WHAT do I have to LOSE?

Question

I have always called myself AGNOSTIC. My family raised me without ANY RELIGION and I'm trying to figure it all out. Lately I've been thinking I need to SETTLE DOWN and pick a religion and I've been asking questions and studying them.

The thing is, A LOT of people say there is no God. For example, if I'm an atheist and there's no God, when I die I die. That's it. And by their line of thinking if I'm a Christian and I die, I still just die and that's it.

BUT if the Christians are right then I do have A LOT to lose if I'm not a Christian when I die. So WHY would I not just be a Christian, just in case?

Answer 1

I think you are looking for a religion for the wrong reasons. I consider myself to be agnostic also. I was pretty much raised catholic but my family was never really religious and always open minded. I believe that is a good quality that I have learned from them.

I've always looked at it this way: If Christians are right and they say that if you reject Jesus then you are going to hell...ok then, if that is all you need that kind of scares me...there are so many other things in the bible that are supposed to guide you and I know that there are a lot of Christians who are not necessarily "good Christians" but they still believe they are going to heaven because Jesus loves them.

On the other hand, look at Jews, at least the Hascidic and orthodox.....now those people are dedicated to God. They base their entire life around God and they do follow every single rule but they do not believe in Jesus. Does this mean that they are going to hell????

I believe that if you are a good person and if you don't harm anyone that God, if he exists, will forgive you for any wrongs and will not punish you for that.

Answer 2

When the Pupil is ready the Teacher will appear. I think that you are searching that is great. But I would advise you to do your own research and not fall for some orginization that is going to do all of the thinking for you. That is unless you are just looking to be part of an organized comunity. If that is the case then point and click they are pretty much the same. [You need to do x,x,x, and all will be fine. but there is x,and x,oh and don't forget about x. So read some books and reaserch some different ideas and pray for guidance. Creder est orare, Orare est cognescere. To believe is to pray, To pray is to KNOW and as the great sage Guatama Sidhartha said on his death bed [All things organic decay, work out your own salvation with diligence.] Happy juorney and GOD Bless.

Answer 3

You're absolutely right in that if there is a God, He cannot be ignored (IOW, you can ignore Him, but there are consequences).

The answer to your question (but I think you're asking a different one, which I will get to), is that to be a Christian, your belief has to be true. If you become a Christian because it's a better choice than agnosticism or atheism, "just in case," or for any other reason BUT because you truly love and worship God, your belief would not be true.

The question I think you're really asking--sorry this is getting long--is "Is the Christian God true?" You'll get many different answers on this one, but it is ultimately your belief and your decision. Hope this helps!

Answer 4

Because following a religion only because you're afraid of what the Deity would do to you if you didn't is a pretty sucky reason to follow a religion.

What happens if the Christians aren't right, and you have your heart weighed when you die and if it's found lacking then your soul is fed to Ammit? Shouldn't you follow Ra, just in case?

Answer 5

If you want to limit your relationship with God Christianity is as good a way to do it as any.

Try the course in miracles. It teaches you how to have a close personal relationship with God without any of the limitations that religion imposes.

Religion hates it because they lose the control and the revenue so ignore anything that any religious people say about it. Find some one who actually practices what it says to ask about it.

love and blessings Don

Answer 6

Why not follow every religion in existence? Just in case? That way you won't be wondering if Zeus or Thor were the right Gods all along. Best to get to it, there are over 2000 faiths and over 2500 Gods. You'll be a busy woman.

Answer 7

I am saved and when I die I will go to heaven. All those who are not saved will go to hell. But lets go on the thought you raised. Lets say there is no God and when one dies they just die and go to the grave, but what if God is real. I am a winner either way. But I know God is real. No he doesnt talk to me in a voice but in that still small voice he does. He speaks through his word and he speaks to my heart. If you seek after God he will be found. He will show you the truth in which you seek.

Answer 8

An all powerful God would see through your thin veil.

Pascal's Wager plays God for a buffoon, saying that if you play a good Christian he won't know the difference.

Plus you might still be worshiping the wrong god. Maybe you should be worshiping Ra, the Egyptian Sun God

Answer 9

Oh Honey, don't just settle. Explore, discover on your own all the avenues. Gnostic, Tao, etc.. Please don't just settle down. You sound half brainwashed already with christianity. Up for a life time of guilt? Suppression? Lies?

Answer 10

You are following "Pascal's Wager" which is a horrible excuse to follow a religion. If you want to pick a religion make it on the basis of spirituality not because you "want to play it safe"