It seems like I can't make up my mind about what I believe in or disbelieve in. Has anyone ever experienced this? If so, how did you resolve this uncertainty. What conclusion about things did you come to? This has been tearing me up the past several days, and off and on many years. Just curious what others say about this. All repsonses are welcomed and encouraged. Thanks in advance.
2007-11-18 16:30:48 · 22 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Start reading; start studying. If you're already doing so, keep doing it, and give yourself some time. You don't have a deadline, after all, and this is something that's important. Give yourself all the time you need, and things will unfold in due time.
2007-11-18 16:33:47 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 8⤊ 0⤋
Smithsonian or National Geographic published a book on the world religions. Pretty good read in that they published the tenets and belief system/rituals of all the the religions listed ONLY. By that I mean, there was none of the 'this one is better because' or 'that one is totally wrong on all fronts because'. To quote Joe Friday, it stated Only the Facts. This would be a good place to start, then is a couple pique your interest, find books on that alone (not that one versus another). You may find yourself completely immersed in one over the other and slowly find a faith you can live with. Don't be surprised, however, if you find that you wish to utilize more than one. Messianic Jews are a case in point.......they follow all the tenets of Judaism, but accept Jesus as Messiah. The Christian Bible has a verse that speaks to what you should do: Study to show thyself improved.
2007-11-19 03:51:30 · answer #2 · answered by momatad 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To quote David Hume from the last page of his 'Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion', "Agnosticism is the triumph of the skeptic". Sometimes we must withhold judgment in the face of insufficient evidence. By definition God is an infalsifiable concept, something that is beyond our faculties, it cannot be empirically tested for, falsified, or verified. There are arguments that seek to establish her existence by way of inductive reasoning, i.e. argument from fine-tuning for design, or argument from design, etc. However, these seem to fall short, and further more even if they were successful only posit the existence of some creator or designer having existed, which is not sufficient reason for believing any such entity still exists (much less requires our praise and worship). Read Anthony Flew's 1950 paper 'Theology and Falsification', should help shed some light, and if you are really keen get onto David Hume's book, 'Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion' published in 1777, an absolute jem.
Good luck!!
2007-11-18 19:10:13 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No ones ever gonna provide up faith! merely like no ones ever gonna provide up conflict! yet its not faith that motives any conflict! Its religious people who misread their faith of selection! Theres no way there would ever be any wars if the entire international replaced into one hundred% religious! It doesnt depend what faith yet there at the instant are not any religions that (if used as directed) would reason a conflict! and that i completely believe you once you're saying "there isn't any conflict without faith" is merely a stupid element to declare! yet a good sillier element than it extremely is while human beings say (and im advantageous some fundis will say it here) wars have been brought about by utilising atheism! because of the fact they have not purely cuz somebody is an atheist doesnt recommend that not beleiving in god is gonna dictate each and each element that they do! Sorry i comprehend what I stated didnt rather have lots to do with your question! yet I merely wanted to declare it besides =0)
2016-10-01 04:00:18 · answer #4 · answered by parson 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am like that. Broadly speaking I am an agnostic. I am on the fence. Sometimes I think there might be a god and an afterlife, while other times I doubt it. On balance, I think there might be one, but perhaps not one with the kind of harsh moralism characteristic of the Abrahamic faiths. I don't go to Church though. Perhaps this sort of compromise will help you address your uncertainty.
2007-11-18 16:40:22 · answer #5 · answered by Paranormal I 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
3 things: research, self-examination, and meditation.
Research all the religions that interest you. Make a list of why they do, what appeals to you, and how you relate to them.
examine yourself. What is it that makes you want or not want religion?
clear your mind. right now you're overworking yourself. calm down and make decisons decisively. Mistakes happen, and if you choose something you dont like, change your mind.
You only have to mold yourself to a religious dogma if you wish. A dogma is a set of beliefs that is unquestioned by its followers. Some religions, like Christianity, are a dogmatized religion. Other religions, like more eastern ones, are not. Similarly with a lot of Pagan religions.
as for non-religion? If you think about that, its still a religion. Its the religion that is specific to you.
Whatever it is you choose, I wish you luck and that it fits you. :)
2007-11-18 16:40:17 · answer #6 · answered by VickiGirl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The great thing about life is it is chalked full of choices and decisions and you can usually experiment, research and investigate them all and then make an informed choice that is right for you and if later it turns out to be wrong no big just go back and take another path that you feel suits you and makes you happy and safe following it.
2007-11-18 16:37:45 · answer #7 · answered by calmlikeatimebomb 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contrary to the first answerer, this decision is not very important. Some will have you believe your soul is at stake. I don't think that's the case, and I certainly don't think a just "god" would be too put off by a person spending too long coming to a conclusion on the subject. So take your time, enjoy some life along the way, come to an answer if you feel like it.
2007-11-18 16:36:44 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 2⤋
it is not about being decided or certain,
you should just treat it as a constant work in progress and never accept something as the absolute.
Try researching other religions and you will find that there is a common theme amongst all.... you don't need a vague scripture to tell you things your heart should already know
Don't be afraid of being confused, but always be afraid of being closed minded.
Welcome to the sanity :P
2007-11-18 16:35:11 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 4⤊ 0⤋
Do study and research, but eventually it would be wise to come to some decision, since it appears you WANT to make a decision one way or the other.
Do you have a pattern of indecisiveness in other areas of your life?
2007-11-18 16:36:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