|
Religion
First off im 15 F. And I know alot of people aren't going to like this but whatever. All of my life i have never gone to church or anything, and I want to, like I want to have a church family and everything and I really would like a place to talk about my spirituality. But I cant find a church that I like. As for my religion, I basically have christian based values, but anyways here are my beleifs.
1. I beleive in god as a force and not a being.
(basically I believe in god as love in general.)
2. I dont believe in the devil. I think that was a
a story made up to scare people that if you sin
you will go to hell.
3. I don't believe in hell. I believe there is
heaven and thats all.
4. I know there was a man named Jesus and he taught great lessons, but I dont believe he rose from the dead and all that.
5. God is Love and Sin is Evil.
6. And last, people should be entitled to their own religion without anyone giving them a hard time.
Anyways, there is just a basis of whatI believe. So my question is, do you know of a church or religion that is basically all of those?
Also, I had this idea, maybe I could start a website forum where people could talk about this, sort of like starting my own religion,(hehe that sounds weird). Do you think many people would join me on that? Do you think anyone believes the way I do?
Any way, sorry its so long. I just really want to talk about what I believe and where I'm from, you would get beat up because everyone is very conservative baptist around here. Like I am the only democrat at my school. : ). soo, if you have any views on this, please tell me. Just keep them nice. Thanks in advance!!
[ ]
Want to answer more questions in the Miscellaneous category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Spirituality?
Why would you start your own religion with no proof to back it up. you totally made it up and its not true at all just because its your opinion.
Where did you get your info... because the only true place to get info on god is the bible.. and half that stuff isnt in there! you cant just pick what to believe and what not to.
sorry to be rude, but its true.
]
I would like to commend you. At the tender age of fifteen... You have asked yourself some heavy questions. You have drawn your own conclusions... You have refused to allow others to sway your faith. You rock.
Anyway... No. Your belief system is not uncommon. Many people, including myself, believe just as you... Or hold beliefs very similiar to yours. You're not alone. We're here... We just don't like to advertise. If you're wondering why... Scroll down.
And no... Your belief system does not have a name. Or a church. Mostly because those of us that believe that everyone is entitled to believe as they wish... Well... Let's just say that we don't really fit in too well with the "organized-religion" crowd. My friends and I aren't too upset about it either. Why? Read a history book. Almost every organized religion is guilty of plagarism, ignorance, intolerance, and mass murder. Except for the Buddhists. And the Wiccans. My hat goes off to all the Buddhists and Wiccans reading my speel. (You're awesome.)
Sorry... I'm ranting now. Anyway... I don't really think it matters if there is a name or a church for what we believe. You're perfectly capable of worshipping the higher power all by yourself. Personally, I always thought that worshipping alone was a great deal more intimate. But maybe worship isn't the problem for you... Maybe you're looking for fellowship.
That... Is basicly what church is supposed to be about. A group of people who share similiar beliefs... Forming a type of relationship in an attempt to encourage and support each other. You don't need a name or a church for that. A name is a symbol, a church is a building... Both are empty things without people to give them meaning.
So... You have internet access... Why don't you try finding a group of like-minded people via your modem? A lot of online communites and chat forums have "groups" and some of these groups are spiritual in nature. I can't tell you which one you're looking for... The best way for you to find the fellowship you desire is to try joining several different groups and trying them on for size. If they don't fit, don't get discouraged. Just keep trying until you find what you're look for.
As for starting your own forum... I think that's a great idea. And yes... I do think people would join. Like I said... We're here. I will warn you that the job of a moderator can be a stressful one... So start out small. As your group grows recruit some of your more trustworthy members.
Ooo... I just had an idea. MYSPACE. If you do... You better message me and let me know. ;)
P.S. Check out a series of books called, "Conversations with God," by Neal Donald Walsch. I don't necessarily think the man talks to God... But he makes a lot of sense. To me at least. He also started a movement. Maybe it will interest you. If not... It could at least be a good read.
]
What you have here is a religious buffet. It doesn't work that way. What do you base your "religion" on?
I high-five GodRox123 on the witness and want to add this. The book of Revelation will give you the info on the end times, but you may want to start in the book of John which lays out the basics. And, if you chose truth, the prayer needs to be heart-felt to be real. Consider it. I am sincerely scared for your soul.
In Addition: I would have sent this directly to you, but I got a note that your column is not receiving questions, so I'll comment here. First of all, God is perfect. He is CREATOR. We are His CREATION. He created people to be His friends, but He gave people a free will to choose that relationship for themselves. Adam and Eve were perfect until they sinned. That created a separation in the relationship with God. Not only with Adam and Eve, but with every person since then. But God loves all of us so much that He sent His son Jesus to take the penalty for that sin. Jesus brought something new. Not a patch for the old stuff. God does not SEND people to hell. They choose that destiny when they reject Him. This is what you are doing; you are rejecting His gift of Grace. Without that grace you will be in hell. Loving my neighbor is what I am doing; I'm telling you that accepting Jesus, God's gift of grace, is your only hope. Hence...I am scared for your soul.
]
I've done a little research, because your views don't seem to really mesh with any traditional religion. Here's what I've found.
