If I'm an agnostic, should I practice a religion?

Question

What can religion do for you? What is the benefit or potential harm?

kimisland - 2 nice men will come to my house if I call the kingdom hall? I like the sound of that! Maybe this religion is for me.

Answer 1

it is always good to seek, but it is best to practice what we believe.
search for what you believe in, but until you find what you believe in, there will be no benefits or harm.

i am happy to tell what I believe and why, but do not condemn those that do not accept my beliefs.

Answer 2

Yes, you should practice a religion, and join a church.

The harm is that you'll join a church that you find objectionable, and make you uncomfortable. Another possibility is that by being in an objectionable church, you will encounter toxic people, or become a toxic person to others.

One benefit is membership in a community where you can turn to in times of need (death in the family, serious illness, unemployment, etc.) Another benefit is having structure which will challenge you to be a better person.

I recommend belief-o-matic way too much, but I'll do it again anyways. Go to the sight, answer the questions as honestly as you can, then learn more about your top few recommendations. Find a congregation, and check it out.

Answer 3

I do. It's kind of like being a Trekker. You can believe in the IDEAS behind the myth but you know your phaser doesn't really work and your not really going to Gamma Hydra for a peace conference. But you like the community and the way they take care of each other. There are opportunities to do good social work. (And my denomination doesn't use it as an excuse for preaching.) The rituals reassure the faint-hearted, the songs are fun and the stories have morals that helps people keep their priorities straight and take better care of each other.

I feel I can contribute a practical viewpoint that keeps people from getting lost in myth, doctrine and excessive piety (all of which I can appreciate, even if I don't take them too seriously). I find inspiration in the kindness and dedication of some church members. And even when I think the preaching, the guided meditation, or the Bible study is veering off into right field, I still have the opportunity to consider why I think so and how I could make it better. It's hard to find a place elsewhere to discuss existential, philosophical or moral issues.

I sometimes have to soft-pedal my objections to some of the more intolerant positions SOME members of the community have, just to avoid scandalizing them, but I also find other opportunities to challenge them to widen their point of view. I couldn't do that from outside the Church. And I do occasionally find like-minded friends who make the silly parts worthwhile.

Answer 4

I would say if you are interested in finding a religion to follow, you should do some research to find one that fits your needs. Perhaps instead of one of the more popular religions you might look into other Spiritualities. The benefits and disadvantages differ with each choice.
A Spiritual life can bring inner peace, truth and understanding into your life.
So can some of the organized religions,however, some of the organized religions have a tendency to take over your life, dictate what you should believe, how you should act, who you can associate with etc.
Ultimately the decision is yours.

Answer 5

Although most self-proclaimed agnostics do not practise a religion, there is nothing to say you can't. Perhaps if the organised religions aren't for you, you could try praying in private, as a 'to whom it may concern' if you can't decide who or what to pray to. At least try to be a 'good person', is you can decide what that exactly is. Try looking up Noachides/Noahides on the web, but watch out for evangelists trying to trick people by using the name.

Answer 6

It is my understanding that agnostic is a belief in a higher power but not one that subscribes to any religion.

I think religion does for you what you want from it. If you have faith in good, good things are more likely to happen.

Harm could be when you subscribe so closely to a religion that you close your mind to common sense and the practical realities of life

Answer 7

Firstly, it's not a good idea to ask a worldly forum like this for true answers about religion. If you were serious, you would call up a Kingdom Hall near you, ask for a Service Overseer, then when you get him, request a personal home Bible study. This way, two nice men will come to your home or wherever you prefer to meet at your time. Have a list of your questions ready. What I have learned about true Christians (not false) is that they do live their lives according to Godly standards and not how this immoral world tells you how to live. The Bible is a very large portion of their lives because it's the only true thing left in this world.

If you have questions about the Bible New World Translation, be sure to ask the brothers who study with you or the Service Overseer why they use this Bible. I think you will find the answer very rewarding to you personally, and your eyes will be opened.

Don't ask worldly forums like this about the truth about true religion. You'll always get gossipers and liars just looking to spew hatred and rhetoric about any and everything. You won't get the truth on this type of wordly forum.

If you're serious about your question, go to them to get the correct answers; not this dirty forum. Good advice.

See the posts below. There you will see what I mean. In everyone's Bible it clearly states that Jesus was/is God's only begotten Son. This means a son that he created divinely to sit beside him at this throne; a son that was beside him at the creation of everything. Read in your own Bible in Proverbs 8: 22 for these are the words of Jesus----

“Jehovah himself produced me as the beginning of his way, the earliest of his achievements of long ago. 23 From time indefinite I was installed, from the start, from times earlier than the earth. 24 When there were no watery deeps I was brought forth as with labor pains, when there were no springs heavily charged with water. 25 Before the mountains themselves had been settled down, ahead of the hills, I was brought forth as with labor pains, 26 when as yet he had not made the earth and the open spaces and the first part of the dust masses of the productive land. 27 When he prepared the heavens I was there; when he decreed a circle upon the face of the watery deep, 28 when he made firm the cloud masses above, when he caused the fountains of the watery deep to be strong, 29 when he set for the sea his decree that the waters themselves should not pass beyond his order, when he decreed the foundations of the earth, 30 then I came to be beside him as a master worker, and I came to be the one he was specially fond of day by day, I being glad before him all the time, 31 being glad at the productive land of his earth, and the things I was fond of were with the sons of men.

Clearly, Jesus is not equal to his Father, Jehovah God and he admits this multiple times throughout the Bible.

Proverbs 1: 7 -- The fear of Jehovah is the beginning of knowledge. Wisdom and discipline are what mere fools have despised.

Mere fools see the truth but Satan has blinded their minds and hearts.

Later, as we know, Jesus volunteered to come to earth for a huge task. Could you imagine volunteering to come from a beautiful spiritual place like heaven to earth and be born from a virgin to fulfill prophecy and honor your father's task? Jesus did because his purpose was to save mankind for "the things I was fond of were with the sons of men". He loved us so much that's why he did what he did for us. Now he reigns close by his father with us, the earth as his footstool. There's so much more, but pray before you accept any religion. Be sure to ask your heavenly Father for the one and only "True" religion.

Answer 8

There is a difference between religion and a relationship with Jesus.

If you are interested in eternal life in heaven with God, then you need to pursue a relationship with Jesus.

Here how it works;
everyone sins, we are all born with a sin nature
sin is what separates us from God
Jesus paid the penalty for sin when He shed His precious blood on the cross
So accepting/having faith in Jesus, Becoming a Christian will give you the benefit of going to heaven.

If you have other questions about Christianity, God, Jesus the bible etc... feel free to email me.

Answer 9

If you're agnostic, the only reason to do that would be to "hedge your bets".

Religions can be good sources of social and community support.

They can also be rigid social hierarchies of who is in power or good and who is not.

The benefit would be the social interaction and "belonging"

The harm would be the lie that you believe the religion

Answer 10

Don't confuse church and belief. You can become involved in your community and do good without overcoming doubts. Reconciling head and heart is a tougher and far more personal issue. The harm is trying to force the latter issue.

Answer 11

Be yourselves believe what you feel is right in your own heart you do not have to practice in a religion
If you believe in God maybe you should pray and ask him what is right for you believe me I am still praying to God what religion group I should join I am
so confuses at this moment but in my heart I feel this one is true