I want to be a Christian!

[Aetius]

I have always admired Christians. The love, the sense of community, the ritual. I would like that to be a part of my life.

I do not think however, that I can believe.
The idea of devils and angels is suspicious to me. Really the whole story of Christianity is so similar to other, older religions, that I have doubt in regards to Christianities claims to veracity.

What more, how do I know it is the true religion? Everyone claims their religion is the true one! I can at least accept that it's the best religion. But then again, I don't think believing just because it makes you feel good is what God intended.

And the thought that God allows good people to go to hell troubles me. My best friend as a child was an Egyptian, that is, Muslim. I remember being only nine years old, and hearing from the most respected adult in the community that my little friend "Mina" would suffer unspeakable torments forever.

My conscience tells me that such a dogma could have only come from a wretchedly evil person. But if my conscience is a gift from God, how could I find the damnation of non-Christians so evil? Is the devil tricking me into thinking that things like genocide in the bible are wrong.

I suspect that there is an easy answer here, something that I am missing. But I really want to be Christian, it's not my fault I wasn't born into the church! And maybe God will forgive me because now atleast I am actively seeking these answers.

 

[Criada]

I've been there1
And the thing is, you will never come to faith through your intellect.
Whilst God gave us brains, and it is good to think things through, there comes a point where the only way forward is by a 'leap of faith' - or, more accurately, a leap to faith.

Because we can never work it out by ourselves! If we could understand God with our human brains, He wouldn't be God.

He is drawing you to Him... but you have to make that concious decision to submit to Him. And when you do that, the rest will be clearer - because He will give you the faith you seek.

The details don't matter - many Christians disagree on doctrinal points. The important thing is the acceptance that you are a sinner, that you can't do anything about that by your own efforts, but that Christ died so that you could be forgiven and made righteous.

I would suggest that you read the gospels, and ask God to show you the truth.
Because He has promised:
Jeremiah 29:13
You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

God bless you. I am praying that you will come to know Him.

 

[WarEagle]

I have always admired Christians. The love, the sense of community, the ritual. I would like that to be a part of my life.

But do you want to follow Christ?

I do not think however, that I can believe.
The idea of devils and angels is suspicious to me. Really the whole story of Christianity is so similar to other, older religions, that I have doubt in regards to Christianities claims to veracity.

That "A" is similar to "B" does not make "B" untrue.

What more, how do I know it is the true religion?

Because the Bible has proven itself to be true and Jesus Christ has proven Himself to be who He said He is.

Everyone claims their religion is the true one! I can at least accept that it's the best religion. But then again, I don't think believing just because it makes you feel good is what God intended.

Nor do I.

And the thought that God allows good people to go to hell troubles me.

There are no "good people". All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.

My best friend as a child was an Egyptian, that is, Muslim. I remember being only nine years old, and hearing from the most respected adult in the community that my little friend "Mina" would suffer unspeakable torments forever.

If Mina doesn't repent and put his faith in Christ, then that's what the Bible says will happen.

My conscience tells me that such a dogma could have only come from a wretchedly evil person. But if my conscience is a gift from God, how could I find the damnation of non-Christians so evil? Is the devil tricking me into thinking that things like genocide in the bible are wrong.

Most likely, it isn't the Devil at all, but your ignorance of the scriptures combined with your predisposition to serve your own flesh and lean on your own understanding.

I suspect that there is an easy answer here, something that I am missing. But I really want to be Christian, it's not my fault I wasn't born into the church! And maybe God will forgive me because now atleast I am actively seeking these answers.

Aside from the obvious fact that you cannot be forgiven just by "actively seeking answers", as much as you say you want to be a Christian, you haven't said a word about your sin, about repentance, about the cross, about Christ, about following Him, about forgiveness, about reconciliation, or about your desperate need for a Savior. So, I wonder if you even know what Christianity is.

Until you understand your wretchedness before God and that you are in desperate need of Christ's atonement on the cross to save you, you're not ready to be a Christian.

 

[tapero]

I have always admired Christians. The love, the sense of community, the ritual. I would like that to be a part of my life.

I do not think however, that I can believe.
The idea of devils and angels is suspicious to me. Really the whole story of Christianity is so similar to other, older religions, that I have doubt in regards to Christianities claims to veracity.

