My opinion :S

[Black_Sheep]

Ok lately i have been thinking about the overall reason to belive in... well anything. and the only thing i have been able to come up with is:

People feel the need to belive in a god (or whatever) for a sense of security, truth, reason for existance etc. I feel that the reason so many people belive in a god is because they need to fill the void, to answer the question "who?" "Who created me? Who am i living for?" and why "Why am i here? Why do i do the things to i do?" i feel people convince themselves that there is some sort of god, or higher being and this is a form of comfort. Everyone needs a reason for their actions, a reason to live and a purpose for life. Most can't accept the fact that we live, try to live a happy life and then die.

Now if this is true, than really is it worth all the sacrifices God and religion asks of you? I am not saying that people who belive in God or religion don't recieve anything from it, it does give you a defined set of guidelines and rules that help enrich your life, and it does give you a sense of purpose.... but in the end how do i know that it is worth it? for the feeling of satisfaction in fullfilling the needs of my "god" is that it? for the hope that after i die i won't just rot in my grave, or in hell?

Sorry i know i'm being a confusing B**** (excuse me) but is it worth it? What do you really gain from religion?

 

[crossrunner]

I gain nothing from "religion" at all. Its only man's attempt to get to God. I gain a lot from my relationship with Jesus Christ. I have peace, joy and a sense of never having to go through things alone. He's always with me, comforting me. I gain salvation through His gift of grace. My life with Jesus has been interesting, enriching, stimulating, sometimes tough (He never promised it would be easy) and so full of joy (not the emotion necessarily but the inner joy that a believer and follower of Christ is given through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit). My relationship with Christ is God reaching out to me...to me! He loves me that much! Praise God and may He bless you and give you joy and peace.

 

[TheMainException]

I don't believe that "relgion" can give me anything.....not one bit....I believe that Jesus Christ, by father, can give me all things. It's something that you gotta feel.....once you do....don't let go.

 

[refitor]

I agree with crossrunner. Additionally, I believe that the Bible is God's Word, but do not simply follow man's interpretations. Also, I am a former atheist and have trouble thinking non-analytically. Consequently, I may have had a lot of thoughts/feelings that you are having. There is a book that may help "Letters From a Skeptic", by Boyd & Boyd 1994 (~$5-10 new/used, amazon.com). In a way it would be nice if we could prove (at least beyond a reasonable doubt-science) that God exists, but this is not within abilities. Although there are good pieces of reliable evidence of Jesus' life, etc. (see Boyd & Boyd 1994), ultimately, it comes down to faith.

I apologize for the short response. I wrote a lengthy, detailed & juicy response, only to accidentally press the back button on my mouse

 

[Black_Sheep]

OK than ignore the word religion... what exactly is so great about being a christian and knowing god? other than the obvious answers.... and how do you KNOW anything is really changing. ... how do you know that you're not just convincing yourself that because you've "met" and developed a relation ship with god everything is going the way he wants or knows it should be? What if the idea that god IS there is just a subconsious thing that people convince themselves in order to belive what they are doing is right?

 

[Jesusfan4ever]

Religion doesn't give you anything. A relationship with Jesus Christ is what fills the void & gives you the love, peace & joy that you're looking for. John 10:10 & 11: The thief comes only to kill steal and destroy I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
Jesusfan4ever
............. ...............................................................................................................
God is AWESOME

 

[Black_Sheep]

for some reason no one seems to have a proper answer what about THESE questions?

Now if this is true, than really is it worth all the sacrifices God and religion asks of you?

in the end how do i know that it is worth it? for the feeling of satisfaction in fullfilling the needs of my "god" is that it? for the hope that after i die i won't just rot in my grave, or in hell?

I don't want to know the wonderfullthings "god" does for you....

i want to know :

what exactly is so great about being a christian and knowing god? other than the obvious answers.... and how do you KNOW anything is really changing. ... how do you know that you're not just convincing yourself that because you've "met" and developed a relation ship with god everything is going the way he wants or knows it should be? What if the idea that god IS there is just a subconsious thing that people convince themselves in order to belive what they are doing is right?

I DONT WANT TO KNOW THE WONDERFULL THINGS "HES" DONE -.- I WANT TO KNOW HOW DO YOU KNOW IT'S HIM? AND NOT YOURSELF YET YOU CONVINCE YOURSELF THAT IT IS THE WORK OF GOD AND NOT JUST SOME GOOD DECISION YOU MAKE WITH THE IDEA OF GOD IN MIND?

-Not mad just frustrated , still love you all and thanks for taking the time to read/reply
.∙:*Black Sheep*:∙.

