Am I the only one...?

Question

who feels a deep longing for the Spirit (God, the divine), yet struggles with religion in general and Christianity in particular?

While I've attended Lutheran and Episcopal Churches over the past six years, I find myself, despite many heartfelt prayers, having a hard time believing many parts of The Bible.

I think I'm like many Americans, especiallly those living in religiously diverse areas: we find it impossible to live life without a spiritual outlet, yet find it equally impossible to fully surrender to a religion that claims so many things that are hard to believe.

I've rambled. I mean no disrespect. Just seeking ideas. Peace.

Many great points. Thank you so much.

Once again, what a few of you struggle to realize is that many of us HAVE fully given our hearts to God, and HAVE read the Bible trusting that it is the means to connect with God more fully. Verses like Jesus spewing me out of his mouth are exactly the type that leave me (and others) unable to fully commit.

Answer 1

From a guy who knows how you feel .
This is what you should do .
Find a church you feel comfortable in , Listen and learn and always question the things you find hard to accept . There is usually a Reverend or a priest or anyone in the upper echelon who is knowledgeable with the word of God . In my church , we have a once a week bible study and just take the time to learn . If it's not right for you , you can always move on . Sometimes it takes a little longer for God to make his presence known to you .

Answer 2

Yes that longing you have is natural. Many deliberately ignore it because of the problems that you have outlined. Some of what the Bible teaches does sound like fantasy but with God ALL things are possible (Mt19:26). The deeper issues of the Bible are not taught which is why many leave their churches without proper understanding - things just will not make sense. You are not looking for religion - you are looking for truth. One person (along with his henchmen) doesn't want you to find it. Ask Almighty God Jehovah to show you the truth. If you doubt that God is Jehovah, check out Psalms 83:18, Exodus 6:3 and you should find a pointer depending on your translation. If you don't check out some others. Spirituality and religion are not the same thing.

Answer 3

Your are just sincer Brother.I Was also brought up Lutherine and tried so many Christian religions. They all fell short. I also felt the way you do and I praied to Jesus for the Unchangeable Absolute truth. I wonderd as I was reading the Bible Why did someone take so much of your life out of this Bible. And I knew slavery was not something Jesus would teach nor eating of the flesh. And He reveald to me, because I was not attached to my conception and I gave it up for the Truth.
I found out later that King Constantine had all the original Bibles burned. It was easy to do back then because only higher ups in the Chruch and Government had coppies and women couldln't read. In 325 AD Constantine with a click of scribes and three councels later (took 80 years) to make up the bible mainstream Christians are reading today. He took out anthing to do with Vegetarianism, Reincarnation, Karma, He made hell eternal. Jesus said no one goes to hell eternally in the Original New Testament.(The Gospel of The Nazirenes) Constantine wanted to control the citizens and he added Pauls teachings who never even met Jesus and he was a false prophet. If you are a sincere seeker of Truth then google gospelofthenazirenes.com I love Jesus even more now. He didn't get hung on teh cross for preaching health, wealrth and prosperity, it was because he was calling the church on all that they where doing wrong. Did you see the movei (DVD) Martain Luther. It gives a good idea even then what was going on. I like what Lugher taught, but frankly I havn't seen a true Luthern church. they have messed up his teachings too. They took it to an extreme even when he was on the the earth, what to speak of now. Peace And Truth to You

Answer 4

I think it is in human nature to seek out The Divine. If you are not content with what you are finding, maybe it is time you looked at a number of paths.

I don't suggest that it be the extent of your search, but beliefnet.com has info and forums for a number of spiritual paths.

about faith, it isn't called that for no reason. I think it is important that you question (and reconcile) your beliefs (religious or otherwise). If you never question or wonder you have no way of knowing if you are trully a believer or just someone following what has been put forth iin front of you.

One more thing I want to emphasis: when you are looking at different faiths and paths, look to the scriptures and the texts of that ideology, not to the people who claim to follow it. It would be a shame if you passed up on the greatest thing you could have known because younegatively associated it with some random person.

best wishes in your search

Answer 5

John 6:
60 ¶ On hearing it, many of his disciples said, "This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?"
61 Aware that his disciples were grumbling about this, Jesus said to them, "Does this offend you?
62 What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where he was before!
63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
64 Yet there are some of you who do not believe." For Jesus had known from the beginning which of them did not believe and who would betray him.
65 He went on to say, "This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled him."
66 From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
67 "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the Twelve.
68 Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.
69 We believe and know that you are the Holy One of God."

Answer 6

Your faith has grown to a point that you wish to know more and more of the truth. It is a common dilemma, for you hear conflicting doctrines that do not square with each other. What matters is that you allow the Bible to be your guide. All eyewitnesses have long since gone, so the Bible can be our only true source of knowledge.

I wish to respectfully suggest that you search your area for a non-denominational body of believers who honestly search God's words and discount man-made doctrines. My own understanding has greatly improved by studying with the Church of Christ or the Christian Church. Each congregation is totally autonomous and united with all others in Christ. Your walk with God is personal between you and Him. May peace be with you as you search.

Answer 7

No, your not the only one. Many of us have stopped going to church. As you grow in knowledge you start looking deeper into what the bible actually says. A lot of the religious celebration have been changed by man. The Sabbath was changed from Saturday to Sunday, because of pagans. We celebrate Christmas because of a trade off with pagans. And the list goes on. Look for a true church and beware of the false prophets.

Answer 8

A man once said, "Know Thyself" and "To thine own self be true"
If a person seeks not to find out who he or she is, then all the religion in the world will be of no help. It will be an anesthetic
to cover the symptoms, but the problem will remain.
The problem in man is the heart is not open and not allowing
"Wisdom" to dawn. "Wisdom" is that intangible item that helps man develop, Patience, compassion and an understanding of just why man is here.
The heart eventually must open so that man has "Peace" in his life!
Find quiet time for yourself and allow the one we call the Creator, to intervene and show you that Peace that only he can provide.
This is what Jesus meant when he said you must be Born Again (Or anew).
We are all different, yet we all have one thing in common and that is we all need "Peace in our lives"

May that One God grant you the means to find that straight path!

Answer 9

The Bible is true. Find a KJV and a Strongs and get busy. The church system is just about a total loss as far as finding serious Christian fellowship and encouragement. Do yourself a favor and worship Him using the Holy Spirit that is prompting you and get into Psalms, Proverbs and the Gospels for a start.

Answer 10

No, that's where I found myself several years ago, and that's when I stopped calling myself Christian. It's something we have to work through as individuals. Myself, I find peace in just believing in and loving God, without the confines of religion.