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Which Religion is Best? Having trouble figuring this out...
I grew up in a Catholic family and always hated going to church. Stand up, sit down, stand up, sit down, kneel, stand up sit down. So boring and predictable.
Then I quite going to church for many years. I then tried some Christian church that was HUGE. They played music the whole time, which was alright. The sermon was OK to, but being raised a Catholic I wasn't comfortable with holding my hands up in the air and all these ministries and expectations.
I'm totally turned off by the conservative George Bush right wing religion thing to. I don't want to preach and I hate having people preaching AT me.
What are my options? Buddhism? Jewish?
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Maybe give some free advice about: Spirituality?
This is an excellent question and I commend you for asking it and raising the issue. There's a lot of young people who feel the same way you do about religion on here that will be helped by you having asked.
Having said that, just because you grew up in the Catholic Church does not mean you have to stay there and follow its doctrine for the rest of your life. If you don't think being Catholic is where your heart lies that's fine.
You are free to explore and nobody or anything can keep you from that. Your options are endless. You can choose another religion that agrees with your principals or you can leave organized religion behind and just follow the spiritual teachings you feel apply to your life.
While sermons with music that are unpredictable and not boring are entertaining ask yourself if the message the minister is trying to get across sticks with you, impacts you and makes you recall it later. If all you can remember is the music than you know that's not where to end searching for GOD and or something that you really feel connected to.
The point here is to find religious, spiritual or other teachings you can apply to your own life to achieve peace, joy, happiness and feel assured.
The best thing to do is visit churches as you have been doing and have a list of critiera in your mind that they need to meet. You'll find less people will preach to you or try to convert you in a non-demoninational setting or group or where their sign indicates everyone of any religion is welcome to attend.
Now, I don't endorse any particular church or religion myself but I do like the following Web site www.spirituality.com where you can talk to other people about religion, your problems you are dealing with and actually study the bible and religion in a setting where nobody preaches to you or expects you to join a church (even though it is created by one). It's a site for sharing ideas.
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There are a ton of religions you can follow. You can be Jewish, Islamic, Buddhist, Hinduist, Wiccan, Athiest, Agnostic, and so much more.
I don't know much about the Jewish religion except that they go to temple, and believe in God. They go by the Old Tesaments rather than the new. And that's about it.
Islamic people go to mosque & make certain journeys throughout their life to pray. It's an okay religion, but I personally would not follow it. Nothing to do with the people, but it just isn't my thing.
Buddhists believe in Nirvana, and Siddharta Gutamma's[sp?]; also known as Buddha; teachings. They eliminate desire because they believe in leads to suffering, and that it's what makes people have pain throughout their life. Meditation is also a part of the faith.
Hinduists have a heirarchy of people. What you're born into is what you are. They believe in 3 MAIN Gods [although there are alot of Gods]. As far as I know; Shiva is the destroyer, Brahma is the creator, and Vishnu is the preserver. In order, they should be Brahma, Vishnu & then Shiva. They also believe in karma which everyone defines as "What goes around comes around." I think that this is a good religion mainly because of the way they are & how calm it is.
Wiccans are people who do witchcraft for the sake of good; not evil like they were thought to. Some people have done it for the wrong reasons, but mostly for right. Basically, you can do a spell for basically anything, but I believe there are certain things you cannot interfere with as they are apart of nature & you should let them run their course as planned.
Athiests believe in nothing. No hell, no miracles, no God, no heaven, nothing. Absolutely nothing. This can be good because they have nothing to worry about, like that they're not pleasing someone, or sinning constantly. I follow this religion, but the only thing I believe in are ghosts. So, I guess you could say I'm not a full Athiest.
As far as Agnostics go, I know that they believe in a God, but not fall under any one religion.
Whichever religion you may choose, good luck following it, and best wishes. =)
If you'd like more information:
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A religion isn't something you do for entertainment value. Religion is about what you believe to be true, not what you believe to be fun.
By all means, investigate a variety of beliefs and consider carefully whether any of them speak to you. It is an important decision that should also be an informed one. You may never find an ideal belief system for yourself, but there is value in the search for truth even if you never reach a destination.
For myself, I finally found wisdom and truth in the principles of Humanism. As far as I'm concerned, that's the "Best" religion. I wish you well on your quest, but remember what it is you're looking for. If you're searching for personal meaning and purpose, you may well find it in religion. If you're searching for a good time, join a club instead of a church.
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Whatever you feel comfortable with. You don't *have* to have a religion. Since you grew up with a catholic church, nothing else will feel the same. You can't expect something to be the same and better, that's impossible. Take a look at
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
And don't trust any of those "what religion is best for me?" tests.
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