 

[Rafael]

You speak as though you could create this consciousness you possess and then create life and a design so complex the mathematics that it could happen by accident are deep into the impossibility zone of reality...! Where does this pride of life come from I have to wonder? It comes from the same place mine did, as an inheritance of sin and death. The Bible says that man is born this way, and by the looks of things I have to agree that men are about to wipe themselves off the face of the earth by greed for power or from their own selfishness and filth.
Yet not one thing of this beautiful and complex life comes from our hands. As a matter of fact, what could replace a hand or an eye or consciousness of your being? Nothing but the One who created it with such awesome design, and then gave us a mouth to either give thanks for it or curse Him in unbelief. He leaves it up to us to either speak life or death, light or darkness.
Proof of God? It is like living in a forrest and not seeing the trees to deny the creation one stands in the middle of and enjoys.
Benefits? Peace that surpasses understanding is just one, and the joy of having a Redeemer from the curse of sin and death is another. Death certainly has no sting to those who follow after Jesus, the first of many brethren to be raised to new eternal life.
Usually, there is a motivation to not wanting to know the light and the truth of God, and it is because the darkness is preferred where men do not have to reveal their deeds and selfishnesses in life. Instead of a life of giving or true Agape love, it spent blaming God for the thousands that go naked and hungry everyday when the blood is on our own hands for inaction and lack of true love. The same goes for a generation of children murdered because they were inconvenient. What monsters like this deserve God's forgiveness and a Savior like Jesus to take their shame and guilt upon Himself, yet that is what He has done.
With life alone as witness, every man knows there is God instinctively, but the truth gets traded for a lie when the enemy is listened to and the pride of life takes over. Proud of what? What does man have to be proud of?

I JOHN 3:16-19 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with ACTIONS and TRUTH. This then is how we KNOW that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence whenever our hearts condemn us.

Joh 3:19 Their judgment is based on this fact: The light from heaven came into the world, but they loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.

 

[refitor]

I think what Black_Sheep would like is "evidence" as best as can be provided. Although miracles, clear answers to prayer, etc. can be dismissed as simply hersay, these may help. For example, how probable was it that someone could have survived this extreme car crash without a seatbeat that you did (contrived example), in addition to the other extremely improbable things that you've experienced. Or what other sorts of "evidence" can we provide?

Regardless, faith, by definition cannot be proven.

 

[Black_Sheep]

Wow i'd like to thank you all for so much... you have given me alot to think about and i am done for the night... i'll be back later with more questions (which no doubt will come) and i will seek your insight. Thanks very much to everyone who took the time to read and post back to me...

Maybe one more thing: Where in the bible does it talk about Self-hate, suicide, selfworth or... related themes... (nothing implied with this... it's just something i've looked for in a while) if anyone wished to get to know me more, or to become my "buddy" where we can share ideas or thoughts... i would so greatly appriciate that thankyou.

.∙:*Black Sheep*:∙.

 

[WashedClean]

I love answering questions of honest seekers, and I believe you are one of them. May I ask you a question first? Why does your icon say you are a Bapist? Is that how you were raised? Just curious...

As far as self-worth, self-esteem, I get mine from Christ. Knowing God loved me enough to die for me and wanted a relationship with me, shows that I"m valuable to Him. I will never, in this lifetime, understand why. I have nothing to offer but my heart. Since God doesn't need my love, I can only assume it's by his good pleasure that he saved me. Hallelujah!

I've had too many answers to prayer, too many convictions in my heart to deny that it's God, and not my desire to "need" a god. It would be much easier to go through life not acknowledging him and his awesome power. It takes a humble spirit to believe and accept Christ. But I can only say that God blessed me with saving faith. I cannot take credit for one iota of my salvation.

Have you asked the living God to reveal Himself to you? How much of the Bible have you read?

Hope this helps. God bless you as you seek him...

WashedClean

 

[LegomasterJC]

It isn't just some subcontious thing when someone's twisted and broken leg is straightened and healed.

 

[Black_Sheep]

OK here is a litte about myself so all can understanbd where im comming from a bit better.

I currently live in a Christian home, my parent's are christian (baptist) it's always been this way. I've always gone to church, answered the sunday school questions, gone to youth group and retreats etc.

However lately i have started asking why? Doing a full look at my past i realize that although one day in my youth group i did accept jesus into my life i never really felt a change or did change. I'm not saying my prayers were never answered and i never got anything out of the weekly lessons.... but i was never a "rest of the week christian" it seemed to end when i left the sunday service. And lately just singing to god in church has been a struggle. I just don't understand or see the purpose. Nothing ever changes in my life no matter what i ask for or how i ask for it. I am very blessed to have a loving family , but at the same time i see my non-christian friends having just as great a time. So... i started wondering... is it all worth it? do i really need to belive everything when in my life i never seem to see anything. I haven't prayed properly in a long time... and at first i though... if i stop my regular prayers then of course i will notice a difference in my life because the little answers to prayers i take for granted will suddenly stop... of course this never actually happened so... i start to wonder... is it because god isn't ready to give up on me... (not that i've ever been taught he would) or is it simply because he never WAS answering any of my prayers, so to stop praying makes no difference. I have sincerely asked god for signs of his existance (the whole flock of the sheep being rained on without the ground being wet stuff) but nothing ever comes.
I've even attened talkings of... Ravi Zacharais (sp? ) and Tony Campollo (sp? ) Two very famous christian motivational speakers and still nothing strikes me...

