I pray and belive in God, but everytime I go to church I find that I'm thinking that they're fool of crap! What does that mean?? Why do I belive in God but not in church or Christianity? I grew up in church, but now that I'm 19 I dont know if I agree with it. Does that make me agnostic?
2007-09-04 07:02:35 · 34 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You're not alone. I firmly believe in God but I don't believe in organized religion. I think each person should look and question and find their own answers. I'm NOT saying all churches are like this but the problem I've had is that the churches I have been to have been so fixated on stupid insignificant points and not the major, yet simple, important things.
Going to church is not a requirement for believing in God OR being a good Christian. Keep and open heart and be true to yourself. You will find what you are looking for. God Bless.
2007-09-04 07:19:15 · answer #1 · answered by Rae K 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The thing you need to remember is that churches are made up of people and people are sinners, imperfect creatures since the fall of Adam and Eve. It maybe, that what you're hearing really is crap. The only way to tell is to weigh what the church says against God's word, the Bible. If they're not biblically based then they are leading people astray. Read you Bible for real truth. I'm a Christian but I do not go to church. I do not like the "politics" found in churches. God says "to be part of a body of believers" and that can be something other then "church." It can be good Bible believing Christian friends. The other thing that could be happening is that you are under attack from evil and that could be making your church visits hard for you. Pray about it and weigh anything you are told against the light of scripture. Don't give up your faith in Christ because of imperfect people. We are constantly tested and refined as Silver for God's use. I'm praying for you. You are so young, what I would have given to be saved at your age! Awesome!!!
2007-09-04 07:51:01 · answer #2 · answered by savedbygrace 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was just like that for 34 years. When I was 10, my father forbade us to return to the church we were attending due to some "issues".
Then, for the next 34 years I drifted in and out of churches. I always had questions, and my questions often offended the "officials" of the church and I ended up on the outside, again.
Eventually, I quit looking for an actual church and just went merrily along my own path.
Then, through a lady at work, I was introduced to another church that I had not been acquainted with previously. I was a skeptic, but I truly enjoyed the service that I finally attended. I met the minister, and took a few bible classes. Soon, I was finding myself happy (quite a change) and decided that perhaps I found a true church. I was baptized, and now, several years later, the congregation presented me to the elders as their choice for a deacon. I was ordained so not quite a year ago.
I am in a state of joy most days, now. True, things happen. I have suffered through the deaths of close relatives and friends, but I had God with me this time. I had other difficulties, but I had God again this time. I have strength and stamina to get through even the most difficult times, and still have my joy.
And, I have found that the 34 years of ups and downs were not a waste. Different things that happened to me over this time have come back to the forefront of my mind, not to torture me, but as useful tools to minister to someone else.
God wastes nothing, I have found.
Go looking for a true church. The one I found was called a "Church of Christ", but there are other names that diligently follow the Bible, too.
They have no leadership structure beyond Elders and Deacons, just as prescribed in the Bible. They practice exactly what they preach. Individual people may make mistakes, and someone may say something you don't like, but try not to judge the whole congregation by one person who may not be a mature Christian.
Go, and compare their teachings with what is stated in the New Testament. Question the leaders, take a few Bible classes, and satisfy your own mind that these people are true. Then, you will have found a church home.
2007-09-04 07:24:33 · answer #3 · answered by Barry F 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It sounds to me that you believe in a Higher Power, one that created life, that has sustained life, and all that, but the rules of the church, the rules of man-made interpretations bother you.
Religion is a business, faith is spiritual. You are at an age where you are finding it hard to believe, I think, because mom, dad, grandma, granddad, the pastor/priest/minister, whomever has told you to believe.
There are things that don't make sense, sometimes, I think because we do not know the reasons why it is so...I have found that with religion, it is what kept me from being as faithful as I am now-at 54.
There were too many gaps for me that did not seem to close. Much of that came because the Jews that I had belonged to back then believed one way, my friends and others believed another. I was in my 50's when I realized that it is all one book, and the reasons why something is a certain way is because one book prophesied it and the other clarified it.
I saw people who were supposed to be loving, accepting, embracing even those who were different, and these people were using their faith as justification for what they were doing, until I realized I was not to be fooled by the messenger, but find the message for myself.
I was questioning...questioning and more questioning...because things did not add up.
No, I do not think you are necessarily an agnostic...only you know that, because that is questioning if GD exists. But, what it sounds mor elike is you are questioning if what you have been taught about GD is the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth---and if you are in college, that is because you are being taught to question it all these days.
2007-09-04 07:22:32 · answer #4 · answered by sirburd 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it doesn't mean you don't believe in God. Maybe you're just not in the right church? As long as the church you go to preaches and believes in the Bible and Jesus, the rest is gravy. When I found the church I love, I went to 3 others for a service to see if it fit well and found they didn't. The folks were all friendly but one I found too rigid and a bit nosy/pushy, the other "too far out" for me anyway and then the last one I knew immediately. I sat down and felt so at home I said "this is the one. I encourage you to do a little foot work and I know God will guide you to the right place.
2007-09-04 07:19:19 · answer #5 · answered by inkster7 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
John 14:26-27 "...he shall teach you all things...peace I leave with you...let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid"
James 1:5-6 "if any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God which giveth to all men liberally and...it shall be given him. but ask in faith nothing waivering"
God will answer all questions we just don't always listen properly, and the answer my be no.
Galatians 5:22-23 talks about "fruits of the spirit" it may be that God has answered you in a way you didn't expect.
Keep listening...
As far as being agnostic. If you expect an answer to a prayer you cannot be agnostic. The belief that there is a higher power that doesn't care or interact with us on an individual level is agnostic.
You need to find your own way. Don't take you parents word for it, but don't discount their beliefs either. Study, pray and attend other services. religion is about helping people be happy and find happiness...go find what makes you (and God) happy.
I did...
2007-09-04 07:20:45 · answer #6 · answered by skippy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's because churches are full of crap. I'm agnostic but I don't think that if God existed, he would want people to sit in a building worshiping him instead of going outside and doing the things the bible's about. I'm not saying I agree with the morels of the bible either.
2007-09-04 07:12:01 · answer #7 · answered by D YellowMadness 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
No, you aren't an ignostic if you pray and believe. You have the same misconception that many people have. The Church, along with what it teaches, IS NOT GOD. There IS a differance between believing in God and BEING God.
The Church is a body of HUMAN BEINGS (Hello?) who form beliefs, adopt certain ways of thinking, and congregate.
They don't have to know everything to do that. Or be perfect, or even unselfish. All they have to do is name the religion an find a building to have the services.
2007-09-04 07:14:45 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No worries there.. I have gone through the same thing. I went to church as a child but the Church didn't do anything for me as a place of worship. I was raised to be christian but now I just dropped putting a name to what I believe. So I have no denomination but I believe in God, The bible and His Word. You do not need to go to church to get the full effect of God becase He is EVERYWHERE. Find God for yourself don't let religions push what they believe about God on you. Many preachers misinterpret the Bible and add their own beliefs into their sermons but I stopped going to church a long time ago and I can honestly say that i have truly found God and what it means to follow His Word.
2007-09-04 07:11:59 · answer #9 · answered by SMX™ -- Lover Of Hero @};- 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I think that's a natural feeling. Like you, I also believe in God. I pray and practice my faith on a daily basis, but I don't go to church. I haven't found a church that ignites a passion in me, like it does with some people. I think the best thing to do, is just continue on your walk, and try to find that church where you feel at 'home'. God doesn't care where your at when you worship him, just as long as you do, ya know? Good luck!
2007-09-04 07:14:41 · answer #10 · answered by Stephanie 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