Confused about religion?

Question

Recently I read about a death of a boy who is one year ahead of my at school. I began to cry as I looked at his myspace, which is stell kept, and it's weird because he went to my school and everything. I never, ever knew him, but here I am, still crying for him. He was fifteen, I think. And it got me thinking.

Lately I've been questioning my religious beliefs. I'm a Catholic and have always believed in Heaven, but my biggest fear is that when I die, nothing will happen. I want Heaven to be true, and I want to have my conscience live on after I die, but with all of the science anazlyzing the creation of our earth instead of God doing it, and with all of the other religious beliefs, I don't know. I'm afraid that when I die, that will be the end of it. I don't know how to reassure myself, because really what I want is proof that it exists, but I just don't know.

Does anyone know how to align religious beliefs that are being reluctantly doubted?

Answer 1

You need to get in a Bible believing church. Not the Catholic church. I have done many studies and research the Catholic church is very religious. But religion is not what you need you need a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. In the Bible Jesus says No one comes to the Father except through me. That Catholic church tells you only the church can save you. Who are you going to trust? Hopefully the words of Jesus. Lucifer wants you to have doubts that means his fallen angels are doing there job. Trying to make you doubt the Bible. I hope you make the right decision. Dont let others mislead you to believing there is nothing because there is so much more. It is here on earth and will be for all eternity. Repent and be baptized. Peace out..............

Answer 2

Well, to be honest. No one really knows what happens after we die. There may be heaven or there may not. The truth of the matter is that the here and now is real. We are living this life for sure. And since your belief is that the afterlife is determined by this life, the greatest emphasis is on this life. Even if there is *no* afterlife (which is my belief), the emphasis is on the life I'm currently living. That means that I'm going to live to my fullest, make sure that I live happy and make others happy at the same time. The goal should be to leave the world in a better condition than I found it. And if that doesn't get you into your heaven, then I don't know what will.

Believing that nothing happens after I die isn't bad at all. Look at it this way. There was nothing before I was born, so why should I be worried that there's nothing after I die? It's some weird phenomenon that mankind is crazy about living eternally because of it's fear of death. Death is a natural part of life and everyone will go through it. Young and old. Whether you think it was "premature" is rubbish. It doesn't matter. We didn't get to choose when we came in, we (mostly) won't get to choose when we go out. The main goal is to ensure that this life is lived to its fullest, and we live every moment in happiness.

And I'll let you in on another secret. We can't live forever, but the effect we have in this world can. We can't be immortal but our work, our impact in this world can be. So, live a life that has a positive impact. You might not be here to see the aftermath, but that's okay. Because the people you inspired will remember you and that'll make you immortal.

Answer 3

It seems like the Holy Spirit is drawing you, which is why you are crying. It's good that you believe in Heaven and that you're questioning your beliefs. It's part of growing up.

In many Catholic schools they do not teach creationism because they are (partially) funded by the government and therefore are required to compromise their beliefs.

If you have a Bible, read the last two chapters of the book of Revelation (the last book in the Bible) to learn about Heaven.

"Then I saw a new Heaven and a new earth, for the first Heaven and the first earth had passed away ....."(Rev.21:1)NIV

Then read the rest of the Bible. It's often suggested that you start with the book of John.

Blessings!

Answer 4

The beginning of wisdom. It would be delightful if there were a heaven available after death; it would also be delightful if I could fly by waving my arms. Neither is a realistic expectation. Make the most of the one life that you have; it's the only one you get. But, if you live to a ripe old age, and have accomplished things in which you can take pride, and see your grandchildren growing up, you can take satisfaction that one life is enough.

Is there any sort of god? There is no way to prove the matter, one way or the other. But there is no evidence for, and a fair amount against such an idea. It can be shown that to believe in god is useless, because it can not be used for any sort of prediction. Kung [reference] is particularly interesting on this, because he is a Catholic preacher of considerable note.

Live long, and prosper!

Answer 5

To be confused is not something that the God of the Bible wants you to be. To have faith and to believe in all the promises that God has made, and to be reassured that he is real and wants you to live is provided in his 66 letters to you.
Taking the time to read and to get to know him and his son is something you are required to do if you want life? John 17:3 What a blessing it is though, to actually know your God and what his plans are for you and for his earth.
At Mathew 5:5 his son Jesus said that the meek would inherit the earth, Jesus said this because he knew that his father had promised this to people that had the right attitude and wanted to serve their creator in spirit and in truth and would live on earth forever. Psalms 37:9-11,29
Jesus also promised us including your friend a resurrection to live again right here on earth. (1 Corinthians 15:20-22) . . .However, now Christ has been raised up from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep [in death]. 21 For since death is through a man, resurrection of the dead is also through a man. 22 For just as in Adam all are dying, so also in the Christ all will be made alive.
The only thing you need to do to remove all that confusion is ask questions and see if God's word gives you the answers.
If you need help in finding the answers just ask.
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Answer 6

All deaths are certain. Maybe he has fulfilled his purpose. We only feel sad about it because we imagine it to be a state of nothingness and oblivion. But all religions tell you that this life is just a temporary abode and we are destined to live eternally. We will all meet again in the hereafter. That is God's promise. God is the Greatest such that everything is easy for Him and He is not capable of lying.

What we should do is to strengthen our belief in every moments of our lives. God's wisdom encompasses everything. Remember that we have a limited knowledge and understanding. Thousands of years ago, people believed that the world is flat. So we need to focus more on God's Mercy and Grace in our lives and follow our religious obligations so that we may attain certainty of a blissful life here and in the hereafter.

Answer 7

It is perfectly natural for any of us to go through periods where we doubt things, whether it is ourselves, our teachers, friends or parents, or even God Himself.

It then becomes neccessary to re-examine the evidence that made us believe in the first place. I particularly recommend three books that help solidify my faith:

The Anatomy of Cavalry, by Rick Bauer

More Than a Carpenter, by Josh McDowell

The Lost Secret of the New Covenant, by Malcolm Smith

All of these books examine different aspects of Christianity, and all are well worth the time to read. I hope this helps!

Answer 8

You have hit the "faith and death" crisis, usually trigger by someones death. Your issue is doubt, doubt about what is promised after death.

You have friends, teachers, even priests. You can talk, pray, and think, but in the final analysis, you will discover what you really believe. Sometimes that brings you closer from where you came from, and other times it will move to someplace else.

Answer 9

Here's my advice forget religion-try God!
Forget everything you've ever been told and seek God. Don't settle until you are filled with His Presence.
I was saved when i was three but later on I needed some assurance that God was still with me. I cried and prayed every night for a while then one day at church i experienced such infinite love, like a spiritual embrace from God. I spoke in tongues. I don't believe the Bible because somebody told me too. I believe it because I've experienced it. Repent(no that doesn't mean you've got to be serial killer). Be Baptized(by immersion) in the Name of Jesus. receive the Holy Ghost. You don't have to believe me just talk to God seek Him and you'll find Him.

Answer 10

Don't give up, but seek for answers that make sense to you... that fulfill your heart as well as your mind. Search first in the Catholic faith... read up on all the doctrine. Then go from there, if that does not satisfy you.

Religion can satisfy both the mind and the heart. But you need to do some searching of your own. Read LOTS of books. Listen to your heart... I spent many hours in prayer, reading my scriptures and pondering on stories from Church history as a teenager, and it made a HUGE difference to my convictions. There is a God... and he works by natural means to bring about his purposes. There are lots of things that science can't (yet) explain.

Evolution need not be based in atheism, that's for sure.