How much of our life is actually our own to control? Do you feel faith or religion makes a difference?

Question

There are proponents for the argument that having religious faith allows one to have more control over their destiny, if not their life. By the same token, there are those who believe that holding firm in our own resources allows us to have more control over our lives.

As an Atheist, I myself have contended that my life is, whether good or bad, my own to experience, and I will not abdicate the experience to an unproven deity. I have to admit, though, no matter what I seem to plan, my life appears to be very little in my control.

So which is right? Does faith in a religion give one a tool for better control over their life? Does denying religious faith allow one to have the proper grasp of life's realities in order to make better decisions and have more control? Is the issue of control even an important one to consider where questions of faith are concerned?

See the kind of questions you get when Jack is sober and has no hangover?

Answer 1

If people think they have total control over their lives, they are mistaken. Life is going to take unforeseen twists and turns whether you believe in God or not. How you handle those twists and turns is up to you. But God already knows how you will handle them.

By believing in God, I'm not giving up control to a deity. My life is mine to do with as I want. Remember, God transcends time and He already has based my life on all the choices I will make. He's not making the choices for me, but He can help guide me if I listen. Whether I follow that guidance or not is always my choice, but it's already known to God whether I will follow it or not.

One important thing God does do in this life is give you something to lean on when the times are tough, but He does not take away all the tough times.

Answer 2

Religion is about tradition and control. Faith, however, is a quantum factor that cannot be denied, for those who have faith in a Source outside of themselves or those who have faith only in themselves. Atheist or devout follower of external Source, neither has true control, only perceived control.

Our life, our existence, is all about energy. When we think and feel, electromagnetic impulses occur, which surround us and generate the aura of our being. As these thoughts and feelings become denser, they create the illusion of our physical body and they expand further to create our perception of this world. The only way we could have complete control over our world would be if we were the only ones thinking and feeling. However, our thoughts and feelings are dependent upon interaction with energies outside of our own minds. When someone else expresses themselves through their thoughts and feelings, it causes us to react. So it is not just our thoughts and feelings at play here.

The answer truly is control without control. If we have faith in a religion and want to believe that Source controls our lives, then external energies will continually influence us more than we allow our own minds to play an active role in our lives. If we completely deny religious faith, then our own minds will stimulate the reaction of others and will affect our lives in that fashion. Regardless, we are never in complete control of anything. Minds, which are the alchemy of thoughts and feelings, are all over the place. There are too many to think that we can control all of them. Even telepaths are limited to how many they can influence and control at any given time.

Again, it really is not about faith and religion over atheism. It is about who and what we are.

Answer 3

Having religious beliefs is the easier choice. The infrastructure is there to support deluded people with faith. We atheists are pretty much the most hated group in the world.

Along with Con-Men and liars , most governments love sheeple, unless its a variety that they cant control or influence. Now Easier does not mean better. I would rather take the hard road than wallow in ignorance living someones elses template for my life.

Faith doesnt bring up questions. It hates questions...thats what faith is all about.

Answer 4

I think there is only one thing I really have control over when faced with the variety of events that occur in life, and that is how I choose to approach a given situation. I can go through life resisting and opposing all those things I have no control over or I can approach them with awareness of how powerless I am and work towards acceptance of the things I cant control.

I found that when I believed in a God I was always trying to interpret what sorts of lessons he was trying to teach me and I was still holding onto the faith that somehow things would work out in my favour. So my faith back then was a hindrance to an accepting attitude. It over complicated things. I guess that through faith, I was trying to control Gods will over the events in my life.

Answer 5

Hi Jack,
Nice question.
I wonder what 'As a man thinketh, so shall he be' means to religious folks?
My take? We control our lives by what we CHOOSE to think and feel. Free will. Freedom of choice.
For those who CHOOSE to follow a religious path then that is what they are controlled by, yet they chose it.
Faith to me is the absolute knowingness that whatever I choose to think, feel, do, be, have, is exactly what I get.
And I love this gift............and whoever gave it to me!
My life is an expression of my spirit and without being able to make free choices, I think I'd rather not be here. That's how important my Self control is. Ya know, "you're not the boss of me! I'm the boss of me!' LOL
Hey, I like your other drunk questions too!
Blessed Be

Answer 6

Religion is nothing with out faith.

Religion may not make a difference, but faith does.

We have complete control, free will, but God and who he sends, spirits and angels can influence us, but cannot infringe in our free will.

Our spiritual tools in our hearts give us the difference....from God:)
Brought to you by ~ ~ ~ Inteleyes ~!~

Answer 7

we are always making decisions that affect our path but the general direction is the same
it is a spirtual journey so we have to help people along the way