Straying away from Religion fast?

Question

i was catholic up until 2 days ago. now i am on the borderline between believing. i only think logically, i have the hardest time understanding faith. last time i tried faith it doesnt make me feel better its like a false sense of security. there are good arguments on both sides but i see better ones on the Athiest side. also if i ever trying talking to christians i ALWAYS get harrassed or get interrogated. the only answers i get are just believe u dont want to burn do u? i dont need scare tactics.

but if i ask an atheist he is open minded and sorry to say..he / she sounds smarter.

Answer 1

Consider this:

Fulfilled Prophecy: Evidence for the Reliability of the Bible
by Hugh Ross, Ph.D.
Unique among all books ever written, the Bible accurately foretells specific events-in detail-many years, sometimes centuries, before they occur. Approximately 2500 prophecies appear in the pages of the Bible, about 2000 of which already have been fulfilled to the letter—no errors. (The remaining 500 or so reach into the future and may be seen unfolding as days go by.) Since the probability for any one of these prophecies having been fulfilled by chance averages less than one in ten (figured very conservatively) and since the prophecies are for the most part independent of one another, the odds for all these prophecies having been fulfilled by chance without error is less than one in 102000 (that is 1 with 2000 zeros written after it)!

God is not the only one, however, who uses forecasts of future events to get people's attention. Satan does, too. Through clairvoyants (such as Jeanne Dixon and Edgar Cayce), mediums, spiritists, and others, come remarkable predictions, though rarely with more than about 60 percent accuracy, never with total accuracy. Messages from Satan, furthermore, fail to match the detail of Bible prophecies, nor do they include a call to repentance.

The acid test for identifying a prophet of God is recorded by Moses in Deuteronomy 18:21-22. According to this Bible passage (and others), God's prophets, as distinct from Satan's spokesmen, are 100 percent accurate in their predictions. There is no room for error.

As economy does not permit an explanation of all the Biblical prophecies that have been fulfilled, what follows in a discussion of a few that exemplify the high degree of specificity, the range of projection, and/or the "supernature" of the predicted events. Readers are encouraged to select others, as well, and to carefully examine their historicity.


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(1) Some time before 500 B.C. the prophet Daniel proclaimed that Israel's long-awaited Messiah would begin his public ministry 483 years after the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem (Daniel 9:25-26). He further predicted that the Messiah would be "cut off," killed, and that this event would take place prior to a second destruction of Jerusalem. Abundant documentation shows that these prophecies were perfectly fulfilled in the life (and crucifixion) of Jesus Christ. The decree regarding the restoration of Jerusalem was issued by Persia's King Artaxerxes to the Hebrew priest Ezra in 458 B.C., 483 years later the ministry of Jesus Christ began in Galilee. (Remember that due to calendar changes, the date for the start of Christ's ministry is set by most historians at about 26 A.D. Also note that from 1 B.C. to 1 A.D. is just one year.) Jesus' crucifixion occurred only a few years later, and about four decades later, in 70 A.D. came the destruction of Jerusalem by Titus.

(Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 10 to the 5th power.)*


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(2) In approximately 700 B.C. the prophet Micah named the tiny village of Bethlehem as the birthplace of Israel's Messiah (Micah 5:2). The fulfillment of this prophecy in the birth of Christ is one of the most widely known and widely celebrated facts in history.

(Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 10 to the 5th power.)


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(3) In the fifth century B.C. a prophet named Zechariah declared that the Messiah would be betrayed for the price of a slave—thirty pieces of silver, according to Jewish law-and also that this money would be used to buy a burial ground for Jerusalem's poor foreigners (Zechariah 11:12-13). Bible writers and secular historians both record thirty pieces of silver as the sum paid to Judas Iscariot for betraying Jesus, and they indicate that the money went to purchase a "potter's field," used—just as predicted—for the burial of poor aliens (Matthew 27:3-10).

(Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 10 to tthe 11th power.)


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(4) Some 400 years before crucifixion was invented, both Israel's King David and the prophet Zechariah described the Messiah's death in words that perfectly depict that mode of execution. Further, they said that the body would be pierced and that none of the bones would be broken, contrary to customary procedure in cases of crucifixion (Psalm 22 and 34:20; Zechariah 12:10). Again, historians and New Testament writers confirm the fulfillment: Jesus of Nazareth died on a Roman cross, and his extraordinarily quick death eliminated the need for the usual breaking of bones. A spear was thrust into his side to verify that he was, indeed, dead.

(Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 10 to the 13th power.)


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(5) The prophet Isaiah foretold that a conqueror named Cyrus would destroy seemingly impregnable Babylon and subdue Egypt along with most of the rest of the known world. This same man, said Isaiah, would decide to let the Jewish exiles in his territory go free without any payment of ransom (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1; and 45:13). Isaiah made this prophecy 150 years before Cyrus was born, 180 years before Cyrus performed any of these feats (and he did, eventually, perform them all), and 80 years before the Jews were taken into exile.

(Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 10 to the 15th power.)


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(6) Mighty Babylon, 196 miles square, was enclosed not only by a moat, but also by a double wall 330 feet high, each part 90 feet thick. It was said by unanimous popular opinion to be indestructible, yet two Bible prophets declared its doom. These prophets further claimed that the ruins would be avoided by travelers, that the city would never again be inhabited, and that its stones would not even be moved for use as building material (Isaiah 13:17-22 and Jeremiah 51:26, 43). Their description is, in fact, the well-documented history of the famous citadel.

(Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 10 to the 9th power.)


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(7) The exact location and construction sequence of Jerusalem's nine suburbs was predicted by Jeremiah about 2600 years ago. He referred to the time of this building project as "the last days," that is, the time period of Israel's second rebirth as a nation in the land of Palestine (Jeremiah 31:38-40). This rebirth became history in 1948, and the construction of the nine suburbs has gone forward precisely in the locations and in the sequence predicted.

(Probability of chance fulfillment = 1 in 10 to the 18th power.)

Answer 2

Study and learn all the doctrines of Christianity, or at least the branch of Christianity that you're thinking about. Then when you know them, decide if they make any sense. If not, you can always check out other religions like Buddhism, Judaism, or whatever, if you want.

Nothing says you have to choose right now. it might be a process that takes you years. And you might end up just being "spiritual but not religious" like so many other people. Or you might end up an athiest. It's up to you, take your time.

You can also follow the path of the Righteous Gentile, which is the 7 Noahide Laws, the 7 Universal Laws that were given to every society and every culture. Judaism says this is the way that God gave on Mt. Sinai for people to have their place in the World To Come. There's never been any kind of human virgin blood sacrifice for sin concept in Judaism. Or Original Sin either. Anyway, if you're interested in the path of the 7 Noahide/Universal Laws for Righteous Gentiles, you can learn about it here: http://www.noahide.org

Good luck with your search.

Answer 3

The reason you get a lot of pat answers like "just believe" is because a great number of people don't really know the answers to the deep questions you're asking. So, while you're having a crisis and asking vital questions, having them just telling you to believe without logically explaining things makes them sound hysterical and foolish. No wonder the atheists sound smarter.

You need to talk to someone who actually has answers. Perhaps it's time to start meeting with the priests, pastors, and missionaries of various religions until you find the one that has the answers you're seeking.

Answer 4

Throughout the entire 9 years of my catholic education, I felt the same way. Faith was something that constantly elluded me. I never felt the 'warm and fuzzies' that many of the adherents did.

I took some time, and researched other faiths, but frankly, it all came down to the same answer: the facts of the world/universe directly contradict the edicts of faith. The existence of a god is a logical impossiblity.

That said, realize that you're not alone in your quest. Do what makes the most sense to you. One of the best things I learned when studying Buddhism is this (and it applies to everyday life...not just faith):

Do not believe in anything simply because you have heard it. Do not believe in anything simply because it is spoken and rumored by many. Do not believe in anything because it is found written in your religious books. Do not believe in anything merely on the authority of your teachers and elders. Do not believe in traditions because they have been handed down for many generations. But after observation and analysis, when you find anything that agrees with reason and is conducive to the good and benefit of one and all, then accept it and live up to it. (Siddhartha Gautama - The Buddha), 563-483 B.C.

Answer 5

I was raised Catholic and strayed away when I was younger. I just didn't get a sense of God being in church.