What more, how do I know it is the true religion? Everyone claims their religion is the true one! I can at least accept that it's the best religion. But then again, I don't think believing just because it makes you feel good is what God intended.

And the thought that God allows good people to go to hell troubles me. My best friend as a child was an Egyptian, that is, Muslim. I remember being only nine years old, and hearing from the most respected adult in the community that my little friend "Mina" would suffer unspeakable torments forever.

My conscience tells me that such a dogma could have only come from a wretchedly evil person. But if my conscience is a gift from God, how could I find the damnation of non-Christians so evil? Is the devil tricking me into thinking that things like genocide in the bible are wrong.

I suspect that there is an easy answer here, something that I am missing. But I really want to be Christian, it's not my fault I wasn't born into the church! And maybe God will forgive me because now atleast I am actively seeking these answers.

Hi there,

Thanks for your post. It's wonderful to hear what you are seeking. I also was not born into any faith nor taught of any nor even thought of God or anything till shortly before I came to Christ.

God will forgive you anything friend, so never even to worry about that.

You may have more questions and such but I would just like to post some information that might help some.

I answered two questions a pastor asked me and when I answered I was instantly a new creation in Christ, also called born again. It was amazing.

I had been to a funeral shortly before this and while the gospel was most likely being preached that is not what I heard, I mean I didn't hear what the pastors were saying. They did a powerful message in the sense that I was drawn to something not easy to explain. As I said, I really didn't hear what they were saying, but I noticed something, and it was like a sense of somethng powerful occuring. Now as I am a Christian and look back, I believe what I was focused on was the presence of the Holy Spirit, though unseen, and I didn't realize it at the time, it was where all my focus was on.

So, then I started going to the church of the pastors who did that funeral service and shortly went to speak to one who asked me the two questions.

Now all Christians come to Christ in many different ways, not many like the other. We all have different experiences that lead us to Christ, and that bring us to Christ.

So the pastor asked me if I would commit my life to Christ, and would I die for Christ.

That was what he asked me and on answering yes, while I had little to no knowledge at all about God, I was born again at that instant.

So the thing to do if you like would be to talk to Jesus and tell him you want to serve him and become a Christian or also termed a believer. Tell God all that's on your heart. You can do this anywhere and at any time.

After I came to Christ, I still had yet to read the bible and no one told me anything at all, but see once we come to Christ the Holy Spirit indwells us. Of course the Holy Spirit is God, as is the Father and Jesus, One God.

And without anyone telling me anything or me having yet to read the bible I turned away from the things I did at that time. I lived a very dark life, many people have, and I certainly did, and after coming to Christ, no longer desired any of that. I also told him all my sins, or all that I had ever done and asked forgiveness.

Now, once one believes in Christ, their sins are immediately forgiven, past present and future. But as I said, I didn't know a thing yet, and this was how God lead me.

Then I started to read the bible. I had an insatiable appetite for the bible and it was 3 solid years of not being able to put the bible down that occured to me, and it was amazing learning so much and in the bible contains truth of God and of other things. As we read the bible and learn our minds are renewed or changed and we change.

We all change differently, but for me it was very dramatic and a complete turn around from who I was to the now new person in Christ I had become.

I was in a very good church and some women reached out to me and I had many questions and they helped me and loved me and it was beautiful.

I learned from reading the bible that God loved me very much and I had great value and I had never been valued or loved in my life and this spoke deeply to my heart.

And having these women accept me for who I was, just as God did, not making any demands on me, just accepted me for who I was and God does the work in us, and His power to do so is life changing.

So, I write this rather quickly as have to go, but saw your post and wanted to reply and tell you again, that God will forgive you friend, there is nothing in this world that anyone can do that God will not forgive.

You can become a Christian at any moment and just tell Jesus as I said and then if you can, you might want to start reading the bible. Many people say to start at the book of John for some reason, and so is a fine place to start.

Here is a link to the first chapter of the book of John.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=50&chapter=1&version=31

and here are the first 5 verses:

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.
3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood[a] it.

The above says, in the beginning was the Word. The Word is Jesus. He always was, He always has existed, as He is God.

