Follow up question: Why would I accept this (by faith) over another religion or belief that I would also have to accept on faith.
There are many people who say the Bible contradicts itself but when asked to present the evidence they typically can't, they haven't done enough research, or they have taken the Bible out of context. The Bible does not contradict itself. Period. The Bible also says there is only one way to heaven and that is through Jesus Christ (i.e. by accepting him "by faith"). Christianity is the only religion whose Savior is no longer in the grave!
There are many people who say the Bible contradicts itself but when asked to present the evidence they typically can't, they haven't done enough research, or they have taken the Bible out of context. The Bible does not contradict itself. Period. The Bible also says there is only one way to heaven and that is through Jesus Christ (i.e. by accepting him "by faith"). Christianity is the only religion whose Savior is no longer in the grave!
I want to find a religionIf you want to lose yours, talk to this guy: I think he would be a bad choice, after all he lost his.
Follow up question: Why would I accept this (by faith) over another religion or belief that I would also have to accept on faith.
Because by Faith it works. And it WILL transform you, the way you think, your tolerance for others (well, maybe not some of this crew) but overall..seriously. Til you take the leap you have no clue. And think about this - Jesus is such a presence in our World- he's preached nothing but love and peace - doing the right thing - and according to the Bible he is the Son of God - wish there was a "logical" explanation. There's not - but then if you told someone a two hundred years ago about fax machines or planes, or so many things like lasers...would they have believed it could be "real"???
Because by Faith it works. And it WILL transform you, the way you think, your tolerance for others (well, maybe not some of this crew) but overall..seriously. Til you take the leap you have no clue. And think about this - Jesus is such a presence in our World- he's preached nothing but love and peace - doing the right thing - and according to the Bible he is the Son of God - wish there was a "logical" explanation. There's not - but then if you told someone a two hundred years ago about fax machines or planes, or so many things like lasers...would they have believed it could be "real"???
Yourself. Have a good long sitdown. Decide for yourself why you want or need a religion. After that, the religion will find you.
However, if you're fond of white grapes and virgins....
However, if you're fond of white grapes and virgins....
Just another humble opinion... I think you need to search. If you have the curiosity, there is some kind of spark there and something that needs filling. Life in the US in today's culture is a cakewalk. For most, there's little "needed", so 'faith' is back-burnered. I dare say the rest of the world has more psychological and physical needs compared to us here, so the spiritual follows suit. I think if you search "in yourself", it'll be a hard trip to find answers. Study, questioning, visiting churches, talking with people that have a spirituality are the ways you're going to fan that spark. Just my two cents, but in America today, sitting on your couch with doritos and a six-pack sure makes life comfy enough that questions of spirituality are pushed easily away. Get out there and search, imho.
I think if you search "in yourself", it'll be a hard trip to find answers. If the trip were easy, would it mean as much? Study, questioning, visiting churches, talking with people that have a spirituality are the ways you're going to fan that spark. Does that include the Jewish synagogue, the Moslem mosque, and the Buddhist temple? Or is the use of the word "church" meant to be all-inclusive?
yes, yes, yes and yes you disagree?
yes, yes, yes and yes you disagree? No, no, no! Not at all. It was simply the use of the term. I believed that you meant all types of religious places of worship or congregation but wasn't sure. My point was that if a person was searching for a religion, he should ask himself what he wanted and needed from it. Then, when those personal questions have been answered, the search - including as many faiths as necessary - would be time better spent. Try not to make too much out of this (because it's a pretty shabby attempt at an explanation), but if a person wants a wristwatch, there are a (with a nod to a certain RR'r) plethora of brands, styles, and functions available. You find one which suits your needs and desires and you purchase it...unless you're looking for a platinum Rolex and then you've got to mortgage the farm. That's not to say that the first one you look at won't be the one you'll buy.
I totally agree with visiting all manner of faiths.
But, I agree with Msparks, too. Sit down and reflect and think.
One thing: physically write down your "issues" with God, the Bible, or certain faiths.
Then maybe you can research those specifically.
