some questions I have

[I_are_sceptical]

Christians keep telling me that my religion is false, and that I should give it up and follow Jesus instead. How do I go about finding out for certain what God wants me to believe?

 

[we5frogs]

Go to the Book! The Bible is the 'final answer'!

 

[ScottishJohn]

Well I would say you are taking the first step by asking other Christians, other helpful things to do would be to read the bible, (try one of the gospels), and pray about it.

 

[I_are_sceptical]

Go to the Book! The Bible is the 'final answer'!

I profess a non-Christian religion, and we have our own Scriptures. Please present evidence that the Bible is the final answer, which would mean that the Scriptures of my faith are false teachings.

 

[ScottishJohn]

I profess a non-Christian religion, and we have our own Scriptures. Please present evidence that the Bible is the final answer, which would mean that the Scriptures of my faith are false teachings.

I don't think you are ever going to scientifically prove any faith. If you are interested in Christianity then the best way to make up your mind is to read some of the Christian Scriptures and see what you think.

What religion are you?

 

[I_are_sceptical]

Well I would say you are taking the first step by asking other Christians

I've been asking Christians for many years. They seem reluctant to answer.

other helpful things to do would be to read the bible, (try one of the gospels)

Do you think I should give a fair and equal hearing to what my religion says, or disregard it completely?

and pray about it.

I did, in late 1976. The guidance I received as a result of that prayer led directly to the non-Christian religion I currently belong to.

Christians have said to me that God's guidance would lead only to Christianity. My experience is different. What are your thoughts about what happened?

 

[I_are_sceptical]

What religion are you?

I belong to the Baha'i Faith.

I don't think you are ever going to scientifically prove any faith.

I can't guarantee my methods were scientific, but I got answers to all my questions, after seven years of study.

So far no Christian has been willing to answer my questions for seven years and show me why I should give up my religion.

If you are interested in Christianity then the best way to make up your mind is to read some of the Christian Scriptures and see what you think.

I've read the Bible. Also Christian apologetics, to see what Christians believe and why, and books on cults, to see how Christians say I should discern what is false. I have also read some essays and went to a lecture specifically against the Baha'i Faith.

I've looked at both sides, and the evidence seems to point in a particular direction. What I can't figure out is why Christians keep telling me that they are right and years of study has misled me.

 

[ScottishJohn]

I've been asking Christians for many years. They seem reluctant to answer.

Well I can't speak for other Christians, but for me people actually interested in Christianity are like golddust.

Do you think I should give a fair and equal hearing to what my religion says, or disregard it completely?

I think you should compare what one says with the other. See where they agree, see where they disagree and why. I wouldn't advocate disregarding anything until you have found something better, something that you think gives you a reason to disregard something else. Questions are important and are there to be answered.

I did, in late 1976. The guidance I received as a result of that prayer led directly to the non-Christian religion I currently belong to.

Christians have said to me that God's guidance would lead only to Christianity. My experience is different. What are your thoughts about what happened?

I'm not sure. Its difficult for me to say without you being more specific (if you are comfortable with that?).

 

[I_are_sceptical]

Well I can't speak for other Christians, but for me people actually interested in Christianity are like golddust.

Thank you.

I think you should compare what one says with the other. See where they agree, see where they disagree and why. I wouldn't advocate disregarding anything until you have found something better, something that you think gives you a reason to disregard something else.

I did exactly that, long years ago.

Questions are important and are there to be answered.

Good. I've got lots of questions.

I'm not sure. Its difficult for me to say without you being more specific (if you are comfortable with that?).

Yes, I'm comfortable with that. But what did I say that was not specific enough?

 

[ScottishJohn]

I belong to the Baha'i Faith.

I'm afraid I'm pretty ignorant of the Baha'i Faith. In fact I only heard of it last week! :o

I can't guarantee my methods were scientific, but I got answers to all my questions, after seven years of study.

So far no Christian has been willing to answer my questions for seven years and show me why I should give up my religion.

Well there are two things I would like to know. What are some of the specific questions you have been looking for answers to? And, with the greatest of respect, why is it that, when you are convinced of the truth of your faith, and have obviously put in a great deal of study into coming to that point, you are still listening to the opinions of people who believe something that you have studied and appear to have found wanting? I encounter people who believe different things all the time, but while I find their beliefs interesting, and enjoy discussion with them, I am firm in what I believe. Not only because of what I read in the Bible, but also because I believe I am in a living relationship with Christ. I can look back through my life and see how God has been at work in my life, in the decisions I have made through prayer, in the bad things that have happened tome, yet have turned out to be part of essential preparation for something I have to do in the future. Its not just a case of seeing the truth in what is written in the bible, but also feeling the truth of what I see happening in my life. There is a point where it goes beyond the realm of the intelectual world and into the spiritual world.

