Why is religion depressing me, instead of giving me hope?

Question

Every way I turn, religion is just bringing pain to my life, fear, depression over what they say will happen, to my good friends, family, probably most of who I know.

I am so sad, I can't be comforted by religion any more. It is like a false hope. Offering salvation for me, but trying to make me forget about everyone else as though they are nothing but a toasty marshmallow for God to burn in hell for all eternity, even though many people sin & can't help it.

In fact, no-one can. Or someone would be perfect. We can ask forgiveness, but we still can't stop sinning. Even Christians sin, for the Bible says the anyone that says they do not are lying& the truth is not in them.

Is there anything left to brighten my day? To comfort me? Make me feel better?

Why was I brought here in this painful world if this is all the hope that I have, that I will be "saved" & go to paradise while I suffer so much heartache that all I love go to hell.

Do you really think that is heaven to me? Crying...

Answer 1

You need a time out. Religion is an opium. Its a drug. You are waking up to the fact that the drug no longer works.

So step back and stop thinking, and start living your life the way you want to. Ignore what everyone else says (regarding religion) and just follow this one rule - Treat others the way you would want them to treat you. (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you).

You need time to detox (remove the drug called religion) and eventually you can replace it with something more healthy. Just remember it make a few years to completely remove (or change) the programming (drug) you were raised in.

Took me about 10 years altogether to deprogram. I did a LOT of reading and thinking, and eventually I formed my own beliefs that I could live with. Then it took another 10 years to learn that my belief actually had a name. It's called DEISM.

Answer 2

Don't take religion so seriously...religion was created by the oppressor. If you want a relationship with God, then have one on your own terms. Do you really believe everything in the Bible is true? How can anyone honestly take everything in the Bible literally when modern science has refuted 99.9% of its stories? No one has the right to tell anyone else how to have a relationship with God and no one has the right to judge. What makes people feel that they have the right to tell others that they are going to "Hell?" And who the hell are they to say that there is even a Hell? Believe what you want, but nobody even has any proof that there is a heaven or hell, and nobody has any proof of what is required to get into heaven, if there is such a place. It’s not worth it to let religion ruin your life. Form your own beliefs and do what you feel is right. Think of all the religions that exist in the world today and who started all of them…and then ask yourself who are they to tell everyone what to believe? And without knowing what your religious views are, I think it is probably safe to assume that the religion you practice was established many centuries ago when PEOPLE THOUGHT THE WORLD WAS FLAT. How can you believe these radical religious views that were created by people that had such beliefs? Don’t stress. It’s not worth it and most of religion is BS that people hold onto to fill some other void in their life. Religion will not save you; only you can save yourself.

Answer 3

Not "scared" people. "Scarred" people. There is a kind of insouciant atheism that runs rampant among comfy middle-class people who never had to go through rough times. But the world looks a little different after life has knocked you about a little bit. People in Alcoholics Anonymous, for example, discover that they can't do it alone--they need a Higher Power (undefined by the program) just in order to be able to live sanely. Even if, as they say in A.A., your Higher Power is allowed to be nothing other than a doorknob--it's still true that without it you'll end up in the gutter. Life simply isn't just a series of endless possibilities, all laying their coats down over every mud puddle in front of you. Deep in December, it's nice to remember, Although you know the snow will follow; Deep in December, it's nice to remember: Without a hurt, the heart is hollow. Deep in December it's nice to remember When you were a tender and callow fellow. Deep in December, it's nice to remember And follow. --The Fantastiks

Answer 4

Consider the fact that humans have invented and worshiped THOUSANDS of gods and goddesses throughout history and most of them DON'T drown, slaughter, and barbecue people for eternity - and that the overwhelming MAJORITY of the people on this planet are NOT Christians. Most people do NOT believe in Hell or any of that other negative religious stuff.

You DON'T have to be part of a religion if you don't share its beliefs, and/or if it has nothing but negativity to offer you. Not everybody believes in or needs a God, or even a religion. You are not alone. You might find the quiz at Beliefnet helpful in finding a religion (or not) that better suits your personal beliefs and morals:
http://www.beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html

Good luck and hang in there!

Answer 5

I really feel for you, I do. I've been where you are - feeling so depressed about religious concerns. For me, it was the feeling that there was so much suffering in the world, that it was sinful to be happy amidst so much misery, and that therefore God did a terrible thing by creating the world. I no longer believe that AT ALL. But the truth is that when I did believe it, it was because I myself was suffering from severe depression. THAT's what made me think the world was so sad. Depression filtered out all the joy, and became like a tinted window through which I saw the world - and it looked so dark and gray because of my depressed feelings. It was my feelings of depression that made me think the world was so bad. When I got on anti-depressants, I started to be able to feel joy again, and I realized that the world is good. I realized that God had not made a mistake.

I don't know you, but based on my own experience, it sounds to me like you are suffering from clinical depression. You speak just like I did when I was suffering from it. I really hope you will go to a good psychiatrist or doctor to get some help.
This does not mean you are weak or crazy or anything at all. It's just a clinical illness, like other clinical illnesses, and there is help for it.

Once when I was struggling with religious beliefs, my pastor and friend told me to kind of take a break. I was reading the Bible constantly, and reading other books about the Bible, and so on, but was not able to find any peace. My pastor reminded me that there was a time when people didn't have a Bible. And there are people who cannot read the Bible even today. And yet, God is always with us. She told me to take a break from reading for a week or 2, and instead, just pray to God, and listen to what God says.

