Is there a God? Non-Believer Open to Religion.?

Question

I was brought up in a family without religion. I'm very open to the idea but have found no indication of which path too choose.

My views are shared by many. I'm not an atheist as I believe in something greater than myself. After all the miracle of life stared somewhere.

I agree life is wonderful and intricate but this doesn't point me in a direction.

Why a single God, why Jesus, why Muhammad, why Aliens? Apart from holy texts I'd like too see some proof.

Many of the Texts share the "Be good to each other" tag line which I approve of. However, I'm not a fan of blind "faith," so any proof of which religion to follow would be greatly appreciated.


Thanks for your time,

Peter A

P.S: If someone says God talks to them, I'm bringing out the "men in white coats.".

P.P.S: Scientology isn't a religion its a Cult, so I guess those type of aliens are out of the question.

Answer 1

Well, my friend, I am the opposite of you. I was brought up in the Christian church. My mother was/is a minister. However, I do not believe in Christianity or any other religion. I question the existence of God at all. Religious texts are all that we have in which to base our faith. However they are riddled with logical inconsitency and ideas that been proven wrong through science and objective debate. Every religion has it's version of the miracles that have been performed by it's God. But there is not a shread of physical evidence that any of these things ever happened. As a matter of fact, there is overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

I'm not saying that there is no God; I just don't believe that God is accurately represented in any religion. I dont know if God exists, and I'm ok with that. But if I had to bet my pay check, I'd bet on NO... (to answer the original question...)

Answer 2

I think there really is some innate spirituality to mankind. I can't explain it exactly but I do know that *quite frequently* that gets drafted to construct religions. I think it's useful to seek spiritual truth underneath the mayhem of day to day life but it's also important to avoid getting sucked into the jetstream of an actual religion. Jesus (e.g.) seemed like he was a good teacher and all but as many people say he would take up arms to make things a certain way, he never seemed to have done so (save that time with the money changers at the temple where he was simply outraged at the disrespect it showed). I suspect he would not like modern Christianity except to the extent that it can actually feed, clothe and shelter the impoverished.

But again...people find a guy like that and say he's the son of god and that they're soldiers for his cause, etc, and it really perverts the message in my opinion. Wanna be better? Find a teacher and ask questions. Wanna help? Pick up a shovel or send a check.

Answer 3

The ancient Greek religion covers the different aspects of life in more detail. That religion is more open to study and there are great philosophers that come from that society. Christianity has done a wonderful job of belittling the gods/goddesses (like making Hera out to be nothing but a nagging jealous person) but she actually was representative of many human aspects involved with being a married female.
The Christian concept of God is unnatural and the Bible has errors and flaws in it. It is a theory (and you'll find a lot is similar to ancient Greek tales).
I would read the many different religions and/or philosophies out there before deciding on one. I briefly heard someone interviewing the author of a book called 'God is Not Great' and, from what I did hear, it shows what all religions have in common.

Answer 4

God has given each of us a conscience. We are a, "good person" to the extent our actions are aligned with our conscience. If we do this and have a desire to know more truth, God will lead us to it one step at a time. You're right in that a strong belief, even a strong belief against religion, can create barriers to understanding each other. One doesn't necessarily follow the other, but the tendency is there.

Answer 5

Don't listen to OZZ for starters. I am a Christian & I've read the entire bible & I can guarantee you that no where in the Bible does it say it's OK to molest little boys. I've also read the Quaran (my ex-husband is Muslim) & no where does it say that it's OK to blow up children. It's people like that who give ALL religions a bad name. Ignorance IS NOT bliss, it's condemnation. To answer your question; buy a Bible in a version you can better understand, pray before you start reading it, & sk God to open your heart & mind to better understand it. We are nothing without faith & God's guidance. I wish I could show you proof personally, but that is impossible. I see God every day just by looking out my window. Good luck in your search.

Answer 6

I am a Roman Catholic and my views encompass all the teachings of the Bible + oral traditions that were passed down from generation to generation, and the teachings of Jesus and the Church. I am not trying to convert you as that is up to God. I am only presenting you with the facts.

