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IS GOD REAL?(christianity)
I'm a teenage girl (raised catholic) who has been atheist/agnostic/unsure since the summer. I have encountered several recent events in my life that have lead me to believe that there really is a God after all. All of my friends are really strong christians- but I just don't think that God is real.
I don't know if Christianity is right- or even real... but I'm feeling compelled to recommit my life to Christ. What does that mean anyway? How can you "commit your life" to someone who isn't even real? Who IS Jesus? I mean this whole thing makes no sense. How can there be a God when there are so many other religions like islam and such? My prayers never came true as a Christian.
Oh, by the way- I hate going to church and i don't see the point in doing it. It never even brought me closer to this so-called God. To be a true Christian (not a poser) do you HAVE to attend mass? What if I just want to have my OWN faith? I also don't believe in Bible verses and stuff- like I don't think that the people in it were real. Why can't we just have faith in GOD and not all the crap that goes along with it?
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Maybe give some free advice about: Spirituality?
if you feel compelled to recommit your life to christ. then i pray that you do it. and jesus is real, you just can't see him in front of you right now. and jesus is God in the flesh who died on the cross about 2000 years ago, for our sins. the was raised from the dead in 3 days. and are you sure your prayers didnt come true? the way you make it sound, is like a wish or somethin. when you pray you ask God for what you need, and say at the end of the prayer,"in the name of jesus christ i pray amen" and belive that God will do what you asked. the term christian, is someone who belives in christ, whos been forgave of thier sins, and has christ in thier lifes. the way you put it, you mixed christian with catholic. same thing, christian is the main catagory, while catholic is the sup catagory.and also, who do know, that can make a perfect circle? nobody beacuse no human can make a PERFECT circle. ONLY GOD CAN. and what i mean by that, look at the earth, its a perfect circle. and you need to seek God. thats the only thing i can tell you. if you feel compelled to recommit your life to christ, then seek God. pray to him, ask him for guidence. i hope this helps.
God bless
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K im not gonna tell you what faith to choose. Im islamic and islam is a religion about peace. Yes i believe in god. ALLAH= GOD. So when ppl say that muslims dont believe in God its not true just like christians we believe in god.
You cant just assume he isor is not there. YOu have to have faith! God is watching you and hes there to help lead you in the right direction.
Have faith and believe. One of the bigest sins is not to believe that there is a god.
<3 Well Live Strong
(Inshallah God will lead you in the right direction)
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I was also raised catholic, so I see where you are comming from in the mass department. No you dont have to attend mass to be a true christian. When it comes to catholic mass I tend to avoid that. I left the catholic church a long time ago because they are way out there.
You dont have to go to church to be a christian. I would go, but just know that not all churches are sit and be quiet or go to hell churches. Thats not how the original churches were. They had good upbeat music and good church service.
My question for you is, can you really have faith in God if you dont believe what the bible says, and not believe the people in the bible (God being one of them)?
"How can there be a God when there are so many other religions like islam and such?"
Its easy. God exists and the world is filled with many false religions.
Jesus is very real. What the bible says about Him is 100% true. He died on the cross for you, took all your sin on that cross with him, then rose on the 3rd day to show there is life after death.
WHat is compelling you to recommit your life to Christ is the Holy Spirit.
I look at it this way.
its not a religion, its a relationship.
Im a non denominational christian.
I do go to church, but you dont need it.
All you need is the Holy Bible. I recommend the New King James version.
Now a lot of people will give you crap about that book being from the devil but I say what about all the people before 1611, or people who dont speak English...are they not saved because they dont read that sacred version of the bible. I am talking about the people who say that only the authorized 1611 King James version of the bible is the only correct bible.
Anyway.
I say give your life over to Jesus. Give your sin to Jesus. Accept Jesus into your heart. He is the only way to life everlasting. Dont lose heart when prayers dont get answered. They will in due time. Ive got a waiting list of prayers ready to be answered. God knows what you need and he will provide. Maybe he is just waiting for you to really give your life to Him...I dont know.
If you need anything else you can E-Mail me at
Strata_XIII@hotmail.com
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hi...well honestly thats a hard question i am wiccan most people think that thats a satanic religion or that its not a religion at all but we believe in many gods and goddesses but i think the only real way that you can find out if your god is real is to call on him or her or it or wutever it is you beleive and just wait and see if there is any proof or beleif that hes real but you should really study different religions and see how others found their greater power or if they ever have
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To recommit your life to Christ is to hand yourself over to God, sin and all, and to begin following in his footsteps as a Christian. Kind of like being born for a second time.. you're starting over fresh, if you just ask him to purify your sins. There's no special ritual or order, all you have to do is sincerely want God to come into your life and He will.