This may sound strange, but that really helped me. The Bible has become clearer to me now that I was able to step away from it and just talk to God one-on-one for a while.

If religion has lost its spirituality, then it has become worthless. It sounds like it may have done that for you. If so, then forget about "religion" and just walk with God. Just be devoted to God.

Also, I want to applaud you for coming to a great realization. It is not only MY salvation that matters, but everyone else's too. I study religions, and this was a great realization of Mahayana Buddhism, which I admire. Some people in Buddhism were saying that enlightenment was an individual sort of thing, but these others came along and said, no, enlightenment is not genuinely enlightenment, if one chooses enlightenment only for oneself, while others meanwhile are caught in the wheel of a suffering existence. So these wonderful people, the boddhisattvas, said they will not allow themselves to enter the ultimate salvation until they have helped all other people reach that salvation as well. And by having that much compassion, and selflessness, they are great people worthy of enlightenment.

I think you have reached a similar conclusion, and it pains you because of your great love for people. This is a beautiful quality that you have, and you can therefore be a very effective influence on other people. You CAN help others towards salvation, because of this example of yours.

I don't believe in hell, so I can't really help you or calm you if you do, but let me say that if nothing else, God has put you here for a purpose - to help those other beings whom he loves with a love even greater than the one you have for them - and you can feel at peace in knowing that you are making a difference for the better for these people whom you love.

God bless you.

Answer 6

Perfect Happiness: Now and Forever

[41:30] Those who proclaim: "Our Lord is GOD," then lead a righteous life, the angels descend upon them: "You shall have no fear, nor shall you grieve. Rejoice in the good news that Paradise has been reserved for you.

[41:31] "We are your allies in this life, and in the Hereafter. You will have in it anything you wish for; you will have anything you want.

[41:32] "(Such is your) ultimate abode, from a Forgiver, Most Merciful."

http://www.submission.org/suras/sura41.html


MATTER: The Other Name for Illusion

What is explained in this book is an important truth, which has surprised many and changed their perspectives on life. This truth can be summarized as follows: "All events and objects that we encounter in real life-buildings, people, cities, cars, places-in fact, everything we see, hold, touch, smell, taste and hear-come into existence as visions and feelings in our brains".

We are taught to think that these images and feelings are caused by a solid world outside of our brains, where material things exist. However, in reality we never see real existing materials and we never touch real materials. In other words, every material entity which we believe exists in our lives, is, in fact, only a vision which is created in our brains.

This is not a philosophical speculation. It is an empirical fact that has been proven by modern science. Today, any scientist who is a specialist in medicine, biology, neurology or any other field related to brain research would say, when asked how and where we see the world, that we see the whole world in the vision center located in our brains.

This fact has been scientifically proven in the twentieth century, and although it may seem surprising, it necessarily implies answers to two questions; "If our lives are visions created in our brains, then who is it that creates these visions? And who is it that sees these visions in our brains without having eyes and enjoys them, gets excited and happy?" You will find the answers to these two important questions in this book.
http://www.harunyahya.com/matter.php

Answer 7

Yes, Christians sin. But remember: we became Christians in the hope of becoming more Christian, in the sense that we make our best efforts to raise ourselves above sinning and selfishness. We go to church to help each other become better Christians, amongst other reasons.

I'm concerned that you say Christianity tries to make you forget about everyone else. Indeed not! God wants, more than anything, for us all to spread the Gospel and help others gain their salvation. That is the Great Commission.

In answer to why you (and all of us) were brought on to Earth to eke out our existences, I say this: God wants to prepare us for Heaven, and this life is our preparation. It's like school - you learn (or not), take tests, curse your teachers and finally get on into the real world.

Justpata (his answer's above mine) is very right. The Bible specifically contains the word "rejoice" in 800 or so instances - further proof that God wants us to be happy.

Answer 8

This is the kind of mindset that caused me to turn from traditional Christianity to New Age and Wiccan ideas. It is easier simply not to believe in Satan or in Hell, but to believe instead that a real God is good, and will not just toast everyone like marshmallows who does not agree with one church's or denomination's teachings. Continue to search your Bible for answers, perhaps you will find an answer there that will be right for you. My parents tell me they think they will forget those who were not saved when they go to heaven.

Answer 9

i have no idea but it feels the same. even if you emphasize forgiveness there are those who finally won' t get, right?
and then, how would one know if he/she really believes?
but in the same time you can't just give up faith cause is the only thing between us and the void.
about the hell question try finding Hans Urs von Balthasar's " discourse on hell" -it's short & it may answer some questions.
i mean he argues that a Christian could " believe" in Hell but hope that it's an " empty hell"

Answer 10

We only have to answer to our own consciences friend.
Your statements shows you have a healthy mind.
Examine all things and keep that which is good for you.
If you go through life worrying about what people say you will worry yourself to death.
Worry about what you say and do, and those who you can help.
Seeing that a soul is worth more than all the riches of this earth, save your own soul by doing what you can to the best of your ability.
Heaven is not a place, it is a condition of the mind, which is to be found ,partly , today.
The guidelines in the good book say ' Love God above all, and your neighbour as yourself' .
Find simple love and peace in your loved ones and those who care, and leave the drama and predictions of doom.