Look at the trees, all the details in their structure, everything in nature was created by God. Look at the delicate flowers, magnificent birds, etc. I have this to say - always look for the truth in everything with open eyes and an open mind.

God created time and in the beginning, time was not a 24 hour day. As God created time, space and matter He also can manipulate and control these as He sees fit. He is not bound up in temporal time. a day in creation, to me is a stage of a development. This is why He can be everywhere at all times.

When Adam and Eve committed the original (first) sin, they broke up the close union they had with God. God made a covenant (more than an agreement or promise as when God commits Himself, He follows through - no matter whether we defy it or not). He promised that He would send His Son as a sacrifice (the seal of the covenant) to re-open the gates of Heaven to us that was lost by the original sin. Because of this sin, we have wars, crimes, diseases, pain, suffering, and the wild beasts of the earth no longer live in harmony with us as they did in Paradise. Jesus died for us so that those who had the stain of original sin and repented of their sins and obeyed the will of God (to the best of our abilities), followed His word and teachings would be able to enter into Heaven. His death did not mean that no matter what a person does and dies in sin without repenting of it would go into Heaven.

Because God rules all things - He created all things from nothing - he can go back and forth in time. Jesus death and His resurrection happen in perpetuity. This is why We believe that He is present in the Eucharist (this is a mystery of faith that we do not completely understand). This is how Mary, His mother, was born without original sin - God's manipulation of time to do these things.

If you read the Bible, (I recommend the NAB version as it is an accurate translation and it contains all the books of the Bible. In the Old Testament, the Palestinian version of the Jewish Bible had been modified sometime in the 1st century and some books were left out. However, the Alexandria version has all the books and this is the version that was read and used by Jesus. It is not wrong for a Protestant to read a Catholic Bible, but it is wrong for a good Catholic to read a Protestant Bible. Why? Because Catholics accept that there is only one God and, therefore, only one truth. If everyone translates the Bible to his or her own interpretation then it not a unified translation and understanding of the Bible. There can only be one translation and that is the translation as given to us by the Holy Spirit (Who authored the Bible). When a Catholic Bible is translated it is a group of people - magisterium - who determine whether it is correct or not (not the Pope). Heaven on earth is the Holy Catholic Church as instituted by Christ and continued from generation to generation to this present time. The Pope is a prime minister of the Kingdom on earth and eventually the King will return to the earth and reign over it (although He has delegated power to do this to the Pope who acts in Jesus Name when making decisions of faith and morals. The King has his back.

The main difference between Catholics (and Orthodox) is that we believe that the wafer of bread becomes the true Body and Blood of Jesus with it appearing to our senses as bread and wine, we have all seven sacraments (where Protestants can only have 2 - matrimony and Baptism).

You should read some of Scott Hahn's books for some insight. He is an excellent theologian.

When Jesus was on earth, He performed many miracles including raising people from the dead. If He could raise a person from the dead, then why can't he raise Himself? He did many miracles while he was on earth. There are also many miracles that are still visible on earth that are results of Divine intervention - the House of Loreto, Lourdes, and many more that i could find on many web sites that prove that miracles exist. Ultimately, those who believe accept and those who do not will never find enough proof to satisfy them.

I have never heard of Mohamed performing miracles or having any proof of his association as a profit. Everything I have heard of about him seems to come from someone else who claimed he was a profit.

Answer 7

Yeah I'm pretty much where you're at. I believe God is not how the majority perceives "Him" but rather the sum of everything combined. Sort of an unconscious energy force that connects us all. So to answer your question yes, no, and maybe.

Answer 8

Read god's letter to mankind. Genesis. Job. Joshua. Exodus.
Daniel. Matthew to revelation.
Raed the bible every day for at least 10 mins. consider these things. God bless.
2nd letter of Paul to Timothy 3 v 16,17
Read the book of acts. Notice verse 20 of chapter one. read around it.

Answer 9

Well, if you must believe in a God, I suggest deism. You won't have to worry about having a "personal relationship" with someone who might not even be there. All you have to do is believe.

Answer 10

Why choose a religion? How about just, "I don't know how everything got here." Because that is the only statement that can actually be true.