confused about religion?

Question

i'm confused with all the religions out there? i have a friend who is a mormon and recently i was in the front garden when two sisters came around talking to me about there religion and how i should choose to follow there because it was"the truth" one of the main things i find is that they say that you must not drink alcohol but didn't jesus drink wine and tell people it was his blood? i'm really not sure what religion to believe in because there are so many beliefs and ideas out there but not a great deal of hard evidence?

Answer 1

One word, athiesm.

Answer 2

There is definitely a lot of confusion out there. The thing you must be weary about is any group who labels themselves Christian, yet denies the basic tenents of the Christian faith. Or any group who places more emphasis on their own books rather than God's word - the Bible.

And, I can tell you right now that Mormons place more emphasis on the Book of Mormon. They conveniently quote the Bible only when it suits their purposes, but when it doesn't, they claim there are errors in the translation. God's word - the Bible - is authoritative. You can't have it both ways. You can't pick and choose the parts you like and conveniently discard the rest.

As for your question about alcohol, the Bible has very serious warnings about drinking in excess (1 Corinthians 6:9-10), just like it does about eating in excess and spending in excess. But, drinking in moderation is not a sin, and is not prohibited by scripture. If Jesus were opposed to the consumption of wine in moderation, the He wouldn't have turned water into wine at the wedding feast (John 2:1-11).

Then, you will get the people who claim that the wine was only grape juice, that it was non-alcoholic. Come on! If it was non-alcoholic, then why does scripture warn against being a drunkard? If there is no alcohol, then there is no risk of becomming drunk.

The important thing is to test all things against scripture (the Bible) when searching for the truth. If a religious organization teaches something that does not line up with scripture, then they are false teachers! And no matter how nice they are or how sincerely they might believe these false teachings, they are still wrong and are leading others away from God's truth. Pray that God will lead you in the right direction and that he would open your friend's eyes so that he could clearly see the truth also.

Answer 3

My friend faith and religion is a question of the heart. You will find that the best way to go is to approach a religion that you are least pressured to follow. Most religions claim that they hold the truth, but they can only guide you to find the truth. Faith is not something that anyone can give you; you will ultimately find that it grows from within you. Faith and hard evidence is a contradiction because the nature of faith is such that IT SELF IS THE EVIDENCE of things hoped for but yet unseen - so where is the hard evidence?

To embrace a religion, first you hear what it has to say and how it says it to you, then it must give you time to make up your mind. And you join in only when you are ready. This means that there are no time limits for you to make a decision.

This is to give you some guidelines. Further avoid anyone who is too fundamentalist - the least thing you want is too much brainwashing.
Peace

Answer 4

Jesus never taught religion, neither did He support it. It's not about religions, it's about your relationship with God. More than once, Jesus was upset and hurt by people arguing beliefs and making rules. If you ask people about religion, they'll lead you in a circle, one believes this, while the other doesn't.

That's why I decided years ago to get my "own" Bible, a version that even "I" could easily understand, (like the Living Bible or Today's New International Version, or Century English Version are all easy to understand) because i wanted to see for myself what God said. What really helped was to also use a Topical Bible, where you can look up any topic, and it lists all the verses together on that subject. Made it alot easier to find.

There are too many religions if you ask me, I myself, go by what my Bible says, and stopped trying to figure out which religion was what and why they believed what they do, and started following the Bible and praying to God myself. Jesus said "to take up your own cross and follow Mei. and "Do as I do, and love one another, even as I have loved you" He also said, that the Church is His body, that all believers are one body. I don't think all these different philosophies and divisions please God. After all, that IS what it's all about, it pleasing God, not man. There's always going to be somebody who disapproves.