I'm sorry Im writing this so quickly but just wanted to respond to your wonderful post before logging off.

The version of the bible used there is the new international version, which I use, but you can toggle to any other version right there at that forum, and there are many versions available.

So friend, God bless you and God is surely calling you and He loves you very much and once we come to Christ, He says and is truth, He will never leave us or forsake us. He also says there is no condemnaton for those in Christ Jesus. So, once you come to Christ, do know that if you get feelings of condemnation it is not from God.

When the Holy Spirit convicts us of things, which is not condemnation, it is like a verse will come to mind or perhaps somethng we've done and we'll know that such is from God, for one is a good thing, and not condeming at all, and helps us draw closer to God. So, for example if I do something wrong, the Holy Spirit might bring a verse to mind, which makes me think of the wrong I had done, and then I would bring it to God and say, yes, wow, I did that or such or felt this and thank you for showing me that is not a good or right thing, and most likely is sin.

We have much sin in us, and always will. God commands us not to sin, but we do fail and we all sin. Again, all sin is forgiven upon belief in Christ, or upon becoming a Christian.

So, what I'm trying to show you though is that God is gentle and is not condemning but always seeking our best in how he helps us to grow.

So, I look foward to seeing your reply later and please know you can ask any question and there is no judgment no matter what you say, as we do not judge others, your walk is between you and God, and so you can share whatever is on your heart.

Sometimes you will find people who are judgmental but not to worry, all people are differnent and you seek out people you can trust just as with friends in real life, you tend to make friends with those you trust; it's the same with Christians we seek out friends who we can trust.

You can pm me anytime as well.

If you happen to know of a Christ centered church in your area it would be great if you could visit and see if you feel comfortable there. There are many kinds of churches and some times it takes going to several to find where one feels most comfortable. As pastors teach differently and churches have different personalities in a sense and styles of worship such as in music and so you seek out what you like.

If you can get involved in a small bible study either thru a church or otherwise it is the best way to learn as can ask questions and generally is where those special friends come from, in the smaller meetings where you get to know people in a smaller setting.

I look forward to seeing your reply should you like and again feel free to ask anything and also pm me if you like. One has to have five posts before they can send a private message, and you may have that many already.

When Christ comes in your life you will know that you've come to the truth and have somehow always known it, as is written but its' that we supress the truth of God, and probably when we're fairly young is when we do such.

I can't imagine that I lived 33 years without knowing Christ, but I did and am thankful He called me and I heard and I couldn't live a day without Christ and there is nothing more wonderful in someone's life than coming to Jesus and is when we are truly free, and wholly loved. You are precious and of great worth.

ah, left out one very important thing. That is and you probably already know this is that we believe that Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected. He is now at the right hand of God in heaven and will one day come again, and if not before we pass, then we will pass and go and be with God forever. We will forever be learning of God, His love is infinite and though that is for the future, for now, living in this world and knowing Christ is amazing and you'll see as you read the bible the many truths about God and other things that will guide you into all truth.

God bless,
tapero

 

[Aetius]

Wow! I did not think I would receive such comprehensive responses so quickly.


Tapero:

Yes! I definitely need to familiarize myself more with Christianity (not just with Christian people). Luckily I have a Lutheran friend who said he will take me on Sunday to meet the pastor.

WarEagle:

"I wonder if you even know what Christianity is."

I've misrepresented myself! I don't claim to be a Christian, but I am deeply interested in becoming one.

Until you understand your wretchedness before God and that you are in desperate need of Christ's atonement on the cross to save you, you're not ready to be a Christian.

But there in lies the catch. How do you understand "your wretchedness before God" and that you need Christ's atonement before you are a Christian?


Criada:

You are right, if you don't give Christianity a chance, then you can't very well expect to become a Christian!

 

[WarEagle]

I've misrepresented myself! I don't claim to be a Christian, but I am deeply interested in becoming one.

I understand that, but the Christianity you say you want to embrace isn't Christianity.

Reading your post, what you don't say is more telling than what you do say.

You want to become a Christian, but there's nothing in your post about repentance or sin or dying to yourself or taking up your cross or your need for a Savior or any of the things that define Christianity.

Instead, you seem to be describing a social exercise and that's just not what Christianity is.

