Not sure what to believe?

Question

im 18 and guess i consider myself a christian....but it really feels like i kind of just fell into it by going with my friends and family to be with them. now though i have been having my doubts if there is a god or not and im not really sure what to believe. I think the reason i feel i should be christian is because its the only thing ive ever known but im really just not sure if there is a god. Its really confusing the crap out of me and i just needed to get this out.

Thanks. Any response will be greatly appreciated.

Peace.

Answer 1

Open the bible and begin reading. If it 'talks' to you, it will strengthen your faith and your knowledge. Don't believe something just because your friends and family do. Search for the truth. And the only way to do that is to read God's Word and avoid religious leaders and their warped dogmas.

Answer 2

God is a concept, an idea, an imaginary being. Following the example for living set by the man, Jesus, is a good thing for society as it helps us all live better lives and makes the world a better place in which to live. That doesn't make god a 'real being' that exists. You can understand the concept of god as a useful way to explain spirituality and at the same time realize that god as a physical or real existing being is nonsense. Superman is a great concept that gives people a good feeling about being human, but Superman doesn't really exist. Does that help clear up the confusion?

Answer 3

I understand and can empathize with you. I was raised in a very strict Christian home, went to a private Christian school, church every Sunday morn and eve, Wed night as well. I lived and breathed the Christian religion, until I decided to open my eyes and really begin to question what I was believing, being taught, told to accept as "The word of God" etc.

You are about to experience a journey many of us have taken. Some prefer to just denounce God all together, if one religion is wrong or flawed, all must be. This is an unfortunate stand, however everyone is open to their own decisions.

Personally I started on that journey over 20 years ago once I left home and the "religious" surroundings. I have studied many religions, both good and bad and have found many inconsistencies within all of them, however this is my personal opinion.

I have found some things that have made complete sense to me as a person though. Again what you believe is your choice to make and a journey you must take alone. Do not let any one person influence your decision, you must be the judge of that b/c it is what you will have to accept as your reality.

If you have a book store close or a library, check out these books. They have answered many questions I have had through my journey and they appear to be very believable to me and make sense of everything around and I have lived it and questioned it.

Genesis Revisited - Zachariah Stichin
12th Planet Series - Zachariah Stichin
Everything you know is wrong - Lloyd Pye
Journey Of Souls - Michael Newton
Destiny of Souls - Michael Newton
The Secret of the Soul - William L. Buhlman
Past Lives, Future Lives Revealed - Bruce Goldberg
Spiritual Growth - Sanaya Roman

Answer 4

Honestly, I think you should just be comfortable with whatever you want to do. I may be a christian myself and that's really all I've ever known, but that doesn't mean I can't discover my own beliefs as well. God can't be disproven or proved and as a christian I feel that it's not my job to try and prove God but more or less have faith that he is just there. That's sometimes what the true christian message is. You just have to have faith.
That said, there's nothing wrong with you trying to figure out whether or not God exist in your own life, but first off, you might want to figure out whether you're comfortable with religion in general. Then you can get a better understanding of your own beliefs. Honestly, there is no true way to figure out God's existance. You just have to find whether or not he's blessed you. Then you'll know where you stand. I hope this helps.

Answer 5

Hi,
My advice is to refrain from making a decision until the answer seems so obvious you have great confidence in your choice. Read as much as you can to advance your own education and know there's nothing you can't understand if you put your mind to it. Avoid the trap of only reading what you readily agree with -- that leads to ignorant bigotry. Above all, keep an open mind and give your brain an intellectual workout by learning something new everyday.

Peace and Love........

Answer 6

I'm an ex-Christian atheist, OK.?
So it may seem odd that what I recommend is a fairly old book, very cheaply available second-hand from ABE called
"The Case For Christianity" by Colin Chapman

As well as looking at the big questions of life with special reference to Christianity, it contains descriptions and discussions of almost all other major beliefs and philosophies which also offer answers to life and its problems.
And these are, as far as I can judge, the most unbiased I've ever encountered in one volume.

See what's convincing, and what makes sense to you.
Think, feel.
I'm not about to tell you what's right, though I could, at length, tell you how I came to my conclusions.
But I'm not you.

Answer 7

Well, it is a serious question. To make the best decision, you need to really think about it, study your options seriously, and pray about it. Read, in the New Testament, James 1:5

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

This verse says that if you have some problem, especially about God, you should go and ask him about it in prayer. It says that he well give you an answer liberally (or generously) and will not withhold an answer from you. But you need to ask with a sincere desire to know and with faith that God will answer you. You cannot waver, or doubt, but believe that God will help you to know what you should do.

Answer 8

Keep living.

Keep learning.

Keep reading.

Keep being good.

Keep an open mind.

I think you'd be surprised at how many people are in the same spot as you are.

Don't be a sheep, find your own way.

Good luck on your quest. Hopefully you'll have another 70+ years to figure it all out.

"It's not that the stories aren't interesting or wonderful, it's the simple matter of them not being true."

Answer 9

I was raised Lutheran and when I went off to Navy and then to college I visited church who spent a lot more time really studying the Bible than ever happened in my home Lutheran Church.

Then on the July 4th weekend I had a long talk with my Lutheran Pastor and asked him about all the things people had told me about what was wrong with the Lutheran Church.

He admitted that the traditions such as infant sprinkling ( calling it baptism ) where not found in the Bible. And that's when I decide I was no long a Lutheran.

I joined a Bible believing Church which actually taught the Bible.

I would suggest you look at both of the links you see below.

Pastor Art

Answer 10

You are in a vunerable position. It is in this position that people either are led to worship false gods or are led to the truth.

First of all, know that men are fallible and will lead you astray.

You need to ask yourself a question

"If there is a God, would you follow him?"

The sad fact of the matter is, most people don't want to follow a God because they want to do there own thing.

Pray to our Creator that he leads you to the truth. If you do this with a pure heart then he will answer you.

Do not compromise your ethics and morals and don't justify things that you know are wrong. There is only one book that claims to be the word of God and preaches love, self sacrifice, and embodies the very essence of what God would be like. I believe you already know what it is. Pray, and your foundation will be made firm, ushakeable.

The world around you speaks of God constantly. Our conciensce, his creation. He is there waiting for us. He wants a relationship with us.

Answer 11

Its ok that you are unsure. You should explore the different elements of religion. Do consider how scary it would be to believe there is no God though? No one looking out for you, No one there for you, No one to turn to. Its normal to doubt, but I hope that you come to a realization that will set your mind at ease and bring you happiness that you can count on for eternity.