I regained my faith over a long period of time on my own without a church or any strict religious doctrine. The Ten Commandments and the message of Jesus from the Gospels is what Christianity is all about. It's not about worrying about when not to eat meat and what prayers to recite word for word the same way every time.

For the longest time I felt that my relationship with God was simply about staying on the right side of God's law to avoid punishment on judgment day. Really, that was it. I figured I wasn't a good enough person for Jesus to even notice me and that The Holy Spirit had given up on me long ago. Then slowly I began to get an understanding of my own personal spirituality; the origin of my soul. It was mostly through dreams and after losing close family members. I also began to have occasional "out of body experiences" whereas I would be"asleep" in my bed but completely aware that I was physically asleep in my bed.

Last Christmas I got a little p!$$ed off about how the commercialization of Christmas was causing people to be nasty to each other and to forget what it was all about. I tried to imagine being there at the time and place of Christ's birth. Somehow I got into a strange meditative state (while awake) and could sense the feelings of Mary and Joseph at the time. They were TERRIFIED. I had never heard anyone, a priest, nun or anyone at all talk about how Mary and Joseph felt. Can you imagine the pressure of having to protect an infant that they were told was to be the Savior that their prophets had spoken and written about? Then, at the end of the vision I got a glimpse of The Child. He had eyes that knew...! It was like His eyes knew all but he was helpless in this infant's body and relying on Mary and Jesus to raise and protect Him.

Anyway, I awoke the next morning with a new awareness of what a state of Grace was all about. I also have come to have a new faith in the power of prayer. I am now going through a very difficult time in my life to where the strength of my faith in God will be critical. Will you pray for me? Not a prayer that anyone has taught you but in your own words. Just pray for my faith. I am praying for yours as well...

Peace,

AAD

Answer 6

I am currently going through the same thing. Do not give up anything too soon. Ask someone in the church you trust and like (maybe a priest or youth minister) some of the questions you are asking yourself, and if you are unsatisfied then go Atheist By all means. If at any time you feel they are feeding you bullcrap for answers and you are unhappy with it, continue pushing the question. If your priest can't give you a straight answer then how can you expect to ever understand it?

Answer 7

As an ex Catholic now Christian I would say to you that questions are good as long as you do some research to find the answers, no not in religion, in the Bible, Most religion do not follow what the Bible says. most of the doctrines taught in religions are not from the Bible but of pagan origin. So, no, don't just believe anything, but check out what the Bible says on the subject, there you will also learn the truth about hell, it is not represented in the Bible as most religions teach about it, no you will not burn in hell, hell isn't even hot.

Answer 8

Islam is the fastest growing religion, that’s a fact. Christianity is still barely higher in numbers. Nowadays, people are so consumed with distractions and the worries of the world; therefore I believe true Christians are decreasing in number. A lot of “Christians” nowadays don’t read the Bible, so they don’t understand it fully and would rather believe what they hear from friends or the media instead of reading for answers. A lot of New Age beliefs are being brought here from the East. Since many “Christians” don’t attend church regularly or read the Bible regularly, they can easily be confused and misguided with their beliefs. At least that’s how I see it from how I observe my surroundings.

Answer 9

You do not need to be a part of a religion to be faithful to God. Salvation does not happen in groups. It is an individual reward that comes from our Heavenly Father by acquiring accurate knowledge of Truth from His Word, the Bible, by applying this Truth to our daily life, and by helping spread the good news of His Kingdom. I wish you the best of luck

Answer 10

Maybe u should stop tryin to "pick" one or stop listening to others,especially those two,and find out for urself..U have to seek him and if u are for real he will reveal himself to u.Also if u begin to read the bible,please,start at the beginning.Many folks are so lost and messed up because they began at the NT,which was written like 400 yrs after the original hebrew text,theOT.Nothin but letters and hearsay,written by folks who werent even there at JC's time..But the OT,alone,will tell u the truth,u may not like some of it,but its true.U have to study too,and many dont wanna take the time to do that,they just wanna believe whatever someone tells them.

Answer 11

it's awesome that you are questioning your faith. It doesn't mean you are not believing anymore or anything but it's good to ask what the heck? Things don't make sense . The important thing is that you do your research on the things that don't make sense, listen to scholars, athiests and believers, dont just pick one and believe everything they say. Good luck to you.