New Thought:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
- This one really works with the idea of God as a force, and no Hell.
Baha'i:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
- This one is more about God as a force and freedom of choice in religion. It's an offset of Islam, but don't let that scare you!
Of course, you won't find a church that's custom-molded to your beliefs, and unless you live in a major city, it may be hard to find a more obscure place of worship.
As for what everyone else is saying about the heaven/hell issue... nuts to them. You're absolutely right! True belief in religion doesn't spring from being terrified of doing the wrong thing and ending up in Hell... it comes from trying to better yourself and be a good person using its teachings. You definitely have the right outlook on religion... and as an atheist, I've seen a lot of people with the wrong ideas.
Good luck!
]
Contrary to what other people wrote, I think your beliefs are as good as anybody's. What, in essence you have done, is create your own religion, or your own segment within Christianity. Thats perfectly alright and its something that people have been doing for millenia. In the end no one has an ounce of proof of any kind whatsoever, so you are just as entitled to follow your beliefs as the Pope is.
Now, to get to the core of your question. I do tend to agree that Christianity may not be the way for you. The notion of hell is very deeply worked into the fabric of that religion. It has been used (as you correctly determined yourself) to keep people in check for ages. Interestingly the notion of heaven was probably intended to have the same effect, but thats getting off point. I agree with the first columnist that pointed you in the direction of budhism. At first glance that may well be the closest thing to what you are seeking. However it will by no means be a perfect match.
Good luck finding what you are after.
]
I am going to ask this question right off the bat.
With only heaven, what happens to those who reject God as love? Since there is no hell, are they doomed to spend eternity on Earth, which at that point in time does become hell? And with both love and evil, what happens to evil?
I'm not trying to put down your beliefs or anything, but you're contradicting yourself with your core beliefs. You can't just have love. There will always be rejection to love and as long as there is rejection to love there is hell and evil. You're confusing the beliefs of several different religions into one and it is contradicting each other.
Yes, there are probably others that believe the way you do but finding them might prove difficult. Starting your own forum is a posibility and from there you can see what other people believe on the issue. Or you can join a pre-existing forum to discuss the issue, because there are those kinds of forums out there.
Before you do however, really think about what your beliefs are and then, question what they really mean.
I hope I helped.
-Ryan
]
Did a baptist scare you away before?
Why dont you believe Jesus rose from the dead?
Like the other guy said, How can you believe in a Heaven and not Hell? What happens after death? WHat happens to murderers, or all "bad people?"
Is there such a thing as salvation then?
A lot of Jesus's "great lessons" were about Hell, and salvation...
I just want to know where your comming from before I answer...
Feel free to e-mail me at any time....
Strata_XIII@hotmail.com
I really do want to help you, so get back...
]
If you're looking for a religion that lets all of the members believe what they want go with Unitarian as your religion. If you're really into god being a force and are looking for something focused on that, go with science of mind (not scientology). By the way, I just want to comment on one of your beliefs. How can you believe in heaven, but not hell? It's like believing in left, but not right. Neither can exist without the other. Peace would not exist without war, for peace is the absence of war. Heaven could not exist without hell, for heaven is the absence of hell. This is just my opinion though, and you can believe whatever you want.
]
hi if 14/f and i think i have something that might work for you.
>i dont believe in god as a being either more as a force that is all around us. This force lives within us so we do not need to seek anyone or anything outside ourselves to become happy. We all have the same potential to become happy.Also i dont believe in the devil or hell or Jesus resurecting. And yes i agree that we should ALL be able to believe or worship whatever we want without being judged.
I am a Buddhist. I am part of the SGI, an organization that is devoted to world peace. (no i dont believe in the fat-buddha guy as a god)-i chant the words NAM-MYOHO-RENGE KYO to become happy. These words mean devotion to the mystic law of cause and effect through sound. Most people dont believe this but these words are actually the rythm of the universe. (An astronaut came to our "community center" once and was amazed because he heard all of the members chanting NAM-MYOHO-RENGE KYO and he told us that in outer space the same sound is repeated. We believe that by chanting this phrase we can become one with the universe and change our lives in a positive way. Our organization is without priests and it is the philosophy of hmuan revolution and promotes world peace. We are always looking for ways to help others and become happy. And its a lot of fun. As youth members we go and have meetings where we talk about anything and make friends and there are even preforming groups. For example if you play an instrument or like to dance or sing then you can be involved in this sort of thing. I have been a member since i was 6 and since then my life has changed so much. I love my religion. Its like no other. They dont say we cant eat certain things or put any limitations on us like that. If you are at all interested or maybe if i confused you at all with this explanation(sorry its so long!)then you go to this link:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
It talks about the religion and organization more in depth. It offeres a better explanation. Also if you want to find a "comunity center" where you can go that is near you then go to this link:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
Oh and please if you need to know anything at all that i may have forgoten to explain then send me a message. I hope this answered your question. I really hope you go and meet the people. They are amazing and so caring. If you do decide to go and find a location near where you live ask someone when the next youth meeting is. These are the ones that are most helpful for "guests" who want to know more about the practice. =) sorry for the infinateness of this! lol----
SAM~
]
More Questions: |