You may not be able to see God, but can things be real without being visible? You've said that events in your life are leading you to believe He exists-- maybe He is real in a different way? Not physically, but in your heart? Jesus is basically God in human form-- one with his father God, and the Holy Spirit who works through those who believe in them.
A lot of people wonder about other religions. How do we know which "God" is real? This is all a matter of faith. For Muslims, Allah is real to them. For those who believe in God, he is real to them. And He is. Becoming a Christian is accepting your beliefs as reality... connecting with God on a spiritual level rather than an earthly one. As humans, we always feel the need to have proof, to have evidence, tangible objects. Now, you need to open up your heart and your mind and accept something that is completely faith-based, that you can't prove 100% but accept as reality nonetheless. Of course there's room for skepticism-- even the strongest Christians ask questions once in awhile-- but don't let that shake your faith. That is Satan trying to change your mind.
God calls his people to go to church. Of course you hate it-- right now you see no purpose in God and aren't even sure you believe in him. But give God the opportunity to reveal himself to you-- if you stay closed-minded, how are you ever going to let him work in your life? As for churches, maybe Catholic mass isn't your cup of tea. Look at other churches and other denominations. Take notes, listen closely, observe other worshipers and see what you like / dislike about each one. Come with an open mind and leave with one. You may surprise yourself.
Many people choose their own faith .. but do you think you can find closure in something you've fabricated yourself? If I decide to start my own college course -- triangular scarf cooking -- do you think the students who attend are going to feel "full" after the course? Do you think they'll feel content with what they've learned, like they've somehow enriched their lives? Um, no. Because it's all crap. You can't just make stuff up like that.
As for all the "crap" that goes with Christianity, see if you still think it's crap once you've truly invited God into your life. If you don't, then yep, it's all still probably crap to you. But it's not, believe me. As a believer for about 5 years, you suddenly crave God's word and being with other believers. But again, it's not something you can fully understand until it's you.
If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask. Also, read some of the other spirituality questions in my column, a lot of other people have asked similar questions to you. Good luck! :)
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let's face it: Christians are people. The whole religon may be based on a perfect being, but the people who now organize it sure arn't perfect. There are probibly some things, especialy history-wise, that the christians got wrong. People always find ways to muck things up. Thats why there are so many conflicting veiw about God even within the religous community.
Oooh boy, the big God question. Well, I guess it all really depends on how you view God. If you think of God as a old guy with a long, white, flowing beard who lives up in the clouds, then you are probibly wrong. If you think of God as a less human being - like a consiousness, or an ideal- then you could be right (or at least a little more right than the guy who belives God as an old man). I perfer to think of God more as existance itself. Perhaps God isn't a collective being as most people think of him.
On a slightly less Philosphical note, you could always use this wierd theory. That is, if you belive in God, and he exists, then great for you! If he doesn't, then there won't really be anybody around to say I told you so, now will there? It's better safe than sorry.
On the note of going to church, you dont really NEED to go. Most people go just to get their morals in order.I'm pretty sure God (who or whatever He is) will be pretty much satisfied that you just belive that he exists.
Sorry, one more paragraph to read.
Warning!!!
Do NOT fall into the assumption that God answers prayers. God gives you support from within yourself to answer your own prayer. God isn't a maid service that you can just call up and say you need something done and he'll do it. Many people believe that, promptly have some tragedy, blame it on God, and walk away and never want to hear about God again. Once again, DO NOT belive that God will answer your prayers without you doing the work too.
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to answer your last question please look up luke 6:46
"And why call ye, Lord, lord, and do not the things which I say?"
As far as God being real you need to pray about it and ask Him.
I'm not sure of all of the ins and out of the catholic faith I do know they baptise people during their childhood and lack the biblical knowledge of salvation.
If you look tward salvation you must only repent with your lips and heart to God not a man. admit your are a sinner and ask for Him to come into your heart.
That is All that is required biblically to have salvation.
