I had an interesting conversation with my friend this weekend. I was eager to talk to him about religion because it would be the first time since I stopped believing. When I asked him what convinces him that God is real, he gave me the same old answer we're all used to getting: That he can't explain it with evidence, but things in his life have happened that have made him realize God is real, such as answered prayer, signs from God, etc. He basically gave me a few scenarios in his past where he has been tempted to do something that would have gotten him into major trouble, but because God told him not to do it (either by putting a thought into his head or by something happening that he interpreted as a sign from God), he didn't proceed with whatever the temptation was and managed to keep himself out of trouble.
I am inclined to believe he was listening to himself, and not God.
Either way, if it prompts a person to realize an act is wrong, is religion useful?
2007-10-02 03:56:01 · 8 answers · asked by Linz ♥ VT 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
People gravitate to what the "need'. Some people need religion. It's unfortunate, but that's the way it is for now.
2007-10-02 04:07:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You are calling God religion and in this you err. When Christ walked the earth he wasn't too happy with the religion of the day in Israel that knew nothing about Him.
Religion doesn't keep people out of trouble, but God does. When we have the Holy Spirit within that can teach us all things with the capability of changing the hearts and minds of others, then any person will admit that this is a powerful tool.
If you ever knew the Word of God, you will know that God taught us that we are nothing without Him. That we are dead in sin without Christ. And the only righteousness in us is Christ. So how do you tell me that the man you mention was "listening to himself."
Do you have children? A child will grow up a rebellious heathen, if the parents do not teach the child the right things to do. As a Father God, God gave us His commandments so we would know how to live and experience life more abundantly. God even told us "if you will do this, I will do this."
In Proverbs 26:2 God told us "that a curse without a cause, does not come." God taught us blessings and curses and how to receive them.
What is within me keeps me out of trouble and what I was taught by the Word of God keeps me out of trouble.
Without God, I am nothing and neither are you. God even said, "I am life." God even said, "I am truth." And God even said, "I am the way" to follow.
You said "since I stopped believing," but ask yourself who you would be without the training of God fearing people.
Look at the world today and you will see what is happening to people who have not been trained by God fearing people.
2007-10-02 04:38:07 · answer #2 · answered by Jeancommunicates 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
We all have that "voice" in the backs of our heads that tells us sometimes when we should or shouldn't be doing something. It's called a conscience. It seems to me as though your friend was crediting the messages of his own conscience to God.
Now, that being said, some people are kind of insecure and self-destructive and aren't inclined to listen to their conscience. Those people might be more likely to make better choices if they think that "voice" is a vengeful omnipotent deity rather than a normal, natural function of the human psyche.
I think that if your friend is a man of strong character, he probably would have made the same decisions whether religious or not, despite the temptation to get into trouble.
2007-10-02 07:17:52 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religion is useful for basic guidelines to life. I think it can help people through tough times and help them make good choices. It is when people misconstrue what religion is suppose to be where it can go very wrong.
I am not religious and I am not sure I believe in god, but I respect the fact that others do, and if it helps them become a better person, then I am all for it.
2007-10-02 04:08:09 · answer #4 · answered by Stuey 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
any religion that follows some kind of moral code, which is beneficial to society is obviously useful. the problem is that religion itself is a hindrance to knowing God.
God, the being, has made himself known to us in many ways
but usually we don"t recognize the signs until we're in trouble and need help beyond human capacity, spiritual help, Divine help.
Recognizing our need is the first step. It shows humility and that is essential in being close to God.
This is a stumbling block to intellectuals because they recognize themselves as being strong in thought capacity and admitting the need for God is a sign of weakness. Humility is actually one of our greatest strengths if not the greatest. You have to overpower your pride, which takes great strength of carictre.
Experiencing and knowing the reality of the living God is not a matter of finding God. It is a matter of knowing that you are known and that your ways and imaginations have been known by God all along.
This is a freedom un explainable in human terms. Anyone who has been borne of spirit of God can relate to this. Many who talk of God and attend church services regularly are realy just socialites who like the niceities and the feel goodness on the scene.
These people will have more trouble knowing the living God because they are convinced of their rigteous deeds. They haven't accepted the complete forgiveness of God through the offering of Jesus Christ because they have not looked squarely into the face of their own depravity.
This may be your case. You ssaid you stoped believeing. If you had realy been convienced in the first placem, I doubt you would have stoped believing.
This is the problem of reliegon. It propigates faith based on activities., church attendance, prayer meetings, helming at the church, reading the bible, giving a tenth.
Forget religeon. search for The Living God.
KNOW THAT YOU ARE KNOWN AND BE AMAZED
forgive miss spelled words
2007-10-02 04:58:32 · answer #5 · answered by Gypsy Priest 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Religions save their flock common via promising them heaven and immortality in the event that they conform and dying aand hell in the event that they dont. it rather is a form of brainwashing, yet its no longer in basic terms religions, politicians doit as properly. they save drumming interior the comparable previous messages approximately how good it will be with them and how undesirable with somebody else and all people is so gullible and so nerve-racking to be led that they bypass alongside with it. the international desires extra loose thinkers and people who could make their very own judgements.
2016-12-28 11:02:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
rebel no one likes to walk blindly for fear of walking off a mountain. Faith with a healthy suspicion is the best course. Walk with the one & or walk alone
2007-10-02 04:08:43 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it's kind of like carrying an infant because they can't walk and saying "Well, that's the only way they can get around." While this may be true now, they'll never learn to walk that way.
On the other hand, if you need a delusion to keep you from stealing my car, please continue to believe...
2007-10-02 04:01:24 · answer #8 · answered by Eleventy 6 · 2⤊ 2⤋