Confused about religion

animeluver06 · Feb 14, 2006, 03:26 PM

I have no religion yet and I am 15. My parents decided when i was born to let me pick my own religion but I cant decide. Is it possible for me to go to hell because I dont have a religion? I beleive in god and everything but it seems everytime I start to learn something about a religion it either scares me or I disagree with something. I feel so confused.

arcura · Mar 8, 2006, 12:19 PM

NeedKarma,
I have done so attentively, and I will continue to do so. I am always interested in the other’s point of view.
It is a good way to learn about other’s beliefs and to review the validity and value on one’s own belief.
To not do so is to close one’s mind to understanding other people and therein lays a great problem with humanity as to why we cannot get along well with those of another faith, or culture, or set of ideas and ideals
Peace and kindness,
Fred (arcura)

orange · Mar 8, 2006, 12:46 PM

The difficulty with religious discussions such as in this thread is that you have two groups of people: those who believe that the Bible is the written word of G-d, and those who do not. The believers make the assumption that everyone else believes (or should believe), and base all their arguments on that "fact". Unfortunately, people who don't believe the Bible is G-d's word are never going to be convinced by the reciting of scriptures that they don't think are divinely inspired. If someone quoted the Bagavadgita (Hindu Holy Scriptures) instead of the Christian Bible and expected everyone to "just believe" it was the word of G-d with no questions, that person would get laughed off the forum. Since I am neither Christian nor Hindu I take the same view of both. There's no difference to me.

Personally I am interested to hear all points of view, but it would be refreshing to have someone who believes in the Bible tell me WHY they believe it's the word of G-d, without quoting scriptures.

arcura · Mar 8, 2006, 01:05 PM

orange,
I quote you, "it would be refreshing to have someone who believes in the Bible tell me WHY they believe it's the word of G-d, without quoting scriptures." That is a very interesting desire.
It would make a marvelous thread, I think.
In my case I believe that the Bible "contains" the word of God as written by those who understood the inspiration form the level of knowledge, understanding, and culture at the time it was written.

I believe it as such because I have used it as such and in doing so it has personally in many way proven to me to my satisfaction that it does contains the word of God.

But I must keep in mind what it meant to the inspired author and then apply that to me in this day and age.
I could go on at length about there various teaching in the Bible. But space is limited and at present so is my time.
I hope that helps and is of value to you.
Peace and kindness,
Fred (arcura)

Irulan · Mar 8, 2006, 01:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcura

Irulan,

I’m sorry, but I must take exception to several things you said

I’ll quote you, “although many refuse to admit it, most people are confused, especially when it comes to the subjects of heaven - hell - salvation etc.”
Relatively you might be right about the “most” but about 2 billion people believe in the existence of those.

Another quote of yours, “reams of bible quotes which don’t amount to a hill of beans”. Those Holy Scripture passages are far more that a “hill of beans” to those who hold them sacred and that is not limited to just Christians and Jews, even the Dali Lama claimed that the bible is sacred.

You are quoted un all of the following……
“do your own research” What make you think I have not? I have visited many different religious services and found them interesting.”
I have studied many via several different means including publications, history, classes, discussions, and experience.

“Overly enthusiastic words usually written by fervent Christians who will discharge an enormous amount of scriptures from bible pages. This excessive font of words will do two things… bore you to tears and confuse you even more.”
It will if your mind is turned off from concentrating on the seriousness of the scripture being offered. There are many millions of people who are not confused. If you are that is sad.

“I did NOT listen to those who wished to convert me to their way of thinking and their religion and above all I did NOT listen to those who claimed that their religion was THE ONE AND ONLY TRYE ONE and all others were doomed and of no value. I can’t say that I have found ALL the answers but I have found what quenches my spiritual thirst.”

And there in dwells your problem. You DID NOT listen. As a result you did not seek the answers as to why they made such claims. After enough through questioning to find the answers to those claims (some people have hard time verbalizing why they make them so other research is necessary), then you can comfortably accept or reject them, but you will understand them far better and in that IS great spiritual value.

Thank you for that post. It is very interesting, but I fear not in the manner you intended.
Peace and kindness,
Fred (arcura)

Arcura,

You quench your spiritual needs your way, and I do the same.

You may take umbrage to whatever you wish in my words. We all have preferences, mine are what they are, mine. My choices have been made based upon my needs, not yours.

I have no difficulty with you expressing yourself as you wish, so kindly extend the same courtesy to me as well as others. People DO have the freedom to choose whatever they feel is right for them therefore accept that fact without chagrin, it is a fact of life.

“ there in dwells your problem” Problem? I have no problem with my choices, they are, after all mine to make and no amount of proselytizing will persuade me in altering my choices or my opinions.