In a few weeks i will be heading on another "outreach camp thing" and i sincerely hope something will hit a soft spot with me.

I'm totally about to give up....

-Sorry for my bull thanks for reading it anyway

.∙:*Black Sheep*:∙.

 

[LegomasterJC]

Proverbs would be a good one to read for you... The whole thing not just a chapter. Take it all into context.
It is all dust in the wind.
Until you completely give your life to God, you will not change very much and you will not be a rest of the weak Christian unless you choose to be.
But do not be decieved into thinking that God is not there and it is all in our heads.
There are way too many documented healings of incurable diseases and wounds by prayer. Decide you want more of God. Ask Him to show Himself to you. Recieve it.

 

[Black_Sheep]

hmm....
.∙:*Black Sheep*:∙.

 

[LegomasterJC]

Asking God to show Himself in His way is different and better than asking Him to show Himself by doing some wild thing like in the Old Testament days.

 

[GodFlute2]

The fact that we need something to hold on to or someone to look up to isn't quite accurate. Some atheists don't "believe" in anything. Being Atheists is a religion, just not one that worships a supernatural being. [Sorry, I'm a bit nit-picky about that type of thing.]

Do I gain anything from religion? I don't know. I've not been dead. I've not seen Heaven or Hell. I can't say. Religion is a delicate matter of faith. If you believe you know Heaven or God or Hell is there, if you don't believe then you think they aren't there. Both can't be right...only time will tell.

 

[Black_Sheep]

Yes i have thought about that too, i've wondered but then again what if i'm wrong? what if there is a god and i waste my life ignoreing him only to find out that's my downfall at the very end?... of course this question alone doesn't want me to start immediatly accepting god and all that but yes it is something to ponder...

What did you mean by "ask god to show himself to you?"​

On that note... if god where there and i was making a mistake in how to see him... for atleast 5 years... and the bible says that he wants to be with us... he loves us and died for us blah blah blah... wouldn't, if he truly wanted to get closer to me, ignored the fact that i wasn't going about seeking him right... or atleast corrected me some how... like someone says "hey i think what you're doing is wrong" or something like that? why would he let me screw up for so long... how could he just ignore me if he knew my intentions?

-Sorry for overloading on the Questions

.∙:*Black Sheep*:∙.​

 

[WashedClean]

What did you mean by "ask god to show himself to you?"On that note... if god where there and i was making a mistake in how to see him... for atleast 5 years... and the bible says that he wants to be with us... he loves us and died for us blah blah blah... wouldn't, if he truly wanted to get closer to me, ignored the fact that i wasn't going about seeking him right... or atleast corrected me some how... like someone says "hey i think what you're doing is wrong" or something like that? why would he let me screw up for so long... how could he just ignore me if he knew my intentions?

-Sorry for overloading on the Questions

.∙:*Black Sheep*:∙.​

You're asking great questions, and I can't say I have all the answers, but God does. You need to seek Him ACTIVELY. He isn't going to reveal Himself to you in a burning bush. Have you tried serving Him in a soup kitchen or something along those lines? Spend some time with others who are Christians, both your age and older. I assure you, God will reveal Himself in them. I'm sure you've already heard this too, but you need to read the Bible. I would suggest Ecclesiastes. The author struggled with the same questions you're having. Also, listen to praise and worship music. I know you said you're struggling with this, but find some music you enjoy and maybe that will change.

It's good that you're still interested in God. How do you feel about Jesus? Is He real to you? Personal? Or just a myth? Somewhere in between maybe? If you spend time in the body of Christ, with real LOVING and honest believers, you will see Jesus. We are His hands and feet. I've been around born-again Christians and been touched by God, and then I've been with spirit-filled, on-fire Christians and you can't help but feel the love of God. I'm not saying the others aren't saved, but they just may not be filled with the Holy Spirit in the same way. I know because I'm struggling with it myself.

Sorry, got off on a tangent there. Hope this helps a bit!

 

[Black_Sheep]

well for the past few days i have been really praying actively... which is so strange for me.... and im still not sure exactly what it is im praying for ... I spend alot of time just writting out prayers... that kind of just talk about whatever enters my head, my struggles my worries and fears.... everything....maybe i'm just being impatient but it's all so discouraging... i actually went to church today.... and i spent the whole time praying once again... is it possible to pray wrong?

He isn't going to reveal Himself to you in a burning bush.

I never thought about it that way... maybe i am waiting for him to come to me... when that's not how it works.... but... grrr... it's so confusing i pray and then i wait, grow impatient and pray some more.... does god ever ignore prayers? I know he doesn't always fullfill your requests in a way in which you always want it, mainly because he knows what is best for you (right?) but... why would he ignore me asking for guidance, for him to show himself to me?