As for going to church think of that as being fed spiritually. without food your body will not grow, well without being Fed spiritually you cannot gor in the Lord. You should read your bible and pray, that will help to grow but without a bible based Church you will not be all that you can for Christ.
To "commit your life" is really telling God that you surrender your will to His.
I first would make sure you have the first before you worry about making other commitments that you may not be ready for.
I'll pray you find what your looking for.
tomlinsonpr@yahoo.com
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You don't have to attend church. You don't have to study the bible. God doesn't expect you to do these things as long as you believe in Him. That is why he gave you the ability of free thinking.
What makes it real to each individual is the BELIEF in a higher power. That doesn't go for just believing in the christian faith, either.
Each religion is different, but I don't feel any are wrong. They are right for that person because they believe and have faith in their religion.
Believe in what is best for you. If you want to have your own faith, then good for you for having faith in something.
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Since you have been baptized and raised Catholic you are very lucky. You have been brought up in the Truth. There are indeed many religions out there, and many different "spiritualities", but there is only one question which you need to ask, and that is, "What is the truth?" and your eternal life depends on what answer you come up with to that question. I fully, fully understand the uncertainty that comes with youth and it took me many years (until I was 40) to come full circle back to where I started, the Catholic Church.
If God is real, and he truly loves us, and he wants us to seek him out, then certainly, certainly he will answer the following prayer:
"Jesus, Help me to open my heart and mind to your truth. Give me the gifts of the Holy Spirit and help me to have faith, hope, and love."
Don't forget, that you are developing a relationship with God. Like any relationship, it takes time and effort. Your best friends are friends because you spend time with them. You love your family and you spend time with them. Same with God, you won't get to know him unless you spend time with him. Words are not always necessary. Simply direct your mind and heart towards God and he will respond in kind. But do it often!! And of course the Hail Mary and the Our Father are indispensible prayers. Don't give up! Open up the Bible and/or some good Catholic spiritual books - ask your parents for some suggestions - as spiritual reading is a must to grow with God.
Good luck, and be assured of my prayers.
Ruthie
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you can thats what i do because if you think about it with any religion they all have some kind of book and are worshiping some kind of higher power. so how cany any religion christian or non christian out weigh eachother.hey cant. another thing is god didnt write any of those things. your right whos to say any of it in any teaching is real. but for some reason it makes people feel good. i my self have no set religion but do believe in a higher power what ever it might be. i dont think it maters how many pews you sit in or hail marys,etc you say in the end or what you look like believe or have if your a terrible person then thats it in the end every thing will dissapear except our souls. every ones diffrent and if you think about it each religion non christian or christian is worshiping some kind of creator. i think any thing is ok as long as your not hurting any one,hiding behind it, or using it to envoke fear or in flict pain. i dont consider my self anything and wasnt baptised and dont go to church but stil believe in a positive creator no matter what it may be. i still have morals any try to treat others right but i refuse to choose a conformed religion because they cant out weigh eachother. they say christianity is the most wide spread but thats because years ago settlers conquered other colonies and forced them into christianity. just because some ones non christian doesnt mean their wrong or going to hell and just because someones christian doesnt necessarily mean their going to heaven and terrific and vice versa their all just diffrent opinions so why base your life on an opinion. id rather just have my own individual belief but theres nothing wrong with choosing a religion its what ever your comfortable with.everyones diffrent and thats ok. but if you dont like going to church and all of what you said then its probably not for you it doesnt make you evil or anything like that. so yes i would say it ok to just have faith in god be true to yourself thats what i do.
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Wow. You remind me of my best friend in the world. Only she wasn't raised Catholic.
The reason that there are so many different religions is that people disagree on how to live. If you REALLY compare Islam to Christianity, they aren't that different. And Jewish Allah is the same God as that of Christianity. Jesus is the only real debated thing. The Islams believe in Mohammed, who was a prophet, instead of Jesus.
No, you don't have to go to church to be Christian. The main purpose of church is to have support in tough times. Like AA meetings. Sometimes I think church should be called CU, Christians Unanonomous, because once you're in, people remember. They know your name, where you live, and how many sisters your aunt has on your mom's side. Church is there to keep you from getting discouraged and saying screw it.
The Bible is what Christians believe to be the word of God. However, NOT ALL Christians believe in it, like yourself.
I don't know why I believe what I do. I just have the strong feeling that it is, you know?