But there in lies the catch. How do you understand "your wretchedness before God" and that you need Christ's atonement before you are a Christian?

Look at what 2 Corinthians 7 says. It was by reading God's word and allowing the Holy Spirit to convict that the recipient came to have the Godly sorrow that brought about repentance.

 

[Criada]

I am glad you are going to meet with a pastor - it is easier to talk things over with someone in 'real life' - and quicker than waiting for responses on a message board.

War Eagle is right - repentance is the most important thing in coming to God. But - certainly in my case, that came after I had made a commitment to follow Him. It was only when I really saw what He was like that I realised what a mess I had made of things without Him... and then was able to really accept what He had done for me...

He works in different ways , because we are individuals.

God bless you.

 

[tapero]

Yes, that is so true Criada. Each person is unique in how we come to Christ and how our experiences are.

So Aetius, not to worry as God will lead you when you trust in Christ, when you believe in Him.

Many come differently than others, I think we all do.

Our walk with God starts after we come to Christ and not before, though He calls, inaudibly of course and we sense things, it is when God is in us which happens when we come to Christ, when we change, as God changes us and we change things in us as well and very
much so most often.

It really isn't until we are in the presence of God (that is as believers, God in us) that we see how we are, and when such is revealed it's fairly amazing as what it is, is now God is there and He is Holy and we are now with God and we see how we are as compares to God, which is full of sin, and we tell God our sins and ask forgivenes for them if one does or desires to do so, as God is guiding us into all truth and until the truth is revealed, by God or by reading the word, or by people talking with us, we've no clue until such occurs.

God has already forgiven all sins once one comes to Christ but when I listed off all I had ever done, I suppose it is letting out what is inside us and giving it to God and while what I listed off had no interest or desire to me, the sins I mean, I felt no condemnation (as again, already forgiven) and it's like sharing with God, yes, this is who I was and no longer am because of your change in my life.

As dark as a life I lived, there was never any condemnation from God at all (and as i wrote in other post there never is for a Christian any condemnation.)

Some say by telling God your sin, it is agreeing with God that such is sin.

So hon, there's many who will share just as we are doing what occured to them, but how things occur with you will be unique to you.

That's awesome you have a friend who is taking you to speak with a pastor.

Thanks so much for writing too!

hugs,
tapero

 

[Stormy]

I suspect that there is an easy answer here, something that I am missing. But I really want to be Christian, it's not my fault I wasn't born into the church! And maybe God will forgive me because now atleast I am actively seeking these answers.

You have already taken your first steps! The desire in you is God's call to you! And you have responded with a desire to come closer!

You have taken the leap.. Jesus will catch YOU!

You do not have to be born in a church.. we are all family.. the door is open!

 

[Sketcher]

But there in lies the catch. How do you understand "your wretchedness before God" and that you need Christ's atonement before you are a Christian?

It just happens, in a billion different ways. You cannot force it, this is a work of the Holy Spirit. I pray that you will come to that point in this lifetime.

 

[Sketcher]

The physical world cannot point to the absence of spiritual beings, sorry. God is above and beyond everything you have mentioned. He performs miracles, and why are miracles miraculous? Because they break the rules of science but they happened anyway.

 

[Sketcher]

There is recorded evidence of miracles.

 

[Digit]

Hello Aetius,

I have always admired Christians. The love, the sense of community, the ritual. I would like that to be a part of my life.

I do not think however, that I can believe.
The idea of devils and angels is suspicious to me. Really the whole story of Christianity is so similar to other, older religions, that I have doubt in regards to Christianities claims to veracity.

What more, how do I know it is the true religion? Everyone claims their religion is the true one! I can at least accept that it's the best religion. But then again, I don't think believing just because it makes you feel good is what God intended.

And the thought that God allows good people to go to hell troubles me. My best friend as a child was an Egyptian, that is, Muslim. I remember being only nine years old, and hearing from the most respected adult in the community that my little friend "Mina" would suffer unspeakable torments forever.

My conscience tells me that such a dogma could have only come from a wretchedly evil person. But if my conscience is a gift from God, how could I find the damnation of non-Christians so evil? Is the devil tricking me into thinking that things like genocide in the bible are wrong.

