the slaves of God, the proper food at the proper time. This is actually happening. I think you just need more evidence. I don't know you yet, but perhaps there are other things standing in your way. E-mail me if you are really sincere and I will try hard to help you find your way.

Answer 3

I certainly can't choose to believe... I already know that the concept of a god is an impossible one. I already know that "Jesus" is just another messiah myth like so many others that were believed before.

I don't know why your sacrifices are for nothing. If you think our actions and consequences only "count" if they're being tallied up by some heavenly score keeper then yeah, you're out of luck. Otherwise, you should know that almost everything you do has an effect. It's the ripple effect. You may not get to see the results, but our actions, great and small, accomplish broader goals than we ever expect.

Hey, I'd like answers too... but sticking a god into a gap in your knowledge won't solve your problem.

Answer 4

If you would like some help I would be glad to try... I too wonder about the "unanswerable questions"... but they are unanswerable you know... so there are other things worth concidering... to answer your first question... no... you can not just decide to believe, or rather to be a "Christian". ... But if you want to be you can come to certain understandings that will move you along the path to God.... only those who come to God in The Way He prescribes will receive His free gift of Salvation...

any way... email me.... if you have a question about the basics of The True Christian Faith I will do my best to answer... one question will receive one answer... I do not have time to spam people so you do not need to worry about that... I am near 60 and have been of The True Christian Faith since May 6, 2000... I do not know every thing but i know The Salvation Message... and I know it is for all who will hear and accept.... I will be back on line later today if you want to email I will reply asap... but I got to get to church right now.... God Bless

Answer 5

My advice:

1) Realise that our work and sacrifices are done for those who carry on after we have gone. Realise that this, by itself, is enough - and that we are not meaningless. And remember that a good deed is a good deed in and of itself, whether or not there's anyone up there keeping score.

2) Accept that the existence of the unanswerable is something to be excited about. Knowing all of the answers is not always a good thing. Or, join in the struggle to find the answers.

Belief gives you nothing of worth. If you can't, you can't. But understand that it doesn't make your life empty or meaningless - quite the opposite, I believe.

Answer 6

Let me tell you, i went through this all before.
That divine presence of god, i never felt it. Ever. Not even when i was little.
I later abandoned religion all together. Became an aethiest, and really, my life is better for it.
The reason why i believe in not believing is because;

1. when i do something good, its because i alone believe in being a good person, not as the alter girl of christ.

2. I live my life now 100% to the fullest because i dont believe thier is anything after, I have one chance, i live it and im happy.

and
3. I read the God Delusion by richard dawkins that explained what it means to be an aethiest better and validated what i believe.


If you dont feel god, you might never. Your work and your sacrifices dont need gods approval, they need yours. You do things because you have one life, because they make you happy and as long as your not hurting anyone, who needs god?

Read the god delusion honey, look at the other side for a change, its not as bad as it looks.

Answer 7

i did no longer come to a decision. I only don't think. once you have self assurance in gods, you additionally could come to a decision approximately which ones are suited to what you have already got self assurance, yet once you do no longer, that is it. there is no longer a option to make. and probably i'm unusual, yet i think of that your faith is none of my business enterprise as long as you're unlikely around attempting to alter the regulation or harm human beings. Wicca is particularly sturdy at fending off all that crap.

Answer 8

Cheer up life is meant to be enjoyed. There are plenty of happy people on earth that are not Christian. Maybe the bible was mistranslated maybe you can believe in Jesus and other stuff also, relax. Do not torture yourself.

Answer 9

You are absolutely right -- belief is not a choice. You believe because something convinces you; anything else is not belief, but fantasy.
However, I doubt you're going to find any Christians who can understand the distinction!

Answer 10

Wanting to believe is all too human of a trait. I am an athiest, and I would *like* to believe, but have given no valid reason to do so.

You have to accept what resonates as truth to you. Otherwise, you're only deceiving yourself.

Besides, there are literally thousands of philosophies and religions out there -- the choice of Chrisitianity or atheism aren't your only options.