We CAN just believe in God. Faith in God is enough to move a mountain. Strictly scientificly, it all adds up. The Bible has a special code to it, every so many letters in sequence there is a J E S U S. all the way through. Written by 52(approxamately) men, and it happens all the way through.
Thats a pretty cool coincidence, don't you think?
As for the question about is Jesus real, well, I PERSONALLY think he is. But I'm not the world authority. I'm just a girl, same as you, with lots of questions. But personally, I think Cathlocism is the strictest form of Christianity.
I hope you work this out, *hug*
P.S. Church is way better if you find one with teens. Christian rock is pretty okay most of the time, and most contemporary services are more singing than listening to a boring guy in a suit anyway. ;)
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the reason there are many religions is cuz the devil dosent want people to be close and about the lord.Sometimes god dosent answer our prayers right away cuz he wants to test us.He wants to make sure we actually love him.He dosent want people who just use him.
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These events in your life are telling you that Heavenly Father is there... I know that you don't exactly believe or know that He is real right now, but I have a few things to tell you. I know God is real. He is a protector and He loves both you and me. And in answer to all of your questions, you just have to have faith that He is there and very aware of you. He knows all the pain you are going through.
Jesus is the son of God. He was born of a virgin, named Mary, in Bethlehem. That's why we celebrate Christmas. He healed the sick and raised the dead. And then He suffered for everyone's sins, even yours and mine, to make it possible for us to repent of them. Then, he died on a cross in a city called Calvary. But then, after three days, He was resurrected and lived again, which is why we celebrate easter. Jesus knows what you are going through because he suffered for your sadness and the bad things in your life.
In your prayers, I want you to just have faith that He is there and that you will recieve an answer.This means that you belive that it will happen. Even if you don't think it CAN happen, Believe. Have as much faith as you can muster, as if you already did know. Answers to prayers don't always come right away or in the way that you expect, but they will come. But you have to listen to Heavenly Father because sometimes you can't hear the answer. It will come as a whisper to your heart.
You can ask God anything and He will give you an answer. Anything. So take all these questions that you asked me and direct them towards Him. But even though Heavenly Father is willing to do anything for us, we have to do something to recieve His love. Have faith in everything. Study the scriptures. With the knowledge will come the testimony that you are looking for.
I hope that you can achieve your goal and far beyond.
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That compelling is coming from the Spirit of God. Inside every person there is a longing to know God. Many people squelch this longing and turn to things that offer temporary satisfaction. God is reaching out to you and it's your choice to embrace Him or walk away. It will take faith to embrace Him, but once you do, understanding will start to unfold. Committing your life to God means believing His grace is the death and resurrection of His son Jesus.
You say it makes no sense, that's because you are trying to intellectualize faith. The Bible says in 1Corinthians 1:21 "God was wise and decided not to let the people of this world use their wisdom to learn about him. Instead, God chose to save only those who believe the foolish message we preach." (CEV)
There are numerous people who call themselves Christian who have no clue what it really means. Christian literally means follower of Christ. It's something a person is. Following Christ means believing the Word of God, the Bible.
It sounds like you were attending a church that has no life. I encourage you to search for a church that follows the ways of God without compromise. Those are the churches (most non catholic) that have life. Ask questions. Discover truth.
I'm not sure what your definition is of "own faith". But as a Christian I have my own faith in Christ as my Savior and Lord of my life. I have a personal relationship with Jesus. I know Him as my best friend. Prayer and the Bible are the communication that makes that relationship grow. There are many of those people who call themselves Christians who know Jesus like they know Abraham Lincoln; just a figure in history. As a result, they don't understand the Bible or prayer. That's not to say a non-Christian's prayers aren't answered, but the heart of that person needs to be bent on wanting God and only God knows the heart.
As far as other religions: Christianity is the only faith that requires faith alone for salvation. Christians then do good deeds BECAUSE we are saved. We go to church BECAUSE we desire to be near our brothers and sisters in Christ, to learn, to be encouraged, and most of all, to worship the God we love. This is all a heart issue. All the others require good deeds,or rituals, or some other outward gesture to be close to the god of that particular religion. They are deceived. These things will never save.
You may ask, "How do I know that Christianity is the true path?" Here's an illustration:
The government trains people to catch counterfeiters by having them study our paper money. These people are not given hundreds of counterfeits to study, they are given a real bill. They know the real bill intimately so when the counterfeit comes along, they recognize it. When you know the God of the Bible, the one true God, through His son Jesus, you will recognize that the others are counterfeits.
