I am looking for a new religion. I have given up on Christianity. Does anyone have any good ideas?

Question

Please do not try to convert me back to Christianity

I am just looking for a new religion. I'm not sure what exactly though

I used to be baptist but Christianity doesn't seem to work for me

I asked if you all had good ideas! I'm not saying to pick for me!!!!

Answer 1

You know, I was going to ignore this but can't. I wonder if you will even see the post as it is at the end of the list.

Please don't let what a particular church or so called "Christian" has done or said to you turn you off of faith in Christ. I think sometimes church people can be there own worst enemy. No person has all the answers in faith, but God does. He does not expect you to come to Him and be perfect, just willing to trust Him to guide your life. There may be guidelines that are given, but if you look at them they really are put out there to better your life, and if you get of course you simply say, oops, messed up and you get another chance. In other religions, there is a price to pay, or worse yet, just live for yourself! That is so empty and sad.

Take it from someone who has been in your shoes and as a result had to loose everything slowly while "going at life just for myself." Seemed wonderful at the beginning, always does, that's the plan the the "deceiver" (devil) has for it. Why would he want it to look unattractive? He wants as many people to leave Christ as he can get to. Please consider that.

Answer 2

Why are you asking us?

This is an intensely personal thing. One that cannot be decided by an outside party if it's going to mean anything to you.

Do you just want people to toss up a shopping list of religious groups and then you can pick the one that seems the most appealing?

What you need to do is to decide what you actually belive in at this point. Why did you leave Christianity? Do you still hold any part of Christianity as truth? What are your views of God? Of the afterlife? Of morals, sin, truth, love and life purpose?

These are the quesitons you yourself need to answer first. Then and only then will you be able to find a niche that is the perfect fit for you at this time.

You may not even need religion. You may just chose to have a relationship with God sans all religion and groups. Which can be even better - although it is often hard work since there is no external group pushing you.

Answer 3

This is a complicated issue. It's hard to "choose" a new religion arbitrarily. For a religion to work, you have to believe. Belief isn't permanent, though. No matter how much you believe, if a religion fails to meet your moral standards, it won't work for you. However, researching every religion to find one that suits you is time consuming.

Ask yourself some questions: Why do you need a religion? Do you need something to believe in? Do you feel there's something out there you just can't explain? Do you want to feel like you have a place in the world, or in a community?

Your answers to these questions will have a lot to do with which religion is right for you. If you simply want a religion similar to Christianity, but with a more open scope of ideas and acceptance of various peoples and belief, most non-traditionalist sects of Judaism would work. If you're looking for a religion that runs parallel to Christianity but differs in it's structure and focus, give traditional (NOT WAHABI) Islam a try.

If you'd rather leave monotheism behind, Hinduism offers a number of Gods and Goddesses and some very interesting theology. Mahayana Buddhism and Popular Daoism are also good choices. For a more philosophical bent, try philosophical Daoism (Laozi/Lao-Tsu, Zhuangzi/Cuan-Tsu) or Zen Buddhism. Religions like these can help you feel centered, without bogging you down with mythology and rules. Shinto is a nice blend between the two, but it doesn't really apply to foreigners (anyone not Japanese).

Finally, there are abstract faiths like Deism and Humanism or Naturalism. Each of these have a very abstract vision of God, leaving it up to you to define your own faith and vision of the divine.

Finally, there's always agnosticism or atheism.

So, depending on how much structure you want, different options may appeal to you. It all depends on what made you lose your faith in Christianity. Don't listen to the nasty remarks. People feel threatened by "losing one of the flock," but nobody can tell you what works best for you except you. Good luck, I hope you find something that works for you.

Answer 4

Hinduism, less confusing, more love, no hate.

Buddhism, everything is God, no hating, hypocrisy does not exist.

Native American beliefs in the great spirit, lots of naturalist thinking, one with the earth.

Christianity has killed, murdered and imprisoned more people that most other religions. A bon-o-fied fact...

See the crusades and the middle ages very brutal. See KKK for a modern day example.

Even today's war on terror is a "moral" America against an "immoral" Islam. Come on, not all Muslims are evil. Don't be so gullible.

See select o religion at Speak out!

Answer 5

If you'd like to compare world religions with one another, I highly suggest the book:

"Mankind's Search For God"
http://watchtower.org/publications/publications_available.htm

Only about 5.5" x 6.5" x 3/4", it is very easy to handle, easy to understand, & has many pictures.
This 384-page book contains 16 chapters that relate the history of mankind’s search for God over the past six thousand years. Included are their basic teachings, beliefs, customs, & practices, along with their origins.

