Is it ok not to have a religion?

Question

I'm 14 years old and my family is Christian. We don't go to church, and I've never read the whole bible, and though some people may think you cannot be Christian if you don't do those things, I believe you can. I've always been a very open minded person. I doubt there is a God sometimes. Other times I feel I believe in him just to feel safe. I know there are a lot of religions out there. And I think I'd really like to learn more about them and find one that better matches my beliefs. Does anyone know any good websites I could go to, to learn more about other religions? Is it ok to not have a religion? I know I'm young and maybe I shouldn't be thinking about this at my age, but it's something I'm interested in.

Answer 1

Each of us has had our own path to spiritual enlightenment and growth, as a young man I too noted the existence of God and the validity of Christianity, and many other worlds traditional religions. In my youth I look forward to what life had to offer and thought that I my own skills and dedication that I would succeed regardless of having a relationship with God.

As we mature, often we seem to recognize the insignificance of ourselves scheme in the world, and it is at these times that we are open to understand what the nature of God and to seek a relationship on a personal level with God.

This does not have to happen when you are 14 or even when you're 40, but at some point in your life you will be faced with the reality of God's existence, and at that time, and only at that time will you be open to your own spiritual growth involving God.

Should you open yourself to her relationship with God, it is only then will understand the great power of the great responsibility that you hold within the community of humanity.

Answer 2

Studying different belief systems makes it easier to deal with the people you encounter from day to day. And at 14, you are beginning to question your parents beliefs as you are forming you own. Continue to be open minded and you will surely find a path that is right for you . While there is no one true religion, you may find one that you like, but if you don't that's OK too. The most spiritual people I know do not subscribe to any religion and are generally nicer to be around.

Answer 3

You know what i have been where you are and i was raised in a similar way. I choose Christianity but i also studies other religions and took a world religions course in school. I learned alot about and to appeciate other religions. You would be surprised how simialar things are. I wanted to give you a site that was not bias because i noticed most of the people gave you a bias one but i had a hard time finding one. If you ever get a chance you should take a religious studies class or talk to a theologists cause they are the lest bias as i can think but this is the best site i could find. http://www.religioustolerance.org/var_rel.htm
Good luck and i hope you find the right religion for you.

Answer 4

It's more than OK to not follow a religion. By not doing so you've shown that you do not simply swallow anything that is put in front of you, and therefore have true autonomy.
I don't like people who are so self-assured in their beliefs, especially when they base everything on an unreliable book which they can't even question (or as they say, being blasphemous).
But that's not to say that believing in a god is stupid. It's a well known fact that Einstein was a Deist, which means he believed in "a" god, rather than any specific one. Which is much more reasonable than believing in the intricate stories of these numerous and diverse religions in my opinion.
So whatever you choose, make sure it's for your own reasons rather than any pressure that society or family places on you to conform.

Answer 5

Absolutely! Here are some of the other "alternatives:"
* Agnosticism: This literally means unknowable, and is the philosophical view that the truth value of certain claims—particularly theological claims regarding metaphysics, afterlife or the existence of God, god(s), or deities—is unknown or (possibly) inherently unknowable. Agnostics claim either that it is not possible to have absolute or certain knowledge of God or gods; or, alternatively, that while certainty may be possible, they personally have no knowledge.
* Atheism: In the broadest sense, it is the absence of belief in the existence of gods or deities. Other definitions combine this absence of belief with belief in the nonexistence of God, or simply with the conscious rejection of theism.
*Deists: Do not agree with the holy books and revealed religions that assert the existence of such things. Instead, deists hold that religious beliefs must be founded on human reason and observed features of the natural world, and that these sources reveal the existence of one God or supreme being.
*Secular humanism is a humanist philosophy that upholds reason, ethics, and justice, and specifically rejects the supernatural and the spiritual as warrants of moral reflection and decision-making. Like other types of humanism, secular humanism is a life stance or a praxis focusing on the way human beings can lead good and happy lives (eupraxsophy). The term was coined in the 20th century to make a clear distinction from "religious humanism". A related concept is scientific humanism, which the biologist Edward O. Wilson claimed to be "the only worldview compatible with science's growing knowledge of the real world and the laws of nature".

Answer 6

Religeon can be a good aid to people who question existence and other things which can't be answered by science.

You can make what you like of the Bible, the Koran, or any other established set of ideas, if that is what you think of as an answer that suits you.

However, if you have the time to sit down and decide for yourself what it is that you would like to believe in, and then find a religeon which has similar views to yours, then this in my opinion is a far better way to go about it.

There are far too many people in the world who have doubts on what their faith says they should believe. These people need to stop pretending they still believe what they have been brought up to, and have a think about what they actually do. This can be a very satisying revelation.

Answer 7

you are perfectly normal to be thinking of this regardless of your age of course it is ok to have no religion or to beleive in bits and pieces of a bit of all religions i liked the part where you said you sometimes beleive just to be safe that is an excellent way of putting it because i think a lot of people beleive so that they will not go to hell of something silly of this sort you should try to just look up the religions that you are interested in separately on google or yahoo or something
i dont think you must go to church or read the whole bible to be christian either because back in the olden times a lot of people couldnt read and they were still very religious people i never thought it was healthy to beleive something so unproven like religion without any basis for the assumptions
what i dont like is the people who are or whatever religion and solicite people to switch to the religion they belong to because they think everyone else is wrong and that they are all evil and stuff whatever happened to ' live and let live '?? well anyhow best of luck and go forth in your journey to greater brainpower

Answer 8

First off, you may be young, but that doesn't mean that you cannot ask questions about religions and things like this. It's an important choice, and it is perfectly okay to start thinking about it. As far as the going to church, I believe you can be a Christian without going to church; however, church is a wonderful tool for spiritual growth. It's hard sometimes to grow without a church.

I think one of the best sources about different religions are people that are practicing that religion. If you are an open-minded person, I would suggest not talking to someone who is a fundamentalist Christian. For the most part, they aren't very open about things. If you want to know more about Christianity, find someone who is a Christian and ask them things about their faith. The same can be said for someone who is Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Jew, and so on.

Yes, you can choose to NOT have a religion. There are many people on here that are atheists or agnostics. It is a belief system, but neither of them is a religion in the formal sense of the word. Do not feel pressured to choose something. It is up to YOU to make that choice.

As far as websites, there are many of them that are out there. But, some will have a bias and it's hard to figure out which one isn't biased. Sometimes, it is better to talk to someone that is that religion. That is my best advice to you.

I am more than willing to talk to you from the perspective of someone that is Christian. If you would like to ask me something, you can email me through yahoo answers.

Answer 9

You sound like you are open to learning, so I would suggest start with what your family believes in and learn about Christians first. Read the bible with an open mind, does it mean you have to be a Christian no but you should atleast study it. Your parents haven't done that bad of a job raising you so far, have they? So maybe give the bible a glance first. Then branch out and weigh your options. You will find what your looking for. I will pray for you, when it is time you will find God waiting for you.

Answer 10

I come from a family that is just like that. I felt the same way until I went to a church with my finance that helps you have a relationship with God, rather than just study and know facts. The more you build the relationship with Jesus the more you begin to relate to him. I am a believer, and I still haven't read the whole Bible. There is way more to it than that. Here is the link to the Assemblies of God. It is Pentecostal based, but non-denominational at the same time. You are never too young to be thinking about your religion. I wish I had figured it out for myself a long time ago. I hope this helps you find your way! http://ag.org/top/