Is it okay to believe in a God but not a Religion ?

Question

Hi there =]
I believe that yes there is a God (and possible more who is to say) I study many religions and how they all teach the word of God and how the teach whats good and evil. But I have wondered is any religion really worth living life by?
I mean I know that every religion has there teachings of God and His word. But every religion is very different in it own way.
Some people believe that killing is a way to show thanks, others believe that no matter what happens as long as you believe in there religion you won't go to hell.

I am a fifteen year old girl who is very open to discuss this topic and to hear your opinions on the topic. (so don't be shy ^__^)

Everyone praises God and worships Him and show there kindness to Him but everyone has there own opinion on how to live life with Him in your life. What is yours?
I believe that if you believe in Him and read the bible and do good deeds to others that you won't go to hell. =]

Please give me your opinion on this =]
Sarah Nicole

Answer 1

Yes, there are many people who are theists (believers in deity) and still don't subscribe to any particular religion.

"Is there a religion worth living by"? Everybody who has a religion will be more than happy to say "Yes, mine!" When I was about your age, I decided to read up on everything out there, and choose a religion that made the most sense to me.

Keep in mind that concepts like "God" and The Bible are not universal. There are many religions that do not support the monotheistic, western view of God (omnipotent, personified, etc.). And there are of course thousands of religions today that are not based on the Bible, many of them being much older than the Bible in fact. So there's a lot out there to read about.

Answer 2

i'd go as far as to say that *religion* is a bad idea. sure it gives people security but it breeds so much more hate.

at the basis of every religion is the core fact that if you're a good person you will be rewarded. why not just take that and run with it? why does there have to be a whole hirearchy and powerful groups and political motives? just be a good person. that's it. if you do that any deity there is will take pity on you. i'd believe that if any god had to choose between an atheist that lead a good life and a devout believer that was a dick to everyone they met they'd choose the atheist because they followed 'the way' the best.

personally i have no real religion. i claim to be wiccan because my beliefs are loosely based on theirs, i prefer the idea of a female deity, so sue me, females are stereotypically more caring and i like the old cultures.

in my opinion, everyone should form their OWN ideas, not follow some cookie cutter pattern just because that's how they were born.

i duno, that's just my two cents but i'm always looking for people to talk to on this subject, especially the open minded. if you want to later on give me an email.

blessed be/god bless/ whatever

Answer 3

Depends on which "God" turns out to be the right "God". If none of them are right, then there's no telling what his criteria might be for eternal bliss.

Assuming that you don't follow the teachings of any religion, and one of them turns out to be right:

1) If it's the Buddhist or Hindu "God", you will come back as some lower form of life and eventually have another chance.

2) If it's the Shinto, New Age, or Taoist "God", then "God" is actually the combined consciousness of the universe, and you are already part of "God".

3) If it is the Muslim or Mormon "God", then you will still go to heaven but not as high of a level as you would have had you walked in those faiths.

4) If it is the Jewish or Seventh Day Adventist "God", then there is no hell, and your soul just goes away after you die.

5) If it is the Christian or Catholic "God", then your soul spends eternity in hell.

6) If it is the Atheist "God" then there is no "God" and whatever you believe is completely irrelevant because this life is all we have and you are nothing but the result of trillions of unlikely but fortunate accidents.

There are other religious groups which I'm sure that I left out, but most of them will fall into one of these end-results too.


If you really do read your Bible, you would have known that--and I'm describing the Christian faith and no others only because you mentioned reading your Bible as one of your requirements--deeds are meaningless. Faith in and acceptance of Jesus Christ as the sacrifice for all sin is the only way into God's presence, and anything else is to be removed from God's presence for eternity (IE Hell). Good works are a byproduct of that, but by themselves cannot 'earn' salvation.

Answer 4

Yes, this is completely legitimate.

I believe in God, and anyone can accept this definition: The laws of nature, everything our science has proven, the origin of matter and life, the beginning and end of time, all the questions that will never have answers, and the other questions humans can't imagine - all of this is God.

That's it.

I have more personal beliefs, that aren't necessary, and only cloud a universal truth. I could care less if people agree that what I've described should be called "God." I don't have another word that applies to what I've described, so that word works for me. The trouble with that word is that it means very different things to different people, so it's ok with me if others don't believe - everything I've described exists, whether they agree or not.

Answer 5

Sarah, Christianity is not a religion, it is a relationship with a personal God. He loves you and cares about you. God is made up of Jesus, God, and the Holy Spirit.
Killing is not the way to show thanks. To believe in God is the only Way. Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Once you find the Lord, you will find peace. Please read the Bible and you will find the answers to life. If you need any more answers please e-mail me. God is the Light of the world. You won't find any other answer in any other religion except God. He has all the answers for you. Just talk to Him. It isn't by good deeds that you won't go to hell. It is by His grace you won't go to hell.

Answer 6

Honey, religion is practice and morals, practice is by far different between religions. Morals on the other hand are shared among many. Be careful that some moral values are built into the benefit of the group who created them or shall I say accepted them.

So you can practice what you like but you have to stay within global moral values yes I say global. If you stick to the moral side and if you accept that there is heaven then I am sure you are there. Now there is some people I like and admire who stick to the moral part with no regard to any reward what so ever. Practice is irrelevant to me.

And yes you can believe in God but It will depend on what you exactly mean by believe.

Answer 7

God the Supreme Being, understood as Life, Truth, love, Mind, Soul, Spirit and principle to some particular conception and religion are made by the followers of the Supreme Being. Such followers may not follow all paths or morality of god, they may add some principles that will cause benefit for particular community, some fake and some imaginary, boundaries are made, someone from this religion shouldn’t cross this boundary and lots of disagreeable practices, so better you follow Supreme Being the God.

Answer 8

Sure. This is what Jesus was all about, he wanted to get rid of all established religion and at times really got on the religious peoples nerves, thats why they killed him in the end because people were following him by rejecting religion. But don't tell religious people this as they can't handle the truth but claim that they have it and everyone else is wrong

Answer 9

Yes it's not okay, it's better.
Never let religion convince you of irrational things.
Nothing irrational comes from God.
Don't be fooled about God hating this or that, God hates nothing.
In fact God is Love.
Study everything, art, religion, science, and history.
Listen to your heart when you feel manipulated.
Beware of anyone that comes in the name of God spreading hate.
Nothing of hate comes from God.
You are young so watch out for those that would prey on you as there are many.
Some would prey on your body so be prudent.
Some would prey on your mind like bad political groups.
Some would prey on your soul religions of hate.

Never let yourself be to tired, to hungery, or to alone.

Never use lip liner.



♥Blessed Be♥

Answer 10

Christianity is the only faith where God Himself seeks out for those who want to believe in Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior and when they do gives them eternal life and comes live inside them by His Holy Spirit. Christianity is not a religion but it is for Christians to have a relationship with the Holy Spirit who lives inside them. Christains who are baptized with the Holy Spirit have the fullness of the Holy Spirit in them and by praying in the Spirit they can build themselves up, spirit, soul and body, and be able to communicate with the Holy Spirit who will then be able to guide them in every way (in regard to the word, fellowship, worship and prayers, etc) to be transformed to be like Jesus Christ. Christianity is not religion but is living out a life like Jesus.