confused about what to believe in?

Question

i've been raised as a catholic...but not deeply involved in anything really. just my religious ed program.
so it is almost time for me to "become an adult in the church" aka make my confirmation. it's a big step for a catholic i guess.
but at the same time, i don't know if this is really what i want. since i'm 15 it's not like i've ever had a say in what religion to be. but i've become independent and i'm starting to think about things more.
i do believe in God, but there are christian beliefs that i do not agree with. ex: it's against christian faith to be gay
so i feel like i'm in my own religion! either that or i'm like half catholic half something else...
any suggestions on what to try? or who to talk to? and i will not choose to be an atheist, i need God.
(thanks for actually reading all of that)

Answer 1

I m sorry that you feel that you "need" god but my advice since you do is check out all that every religion offers you and decide from there. You don't need to have a religion to belong to. If you have god in your heart that is good enough. I honestly believe Church's and clubs and what not just try to make you believe the way they feel. Who's to say one religion is more right then another? Just check them all out and choose what you most believe with or just keep god in your heart since you say that you need him and just live your life the way you feel is right. I don't believe in the bible but I do believe everyone has the right to believe however they want no one person is more right than the other. Good luck to you Hun. Never forget to Live your life to the fullest and being gay is not wrong you can't help whom you fall in love with! Never live with regret just learn from the mistakes.

Answer 2

★ jen is a ninja. ♫ , you made an interesting statement in your question and narrative...you said, "i do believe in God, but there are christian beliefs that i do not agree with. ex: it's against christian faith to be gay so i feel like i'm in my own religion!"

Here lies your dilemma! Religion! I don't know you and would be upset if someone was giving my 15 year old religious advice behind my back so here is what I say to you since you were raised knowing the Bible is how we know who God is and we also know He is the one we should seek direction from.
Society is not designed to be your friend or to teach you truth. Already in your conversation you sound as if you are a result of this culture and not Gods plan for us as His children.
The music we listen to, the videos on MTV, VH1 etc. form our thinking and it should not. The Bible should form our thinking and grow us into what we really decide to be and really decide to trust in. Please read the New Testament and pray about this decision. Start with something like St John and let God be your guide, not this culture in which you have been brewed in as tea is brewed in water. The decision is ultimately yours. Choose wisely my young friend, your destiny depends on it.
Life is short and we have no promise of the future. We need God on our side and we have Him when we obey Him.
Blessings.


† Intercessor Prayer Warrior †

Answer 3

I don't try and tell people what religion they should believe in.
You say that even though you don't completely be live in the Catholic faith you were brought up in, you still believe in God.
Well religions can be confusing, but not faith. My advice would be for you to trust in your faith in God. Ask God for direction in your life and what He would have you to do. But be patient and wait, because God will direct you. But it is your choice if you choose to follow that direction or not. Concern your self more with faith in God then any religion. But you can study religions by going to the library or on line, or even by going to different churches. As to who to talk to, that would depend on who you trust and if they believe the way you do, so they could help guide you. Study the Bible. After you do all of those things, then, you will be able to make a decision based on where God has lead you and on the research you your self have made. Hang in there and don't give up.

Answer 4

Confirmation is a huge step forward within the Catholic church, but so were the sacraments that you made prior to this sacrament. There will never be a religion in which you agree with everything going on with it because you are in human...and humans run the church and humans are prone to error. God loves everyone of us....He died for EVERY soul from the begining of time to the end of time...and would do the whole thing (He would be humiliated, spit on, cursed at, accused of things he never did, alienated and nailed to the cross) for JUST ONE SOUL to get to heaven. He died so the gates of heaven would open up for all of us...and would do it just for one of us.

So, please know, that no matter what your color is..or what mistakes you make (any sin) or who you are, God loves you like you were his ONLY child - more than you can ever imagine - so be with him, make your confirmation and pray on the things that are on your mind.

Those who seek, WILL FIND! Whereever life leads you, do not ever stop praying to God...He is the only ONE who is ALWAYS listening.

Answer 5

Well I'm an athiest....but I'll still try to help! I believe in people trying to co-exist with each other, no matter what they believe in rather than trying to prove that the other is wrong (although I would be lying if I said that I wouldn't engage in a passionate argument if someone attacked my beliefs-which I might add are none!- or tried to "fill me up with over-pious badgerings"). But thats all for another discussion!! :p

Anyway, I do have a few friends who were born into Christian families, and now do not practice it. They still believe in God, but just chose to have a personal relationship with him rather than through the church.

Organized religion isn't such a good thing. But from personal experience I understand how it might be hard to get out of whatever religion you were raised in. If you wish to do your own searching, find your own values I applaud you! It always makes me happy to know that there are people out there willing to question certain beleifs.

Answer 6

Do not make any choices until you are clear.

At this stage of your believes anyone can tell you anything and it will just make you more confused. If you get talked into something you will not be happy or a true follower.

It is people like this who are confused that are prime picking for those out there who will convince someone of anything, such as cults. Never say you would never do such a thing. Many young people get talked into such things.

Take a rest, the answer will come to you.
Wish you well.

Answer 7

Well as a Christian, you should explore other churches and denominations.
Actually, best thing to do is read the Bible. Develop your own faith and find Jesus.
Yes, we Christians believe homosexuality is a sin, but we believe in LOVING the sinner but hate the sin. Why is it a sin? It's unnatural, and the Father God made men to marry women.
Again, find your own faith. Find Jesus Christ on your own. He has open arms for you.

Answer 8

You can still believe in God if you want, nobody will try to turn you into an Atheist. I don't see any problem with having your own views on religion and beliefs, it shows that you're curious and a thinker, two very good traits in my opinion. Religion is really nothing more than somebody else's set of beliefs. If somebody else's set of beliefs doesn't suit you, then where is the harm in having your own? Of course, some people will say you're going to hell, but that is just what *they* believe.

Answer 9

The best that I could say to you is that if you desire to remain at least a Christian , if not a Catholic, is to try to resolve the incongruity you are experiencing at present by getting information, and possibly some counsel, from both pro-gay and ex-gay Catholic Christian and other Christian websites. I'm holding you up in prayer, Jen.

Here are a few names to look up for their websites:

1) Courage (ex-gay Catholics)
2) Exodus International Youth (ex-gay Christian Youth)
3) Dignity (pro-gay Catholics)
4) Integrity, Evangelicals Concerned, Metropolitan Comunity Church (pro-gay Christian)

Answer 10

I have been through a similair situation to what you have...I've always seemed to have more questions than answers!

I finally came to the point that I asked God to answer my questions and slowly but surely they were answered. Sometimes, God didn't answer me until I was ready to hear the answer.

What is the most important thing for any human being?

To know God, to find salvation in Jesus Christ and the purpose that the LORD has for your life.

These things bring peace and will give you joy and much strength to go through hardships. You will know that the Lord Jesus Christ Loves you and that Your Heavenly Father cares so much about you that He wants the very best for you.

There are a few verses that have helped me:

1 Corinthians 14:33, "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace..." The Lord does not want you to be confused.

Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

God wants to direct your paths--but He can only do this if you acknowledge him and lean not on your own understanding--but lean on his guidance through the scriptures.

Jesus said:
Matthew 7:7, "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:"

Seek Jesus with your whole heart and ask Him for His will in your life.

God loves you and I am praying for you to have God's wisdom, understanding and knowledge to help you.

In Jesus Name. Amen.

† Deliverance Prayer Warrior †