I suspect that there is an easy answer here, something that I am missing. But I really want to be Christian, it's not my fault I wasn't born into the church! And maybe God will forgive me because now atleast I am actively seeking these answers.

I am not sure if you are still viewing this thread, but I thought I would throw my two cents in too.

You've had a lot of good responses so far, and you struggles and concerns are not unique, I think many go through the same thing. It's great that you can recognise the good, my sincere advice is to approach this at your own pace. It's so very, very easy to get roped into adopting someone else's beliefs and ideals. Knowing God, knowing the Biblical God in your own personal way, is what being a Christian is about. There will likely come a stage when you do want to share it with others, but the initial stages are quite perilous in my opinion, as it's basically requiring you to unlearn all in your life.

WarEagle has some good points, it's not just a state of mind or anything like that, it's an acknowledgement that really, we can't get through this life by ourselves, that we are fallen, and sinful and need a way out, or we will be a slave to misery and hurt others.

It's a tough thing to acknowledge, because the world basically tells you that it's your life, do what you want, be free and so forth. Have lots of pre-marital sex, if you fall pregnant, don't worry, get an abortion, just don't mess up your life. It's easy to see the good, yet when the bad rolls in you need to demonstrate Christlike integrity, when you really want to be angry, you need to put it aside, when you want to say something bad about someone, you need to hold your tongue.

I could go on, but I don't want to rain on your parade with all the doom and gloom in the world. I really do feel that God has opened my eyes though, it's like all of a sudden I can truly see things clearly - although saying that, I think I should be careful as we each percieve reality differently.

Anyhow, I would recommend going to an Alpha course perhaps, or attending a Bible study, to get the sort of Christian-101 information, and then you can make your decision.

Cheers!
Digit

 

[Jayangel81]

Aetius i an full of joy that you want to become a Christian, in fact it brings all of us joy.

im also so happy to hear the wonderful responses from the other Christians in this thread A+

In Christ,
James

Praise the Lord

 

[AllTalkNoAction]

I have always admired Christians. The love, the sense of community, the ritual. I would like that to be a part of my life.

There's plenty of ritual in atheism - you can get party & drunk every weekend, go to a different club every night or play sport, or just watch the telly.

God wants a growing, 2-way relationship between you and him, involving other people.

I do not think however, that I can believe.
The idea of devils and angels is suspicious to me. Really the whole story of Christianity is so similar to other, older religions, that I have doubt in regards to Christianities claims to veracity.

In reality, all other religions stem from Nimrod & the tower of Babel. After his death, his mother Semiramus claimed rthat her son Tammuz was Nimrod reborn and to be worshipped.

When God scattered the people they took the Mother & child worship with them, so we find Devaki & Crisna, Isi & Iswara in India, Isis & Horus in Egypt, Shingmoo ("Holy Mother") with child in China, Indrani & child in India, Aphodie or Ceres to the Greeks, Venus mother of Jupiter to the Romans, Disa to the Scandanavians, Cubele, mother of Deoius in Asia, etc . . all regarded her as the wife of Baal, the virgin queen of heaven, who bore fruit though she never conceived.

Of course Catholocism "christianised" these ideas but God will have none of it, Revelation 17:5 speaks of "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.".

More details in the book "Babylon Mystery Religion"

Christ was preached from the beginning of time, the stars are for signs (Gen.1:14-17), the names of stars in the 12 signs God created speak the story of Jesus birth (Virgo) under law (Libra) to overcome Satan (Scorpio) through death (Capricorn) and pour out the living water (Aquarius) , gather people (Pisces) and return in power (Leo) (I've just given a brief summary).

Then Eve was given a prophescy that her son would have his heal bruised (the crucifiction) to bruise Satan's head . . then there are other prophecies through the Generations of Man (Genesis 5):-
This is the book of the generations ofAdam."man."
. . . he had a son in his own likeness, in his own image; and he named him Seth. ("appointed" to replace Abel)
. . . after Adam died men realised they were mortal . . . Enoch ("mortal")
. . . Kenan ("sorrow")
. . . Mahalalel ("praisewothy God, blessed")
. . . Jared ("come down")
. . . Enoch ("teaching")
. . . Methuselah ("death shall bring", the year after he died, the flood came)
. . . Lamech ("to the dispairing")
. . . Noah ("comfort")
"This same shall comfort us concerning our work and toil of our hands."

