I don't know what to believe, and I'm stressed out about it.
2007-12-28 05:41:40 · 38 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Do some research. Look into beliefs of all the spiritual paths and decide for yourself, which is most logical.
(Hint: You will not burn in Hell.)
2007-12-28 05:45:48 · answer #1 · answered by MyPreshus 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
How old r u?
Below 21? (Or 18 for some country to be considered an adult), follow your parents' advice.
Above 21? You are on your own. Believe what you want. Unless you are still getting money from them, than do what pleases them.
If you are supporting your self, and are already grown up (legally), why bother about what your parent(s) says? Why stress up?
If you are still a minor, jolly well do what a minor should do. Obey your parents and do your best in study. Stop hanging too long in the web.
2007-12-28 06:01:30 · answer #2 · answered by Melvin C 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pascal was a great thinker and he came up with "The Wager"....it works like this... if Heaven exists..the believer wins, and the mocker is doomed...if Heaven does not exist... neither one looses.
This is a rational approach the mockers don't want to answer.
But see...God doesn't desire your heart be given out of fear. It is through love He made Heaven available. Hell was never created for man..it was for the angel. But to restore us to Heaven, a price needed to be paid for the wrongs we've committed.
It was His love..that brought Him to the cross...It was His love that drove Him to accept my punishment so I can be free to enter His kingdom.
So... the question shouldn't be...is Hell real, why do I feel fear...but it should be..."who is Jesus?"
The mocker will say "He didn't exist".... which holds about as much water as saying King Henry, George Washington or Abe Lincoln never existed.
The mocker who accepts Jesus existed will say "He was a great moral man, the most enlightened... but not God."
Really? This doesn't hold up against what Jesus claimed. Because He DID claim divinity.
So...either He was crazy when He said it.... which means He's not the enlightened one they claim He is...
Or... He lied... which means He can't be the great moral teacher...
Or...He is who He says He is...and the empty tomb shows His power over the grave.
Draw near to Jesus...not out of fear...but into the arms of the One who loves you enough to die in your place!
† Travelling Prayer Warrior †
2007-12-31 19:13:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a common theme. Ask yourself a few questions. Who says that if there is a hell that it is the hell described by Christians? Why can't it be the hell the Greeks believed in? That was a prett cool place. Also realize that Christianity borrowed most of their belief system from other, older religions. The chances of these things being real are slim.
2007-12-28 06:15:38 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're not alone. That is how they indoctrinate you. Fear is a powerful motivator which is why it is a must when it comes to most religions. If you are raised to fear not doing what your parents chosen religion says to do, then you are much more likely to remain in that religion and pass it on to your offspring.
I'd recommend that you read up on alternate religions and even mythology. Once you see where the Hell and Devil concept came from you will probably find comfort in knowing that the concept was created and changed to meet the needs of each religion/myth with the purpose of converting followers. Hopefully you'll find comfort in this information, and it won't be frightening to you any longer.
2007-12-28 05:51:29 · answer #5 · answered by I, Sapient 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God didn't make you to be a robot, to accept unquestioningly what you are told. I think God gave you a brain and 'critical faculties' to figure things out for yourself.
That's not to say your parents are wrong, or your minister is wrong. But you have to understand that they don't really know all that much more about God and Jesus than you do yourself.
When you're young, you go through a period of searching. For me it was when I was in college. I wanted to learn about -all- religions, see what they have in common, where they disagree. and make up my own mind based on the evidence. It made me think that people who insist on One True Faith, and don't even know about the alternatives, were very narrow. I'm not saying you -shouldn't- believe what your parents are telling you, but that it's important to get the other sides of the story (and there are many).
In any case, God won't punish you for being unsure. Intellectual curiosity is one of the gifts he gave us and he wants us to use. Just convincing yourself that you believe something when you're not sure, I think THAT is the real sin!
2007-12-28 05:51:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Do you honestly think that a bunch of strangers in an Internet forum can help you to make up your mind about what you believe?
There is nobody here that can help you...all any of us can do is to tell you what we believe, and you might occasionally find someone who can give you their reasons why...
Now, me, I believe in the Lord, Jesus Christ. I believe that He came to save sinners (like me) from the punishment in store for us. As it happens, I believe that punishment is death...the death of our spirit. But the point is, He took on a mortal body, only to pour out His Own blood on the altar of my salvation.
I came to this belief on my own, and I could give you my reasoning...but then this answer would be a page or two long.
Your parents shouldn't be trying to use hell as a scare tactic to bring you to Christ. Lots of people do this, I have no real idea why...going to church and mouthing a bunch of words you do not believe won't do you or anyone any good, nor will it save you from any punishment that may await you. Jesus cannot be used as a fire insurance policy...
No, Hun...neither I or anyone else here can really help you...but I know Who can. You need to take the time to read, and study, and think, and pray about these things. The only One Who can honestly help you would be Jesus, Himself...
2007-12-28 06:05:01 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hopefully your parents aren't some of those people who will send you off to some "reconditioning camp." (Yes, these places really do exist, and I have some first-hand horror stories of what these places are like.) If they are, you will unfortunately have to conceal your disbelief from them until you are 18. Then they can't touch you.
No need to fear hell. You are young. So even if it does exist (which I don't personally believe), you still have plenty of time to "return to the flock," if that's what you decide.
In the meantime, use whatever time you can muster to study other faiths and to learn about science. That'll give you a strong basis to make your own decision.
Feel free to contact me by e-mail (you can do so through my profile) if you want to talk. I've been through the same thing.
Good luck to you.
2007-12-28 05:50:56 · answer #8 · answered by phoenixshade 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
some people say that hell is on earth...so what?
Well, if you're afraid of hell, then they are pressing that issue so that you will stay straight (away from bad things like drugs, crime, etc.) They could just as well be saying "jail" instead of "hell" but maybe the thought of jail doesn't deter you or frighten you.
Don't get stressed out...figure out what you're doing that they don't like and don't do it anymore. Then you won't have to be stressed out. Eventually they will stop with the threats.
2007-12-28 05:50:24 · answer #9 · answered by sophieb 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you are confused than I would advise you to take some time alone and try to silence all of the voices you are hearing whether from your parents or anyone else. Then think about hat you feel as an individual and what you believe. If you are having doubts about God and his truth then pray and ask Him to reveal himself to you in a way that you will understand and that will be clear to you. It is only natural to have doubts, but if you are sincere God will answer your prayer.
You need to experience God for yourself, not through your parents. I will be praying for you. Feel free to contact me if you want to talk.
2007-12-28 05:46:43 · answer #10 · answered by World Peace Girl 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Such extreme unloving beliefs really turned me off too. Realize God came thru Jesus to save us from Satan's power. What did Jesus constantly say? "Love one another." A lot of this other baloney is just each sect trying to make themselves seem better. Confess your belief in God, own up to your sins, love the Lord, follow his teachings as best you can, be generous and kind to others and forgive willingly. None of us is perfect, but it's the constant effort in improving ourselves that counts.
2007-12-28 05:52:47 · answer #11 · answered by fluffernut 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