So... I guess I'm lost.

[Watson115]

I guess I just want to know what the truth is.

I've always been an atheist, pretty much. But I don't debate religion. I just don't know it. And I don't know, I feel like it doesn't make sense, or it feels like God isn't possible. With all these different things telling me its impossible, including my own mind.

I tried praying maybe once or twice. Just to see if God would actually say something back, or if I'd feel something, or whatever. But He didn't, and I didn't, and it just didn't work out. People talk about God's love but I don't really see it.

I don't know. I guess I'm not really sure where I stand.

I want to do the right thing. And I know if Hell exists it's not a place I want to end up. But how do I make myself believe?

 

[Marycita]

I tried praying maybe once or twice. Just to see if God would actually say something back, or if I'd feel something, or whatever. But He didn't, and I didn't, and it just didn't work out. People talk about God's love but I don't really see it.

I think it's important to realize that God will not necessarily talk back or answer in the way you want or expect Him to. But He always responds...And you're not always going to feel something when you pray - it's not about emotions - though sometimes they are included.

I encourage you to continue praying - and keep your eyes and heart open - He answers in so many different ways.

I also encourage you to read the Bible, if you don't already - a lot of what He wants to say to you is in there.

I'll be praying for you

 

[Lukaris]

I can only post briefly but much of what Christ is about is to help us realize about right and wrong, that He is God and also the Son of God the Father brought by God the Holy Spirit. His life, death by crucifixion, and resurrection are to account for our shortcomings of our sins because we can never properly love in this life (although we must try of course) and by asking for His forgiveness we will be forgiven in the eternal afterlife. He is our mediator and intercessor before God the Father (see Timothy 2:5). You can find much instruction of our uncertain condition, the standard of judgement, the uncertainty of a future without Him by reading Romans 1 & 2. A quick summary of the Gospel can be found in Mark 12 (see esp. vs 29-34 re the law of love) and read Matthew 5, 6, & 7 (the sermon on the mount). From here I would recommend reading Romans 10 & focus on verses 9-13. One should always read the Gospels with St. Paul's letters. Please note within the scriptures above we have our savior's word that He will judge people righteously and not necessarily send an individual to hell even if the individual could not properly know or realize Him but based on the individual's living in relation to right and wrong; see the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12, Romans 2:6 and 2:11-16 esp. The scenario of judgment is illustrated in Matthew 25:31-46 in the parable of sheep and goats; many of people who probably did not know or understand Christ but He determines as worthy. This is the high risk scenario to those who did not know Christ in their lives and hope you will come to know Jesus Christ as our savior to avoid uncertainty. Of course, receiving Jesus Christ as Lord and savior is to keep His commands (as best we can, He knows we are not perfect but we must strive; see John 14:23). See also the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10:25-37. For a teaching on our souls, spirits, and resurrection see also 1 Corinthians 15 and may God bless you.

 

[aiki]

I guess I just want to know what the truth is.

I've always been an atheist, pretty much. But I don't debate religion. I just don't know it. And I don't know, I feel like it doesn't make sense, or it feels like God isn't possible. With all these different things telling me its impossible, including my own mind.

Well, which seems more possible to you: The universe came in to existence from nothing, or the universe was made by a Creator? There is a statement that is often repeated in philosophical circles: Ex nihilo, nihilo fit, which means, "out of nothing, nothing comes." Scientists, too, tell us, "All cells come from pre-existing cells." We understand from such statements that it is impossible for nothing to bring forth something. This is what atheists must believe, however, when they deny that there is a Creator who made the universe. They must believe that the impossible has occurred when they posit a universe that arose out of nothing.

It seems to me far more rational to acknowledge a Source out of which the universe came into being. But that Source cannot be of the stuff of the universe, for then you are left asking the same question about the Source: Where did it come from? The Source must be as unlike the universe as a Potter is to the pots he makes, or the painter, the paintings he makes.

What would the Maker of the universe have to be like? One can find a perfect description of Him in the Bible: Uncaused, infinite, all-powerful, unchanging, and personal. All of these characteristics are vital to the nature of the Source of the universe. Here's a brief explanation of what I'm talking about:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w1Y6ev152BA

I tried praying maybe once or twice. Just to see if God would actually say something back, or if I'd feel something, or whatever. But He didn't, and I didn't, and it just didn't work out.

Talking to God (or praying, if you like) isn't just like talking to some human person. He's God, the perfectly holy, all-powerful Creator and Sovereign of the Universe! It seems to me pretty obvious that this should have some bearing upon how you approach talking to Him. Do you think its appropriate to talk to God insincerely, or casually, or to test Him? I don't.

People talk about God's love but I don't really see it.

Oh? How's this, exactly?

I don't know. I guess I'm not really sure where I stand.

Are you asking us to tell you where you stand from a Christian perspective?

I want to do the right thing. And I know if Hell exists it's not a place I want to end up. But how do I make myself believe?

How do you make yourself believe? Well, how do you make yourself believe the impossible idea that everything came from nothing, which is what you must believe if you deny God exists? Do you believe in love, or integrity, or courage? You can't put any of these things in a test tube and study them. You can't taste integrity, or smell courage, or hear love, but they exist, nonetheless. Why is it so hard to believe these intangible, these physically imperceptible things exist and God does not?

The Bible is pretty blunt about why people suppress the knowledge of God in their hearts and minds:

John 3:19-20
19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.

Romans 1:20-25
20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,
21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
22 Professing to be wise, they became fools,
23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves,
25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Peace.

 

[seashale76]

Watson,

Christianity is a faith that must be lived. It isn't something that one can simply have an intellectual assent to- though that is a start. You need to come and see what we're all about.

Seriously, find a church to visit. Here's a list of Orthodox churches in North America:
Orthodoxy in America

IF you wish to save your soul and win eternal life, arise from your lethargy, make the sign of the Cross and say:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Faith comes not through pondering but through action. Not words and speculation but experience teaches us what God is. To let in fresh air we have to open a window; to get tanned we must go out into the sunshine. Achieving faith is no different; we never reach a goal by just sitting in comfort and waiting, say the holy Fathers. Let the Prodigal Son be our example. He arose and came (Luke 15:20).

However weighed down and entangled in earthly fetters you may be, it can never be too late. Not without reason is it written that Abraham was seventy-five when he set forth, and the labourer who comes in the eleventh hour gets the same wages as the one who comes in the first.

Nor can it be too early. A forest fire cannot be put out too soon; would you see your soul ravaged and charred?

In baptism you received the command to wage the invisible warfare against the enemies of your soul; take it up now. Long enough have you dallied; sunk in indifference and laziness you have let much valuable time go to waste. Therefore you must begin again from the beginning: for you have let the purity you received in baptism be sullied in dire fashion.

Arise, then; but do so at once, without delay. Do not defer your purpose till "tonight" or "tomorrow" or "later, when I have finished what I have to do just now." The interval may be fatal.

~ Tito Colliander from Way of the Ascetics

 

[JasperJackson]

Hi Watson,

You just need to learn about God, so you can really know him. And you're here seeking him, so you've made a good start. A major part of this is to read the Bible. I suggest starting with John's gospel - it's a biography of Jesus life and is good for beginners. If you don't have your own Bible you can read it online here.

Also, do you have any Christian friends, whose church you can visit?

 

[AMR]

But how do I make myself believe?

It starts by realizing that you cannot make yourself believe. God is the one who calls you. The Good News is relatively simple:

The Good News: Romans 3:23; 6:23; 8:1; 10:9; 10:13

Romans 3:23
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 8:1
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Romans 10:9
that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

Romans 10:13
For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."

AMR