Man (was) appointed mortal sorrow. (The) blessed God (shall) come down teaching
(that His) death shall bring (the) despairing comfort.

" I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." (John 16:7)

What more, how do I know it is the true religion? Everyone claims their religion is the true one! I can at least accept that it's the best religion. But then again, I don't think believing just because it makes you feel good is what God intended.

God made mankind in his own image, communed with him until man's self-will came between them. The nation he chose never became as him, His Son became the perfect sacrifice to take away sin by us believing in His grace and receiving His Spirit - we can become sons & daughters of God, hearing and understanding Him, seeing him work daily, the relationship God wants.

And the thought that God allows good people to go to hell troubles me. My best friend as a child was an Egyptian, that is, Muslim. I remember being only nine years old, and hearing from the most respected adult in the community that my little friend "Mina" would suffer unspeakable torments forever.

Catholics invented the unspeakable torments doctrine to keep people by fear. However the bible says:-
Jude:1:7: Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

They are not still burning, the judgement is eternal not the torment.

My conscience tells me that such a dogma could have only come from a wretchedly evil person. But if my conscience is a gift from God, how could I find the damnation of non-Christians so evil? Is the devil tricking me into thinking that things like genocide in the bible are wrong..

Everyone has a death sentence, It's how you live not how you die that counts, Genesis 2-3 defines death as separation from God. A child that obeys God and dies is better than a 90-year old who doesn't.

I suspect that there is an easy answer here, something that I am missing. But I really want to be Christian, it's not my fault I wasn't born into the church! And maybe God will forgive me because now atleast I am actively seeking these answers.

No-one is born into God's church!
You have to be born again by receiving God's Spirit as detailed in Acts 2:4, 33, 39; 10:44-46 etc.

 

[LJSGM]

I have always admired Christians. The love, the sense of community, the ritual. I would like that to be a part of my life.

I do not think however, that I can believe.
The idea of devils and angels is suspicious to me. Really the whole story of Christianity is so similar to other, older religions, that I have doubt in regards to Christianities claims to veracity.

What more, how do I know it is the true religion? Everyone claims their religion is the true one! I can at least accept that it's the best religion. But then again, I don't think believing just because it makes you feel good is what God intended.

And the thought that God allows good people to go to hell troubles me. My best friend as a child was an Egyptian, that is, Muslim. I remember being only nine years old, and hearing from the most respected adult in the community that my little friend "Mina" would suffer unspeakable torments forever.

My conscience tells me that such a dogma could have only come from a wretchedly evil person. But if my conscience is a gift from God, how could I find the damnation of non-Christians so evil? Is the devil tricking me into thinking that things like genocide in the bible are wrong.

I suspect that there is an easy answer here, something that I am missing. But I really want to be Christian, it's not my fault I wasn't born into the church! And maybe God will forgive me because now atleast I am actively seeking these answers.

Just because christians say that there is eternal torment doesn't mean that it's true. If you have a look yourself, like I did, the scriptures never mention a everlasting "torment," but they do mention an everlasting destruction. Quite often actually. What does Jesus mean when he says that we will inherit eternal "life," as opposed to what? Eternal death?

Just trying to help out a little.

Just as others have said, becoming born again is not done by intellect alone. It is supernatural, and all of us can testify to it.

 

[Digit]

Guys, I don't think this is the place for debate about these things.

My personal view is that of LGSGM too, but I would encourage the OP to actually look for herself and make her own conclusions. I don't think they should accept a view because it is popular, they should instead accept one that they believe in and find to be most acceptable based on what is presented to them.

Cheers,
Digit

 

[Catherineanne]

I have always admired Christians. The love, the sense of community, the ritual. I would like that to be a part of my life.

I do not think however, that I can believe.

The prayer we have for such times is: "Lord, I believe; help thou my unbelief." Mark 9:24 We all need this prayer, sometimes.

The idea of devils and angels is suspicious to me. Really the whole story of Christianity is so similar to other, older religions, that I have doubt in regards to Christianities claims to veracity.