One problem many people have is rather than confront faith and deal with it, they pull down their "laundry list" of problems about God/Bible/Faith off the shelf and dust them off to use as a defensive mechanism, rather than actively seek to have them answered.
But, I agree with Msparks, too. Sit down and reflect and think.
One thing: physically write down your "issues" with God, the Bible, or certain faiths.
Then maybe you can research those specifically.
One problem many people have is rather than confront faith and deal with it, they pull down their "laundry list" of problems about God/Bible/Faith off the shelf and dust them off to use as a defensive mechanism, rather than actively seek to have them answered.
mechie - what are you looking for? a place to go to on sunday? or some beliefs or different points of view on things?
my biggest bit of advice would be to keep an open mind to everything. don't take anything as the whole story, or as the sole way to be. try to take the pieces that make sense to you, and go with that. getting all your information from one source is devious at best.
try to look at different people you find inspiring (i learnt alot from books on Muhammad Ali - he had some great priniciples) and look to different movies and different sources. there is no right or wrong answer, so diferent interpretations are a good way to find out what you can relate to.
don't feel pigeonholed into finding a specific religion or (a) God or anything. look for values and beliefs that you can hold, and things that give you hope.
mostly, it's all about you. so hopefully it all goes well.
for the record: i hate religion as an organization, extremists, hypocrites that 'believe' one thing and do another, and "this way is the only way" type beliefs. my views and opinions are heavily influenced by this :| no offense intended to anyone about anything. moreso, i don't pretend to have the answer to everything. everyone is entitled to their beliefs (whatever kind they are). we can all be wrong.
my biggest bit of advice would be to keep an open mind to everything. don't take anything as the whole story, or as the sole way to be. try to take the pieces that make sense to you, and go with that. getting all your information from one source is devious at best.
try to look at different people you find inspiring (i learnt alot from books on Muhammad Ali - he had some great priniciples) and look to different movies and different sources. there is no right or wrong answer, so diferent interpretations are a good way to find out what you can relate to.
don't feel pigeonholed into finding a specific religion or (a) God or anything. look for values and beliefs that you can hold, and things that give you hope.
mostly, it's all about you. so hopefully it all goes well.
for the record: i hate religion as an organization, extremists, hypocrites that 'believe' one thing and do another, and "this way is the only way" type beliefs. my views and opinions are heavily influenced by this :| no offense intended to anyone about anything. moreso, i don't pretend to have the answer to everything. everyone is entitled to their beliefs (whatever kind they are). we can all be wrong.
Blue, I am a Christian and these things bother me as well. I have a sibling who has that all/none attitude and it is very offensive. It doesn't encourage God's love in any way. It just makes everyone around him feel like they'll never live up to his standards so why bother trying.
Then again, you could ride your horse to Damascus and be struck down on the way there.
wait... i did see this episode on family guy once.
you have to get lost in the forest, and i mean really lost. and go all whacko. and then fonz will come and speak to you.
and no matter what the native casino owners say, you cannot buy yourself a spiritual moment.
you have to get lost in the forest, and i mean really lost. and go all whacko. and then fonz will come and speak to you.
and no matter what the native casino owners say, you cannot buy yourself a spiritual moment.
There is always that option...
Blue, I am a Christian and these things bother me as well. I have a sibling who has that all/none attitude and it is very offensive. It doesn't encourage God's love in any way. It just makes everyone around him feel like they'll never live up to his standards so why bother trying.
:1: hellfire and brimstone people scare more seekers away than they'll ever know. i ran screaming for 20 years! :hysteria: get away from me you freaks.
when you become comfortable in your beliefs, Christianity or other, then these people mean less in the scheme of things, in fact they are laughable to me now. i them. so what if you can quote book, chapter, verse.
:1: hellfire and brimstone people scare more seekers away than they'll ever know. i ran screaming for 20 years! :hysteria: get away from me you freaks.
when you become comfortable in your beliefs, Christianity or other, then these people mean less in the scheme of things, in fact they are laughable to me now. i them. so what if you can quote book, chapter, verse.