I haven't really believed in God for most of my life, more of a "higher power" - aka spiritual. I've been on a spiritual journey for quite a few years now, and even though I believe in MANY different things, the concept of "God" has always been very difficult for me.. Maybe because I've never gotten concrete answers, never understood/wanted to accept all the "rules" and because it just seems so unlikely.
But recently it has been coming to me that 'maybe' - I dunno. 🙄 So, what are YOUR thoughts on believing in God vs being in a religion?
As religions are a man made construct, and have been one of the biggest problems in this world to date, and have NOTHING to do with believing in God.
Any advice would be welcomed, because I couldn't ever tie myself down to just one religion.. too may rules, restraints etc. I am VERY open minded and like to learn and expand my mind CONSTANTLY.
How do you practice YOUR faith, what do you believe in/not believe in?
Are you like me, and believe that spirituality is a life long journey, ever changing? It's best being open minded, and the connection to what you feel is better than being dominated by rules?
OR do you not believe in any of it whatsoever?
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OK.. This is bugging me BEYOND BELIEF!!! 😤WHY does Jesus need to be brought into it? I'm talking about God VERSUS religions and all that they supposedly hold and "stand for." If God created this universe, then why have we not found any other evidence of intelligent life, as of yet? This universe is so give, that we wouldn't… [ ]
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This is to ALL people/comments on here... In fact I'll add the link, so you can check it out. It's fantastic!! 💯❤️https://youtu. be/SUelbSa-OkAI HIGHLY recommend watching all 3 in this series!! 💯Melody sheep are absolutely brilliant and they should teach this in schools, they would learn a darn sight more!! 💯❤️
The problem with religion is that because it’s run by man, it can be used for good or evil. Man has always been subject to the propensity to control others through using wealth, power, and sadly religion in the name of God. God on the other hand is about liberty and agency. Throughout most of humanity, God has been misinterpreted as an angry God who is quick to punish, command, and control. This can’t be further from the truth! God is our loving Father of all our spirits. Meaning we are each begotten spirit sons and daughters. His whole work is to bring to pass our salvation through eventual immortality and eternal life made possible through his only begotten son in the flesh, Christ. The whole idea behind God is greater love for us all than we can even comprehend in this current mortal state we are in. To make us whole some day. To deliver us from our anguish of physical imperfections and the injustices of this earthly state, that we might all be resurrected in a perfect state of joy and comfort forever.
I also believe that our families and marriages are intended to be maintained, that love will go on, or if it never happened in this life that one might find love and have children throughout the eternities. Our families and spouses are the greatest of all Gods gifts and central to His design. It’s not meant to end at death, but rather to continue following resurrection
WHY does Jesus need to be brought into it? I'm talking about God VERSUS religions and all that they supposedly hold and "stand for." If God created this universe, then why have we not found any other evidence of intelligent life, as of yet? This universe is so give, that we wouldn't even begin to understand. We've JUST sent a rocket to jupiter, it's going to take 8 YEARS to get there ALONE, and that planet is still in OUR solar system.
I honestly don't know, the more I think about it now (again).. if I do, or will believe it. Because I'm an evolutionist. 🤦🏻♀️ I've seen videos that would make your head spin... And for the right reasons!!! And this isn't just to you live, @positiveflight, this is to ALL people/comments on here... In fact I'll add the link to it so you can check it out. It's fantastic!! 💯❤️
to pos, content "control" so just skip two HUNDRED years of modern history... people fled organized religion to u. s. to CONTINUE their faith unhindered by organized religion. ever since u. s. 1776 people have more freedom to follow any faith uncontrolled by organized religion.
Yea I've had so many spiritual experiences i simply just can't deny his existance, don't think of him as a dictator, think of him like a father, that's how you are suppose to think of God, people think that because you disobey him once or twice that you'll go to hell and in reality it's actually quite hard to go to hell cause he made it easy for us by believe Jesus died for our salvation and you repent for your sins and have faith, it grants you salvation, these rules are for us to live a life of holiness, and purity that will give us a good healthy mindset and peace of mind, and as followers of christ we should try to follow in his footsteps, we clearly won't ever be perfect and God knows that, it's why we can repent for our sins, people reject God and prefer to live a life of sin with no remorse or repentance which is where that saying in the Bible says that sin leads you to hell, living a life of sin is different than just sinning because everyone will sin but if you choose to repent you aren't living a life of sin, Jesus sacrifice gave us the gift of forgiveness from God, he paid our dept so we can be forgiven from sin, if you do choose to believe in God, just pray to him, prayer and the Bible is how we connect with him, call out to him and I guarantee he will answer, prayer out loud is more powerful just so you know. 💯🙏
And God is against religion, being religious is bad, Christianity is all about your connection with God and letting God guide you in life cause he wants to be involved in your life but he isn't going to force himself into your life if you reject him, it's why you probably have trouble hearing God, accept him and you'll know he is there, that connection is what's important, religious people turn God's word into a dictatorship and that's why God is against it, it's not suppose to be like that, we should follow in his footsteps but threatening people with hell, or telling them God doesn't love them for something etc. That's all a religious point of view and that blinds.
I am terrible at religion but as I war nearly murdered at 14, I know there is something after this life. A near death experience like that, I know there is a god and to me it seems like most religions have some sort of truth to it but have corrupted by man.
I would not be one bit surprised if almost every religion was at one point created by god and humans corrupted it and ruined it, then he would start a new religion and the same would happen over and over.
As anyone that truly understands the freedom of choice, you have to have faith before something can happen. He can't use his powers to make everything perfect, after all we live in a fallen world... but that time will come eventually or so they say.
