How did you come to believe what you do?

Question

Was it becasue something was missing in other beliefs (ie: an atheist who doesn't believe in any god because of lack of evidence)

or your feeling of assurance in your belief (ie: a theist who is 100% sure of a god because of eperiences in their life)

or a different reason?

Please state you belief with you answer

Thanks to all :)

Answer 1

I'm agnostic, I go to a private christian college and I have to take mandatory religion classes, but in the end, they always fail to convince me to christianity. I'm not saying that what Christians or Muslims or Buddhist or Hindus or Catholics or Jews is wrong, but none of it is right for me. I like to think there is some kind of God, because it would be depressing to think when we died, we just died and cease to exist in a living state. I'm not an atheist and I find it offensive to mix agnostic and atheist up, because I think atheism is wrong, for the sheer fact that they critize and ostrize religion because there is no proof of God, that what we do have is all man made or inspired. But, I think the abesence of proof is not the proof of abesence. You can't claim there is no God, if you don't have proof there is one. They're hypocrits. I simply just don't know and after my dad died over the summer, I have really wanted to believe there is something, anything after this life, but I'm not sure if the Bible is right or the Qu'ran, or whatever.....After all, no matter what religion you believe in, the other condemns you to some kind of hell....and frankly, for some people, I don't see how there could be any worse place than what they go through on earth, like in Sudan. Maybe we create our heaven and hell on earth....I just don't know...I think whatever makes you happy is what you need to do, if you can find hope in christianity, go with it, and if you prefer Islam, go with it, etc,. The religion I like the most though is Buddhism, because they believe that everyone finds nirvana their own way and not nescessarily through Buddhism...plus I like the idea of being reincarnated...I find it peaceful. THere's also the concept of predestination, and how we are now, is a signal to where we are going after we die...of course it's much more complicated then that....but I think I'm a good person, so maybe I'm going to some kind of Heaven....there's just so much out there, no religion is right or wrong....

Answer 2

I'm an atheist who has had the mystical experience that Christians have called "Union with God."

I like to start off with an apparent contradiction and work backwards...lol.

I was raised Catholic, left the Church at age 13 when I decided that it was all psychopathy and superstition - a judgment I still maintain. I went on to study every religious tradition I could, "from the inside," appealing to the original texts and to any teachers I could find who seemed worthy of respect. I've practiced Buddhist and Hindu meditation techniques - "Yoga," although not the kind you see on FitTV - and obtained some of the "trances," including the one known as Dhyana. Words simply can't explain the power of this experience, but I believe that it's the same experience that the Christian mystics have tried to symbolize as "Union with God" or the "Mystic Marriage."

Answer 3

I found that my beliefs conflicted with my parents chosen beliefs.

I found myself searching in high school, and befriended people who had pagan beliefs. Since I'd always been interested in and believed in the supernatural, I started learning all I could.

I later found the exact beliefs I was looking for, after I realized that the religion I'd found was not a fad, but something that I couldn't live without. It felt like I'd finally come home.

I'm following an Eclectic tradition called Neo-Cullis, but for ease of understanding I usually just clarify myself as Neo-Pagan.

Answer 4

I was raised in a home that had a mom who went to church and a dad that did not- however I came to be a Christian, because God sought me out- at the time I became a Christian- my mom was just a church goer. She had not come to the saving knowledge of Christ before I did. The church I grew up in until I was 17- never told me that church would not save me, and that good works wouldn't either- I was told, by my mom included that I was "such a good girl that God would have to let me into heaven"- what made me realize that I would never be good enough? When I really started to read the Bible and realize that God is infinitely holy. And I was not and never will be. What is missing in other beliefs that made me choose Christianity- CHRIST AND THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS!!

Answer 5

I have had extensive study of the bible from Moody Bible Institute, and my church. When I started to question the religion was when I learned more by actually reading and studying on my own, and then listened to the doctrine my church was trying to cram down it's members throats, made me say ENOUGH OF THIS NONSENSE!

I must say that my grandmother thought that me taking those home study courses from Moody Bible Institute would make me want to be a minister, but it had the exact opposite effect, and made me want to bail out of all organized religion(s).

Answer 6

I decided today that I believe in Picoism because no existing religion or "non religion" suits me. I was agnostic but even that had limitations that I could not live with. I believe there is a higher power but it's not for me to understand and it's most likely not one that interferes with human life. I can't go into it any further because it's too complicated.

Answer 7

When i was a preteen(i dont remember how old) I decided that christianity wasnt for me and was a athenist(sp?) But then i started studying pagan beileifs ( sorry, i still spell like a 12 year old!) rather recently and tried heathern gods. Then one popped out at me: loki! So i became a Lokean.

Answer 8

My belief comes with much life experience, common sense and lots of love. I'm kind of half & half when it comes to religion...as I don't feel that it's there to put hate, judgement, or division in my life. Sometimes you have to find a belief in yourself before you can look else where for guidance and truth. D'n'D

Answer 9

Simple...
I was an atheist who sat down to read the Bible and prove it wrong...and God revealed Himself to me.
And so there you have it.

I am not a Christian because I chose Christianity...rather, I am a child of God because God chose me.

And besides the theological reasoning of "grace" and God's sovereign pleasure, I have absolutely no idea why God would choose me, specifically.
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Answer 10

Experience and observation.

I believe there is one Creator of All who loves us unconditionally and allows us to live our lives in the way we desire. The Great Spirit cannot be cajoled, begged or prayed to. The Great Spirit is All There Is and we are but a small part of it. When anything dies, it's spririt returns to the Great Spirit.