Now as to your comment …. “ not in the manner you intended ” …. you are being quite presumptuous in telling me what what I mean to say - that is not your call but mine. Neither you nor your beliefs have any bearing on my words or my intentions.

Don’t bother to attempt to electrify me with the scriptures, they are evidently important to you, they are not to me so don’t waste your time sermonizing to me about scriptures or biblical issues, am not in the least interested. I can see that you are trying to be kind and to “spread the good word” so to speak, but spread them to another person where they will be appreciated.

Irulan · Mar 8, 2006, 01:30 PM

" To say that the faith you believe in is the one and only truth (which is what you said originally) is chauvinistic and biased. "

Thanks Scott, this is exactly what I believe. This religious exclusivity is extremely biased because it pushes aside any other path to spiritual fullfillment.

jduke44 · Mar 8, 2006, 01:45 PM

Quote:

The difficulty with religious discussions such as in this thread is that you have two groups of people: those who believe that the Bible is the written word of G-d, and those who do not. The believers make the assumption that everyone else believes (or should believe), and base all their arguments on that "fact". Unfortunately, people who don't believe the Bible is G-d's word are never going to be convinced by the reciting of scriptures that they don't think are divinely inspired. If someone quoted the Bagavadgita (Hindu Holy Scriptures) instead of the Christian Bible and expected everyone to "just believe" it was the word of G-d with no questions, that person would get laughed off the forum. Since I am neither Christian nor Hindu I take the same view of both. There's no difference to me.

Orange, I agree with you about the two groups of people. I somewhat agree with you on the reciting scripture part. Scripture does hold some power behind it. I think it is how it is presented. Of course, you (meaning anyone) do have your free will to accept it or deny it. I have seen where scripture alone has brought someone to believe. Beating someone over the head with the Word is not the answer I do agree. Presenting in such a way that is non-threatening and inviting is the way to go. But I also feel I don't have to prove God, he is powerful enough to do it by Himself. My obligation is to try not to turn someone off so that they won't believe in Him.

I have watched alot of how these types of threads end up going. I am also learning how people are responding to the threads as to what they believe or don't believe. That allows me to bring my point across hopefully without turning someone off or even making the discussion a horrible debate.

ROLLINWJESUS · Mar 8, 2006, 04:35 PM

there is a heaven and a hell and for u to be a believer of GOD u have to believe of the two. as far as which religion to choose i really dont know,just being a good person dosen't save u. do u believe Jesus died for u, was buried and was raised Easter sunday. if u do u shall be saved. but to stay on this path u must surround yourself around other believers. i think it is great that u are thinking about all this at the age of 15. life is not promise to none of us my brother died @18. today i found out my uncle expired. read the word of God and Pray and let the LORD lead u in the direction he wants u to go in.

orange · Mar 8, 2006, 04:49 PM

Jduke,

You make a lot of really great points. That's interesting about the belief that scripture has power all on its own. That certainly helps to explain to me why people quote it so often. No one has ever given me that explanation before, so thanks for that!

"My obligation is to try not to turn someone off so that they won't believe in Him". That's a great statement too. I personally have been turned off by what a lot of people who claim to be Christians say and do. I'm so glad to meet a Christian who sees this as a valid thing to be concerned about.

And yeah the main reason for my post was that I think these debates generally go nowhere. People tend to stay in their own camps. But it's great when people can state and discuss their beliefs without being condescending, rude or insulting. Thanks so much for your post.

jduke44 · Mar 8, 2006, 05:07 PM

Orange, thanks for the comment. I am glad I brought some insight. It is really hard to put yourself aside to really hear what others are saying. This is why you rarely see me respond to these threads unless I feel there is another point that needs to be made.

I really hope that animeluver06 has found this thread informative. She hasn't responded in awhile.

arcura · Mar 8, 2006, 08:11 PM

ROLLINWJESUS,
I'm sorry that you have recently lost so loved ones.
You make some goof points, but.....
A person can believe in God and not believe in heaven or hell. I know several people with that type belief.
But if you believe in the Bible as the word of God then you do automatically believe in heaven and hell. So yes there is great power in Holy Scripture, but leaving it sit on the shelf unstudied provides none of that power.
Also there is more to do than just believe in Jesus and that he died and rose from the grave to be saved. Why and who for he did that is necessary. Also a person must have a working, not a dead, faith in what Jesus did and what He commanded us to do as His followers.
Also never forget what he said about forgiveness, those who forgive will be forgiven. That means that those who do not forgive will not be forgiven.
Only the forgiven go to heaven! So study the other things Jesus said to do to be saved. That is very important.
Peace and kindness,
Fred (arcura)



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