As I am half Native and half Latina, I've been raised both somewhat Christian and somewhat with Native beliefs which is probably why I suck at following any type of religion.
I was raised Catholic and I like the Mass and such things. Very comforting to pray together. But there are so many problems with organized religions and their abuses because they are run by humans who are flawed.
I too like Buddhism and. aspects of other religions that seem reasonable. Even Islam has good points. The trouble with all relgions ARE ridiculous rules. The only rules worth attending to are be helpful, kind and generous to those less fortunate and to everyone else you know too. Work to lift people out of poverty, aid prisoners and the mentally disabled. This seems so common sense to me, but supposedly Jesus said it. Do good to the least of people as often as you can...
but if you pray to god... what about submitting to his rules? being a nice person is separate because an atheist could act nice without god if he knew what was harmful.
@strateguy632 What rules? The ones Jesus touted? Love one another as I have loved you? Do good to those who hurt you? Turn the other cheek? Those are fairly easy to do. There are no "God" rules. The 10 commandments are interpreted through and reported by men. However, they're good general ideas. In general don't lie, respect your parents, don't cheat on your neighbor or screw your neighbor's wife... all those make sense... And you're right, any atheist can have ethics without any obeisance to God.
I'm not much on obesance, but common sense rules make sense. I believe loving one another is the best course of action. Giving what you can to help those less fortunate. Spreading education and joy. I don't think it's rocket science or wholly about religion.
628 opinions shared on Religion & Spirituality topic.
In many Christian denominations, we recite the Nicene Creed. This creed summarizes ou Chirstian beliefs and it includes the statement "I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church." In this context, "catholic" is not capitalized because it does not refer to the Roman Catholic Church but it rfers to the concept that there is one universal ("catholic") church composed of all those who believe that Jesus Christ came to earth to save us.
Yes, religions can be more like a culture instead of a belief, more lke a social club, but a good church promotes belief in God and not loyalty to that particular church.
I see no need to follow a religion. If you want none, that is ok. If you do want something more, find a god or goddess that resonates with you and your values, and form a bond with them. Like a friendship.
The goddess I worship, Kannon, has an altar in my living room. But I talk to her, give her thanks, and give offerings as a way of showing appreciation for what she brings in my life. There is no religion, no doctrine to memorize and no hate mongering if you do not agree with me. It is just a personal, spiritual relationship.
So just go with what feels right to you, and take your time in figuring it out.
God didn't create the creation and left it on it's own to decide the how the rules and working of the world should go. Time and time again, he sent upon the prophets to mankind to teach them the rule of God. How effectively we stick to them is going to determine what will be our result in the hereafter.
356 opinions shared on Religion & Spirituality topic.
Every religion is a man-made construct designed and built for a few (the clergy) to control the lives of people they brainwash into believing them (do this or you will go to Hell/Hades/whatever). Every major religion so far has come and gone (Egyptian, Roman, Greek, etc.) and the major religions today will be no different.
The two religions that have stood the test of time, Hinduism & Zoroastrianism, have multiple deities that can be worshipped.
Personally, I put my faith in the most powerful force in the universe, nature. Nature will always find a way.
I feel many see Christianity from a distance and decide to run away. As a Christian I see this a lot. I would agree with many to say that there are a lot of Christians out there that are almost cult like that get so caught up in the rules, how you present yourself, and this mold you have to fill. But the truth is, Christianity is not a religion. It is a relationship. Christianity is the only belief in which our God is alive, making this possible. Hope this helps. Feel free to ask me follow up questions!
2.5K opinions shared on Religion & Spirituality topic.
i see you hesitate about rules. as a first step grab christianity relatively fewer rules due to grace. if you need more rules compare several faiths. the term religion has letters "lig like legal laws" but grace might be what god prefers.
about "nothing to do with believing god" the obvious connection is if god wanted snything, each religion claims god said to obey his book.
327 opinions shared on Religion & Spirituality topic.
I believe in God. Yes i belong to a church and a Christian denomination but 90% of my church does the opposite of what they’re technically supposed to. So i would definitely say I’m more of a believer rather than religious. How much or little i go to church doesn't affect my belief and relationship with the Lord
591 opinions shared on Religion & Spirituality topic.
I think there is a God but religion is just an organization made up of men and women. They can claim to be able to be intermediates between mortals and God but lets face it, it is only a group of people with no special insight other than what they claim to be true.
God is our Father Who created everything in existence and created us. He even sent his only son on earth to die for out sins in man form. Read the King James Bible and to know Him. He is real deal. Don't be lost someday. I am muting so don't reply. I don't care to get into one's faith but witness to who I can.
426 opinions shared on Religion & Spirituality topic.
I can understand spirituality, the universe is such a vast and complex thing and things happen that do defy understanding. But I have no use for organized religion, nothing compares to its ability to turn otherwise intelligent people into mindless fanatics and babbling retards
I just take the druidic pagan route. Nature provides, understand nature, and help nature thrive; that's all there is to it. No superiority complex that puts it above other religions, no bickering & putting others down,. Just, nature is amazing, help it thrive.
By not being an asshole, and making it up to the person which should just be commonplace. Nature doesn't have sins, that is a human made concept. But, nature does have cause and effect.
896 opinions shared on Religion & Spirituality topic.
I'm confused on who to believe in, they say Dear Heavenly Father Lord Jesus in Heaven. Now you ask me who am I to pray to, I want to love them and give my heart too, but I'm confused?
I'm believing in God and Jesus, I love studying in the Bible more than that I can feel it besides getting proof when I was 12 . Studying the old testament is amazing.