What more, how do I know it is the true religion? Everyone claims their religion is the true one! I can at least accept that it's the best religion. But then again, I don't think believing just because it makes you feel good is what God intended.

It is not a matter of finding the best religion, or the most believable set of mythologies. It is a matter of finding a God who is true to you; whose spirituality matches your own. Finding such a God is like coming home.

And the thought that God allows good people to go to hell troubles me.

Then do not have such a God. Some Christians do, some do not. I personally do not. I find the idea of a vengeful, sadistic God incompatible with God in Christ.

My conscience tells me that such a dogma could have only come from a wretchedly evil person. But if my conscience is a gift from God, how could I find the damnation of non-Christians so evil? Is the devil tricking me into thinking that things like genocide in the bible are wrong.

No, your common sense is telling you what many other Christians already know; that God does not delight in genocide, and does not condone killing of any kind.

I suspect that there is an easy answer here, something that I am missing. But I really want to be Christian, it's not my fault I wasn't born into the church! And maybe God will forgive me because now atleast I am actively seeking these answers.

Forget the complicated bits. Look at Christ, and what he says, does and teaches. That will tell you all that you need to know.

I wish you well.

 

[hlaltimus]

This isn't a perfect world, and that truth of premise must universally affect the quality of anything and everything that is physically a part of this terrestrial world. Everything we do...Everywhere we go, everything we touch and our most stringent, disciplined thoughts are marred by imperfections. We could climb up into and hide in caves just to escape the flawed, inconsistent beings below with their flawed beliefs and actions, but soon we would be finding imperfections within our very cave and our life while in it. You just cannot escape this while living anywhere in this lower world. God allows us to live in such a world as this because this dispensation was meant to cultivate in us a desire for another, better and perfect world which world Christ provides us access to and all feely and by faith.
It is a personal judgment which you must come to of your own free will and reckoning and I hope that whatever you do decide upon will join both you and myself up together forever in that other, perfectly unflawed world...Heaven. This choice will present a problem, (though a solvable one,) in that if you should choose to follow the faith of someone, (a wild illustration here!) who believes in worshipping trees, that "tree worshipper's" experience will no doubt present you with both qualities and disqualities of character somewhat both attracting and yet repelling to you in effect. If you suppose, for the sake of argument, that the Christian faith is the right faith, this truth must also follow you into that correct religion just as it would likewise follow you into a dozen or so false faiths. Church organizations could be named here which have both successfully preached the Christian faith to the lost at one time and then persecuted it in others at another.
The Christian is mystically united to a perfect God, has obtained legally an inheritance yet to be realized in a perfect heaven, is currently a fellow citizen with the perfected saints above and also enjoys the ministrations of God's perfect angels while traveling through this world and unto the next. I must groan, tolerate and forgive much that I find within the bounds of my Christian faith, but I have the consoling assurance that it is the imperfect road of a sanctified christian experience that will one day join me up with that other perfect and celestial city.

 

[TexasSky]

I have always admired Christians. The love, the sense of community, the ritual. I would like that to be a part of my life.

I do not think however, that I can believe.
The idea of devils and angels is suspicious to me. Really the whole story of Christianity is so similar to other, older religions, that I have doubt in regards to Christianities claims to veracity.

What more, how do I know it is the true religion? Everyone claims their religion is the true one! I can at least accept that it's the best religion. But then again, I don't think believing just because it makes you feel good is what God intended.

And the thought that God allows good people to go to hell troubles me. My best friend as a child was an Egyptian, that is, Muslim. I remember being only nine years old, and hearing from the most respected adult in the community that my little friend "Mina" would suffer unspeakable torments forever.

My conscience tells me that such a dogma could have only come from a wretchedly evil person. But if my conscience is a gift from God, how could I find the damnation of non-Christians so evil? Is the devil tricking me into thinking that things like genocide in the bible are wrong.

I suspect that there is an easy answer here, something that I am missing. But I really want to be Christian, it's not my fault I wasn't born into the church! And maybe God will forgive me because now atleast I am actively seeking these answers.

Would you do me a favor?

Would you get a good bible, and read the words of Christ in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.

They are easy to find in most bibles. They are written in red.

Don't worry about what others tell you.

Don't worry about "heaven and hell" or "angels and demons".

Focus on the words of Christ.