I want to believe there is a god, but I have a lot of doubts. I can't follow all the rules of religion?

Question

I have a lot of doubts about the existence of god, but find it too depressing to just think there is nothing. But I also have a lot of problems with all the judgment and rules of the bible and Christianity. But since I grew up with it, I'm also worried that it might be true and then I worry about heaven and hell.

What should I do?

Answer 1

Believe me in what I am about to tell you.......The apostle Paul refers to the "spirit of the man" as that which makes humans intellectually superior to animals. It separates us from animals, allowing us know "the things of a man," to think and understand on a higher plane.

We were created to possess certain intellectual capacities similar to those of the Creator Himself (Genesis 1:26), enabling us to develop skills in mathematics and science, invent written languages, build great civilizations, learn from the past and plan for the future.

When God breathed the "breath of life" into Adam (Genesis 2:7), He gave the first human being more than physical existence. He imparted to Adam that spiritual and intellectual essence that gives mankind the remarkable capacities of the human mind.

But the apostle Paul shows that something is still missing: "So also no one comprehends what is truly God's except [by] the Spirit of God" (1 Corinthians 2:11, New Revised Standard Version). Here Paul is speaking of another Spirit, the Spirit of God.

He continues, "Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God" (verse 12). Spiritual understanding that surpasses our normal human intellect comes only through the extra help, influence and power of the Holy Spirit.

"Those who are unspiritual," Paul adds, "do not receive the gifts of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned" (verse 14, New Revised Standard Version). We will see that this spiritual link with God is vital in coming to know and experience the purpose of life.

Human life created for a higher purpose
Compared with plant and animal life, humans are created by God with a spiritual dimension for a much higher purpose. Several scriptures reveal that the reason for human life is preparation for eternal, immortal, spirit life.

God created us so that "whoever believes in Him [Jesus Christ] should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:15-16).

God gave Jesus Christ "authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him" (John 17:2).

God "will render to each one according to his deeds: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality" (Romans 2:6-7). We have the "hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began" (Titus 1:2).

That is the reason for human life-that we may ultimately receive eternal life.

God is the Creator and sustainer of life. He created human life on a level different from that of plants and animals to fulfill a far greater purpose. Our lives consist of relationships, goals and experiences that at times are enjoyable, at times difficult. But the ultimate purpose of our lives greatly exceeds merely meeting the needs and fulfilling the pleasures of our daily circumstances. The apostle Paul tells us that God made plans for our marvelous future even before He created our first parents, Adam and Eve. He planned our destiny "according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began" (2 Timothy 1:9).

Our eternal future was a part of God's great plan and purpose before He created the universe—before He made the heavenly bodies by which we measure time. Even then, God had determined that only a perfect Redeemer could bring His master plan to completion. Both our future and the role of Jesus Christ in our destiny were planned by God before time began.

Then, at the creation of Adam and Eve, God gave humans a choice of two ways of life. He clearly instructed Adam and Eve to partake of the tree of life. As their Creator, God expected them to develop a close personal relationship with Him. The tree of life in the Garden of Eden symbolized an obedient relationship leading to eternal life (Genesis 2:9; 3:22).

However, God gave Adam and Eve another option-one that could lead to disaster! Instead of choosing life through obedience to God, they could select a life of deciding for themselves what is right and wrong. Another tree in the garden symbolized this choice: the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17; 3:1-6).

By their actions, Adam and Eve rejected the way of living God had commanded (Genesis 3:6). Rather than relying on God to show them the right way to live, they chose to rely on themselves. They set out on a course that is a mixture of good and evil.

By their decision, they brought on themselves the penalty of sin, which is death (Romans 6:23). Since their time all of humanity has followed their example and become corrupted by sin (Romans 5:12). All have fallen short of God's revealed way of life (Romans 3:23). Humanity to this day continues in that way, which leads to death (verses 9-12).

For that reason God's plan includes a Savior, the Messiah-"the [sacrificial] Lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). Through Jesus Christ's sacrifice, human beings can reconcile to God, and God's forgiveness of their sin will remove the death penalty (Colossians 1:20-22). With forgiveness, God's gift of eternal life becomes available (Romans 6:23; 8:11). The destiny of man takes on meaning because of eternal life. Having the Holy Spirit from birth, Jesus Christ never sinned and thus set a perfect example for humanity. Those who truly follow Christ repent of their sins and are led by God's Spirit. With Christ now living in them (Galatians 2:20), they set a similar though imperfect example, striving to grow in the grace and knowledge of their Savior (2 Peter 3:18). But, when Christians are granted immortality in the resurrection, they will set perfect examples of godliness and righteousness as the spiritual children of God.

God has revealed that He is "bringing many sons to glory" so that He, as our Father, and we, His children, will be "of the same family" (Hebrews 2:10-11, NIV). That astounding truth is the ultimate destiny of human beings as revealed in the Bible.

God is in the process of creating that immortal family.

Answer 2

"I have a lot of doubts about the existence of god, but find it too depressing to just think there is nothing."

Well, it proves that you are thinking. Does the value of reality depend on how good an idea makes you feel? I used to feel the same kind of negativity when I contemplated atheism, but then I realized that I was conditioned from a young age to expect things like heaven and the supernatural. Once I got over it, atheism became far more preferable to theism. It's up to you whether or not you'd like to believe in gods. But I suggest that evidence should be the determinant.

