I want to believe in a God, but everytime I try I just get depressed?

Question

I've studied theology and find the God of the main three Abrahamic faiths to be absolutely monsterous. I am having a hard time going to church and hanging out with people who can say nothing about how good their God is while they completely ignore everything he has done. In the OT slavery is condoned, women are looked down upon as inferior, God tells his people to kill multiple groups for not believing in him, one is told to kill their own kin if they worship another God. I just can't get my sense of morality to swallow this, no matter how hard I try.

I also can't get past the point of an eternal Hell. It makes no sense to me, and is perhaps more twisted than anything I wrote above. People choose their religion based on where they are born, of course they've heard of Christianity, but they were tought a different religion, just as you were taught yours.

I want to believe there is something there, but I don't think I'll ever be able to believe in such a God.

Any ideas for any very liberal denominations? Maybe I should try these. One's that focus on the message and don't insist on taking every word of the Bible literally. Jesus spoke in parables and metaphors all the time, I don't see why people limit their view of God to such a narrow scope.

Answer 1

It is a lie to claim as some conservative ideological authorities do that myth is truth. An affirmation of an ability to know about the existence of a good one in Heaven at war with an evil one cast down to and ruling over Earth is a fraud that follows from the lie that myth is truth. Some conservative ideological authorities perpetrate this fraud in order to be able; to make threats against the life and or afterlife of anybody who does not submit to their authority; and to extort tithes and offerings from communities of faithful believers in exchange for a lifelong indoctrination in a standard of conduct that these same ideological authorities proclaim to be based on the discovery of the truth about the will of a good one in Heaven at war with an evil one cast down to and ruling over Earth. Based on the lie that myth is truth some lead communities faithful believers to behave like racist, heterofascist, warmongers.

Based on the truth that myth is myth, I challenge religious leaders who repeat the lie that myth is truth until their fraud and extortion operations become profitable. Based on the truth that myth is myth, I lead us to have highest esteem of self and world the we can possibly imagine. Based on the truth that myth is myth, I lead us to believe that there is an abundance of time to live made possible by an infinite series of lives to be lived by our divine eternal souls. Based on the truth that myth is myth, I lead us to believe abundance is freely given to us by Father Love, an infinite body of large universes of the correct kind to support living infernal fractal entities and Mother God an infinity, divinity, eternally, one. Based on the truth that myth is myth, I lead communities of faithful believers to behave like friendly, homotolerant, peace makers.

Answer 2

In short, there is but one true God, and He is a loving, forgiving God that loved you so much He sent His son to die for your sins. The old testament covers the era of that time and before the arrival of Jesus Christ. Study the new testament out; Jesus brought us a new message of hope and love and forgiveness.
My son had the same question about the people that are raised as a particular religion truly having that religious belief. However, Christianity teaches us that God's Word (The Bible) is inerrant. And everyone will have the opportunity to hear His Word and learn the truth. I urge you to study God's word that was sent by Jesus...it's all there in the new testament for you. "Seek the Lord while He may be found". Eventually he will cloud the eyes and hearts of those that have heard his word and rejected it. I pray for you to get the guidance you need; more importantly, you pray for God to make it clear to you and to take away the confusion of this world. That's what I finally did, and within months He had 6 people approach me from the same church. When I finally opened up my heart and studied with them, it became clear as crystal to me. Once you get it, you will have such a feeling of relief. The bible teaches there is a hell, and the only way to heaven, and the Father is through the Son.
I pray for you to be at ease and sure about your savior Jesus Christ. Many blessings to you...

Answer 3

first of all slavery was not condoned- it happened that does not mean God condoned it- women were looked down upon- however Jesus changed all that, because GOD loves women. What is in the OT and NT does not necessarily make it all right- that is why Jesus came. I know it is hard to understand someone that would tell someone to kill a whole group of people- however it is God- Why does an eternal hell, make no sense to you? We are all sinners, you cannot say that you are perfect anymore than I can- and God ,even when not understood, is perfect in all of His ways. God loves us and does not want us to go to hell, that is why He sent Jesus so that we can have eternal life with Him. Only God Himself could have made you ask these questions- you are seeking God, but let me tell you , He has been seeking you first. We may not understand everything that God has done or will do, until we see Him face to face, but one thing I can tell you- He loves you and wants a relationship with you-

Answer 4

First, I am glad you are searching. I challenge you to look at the creation around you. I don't see that it could have been an accident, so it must have been created. Since you have studied the religions, and presumably the holy books, then there must be one that fits what is observed. I believe in a God that reveals Himself. I chose the Christian faith, not only because I am from the US, but when I studied the major religions in college, Christianity fits the best. Since the Bible is accurate in in history and science, it follows that it is accurate in theology. I suggest you follow the life of Jesus in the gospels, and the apostles in the book of Acts. These show the nature of God. When you seek God, He will draw near to you ! E mail me if you like.