It answers hundreds of questions. Here is a small sampling:

What factors usually determine a person’s religion?
Why is it not wrong to examine other faiths?
What similarities between Roman Catholicism & Buddhism?
What role do myths play in many religions?
Why do many believe in magic, spiritism, & astrology?
Why do Hindus have so many gods & goddesses?
How do Sikhs differ from Hindus?
Who was the Buddha--what did he teach?
Why is Shinto mainly a Japanese religion?
Why do Jews have oral as well as written law?
How do we know that Christ is not a myth?
How does the Koran differ from the Bible?
Why do Catholics say Peter was the first pope?
Why did Luther leave the Roman Catholic Church?

This book packs in the answers.
I find it truly unbiased, & keep it handy!

Following are a few online articles from the same publisher:

Is There A Sound Basis for Your Beliefs?
- Your Right to Believe
- Why Do People Believe What They Believe?
http://watchtower.org/e/20010801/article_01.htm

Why Care About Spiritual Things? :
- Spirituality and Your Well-Being--A Positive Link
How You Can Satisfy Your Spiritual Needs
http://watchtower.org/e/20040201/article_01.htm

The parts that I find the most important, though, show the DIFFERENCE between Christendom's 'BRAND' of 'Christianity, and Actual--Scriptural Christianity.
Compared together, they are like a July midnight without any moon, &, high noon on a clear day in the Nevada desert, in July!

The following are articles that make comparison easy:

Unbiblical Doctrines + Ungodly Actions = Not Christian http://watchtower.org/library/pr/article_04.htm
(the subtitles)

The End of False Religion Is Near!
- What false religion is
- How it will end
- How to identify true religion
http://watchtower.org/e/kn37/article_01.htm

How Can You Find the True Religion?
http://watchtower.org/library/rq/article_13.htm

Whatever you choose, please don't assume that a religion that claims to follow the Bible actually does. Check out the Scriptures for yourself. False Christianity was prophesied about, & is very prevalent. But it isn't admitting any guilt, we have to learn to discern it ourselves.

"Certain men have slipped in ... , ungodly men, turning the undeserved kindness of our God into an excuse for loose conduct and proving false to our only Owner and Lord, Jesus Christ." -- Jude 4

"Make sure of all things; hold fast to what is fine." 1 Th 5:21

" The Be·roe′ans ... received the word with the greatest eagerness of mind, Carefully Examining the Scriptures daily as to whether these things were so." Acts 17:10,11

So, my suggestion is to do a very thorough search!

Answer 6

It's hard to give you 'good ideas' because what I believe in would be the best idea ever and of course I will tell you about it. But it mainly depends on the research from your own side. As in, I can't tell you that being a dentist is the perfect job or a good idea for you and you go right ahead and become one. Of course you would put your effort into it to learn what a dentist is/ does etc.

So for your question, I would say that Islam is the best religion because it makes a person become pure and clean inside out. Some examples would include...men and women being equal, respecting everyone around you, especially your parents, helping the needy, self control and what not! Here are some links that will tell you some information on Islam:

http://www.islam-qa.com/index.php?ln=eng

http://english.islamway.com/

http://www.what-is-islam.org/

Good luck!

Answer 7

Dear,
I am a Hindu. There is not much difference between religions except rituals. They preach same thing with difference story.
There is no use of rituals. Forget everything, Just try to understand the teaching of Jesus. Everything is there with his teachings. Understand in your own way till you really satisfied. There is a big saying in bible " Know thyself" The same thing is the basic of Hindus, Bhudism, Jainism, Meditate over this word continuously, u will realise the truth Then u will understand that there is no use changing the religion or rituals. Changing religion is nothing but changing our mask. Unless u change, there is no use of changing religion or rituals or whatever it is. Let selfless love be your religion. If u r sincere try this. God bless you.

Answer 8

Sounds like your having a bad experience at church, don't let that take away what you've already become it's not christiananity's fault it's what has discouraged you from not wanting to continue, If it's a boy forget him and go on with what you started he's not the only one that's out there?, If your feeling heartbroken then just leave him alone and continue going to church and by leaving him alone then maybe he'll realize that he messed up! Don't even talk to him that will really bother him the most by you not paying any attention to him. By you doing this it will make him to start thinking of what he done, and how he screwed up, your an attractive young lady if your who I think you are?, I have a problem with my relation with my wife so I know how it feels, she's all messed up on pills and it sucks for me but I still keep going to church because I know that God will make it right for all of us!...

Answer 9

Stop looking for religion. They are only clothings that can be changed weekly.
Better look for Person, who promise you happiness, in the world and especially in eternity.
So don't get back into Christianity, don get back into any church, but go further beyond: The Kingdom of Heaven, introduced by Lord Jesus, who loves you and already died for your sin!
Better start all over again, study the Gospel of the Kingdom (of Heaven).
Be blessed!

Answer 10

Here is a true story about a student and a Zen master.

The Zen master asked the student why did he want to study Zen. The student told the Zen master everything that was wrong with Christianity.

The Zen master paused and then said, when you have mastered Christianity come back me.

Personally, I would recommend that you go towards something as opposed to running away from something.