"But I also have a lot of problems with all the judgment and rules of the bible and Christianity."

So do I. It's part of the reason that I'm not religious or Christian. As an atheist, I will not bang on someone's door on a Saturday morning or pass out brochures threatening my philosophical opponents with hellfire. Any debate must rest on the strength of my position, not religious threats.

"But since I grew up with it, I'm also worried that it might be true and then I worry about heaven and hell."

I was raised in a conservative Catholic school for twelve years, so I know what you mean. Hell is a scare tactic created by ancient men who could not tolerate differences in opinion. It's taught to children as if it were true, but I can promise you that it is total crap. There is no such thing as hell.

Some believers honestly think you will burn for eternity because you did not believe in their specific version of god -- but they fail to realize that this belief is simply a regurgitated threat of violence against non-Christians (hell is also described in the Quran).

Answer 3

Try Wicca. It has gods and a spirit world and all the stuff you probably like about christianity, but its rules are much saner and more pleasant. Its belief system will also free you from a lot of the infantile fear-mongering that christianity has as its basis.

By the way, I am not a Wiccan. But I think that Wicca is a religion that most people would find much more pleasant than Christianity.

If you find that following the rules of Christianity is unpleasant, then you are probably paying more attention to them than most Christians do. That would indicate that you would like a religion that you could really get into but still be able to live like a real human. So, I would guess that Wicca might be a good match for you.

Answer 4

Normally, this the kind of post where most people will be telling you "Join MY religion, that's the answer!" But I'd like to offer you an answer that I hope is a little more constructive:

There are lots of options out there. Read up on the other religions of the world. See the different ways they view the world. I recommend this site:
http://www.religioustolerance.org

And yes, I can understand that you still have that "what if I'm wrong" thought in the back of your mind, but as you said, this is becaues you were raised under that particular religion. People who were raised under other religions go through the same thing, and it's B.S. because regardless of what religion you choose, there's always another one out there that will say something nasty will happen to you.

Answer 5

demise penalty does not equivalent homicide, yet particularly it equals justice. evaluate the character of justice and mercy. Mercy is fully without meaning if there is not any justice. in case you're justly sentenced to demise, and the choose shows mercy and gadgets you unfastened, this is meaning. The regulations of the old testomony serve 2 applications. one million-the regulations stored a "chosen" human beings living very uniquely and strictly. The demise penalty for possible minor infractions stored the human beings from going off beam and integrating with surrounding societies. 2-the regulations teach that the gulf between human beings and God is impossible to pass. no one can (or could desire to back then) completely stay as much as the regulation. those regulations show the tough justice of God. the recent testomony says: Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the regulation, being made a curse for us, for that's written, "cursed is all human beings who hangs upon the tree (pass)" Why is mercy solid or maybe mandatory whilst there is not any justice. God isn't "the choose" interior the OT and "the merciful" interior the NT. God is the two each and every of the time. in case you ask my childrens if i'm mean and strict or intense-high quality and forgiving, they are going to say "the two." A mom who grew to become into "in common terms strict" or a mom who grew to become into "in common terms permissive" could be a damaging mom. For the wages of sin is demise (justice) however the present of God is eternal existence (mercy). So, your answer is the two and "sure, He could, and he did."

Answer 6

Salam

There is proof on earth of the prophets and their graves. There is the first house of worship with the stone from heaven in Mecca.
In Medina the crypt of Muhammed Pbuh. In Mecca the footprint of Abraham A.s. and the ZamZam water from which Moses A.s. wife and her child drank from that still runs today.
There is the graves and sights all over the world to show proof of scripture and those things all the way back beyond the Greeks and their existing monuments and such.

Just look around you can go feel and look at those things with your very hands. Then you read everything and decide for yourself that is the best way. Travel is the best education.

Answer 7

Build your own spiritual relationship with God and don't worry too much about heaven and hell, leave that up to God. It's perfectly normal nowadays to not belong to a specific religion there's so much bull out there it's hard to tell whose lies to believe. So just find a connection with God and you'll figure it out.

Answer 8

Believe in God if you have to, but do not think you need to be part of religion. Religion is an abomination. Don't force yourself to conform to beliefs you don't agree with. Just believe in God, follow the rules that you think God created, (not the man-made homosexuality hating ones, etc,) and live your life.

Answer 9

God is love. If God withdraws his spirit from the earth there can not be any happiness because humans need love.

When God comes, he will take the people who would be happy in the culture of heaven.

If you wouldn't be happy in heaven you will not be able to stand the glory of God. You also would not be happy living without God. You are crying for the rocks to fall on you. So God does the merciful thing.

However, he first takes every opportunity to give you a chance to come.

Answer 10

There are all kinds of religions. Do some research and find something that makes sense to you. When you find the right religion for you, it won't be hard to follow the rules.

Answer 11

God never asked us to have a religion with Him, He wants us to have a relationship with Him. To begin with read the book of John in the bible. that is the book that is refered as the love gosple of Jesus. Jesus is the way the truth & the life no one goes to the Father but by Him. Peace & Love