does it give you a sense of purpose?
does it give you a sense of enlightenment?
does it make you feel strong?
does it give you a meaning?
does it make you feel safe and not alone? and so on.
I am honestly interested in your answers,
my questions and answers are usually aimed at organised religion, I have no problem with someone believing in God. do you get this? I believe a relationship with god should be a personal journey, not one marked out for you in the bible.
2007-08-23 05:22:43 · 41 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
bli of course you can know god without the bible. the bible is just someone elses translation of events, that we don't even have proof happened.
the closest thing I get to religion is Karma! though I do not practice religion I think that Karma is an intelligent theory!
I am Anti-theist and I do Not believe in God, the question is born out of my realitic brains weakness to want to belong to something that comforts you.
in short - Ignorance is bliss - because from my point of view I would have to ignore everything I have learned to enjoy that same bliss, but I secretly wish I did, because the world is a cruel and dark place to the mind of a realist.
2007-08-23 06:02:47 · update #1
I have read the bible (KJV)
2007-08-23 06:10:19 · update #2
after you answer this question, please check out my other open question and try to answer truthfully!
2007-08-23 06:15:07 · update #3
Are you asking what one gets from organized religion as opposed to a personal relationship with God?
From religion/church, I truly love the sense of worshiping with others, joining together in songs of praise and prayer. I love the people I am coming to know.
From my personal relationship with God I get a sense of God. This can mean many different things at different times. Sometimes it means a little nudge to study more or to simply be still and listen. Sometimes it the presence of God’s Spirit. Other times it is the longing for the presence of God’s Spirit. Everything seems to work together to teach me to trust God completely in all things, and to learn not to let my will get in the way of that.
2007-08-23 05:41:59 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
I get the presence of God in my life, giving guidance and support, and fellow Christians that I can assist and who can assist me.
One reason that some Christians preach the way we do is that it is difficult for us to understand that some folks really don't seem to feel that presence. It's like the old story about the elephant in the room. How can someone not feel it?
As to organized religion, as opposed to a solitary walk with God, I would give you an example.
When you look out upon the ocean, it is a great and wondrous thing, and the feeling of majesty can be almost overwhelming.
When I look at a map of the Pacific, or talk with others that have sailed on the ocean, comparing notes and offering support, I don't get that same feeling. The blue spot on the map does not fill me with any sort of awe.
But... If I want to do more than just observe the waves, that map and that fellowship is vital.
Many people have this kind of "seashore" experience with God and see it as being far more "true" than the written word or fellowship with other believers, and to some degree, they are correct.
But if I want to walk the paths that bring me to where God wants me to be, I need those maps (the written word) and that fellowship of other Christians to help me get there.
And along the way, I can also help others along their paths, and that's important as well. Being a member of a church allows me to share those gifts that I have, in an organized, effective manner.
2007-08-23 05:44:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Being a Christian is a believer in the teaching of Jesus Christ hence the name Christian.
In the simplest format Jesus asked that you have faith and believe. I cannot tell you how to have faith or how to believe but I can share with you that if you do have faith and believe my answer to your many questions is YES
Faith is believing in something that cannot be proven scientifically. Belief is something in you develop like a muscle if you practice it will get stronger.
Religion is not all bad but it is not the end all either. Think of Religion as a map to assist you on your way. Too many people condemn organized religion as if it were bad. It is a group going off some interpretations of the bible to help people focus. Personally, I don't do a religious organization. I have attend several for a period of time. I have learned many helpful things from all of them.
It is good that your taking the time to question and ponder these issues of your personal spirit.
Best Wishes
2007-08-23 05:34:47 · answer #3 · answered by MuseumGirl48 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Your relationship with God is a personal journey, but you can't have a relationship w/God w/o help. That is what the Bible is. It is a guide to help you be pleasing to God. It does give me a sense of purpose because I'm now a fisher of men, sense of enlightenment, yes the Bible makes the simple wise, strong - hey if God is for you no one can be against you, meaning - yes I understand a lot about life and people, safe and not alone - God is every where. Why should you have a problem with people believing in God? Even the demons believe in God. Most people don't understand God that is why they have problems going by his Bible. Study it out. You will find the answers. If you truly seek them. (By the way, most of my answers are from scriptures.) Enjoy your journey!
2007-08-23 05:32:06 · answer #4 · answered by Brain 4 · 2⤊ 3⤋
Yes to all of that and more!
Although, I don't belive it's all a personal journey; the bible says to acknowledge Him in public. God gave everyone of a a special purpose that only that person can accomplish- a purpose that will impact the world differently than everything else.
If you didn't have a purpose in this world, you wouldn't exist
2007-08-23 05:39:23 · answer #5 · answered by Titus M 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I gain all those things that you mentioned and more. And you know what? It's marked out for me in the Bible. The personal part comes from the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit in John 16. I suppose you can know the Holy Spirit while not ever having read John 16, as I did, but finding out later was a part of the spontaneity of it all. It made my relationship a bit more personal and special. But I am glad that I know it!
A person who trusts God wants to find out more about Him. I don't know where you get yours from, I I am telling you, it's not what you think it is!
2007-08-23 05:33:07 · answer #6 · answered by Christian Sinner 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It sort of feels like you're let into some brilliant secret, and while the athiests in the world are mocking you , you can just give a little smile because you know that this is the best secret in the world and they just don't get it.
It makes me feel very safe too, like, I know that if my whole family die tomorrow, and my boyfriend leaves me and my house burns down I'll be alright because God is on my side; He supplies a bird to every worm - He'll surely take care of me.
It is just the best feeling to be honest. I don't know how to describe it properly, but, it's a secret smile inside.
2007-08-23 05:45:49 · answer #7 · answered by floppity 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Silver Tongue,
I am a Christian. I do believe in our GOD and FATHER. I also believe that HE sent HIS SON as a sacrifice for those who believe in HIM. I do not push HIM upon others who do not believe but I gladly share HIM with those who are interested. I feel that just having the freedom to be able to read, study, and obey HIS WORD (the BIBLE) is everything that I want at this time and the ability to share Heaven with others who also have that faith in HIM. Have a wonderful week.
Thanks,
Eds
.
2007-08-23 06:17:55 · answer #8 · answered by Eds 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'd say it brings to me all what you said and more.
If you read the bible as you said, you will admit that is full of confusing terms, that is repetitive, and not completely orderly arranged. That is precisely what serves as it's protection against altering, see, even when the Scribes (as Jesus said, were not to be trusted) changed and added things to it, there are little hidden meanings that they themselves could not change because they did not know the significance of the same.
2007-08-23 06:49:41 · answer #9 · answered by Davinci22 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You gain all if your a real christian ,those who only give lip serves are wasting their time ,all must try to be the best that they can be and it is only when they fail that thay can see how far short that they are God loves tryers and will help them love in the lord
2007-08-24 03:33:54 · answer #10 · answered by Frederick j 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