Why do YOU believe in the god that you do?

Question

What god or goddess(if any) do you believe in? Why do you choose to follow the teachings of this being? How do you feel this religion has changed your life and other's? Would you change your religion if you felt you were allowed to? I want to know about the religions people follow because I feel as a Christian that if I can know more about other religions, I can care for everyone and pray for them and understand them better, thus making our world just a little more peaceful. I am very curious about religions. I find them interesting.

BTW people, I do believe in God, okay? I have absolutely no doubts about the religion I have chosen for myself. I'm not thinking about changing my religion or anything, I simply think that getting to know people better by learning about their life choices and beliefs is a great way to know others better and create a more peaceful and open world. I hope that all who answer my question think the same about this.

Wow! So far, all of you have seem to have really strong faith in your religions and I admire quality that greatly!

Answer 1

I was born and raised as a methodist. The faith was fine, but as I grew older (around 10), my family stopped going to church (for a variety of reasons).

When I reached college (and the death of multiple family members and friends), I began to search again. The same denomination wasn't working any more. ON a whim, I followed a friend to a Catholic mass and walked out with a "Wow" feeling.

A year later, I began RCIA (process of joining).

I believe in the Catholic's teachings because it seems to make the most intellectual sense. Other views seem to have too many problems and conflicts. (I know others would disagree, but this is why **I** believe).

I have the ability/choice to change my religion, but I wouldn't unless I found proof of a better choice. And with countless classes, conferences, books (a six foot long, three foot high pile in my basement right now) and tapes - the Catholic church still seems to be the correct one.

I have little "emotional" feelings. I wish I did, but I don't. It is an intellectual faith, brought about by learning and research.

It has changed my life by giving me more focus on
1) my role as a person, husband, father and son
2) values of treating others
3) prayer and associated areas


I think this question is an excellent one. I hope others answer well (although I know at least a few will probably not based on past history). Continued search for the truth is never a bad thing. The problem is that many find a place THEY think is correct and instead of searching and discussing, they attack and insult what they do not believe. This is not worthy of any religion or any intelligent person.

Answer 2

I believe in the Great Mother Goddess that has been worshiped in an unbroken line since the dawn of time. I looked many years for the religion that was right for me, and this is the only one that incorporated all my beliefs, was consistent with scientific theory, archeology and gave me a feeling of peace.

People assume that Goddess worshipers are illogical or air-headed and that really bothers me. I've got a scientific basis for all of my beliefs, which are essentially that the Universe is a conscious female entity and we are all parts of Her body. There's a lot more to it, of course, but I don't want to write a whole book here. If anyone is interested, I can send you a link to some of my writings on the subject.

Answer 3

My belief is a mixture of many things, but to name the 3 most influential would be: Chan Buddhism (Zen), Bushido and Paganism. This puts my faith into myself and not into another. I come from a lax Jewish family and was able to think for myself and not have any one belief shoved down my throat and I know that has made me the person I am today. There is a right and a wrong for me, even tho there is no "sin".

What bothers me most about other religions, and living in the USA that puts Christianity at the top of the list due to it's foothold on America, is being judged and deemed "bad" because I do not follow the Christian path. And I hate it when someone knocks on my door and tries to convert me. The latter has resulted in many intellectual and heated debates(some have ended in unique ways). There are soo many religions out there, that if everyone was to be respectful of them all this world would be a better place to live in (look at the many wars based on religion). View me not from a closed-minded point of view, but from an open one and we can get along peacefully. One the other side of things I have many close friends that are almost family that are Christians and there is no bad blood between us (although we might "nick-pick" at each other having fun).

So keep your frame of mind in educating yourself about the rest of the world and do not think us bad, because we choose to have a different belief than yourself.

Answer 4

Because, despite the fact that I have experienced an entirely different religion (Wicca), I realized that the face of God that I seek is not that of the Goddess and the Horned God.

What I seek is more akin to the Presence referred to in Zenna Henderson's stories about The People.

I don't want a deity that is human-like because a deity like that doesn't seem real to me.

I came across a book called 'The Cloud of Unknowing' that described God in mystical terms. And suddenly, everything that had ever bothered me about the illogic of the Christian god clicked. Suddenly, I had a clearer image of what I believe God to be. It was a flash of insight. It felt _right._

So that is why I am a Catholic studying the writings of the early Christian mystics.

Answer 5

My god is Jehovah God, and his son Jesus is also a part of that faith, Jesus came to earth as a man, to provide the 'ransom' needed to allow man a chance to be approved of by Jehovah.
He changed my life from one of horrible violence and abuse. Others who have come to know Jehovah and his son,and their plan to restore mankind to pure worship, and live forever upon the earth, so as to rebuild it and make it a new Paradise. To not have sickness, or death, or corrupt leaders, where everyone will build their own houses and plant their own gardens, and not have someone else live in what they themselves have built. Where there will be no more pain and crying, for all of them have passed away. Rev 21. You cannot pray for me, you do not have Jehovah's spirit.
Stop and think, who were Adam and Eve worshiping before they decided to disobey Jehovah?

At the moment they decided to disobey and eat of the fruit, who did they start worshipping? Was it not Satan the devil?

Question: If people are worshipping "God" which is a title not a name. Who are they really worshipping?

Those who worship Jehovah God, use his name, and worship Him through his Son, Jesus Christ. Who are they worshipping?

Answer 6

I believe in continuous communion between body and universe. I believe in temporal communion between body and soul. I believe in continuous communion between soul and spirit. Thoughts, feelings and actions happen as a result of an order some call consciousness that I believe is imposed by a divine eternal soul upon the chaos of an unconscious mind created in a body that lives and dies. I believe the meaning of life is living and the purpose of living is enjoyment of entertainment.

The truth is there is no proof, and the proof is there is no truth. So how do I know? I do not know. I believe because I choose to believe. It makes me feel glad to think, believe and expect that I am alive and always will be alive in the love and freedom of an infinity divinity eternally one.

Answer 7

Umm good I think within the Dark God and Goddess, they dont relatively care if I make errors....so long as I dont purpose damage to nature, which I could not ever do seeing that I am vegetarian and I love the Earth =)

Answer 8

For me i believe Jesus as my saviour and God. Because Jesus is the only way to heaven ( John 14:6 ) He died for our sins, he came to the earth to save his people from sin you & me are a sinner ( Roman 3:23) But when jesus died on calvary he redeem our sins. You only need is to accept that you are a sinner and ask the lord Jesus of forgiveness of your sins and follow his word thru the bible. Your never go wrong in your life and you have a peace of mind with the lord.

Answer 9

I don't believe in Muhammad- he's dead
I don't believe in Buddah- he's dead
I believe in Jesus Christ- he's alive, and there's proof of it! This does not happen all the time, but often when you hear people say "In the name of JESUS" people get healed INSTANTLY! It has changed my life- now I talk to God AND HE TALKS BACK (im not a lunatic). I would never change my religion, even if I were allowed...NEVER

Answer 10

I believe in God. He's just one and there's no religion that can do justice in describing Him. I believe that He knows everything.