How long should it take one to decide if a particular religion/belief system is the right one for them?

Question

I tried Christianity earnestly for the first twelve or so years of my life and found it's not what I'm looking for. I looked into Wicca/Witchcraft for about seven years and though I like it, it's not for me.
How long and hard do you believe a person should search each particular religion/belief system to see if it's right for them? All open-minded opinions are welcome.

Answer 1

A life time.. One should always be questioning ones beliefs and learning from the different perspectives as one matures..

This doesn't mean you can't choose and stick to a religious belief system it just mean do not become complacent, don't get so wrapped up in the "party line" that you lose your individuality and ability to form individual thought..

If you find yourself spouting the "party line" without individual backing for that opinion it's time to rethink and reevaluate your position...

Answer 2

Rebekkah; follow your heart. What you find feels right for you is the right thing. Anyone else trying to tell you 'the way' is just prostheletizing (fancy word for preaching).
Find someone involved in whatever religion you find interesting, preferably a teacher/rabbi/priest well, you get the picture, make an appointment and talk to them.
Figure out the important questions you have and ask them.
If you want you can ask me a few questions or I can help you formulate them, if you wish.
by the way: I'm Wiccan, and a grey witch. Witchcraft generally is a practice either within satanism (anti-christianity actually) or a type of psionic practice within the Wiccan framework.

Answer 3

There is no an exact time for the right decision,because it depend on the seriousness of someone.You can learn the new belief system in a short period if you diligently do it every nigt and day.But if you do it only when you remember it it will take a long time.Sometimes someone decided to convert his/her religion only a very short time whe he/she heard a beautiful voice of prayer calling or azan in islamic teaching After he/she converted his/her religion then he learned the holy book al qur'an and its hadith.
It is bettetr if you make a study at first you existing religion compared with Islam by learning well the contents of the holy qur'an in your own language but you should seek the best and formal interpretation of qur'an who made by wellknown muslim.If it was done by non muslim interpretor I am afraid it will be misled

Answer 4

I'm not sure exacty what to say without knowing more details. What is it that you expect religion to do for you? In many religions it's not about you, it's about the god that you choose to serve. I was raised in a Christian home and took that path for a while but found that it didn't suit me either. I tried many different "religions", finding faults in all of them. I found many of them impossible to fully follow. I mean literally impossible. The only one that allowed me to be me and had my best interest at heart at all times ended up being Christianity. I wouldn't call myself the average Christian. Christians have given Christians a pretty bad name but... all I know is that if you ever get to a place where you can't feel your feet touching the ground anymore and it just feels like you are falling and you just can't hold on to life anymore.. pain and misery and sadness overwhelm you and you have no reason left to live... Jesus is the only one who caught me when I fell. I spent years searching. Here is my strange analogy: it was like walking in a subway station my whole life and I just kept getting on and off subways and going and going and really getting nowhere, from time to time I would see this guy sitting on a bench looking so peaceful and he would look at me but I would keep on going and ignore him. Eventually I would just glance at him quickly and keep walking, then one day, I looked him in the eye and realized that everything I'd been looking for had been right in front of me the whole time. So, yeah.. I'm hooked now, I love Him and I live for Him. Now my life has meaning and I really feel like somebody. I'm happy and more content than I've ever been. Well, sorry to ramble on... I'm not good at making my point quickly. :o)

Answer 5

There is no set time on how long it should take to find the religion that's right for you. You should spend time finding out the beliefs of a religion, maybe try them out, and then you can decide. You will know when you find the right one when it just "feels right." I know that sounds dumb, but you'll know when it happens. Remember this: all paths are valid. No one is any better than the rest and you should not allow anyone to influence your decision. Listen to your heart and it will lead you to your correct path.
Brightest Wishes and Blessed Be.

Answer 6

I can't say for sure. You already know how long it takes for you to want to quit something or when you just don't want to come back to it. God is the one who molds you. You shouldn't bend yourself out of shape to fit something that doesn't fit you. If it fits, you will know. You'll have a feeling like you ought to be there when you're not there. I hate to be at churches where my beliefs come into complete conflict with what the preacher says. When share the same belief, it confirms who you already are. Can't wait to see the answers.

Answer 7

Rebekkah--just talk to God/Goddess and don't worry about a religion for now. Get a personal relationship with Diety and your "religion" will come later. And even if you are never a member of an organized religion, that will be okay with God. He knows who you are, hears you, loves you, and is okay with talking to you without any religion being involved! GOD DOESN'T CARE ABOUT RELIGION--GOD CARES ABOUT YOU--please remember that. Good luck and Blessings!

Answer 8

You should search the Holy Bible, for that is where the truth is. Not in worldly religions. Get your self a New Living translation of the Holy Bible it is written in plain modern English. Read it and study it yourself. It is God's handbook for life. Every word there inspired by God.

Answer 9

I would like to invite you to stop trying religion/belief systems and instead try a personal relationship with the man Jesus. He just wants to be your Lord, Savior and Friend. This is not a religion. I would suggest that you just sit down and talk to Him about it.

Answer 10

I feel it is a ever changing. We continually grow and learn. We continually evolve. I don't follow one set path but compile many and mold it to what makes me comfortable. There is no time line and you don't have to put a name to it. You are who you are and you may never find just one that fits. Just be true to yourself and your beliefs.
Rainbow