Answer 5

Aw! Hugs! *bear hugs* I can relate so much to this! :)
I have a similar problem. I want to believe, but, man the world is so warped ain't it and you don't know if there is a loving God that does something to intervene, though they say things happen for a reason, right? But that's not fair to innocent folks who get killed almost everyday, in accidents, assaults, etc, I wonder does that apply to them too? Depressing as ever, it can be. I even try not to dwell on it so much. I don't hate God or Jesus and I think the Bible is interesting (maybe not 100% correct, due to tampering) but some days it's hard!

The OT is rather DARK, compared to the NT, although what I find about OT, one thing is that it's easier to hate those who hate you instead of love. I suppose it's either an ego thing or simple human nature.
I also agree that other folks have their religion no matter how Christians see them as "wrong". It's not fair to THEM to have to go to Hell-what if some of the people never even HEARD of The Holy Bible or its components? (And never will?) Sometimes I wonder if there even is a Hell, myself. If there is, it oughta be for those who deserve it, and NOT including those who may not even know about Jesus. And that fact alone makes me believe more that MAN tampered with some of the Biblical text, like the Nicean Council in Rome, back in the day, ya know?
I can relate to this post a lot. Thanks for your post here.

Answer 6

Seems you have read alot and missed knowing God. The bible is the inspired word of God, not written by God. If you read the bible looking for negative, argumentative theories you will find them. You try reading the bible with an open mind and maybe you will walk away feeling differently. You think God is monsterous-just take a look at what mankind has done and still does-From murder and mayhem to sexually abusing children and abusing animals. Who is the monster? If you want to believe in God, stop trying to think of all kinds of reasons and excuses not to believe.

Answer 7

It is so hard these days to truly get to know God for ourselves, so many opinions on what God is.
I do not believe God wants us to know him only by what others say he is. He wants us to have a personal relationship with him.
Though it is not easy after many years of church and being told what we are suppose to believe in, we must empty our cups so that the truth of God may fill our hearts once again. All the study of what God was leaves no room for what God is.
Hell, What is hell? A place thgat a churchy says we go for not believing in what they say we must. Would God truly burn us for eternity for not being able to believe in something that was so long ago? My God will not.
How do I know this? I have been guided by God, and even spoken nto at times, beyond a doubt, Just like I am sure you have also. Would God guide us and speak to us like this if we were wrong?
God is much more than the church gives him credit of being.
We must know that we already know, Trust your heart not the heart of another, for God makes himself known in the silence if each individual soul.
Robert M
[e-mail]

Answer 8

Believing in God requires that we surrender our will to a greater one. Human understanding is finite. Once a person places their trust in God, who is perfectly just and more merciful than humankind, a great weight is lifted.

What are you using for a measuring stick that is of a higher order than God's word? Perhaps if you were to study it by beginning with the gospel of John and pray for guidance and insight from the Holy Spirit, it might help. Find a mature Christian to discuss your questions with.

I am glad that you are seeking Him, for if you do, He will draw near to you. James 4:8.

Answer 9

hello... so you say you have trouble believing in GOD?? ok i think i can help..first of all dont try to understand GOD... because we cant the bible says his ways are not our ways and his thoughts are not our thoughts...the way and understanding of GOD is beyond are understanding..man trys to give his perspective on what or who GOD is an as a result it confuses people... GOD is a supreme being GOD does not think like me or you..when you want to know the truth about GOD dont look to people who have no understanding about him..dont let other religions discourage you... the only way to know GOD is to #1 GOD operates in faith..#2 in order to know GOD you must come to him in faith...#3 GOD wants to show him self to us all.. #4 GOD'S ways/time/and thoughts are not like our's..#5 GOD know's the true intent of our hearts meaning he know's if we are really seeking him or not..#6 but remeber this every thing with GOD is yae and amen meaning GOD is absoloute truth in all reality... seek him and he will show you how real he realy is trust me GOD cannot lie or he wont be GOD... try it.... i hope this helps.. be blessed

Answer 10

Okay Jesus is the "savior." He died so that we could be forgiven our sins, w/o sacrificing or having to pay for it. So before he came we were under the judgement of God. So if we did wrong we had to pay for it and God gave his commandments to the people and if they didn't obey he would punish them. Then Jesus came and made it easier for us. As far as hell, we're choosing our destiny and if we go or not

Answer 11

Read "IN God's Truth" By Nick Bunick. Problem solved.