I was raised christian, but now I question all of that, but I'm still terrified I'll go to hell when I die. Help?
2007-12-29 07:47:17 · 34 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
What a loving God you have. "Worship me or suffer for eternity!!!" I hope you one day do not live in fear of this imaginary character. I am confident that you can live your life on your own without surrendering your free will to false religious dogma.
2007-12-29 07:51:17 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 3⤋
Look around you and ask yourself some questions. Do christians act like the bible says they should? NO.
If you ask your pastor questions, do you get any real answers, or do you get told to "have more faith" and pray some more and God will answer. Do you even beleive that God will answer?
Have you ever hear that "still small voice" that you are supposed to hear? Highly unlikely. And when people do say they have heard it, I can bet you they are LYING.
Read books OTHER than just the bible. Books like Holy Blood holy grail (reading this book was a major turning point for me 20 years ago)
check out the website POCM - the Pagan Origin of the Christian MYTH.
Google POCM.
Think about how guilty you feel just for asking. Do you think you should be guilty? Why should you feel guilty. As most of the answers are saying, Guilt is a bad thing, and it usually a means of control. Hell is also a means of control.
STOP letting others control your life, and take back control for yourself.
2007-12-29 08:10:00 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Questioning ones beliefs in not uncommon. It happens to all of us, whether we were raised as Christians or any other religion. I personally believe that much of our doubt stems not from our lack of belief in God himself...or his existance...but in the many differences that we see between the various religions of the world. Each of them believe that they are the only true and right belief system. Combine that fact along with the conditions we see in our world, and it is easy to see why one would have doubts.
As as Christian, I would encourage you to do two things. First, read the Bible for content, not as a religious document. Don't attempt to decide as you read whether you believe what it says or not. Before you can answer your own questions, you will need to know what it says. I have found that most people who question their beliefs have based that belief on what someone else has told them. Yes, most Christian people have a basic understanding of the facts, but few have actually taken the time to study what the Bible says. Those that have then put their own interpretation on the meaning of certain texts. It is from that interpretation that comes the basis for the hundreds of different Christian religions in the world. In otherwords, we all read the same thing but interpret it differently. You need to find out what the words mean to you.
As I said, you need to do two things. .....and they need to be done in conjunction with one another. Pray and read. Pray and read some more...etc. Pray for understanding. I can assure you that God is real and He will not let you down if you are willing to make the effort to get to know Him. Just having a Christian upbringing does not mean you have a personal relationship with your creator. Each of us have to develop that on our own with the help of the holy spirit.
God did not create us to be afraid of him....only to respect his wishes. I can assure you if you seek him, he will end up as your best friend. God Bless You.
2007-12-29 08:14:08 · answer #3 · answered by Poohcat1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's exactly why they came up with that idea. The thought of an actual hell where you would burn for eternity is terribly frightening so people do as they are told to avoid it.
In reality hell does not exist. How could any loving, merciful god create such a place? How could any loving "parent" allow their child to go there? It makes no sense at all. It is sheer terrorism designed to make and keep people christian.
A "god" who could create a place such as hell is not a god but a monster to be avoided at all costs.
2007-12-29 07:55:13 · answer #4 · answered by t_rex_is_mad 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The fear of hell has always been a compelling reason for many to hold onto beliefs. This isn't right. Christians won't look into Islam because they fear damnation. Muslims won't consider Christianity because they fear damnation. Forget what your religion says about damnation of the unbelievers. Someone else's religion surely teaches that you are already going to hell. Concern yourself more with truth. Find truth and hold onto it. Truth will not betray you, no matter what religion it is found in.
2007-12-29 08:00:23 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Guilt, guilt, guilt.
It's not right. You probably still are a Christian, follow the Commandments, etc. but because you don't go to church every Sunday, you fell like you're going to hell. Why can't you believe in God, respect other's opinions on religion, and try not to feel so guilty. It's going to eat you up with anxiety and panic. You're giving yourself an ulcer. Your God that you obviously still fear and believe in understands you and should be a loving God, not one ready to send you (and innocent children that aren't baptized) to hell. If you believe in Hell, that means you believe in Heaven, thus you still believe in God. Ditch the guilt.
2007-12-29 07:59:48 · answer #6 · answered by blas 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Are you a good person?
I truly think that religion controls the masses by just what you have expressed.....fear.
I do think that if you live a good and honourable life, do what you can to make this world better for yourself and for others, serve humanity instead of expecting humanity to serve you, the afterlife will be what you want it to be.
I don't believe in this "HELL" that I hear so many talk about. If there really is a "HELL", I think that this life on this earth in this time must be it.
Lessons to be learned, mistakes made and repeated.
I think we will continue to come back to this "Hell (Life)" until we have learned all that we need to know.
I don't believe that you are going to burn in hell.
2007-12-29 07:54:30 · answer #7 · answered by sinnyloo 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Dear Friend, You are soo not alone in your turmoil. I'm old and I still question, talk with a priest friend about it, your spiritual journey may take you to consider many other approaches. You will eventually form some sort of philosophy that satisfies most of your questioning. You will not be forsaken, God loves you and knows your heart. Pray for help, live a good life and be happy.
2007-12-29 07:53:24 · answer #8 · answered by June smiles 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Being raised a Christian does not save you, you must accept Christ for your self and once you are saved you will not have any question in your mind if you are going to heaven
2007-12-29 12:56:34 · answer #9 · answered by Belgrademitch 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What can anyone do to help you if you think you're going to hell? I'm afraid your beliefs have made you a basket case. Religion will do that to you if you let it.
2007-12-29 07:54:04 · answer #10 · answered by Charles WE 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
you are probably afraid because you are questioning your beliefs. if you truly believe the the Lord loved you so much that he gave his life for you and rose again, and that he will save you on judgment day, you would'nt be afraid of going hell because there is no way you would be going.
2007-12-29 07:58:00 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