God did not create us to sit around and just do what we want. He has a purpose for every person, but not every person lays hold of their individual purpose. God gave us the free will to choose Him. Those who do are changed forever. Those who don't are doomed to carry the weight of their own sin forever. I pray you choose to embrace the God who loves you.
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Well I am christain
Firstly, you are right to question your faith, we all go through this.Noone can prove that jesus / god is real, but there is some evidence as I have been learning it @ school recently.
The way you commit your life is basically to follow the commandments, and take time to pray to god.I feel god is real because he helped me through a difficult time.My mother was told she was only going to have 3wks to live and would never ever walk again.But we prayed and prayed and do you know what?She stayed alive and can now walk, now dont tell me there isnt a lord.
You say your prayers never come true, they will when god decides, and if your gonna have that attiutude towards your prayers then he isnt gonna help is he??And all faiths are the same i mean ALL the faiths have a god/gods.But difference is we beleive in particular things, some beleive in a god who helps and loves and some may beleive in something else about their god.If there was no such thing as god, where would we be.EVERYONE turns to a god, even if you havnt yet you will.One day you'll go "god help me please" when your through a difficult time even if you say you dont beleive.
Church is something I do everyweek and though I am only 13 I do readings and such.Church is basically a mass, to say thankyou to god for the week and joy you bring to us and to gather all of us together as a community to pray for the world.And no, you dont have to go to mass to be a true christain.There isnt such thing, as a true christain anyway, because we are all the same.And if you have your own beleif then its your own beleif, noone has the right to really qiestion why you beleive it.
You cant have faith in god and not beleive everything that goes with it.Because in the bible it says he can heal magically and stuff, well what is your god then if you dont beleive all the verses, he's just be an ordinary man wiuldnt he?
I have become deeply into it because of my mum and I made my confirmation, which made me really deeply into it.Your either a full christain or not.You cant be half!"you beleive in god but not the other stuff" no it dont work like that Im afraid.And you dont have to read the bible and go to church to be a christain but you should else how else would you show yourself, god, and everyone else that you are one?
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well. i'm a christian, so this is my view [warning].
i personally do believe that God is real. you CAN commit your life to God because he IS real. Jesus is the son of God who came to earth in the form of a man about 2000 years ago. He died on a cross to save the world of our sins. That doesn't mean that we DONT go to hell if we don't repent, but it means we CAN go to heaven even though we have sinned. The reason that there CAN be a God with so many other religions is because people like you have different beliefs. God made the world so that we can have our own choices.
God always answers prayers, it just may be a yes or a no.
and, God lets things happen like the Holocaust and 9/11 because this whole world is a test to prove are faith. God would never put us through something that we couldn't handle.
And, about the chruch thing. I used to hate going to church too, and I thought it was a total waste of time. But I finally found a church with AMAZING people and AMAZING worship, and it really did bring me closer to God.
And why wouldn't you believe the Bible? If you study history, you can see that many of the events that happened back in ancient history match along with the Bible. So it actually is true.
And, Catholosism and Christianity are very different. Christians don't go to mass, Catholics do. Christians don't think that the wine and bread are ACTUALLY Jesus's blood and body, Catholics do. If you study into both, you can choose which one is best for you.
Just don't give up, k? :]
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i also sometimes question the belief of god.. my grade is very christian and i feel kinda akward because i question things too much.. im too nervous to say anything becuase they will go all religous on me! My minister said that god will keep you in good hands.. well then why did the holocaust happen? why did 9/11 happen? all these things makes no sense! but then again, god always takes people to "heaven", but why do it in such a painful way?? These things confuse me .. and i guess scared me in a way. Some things make me believe in god and others not so much.. i agree, its frustrating. Commiting your life sounds strange too.. but the way i took it is always praying, going to church.. dont sin, do the right thing and lead other people to christ. I hope this helps
if you want to chat about it my aim is "ttfro"
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It's totally fine to have your own faith, you don't have t believe in christian ways just because you were raised that way. I don't really think god can be real, i guess to me it makes no sense.
You can still believe in god, everyone has different beliefs and none have been proven, but not go to church or be a strong christian. Because i guess if there <i>is</i> a god, he wouldn't make an discriminations because people don't want to follow a certain faith.
i think you'll be fine.
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