What should I do if anything about religion & my family?

Question

Ok here's my problem.. Looking for suggestions.. I don't believe in Jesus, but I DO believe there is a God.. I have never really belonged to a church, except Christian, but have always walked away because they say "Jesus is God". That's not my personal take on it.. But I want my family (children to belong to a church). To have the best start on life I can offer them. All the Church's I can just go to, walk in other words, are of course Christan. Judaism takes a very long time to join.. Some of the other require handing out paperwork (tracks). I'm not sure what church I can go to that believes what we believe yet have the amenities that Christan Church's have.. Any suggestion??

Answer 1

See if you can find a Unitarian-Universalist or Quaker meetinghouse in your area and give them a try. Both are strong on community AND embracing a diversity of personal belief.

Of the Christian denominations, some are more accepting than others. I like a lot of UCC folk (Congregationalists). (A friend calls them Unitarians Considering Christ. ;-) You might find one that you feel comfortable in.

It doesn't take that long to convert to Judaism. Officially a year, but many synagogues are happy to have people who are considering so you can attend services and be part of the community first. Ask the rabbi for guidance.

Answer 2

I didn't trust churches and in the beginning i didn't necessarily believe that Jesus was God either. Rather than lying to myself and trying to force myself to believe what other people told me was true, I asked God to show me. And really to be honest, it isn't being at Church that gives kids a good start in life, it's learning the truth. If they honestly look for truth they'll find it.A person can go to church their entire lives but if they don't really look for God they might miss him, in all the rigmarole.

But thats just my opinion.

For me the big change came when I stopped following other people and started following God. Its taken me years to find a good church.With so many different people telling me they knew the "real" God it was confusing. So I took a step back and asked Him for help.

In the end I really did grow to have faith in Jesus, but that was through life experience not because someone told me too.

So, i cant tell you which church to go to but i can say this.....if they come on to you like high pressure salesman run!!!!


My grandmother told to me to look for answers in the Bible. For years the only time i read my Bible was is a crisis. But in retrospect that was the best advice ANYBODY has ever given me. Eventually I started reading it all the time.


I hope this was helpful.

Answer 3

Church does not help anyone - let me clarify that.

Going to church does not make you a Christian any more than going to the forrest makes you a tree.
Going to church does not impress God any more than a box of filthy rags.

These are works & if salvation were based on these, it would be unfair to babies, small children, those with a deminished mental capacity, those with a deminished physical capacity & the elderly, just to name a few.

While your intent is great, the honest reality is that Jesus is God in the flesh & salvation comes through him alone & is a matter of grace (unmerited favor).

I am not bashing you, please understand that, but I must be honest with you.

I would be earnestly be interested in why you are fighting against Jesus being God in the flesh.

Please respond with another question that would magnify "the why" you fight against this truth.
Love in Christ.

Answer 4

Why cant you teach them what you believe in, instead of risking someone telling them a load of crap. I am sure you can find books that talk about the same spirituality you believe in, and for kids as well. What are you looking for in a church? Why is it so important for you that your kids go to a church? Are you looking for a community, a support system? Just a thought :)

Answer 5

Try the United Church of Christ
or the Unitarian Universalist Church

Answer 6

I commend you for seeking something you believe will help your family. Many are spending too much time seeking for material things to spend the time necessary to raise their children with a strong moral foundation.

It's also understandable why you've been frustrated with the various religious denominations. Your situation is remarkably similar to Joseph Smith. At one time he was trying to decide what church to join. Here's a link to a short summary of his story: http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,959-1,00.html.

Don't give up on Jesus Christ. While many are confused about who He really is, the truth is readily available and your heart will help you recognize it.

It can also help your family a great deal to understand the purpose of life. There are very good reasons why God allows us to live in conditions where people make both good and bad decisions. You can read about this at: http://www.mormon.org/learn/0,8672,792-1,00.html.

Answer 7

It has always been my feeling that Religion/Spirituality is a very personal relationship. I have also found that is easier to lose faith if your religion is forced upon you. Introducing faith based idiom to your children is good only in that it gives them the basis for choice, or lack of choice if they so desire. But please do not try to indoctrinate your child with the dogma that is out there with the idea that they MUST believe. Remember that any person can be spiritual without being religious, and a faith that is imposed will be resisted when contradictions become apparent, and you will find most religious orders full of contradiction.

Answer 8

Unitarian Universalist church.

Answer 9

Start by asking yourself why you would want your children to spend their free time learning something that you personally don't believe, and why they should go to church but you shouldn't. There are other ways to teach children morality, connect them to friends, etc.

Answer 10

You need to decide what you believe and then find a church with that belief. Try fitting yourself to the Bible,