As far as drinking wine, the only things the Bible says about drinking, is to drink in moderation, people drank wine and Jesus turned the water to wine at a wedding when the wine ran out. There are several scriptures that teach why being a drunkard is wrong and that hard liquor is for pain and a dying man. People twist what it written. That's why I read it for myself, atleast then if I'm in a situation like you were with those two sisters, I already know what God says about it and I can have a ready answer, and no one can tell me otherswise. I have read it for myself, I KNOW what it says and what it doesn't say.

I wanted the truth, about right & wrong, about love, about life, about sin, going to heaven--all of it. I wanted to find the for real genuine thing, not be a hypocrite or follow the wrong things. I wanted to know for certain. I asked God myself to forgive me of all my sins, I told Him what I believed was right and true, and asked Jesus Christ to come live in my heart, and teach me what He says is right, like Jesus and the Bible teaches we're supposed to do. I want to know what God says, because then I KNOW it's right. not what other people believe or think is right, because when all is said and done, it will be just God and myself, that I have to give an answer to, not the world or a religion.

I found out you can search for years, and STILL no one can give you the same answer. And they will confuse you, best thing you could ever do, is search for God's truth yourself. It'll save you alot of grief, than trying pick a belief or a religion. I don't follow a religion, I follow Jesus. And I don't obey rules and religions, I obey God and the Holy Bible,

Answer 5

If you have doubts, that question here will give you even more doubts, since everyone thinks their religion is the right one. I am Catholic but I will not bible bash you coz I don't think that is what you need at the moment. If you are already baptized, (in any religion) I suggest that you first seek answers in your own religion. Talk to one of your elders, priest, rabbi, pastor, or leader. They will tell you about your faith and answer any complicated question you can have. Join a prayer group of your religion that suits you. ie. If you are a teenager don't join a group of oldies!! One thin you do need is your community, to be able to share similar things and pray together.
I hope this helps you. May you find God in your heart very soon.

God bless.

P.S. Catholics are allowed to drink wine moderately!!!!!
Peace

Answer 6

Religion is a mechanism of control, often utilizing guilt and stating that their tenets are the only truth. Believe in yourself,as long as you don't harm another living being, you can be content controlling yourself.

I'm curious why you think you need another person or group telling you how to be, what to think or what you "should" (guilt) do? Of course, there are those that cannot think for themselves and require the direction of another human that presumes they know the "universal truths" and have all the answers for everyone else.

If you feel the need to believe in any religion, why does it have to be only one? Why can't you take what you consider the best part of religion "a" and the best part of religion "b", ad nauseam, and live by that code?

But, it's your life, and your choice, until you "sign up" and give it away.

Answer 7

Yes you are right there are loads of religions out there and yes you do get confused
honestly the best thing you can do is read about them
as for your example with Jesus you can't compare it because you just said that you dint know which is which how can you be sure what the bible says is true
I'm MuslI'm im not telling you to become Muslim but it would be nice if you do read about it and you might just like it
here is a link that might help you
http://www.introductiontoislam.org/index2.shtml

Answer 8

Jesus said to drink in "moderation". I believe even Paul even mentions in the text how wine is 'good for the heart'. The main point here is to use discipline and be able to see the bigger idea. Was taking a sip really a sin? or were they referring to abusing alcohol and getting drunk?

Answer 9

Don,t be confused about religion. Your main problem is because you are trying to find what religion to believe in. You should look for God and He will show you the way.

Look deep inside you and look around you with open mind. God will show you the way.....

Answer 10

Click on my Yahoo avatar and send for a free copy of my Catholic Resource CD.

It will provide you with all the best theology and religious scholarship of the last 2000 years, and allow you to trace Christianity back to it's roots, and then, all the way back to creation.

There's nothng like the truth to eliminate confusion!

Answer 11

Pray to God about it.

1 Timothy 1:4 says that faith is the opposite of endless genealogies. Therefore, it doesn't matter what family background you come from. God doesn't care. Apart from that, I don't even care what belief system people have. It's called being "God-fearing" to rely on God instead of family connections, politics and advantages.

Prayer is cultural and literate, not just a repetitive babble.