what religious experiences have people had leading them to believe in god?

Answer 1

I hope you don't mind my answering this question. I did not have a religious experience, per se. I once seriously doubted the existence of God because I could not imagine why he was, seemingly, doing nothing about the serious fog of suffering in which the world was engulfed at the time. Mind you, this was over twenty years ago. It wasn't as bad then as it is now. I began to do a serious study of the Bible and was amazed at what I learned! In short, I learned that the sixty-six books making up the Bible actually are inspired by God. A consideration of this book led me to the conclusion that the information it contained could not be from a human source, although, of course, human authors were used to record that information.

I also appreciated the fact that even in the Christian Greek Scriptures (the New Testament), though many people, religious leaders and others, had religious experiences, they were not sufficient, in and of themselves, to lead to a solid belief in God. To illustrate: Lazarus was resurrected after being dead for three days. That he truly was resurrected from the dead can be seen in the fact that the religious leaders sought to kill him. Yet, this "religious experience" (for who can deny that seeing someone resurrected from the dead is a religious experience) did not move them to take in the knowledge Jesus was teaching and make the necessary changes. They claimed to believe in and worship God but clearly they did not. This pattern of behavior is repeated many times in the Greek scriptures.

Hebrews 4:12 states quite plainly: "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." (NIV) The Greek word here rendered "active" means effectual, powerful. That is what moves and motivates the person who wishes to be pleasing to the Most High God. Not miraculous feedings, resurrections from the dead, getting money from the mouths of fish and other religious experiences. God's word operates on the heart - the seat of motivation - exposing what is truly there – for the good and for the bad.

So that is what got me started. And that is what keeps me going in the faith. I continue to be amazed at the veracity of God's word the Bible.

Hannah J Paul

Answer 2

I wouldn't call my experience a religious one more of a spiritual awakening... or more simply I came to believe.
It was just a feeling, a really intense extremely powerful and reassuring feeling that Jesus was(is) my savior... I'm not sure I'll ever be able to put down in words what it was like because there is nothing to compare it too.. other that have had this feeling know what i mean.. The closest thing i can compare it to is just an overwhelming sense of calm and serenity.

Answer 3

I was brought up by my religious fanatic mother, but have always been quite spiritual, long before my mother became "born again".
Anyway, I had a young son and when he was about 5 - 6 months old, I put him in his indoor swing one morning while I went to wash teh breakfast dishes. You know the kind of thing - the baby kicks and jumps away? It was suspended from the ceiling by a hook and chains.
Anyway, I was washing the dishes - I can still see the bubbles in my mind's eye - when I was moved across the room, my arm was pulled out to shoulder height and as I stood there, the hook holding my baby snapped. And I caught the chains. My son would have been killed if I hadn't had something move me across the room like that. There were no voices, no premonition, just me moving across the room.
I don't like religion and yes, I'd quite like to disassociate myself from organised religion, but I know that there is something there.
I know I'm not lying, I don't expect you to believe me. I know I was not deluded. I know this as I know my own son - it was real.

Answer 4

I guess for me it has been the power of prayer. I have prayed to be delivered from somethings/ habits in my life and though it didnt happen over night, I have indeed been delivered!

And what makes it better is that my past does not hold me captive anymore, though I do not have a terrible past, I have some history that I am not too proud of... and through Jesus Christ my slate feels like it has been wiped clean... my shame has gone away... I honestly feel like I have been forgiven!
.

Answer 5

A combination of experiences. Seeing and experiencing unexplainable phenomena. Having prayers answered. Series of events that at first seem like coincidence, but are consistent and frequent (never fail) and always in my favor. Just really strange stuff that I can't ignore, and can't find a scientific explanation for (yet!).

Answer 6

In my opinion, i would have to say the Majority of the religious dont have a specific experience that led them to God. Most of them were taught and brought up to believe. There wasnt anything that did it, just ignorant parents forcing their beliefs on their kids.

Answer 7

A profound Acid Trip.

The idea of Collective Consciousness (God-consciousness) was shown to me, and I have not been able to get rid of it ever sense. It was both highly scary and humbling at the same time.

Answer 8

None - in fact the opposite. When an old friend dies from an "act of God" i.e. strong winds blew a tree onto his car crushing him & leaving behind a pregnant wife & young child, it kind of puts you off God.

Answer 9

My pastor giving me the love of God one day after church. Some congregation members were there too. It really opened me to the Lord!

Answer 10

well.. i never saw jesus in a ball of light... ive never been struck by lightning.....

at one point in my life.. i ignored every single religious text and their corresponding religions.. and just went with a blank about god... and you know... i cant explain it... but i really do FEEL there is one... i didnt need to see it.. i didnt need to touch it... there is just something inside that feels different... i dont know if its god.. or maybe i am having a heart attack, lol... but there is just something that i feel that allows me to stand by my faith...
and i know to alot of people that might not be a valid reason... but the way i see it.. all i need to know, is for me... not anyone else...
and i am completely at peace with my beliefs.