I've read the Bible. Also Christian apologetics, to see what Christians believe and why, and books on cults, to see how Christians say I should discern what is false. I have also read some essays and went to a lecture specifically against the Baha'i Faith.

I've looked at both sides, and the evidence seems to point in a particular direction. What I can't figure out is why Christians keep telling me that they are right and years of study has misled me.

Well I can only guess that the Christians you have spoken to are convinced of the truth of Christianity because of similar reasons to the ones above.
At the end of the day it is your decision.

 

[ScottishJohn]

Yes, I'm comfortable with that. But what did I say that was not specific enough?

Well, what did you pray? In what way did you pray like what did you say? Who did you address your prayers to? And how did you feel they were answered? Was it just one prayer or a series of prayers?

 

[nyomie]

just go to the B-I-B-L-E!! god wants u to read his word!! and God will show u u just have to trust and belive in him!!! it will all work out!



nyomie

Christians keep telling me that my religion is false, and that I should give it up and follow Jesus instead. How do I go about finding out for certain what God wants me to believe?

 

[I_are_sceptical]

What are some of the specific questions you have been looking for answers to?

To start off, what evidence can Christians provide that God wants me to be a Christian instead of belonging to a different religion?

why is it that, when you are convinced of the truth of your faith, and have obviously put in a great deal of study into coming to that point, you are still listening to the opinions of people who believe something that you have studied and appear to have found wanting?

Christians are constantly walking up to me on the street, or knocking on my door, and telling me that I must give up my religion. Yet when I ask them to prove to my complete satisfaction that God agrees with them, they have no answers. I'm here at CF to keep asking.

Also, no Christian will ever be able to say I did not give them their opportunity to convert me.

At the end of the day it is your decision.

If all Christians agreed with this, I would not need to seek answers.

 

[I_are_sceptical]

just go to the B-I-B-L-E!! god wants u to read his word!! and God will show u u just have to trust and belive in him!!! it will all work out!



nyomie

Thank you.

 

[I_are_sceptical]

Well, what did you pray? In what way did you pray like what did you say?

As near as I can remember, these are the exact words: "God, I want to follow You, not a group of people. Show me what YOU want me to believe."

Who did you address your prayers to?

It never occurred to me that my prayers would go anywhere other than to the One True God.

And how did you feel they were answered?

After praying I began to look at what both sides had to say. All of the evidence supported one side. I think that was guidance from God.

Was it just one prayer or a series of prayers?

Just one. I never felt I needed more.

 

[ScottishJohn]

To start off, what evidence can Christians provide that God wants me to be a Christian instead of belonging to a different religion?

Well the evidence I have comes from the bible and personal experience, so I suppose it could be accused of being somewhat circular, but I think in religion all you have to go on are the scriptures for that religion and the experience of those who follow it so I'm not sure what other kind of evidence I could offer.

Words of Jesus in Johns Gospel Chapter 14:

6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

Again from Jesus this time Matthews Gospel Chapter 19:

16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" 17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." 18"Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19honor your father and mother,'[d] and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'[e]" 20"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" 21Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.


The much toted John 3:16 :

16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[f] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.[g]


These are some of the verses that convince me that following Christ is the only way to salvation.

Christians are constantly walking up to me on the street, or knocking on my door, and telling me that I must give up my religion. Yet when I ask them to prove to my complete satisfaction that God agrees with them, they have no answers. I'm here at CF to keep asking.

Also, no Christian will ever be able to say I did not give them their opportunity to convert me.

I still don't understand why you care what they think?

If all Christians agreed with this, I would not need to seek answers.

I don't see how any Christian can disagree with that? The whole point is God has given us free will: We can choose to follow him or choose not to.

 

[ScottishJohn]

As near as I can remember, these are the exact words: "God, I want to follow You, not a group of people. Show me what YOU want me to believe."

It never occurred to me that my prayers would go anywhere other than to the One True God.

After praying I began to look at what both sides had to say. All of the evidence supported one side. I think that was guidance from God.

Just one. I never felt I needed more.

Well the only thing I can say is that prayer is important, especially when making these kinds of decisions. I think it is important to regularly come before God, explain how you feel, and then hand everything to him, say 'your will be done'. Prayer is a way in which we grow in our faith, we learn what Gods will is. Frequently when I have been praying over a specific problem the solution comes to me. Others would describe that as coincidence, I see it as an answer to prayer, (plus it happens to often to be coincidence), not always tha answer I want, but then I don't know best.

 

[I_are_sceptical]

Well the evidence I have comes from the bible and personal experience, so I suppose it could be accused of being somewhat circular, but I think in religion all you have to go on are the scriptures for that religion and the experience of those who follow it so I'm not sure what other kind of evidence I could offer.

Words of Jesus in Johns Gospel Chapter 14:

6Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 7If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him."

Again from Jesus this time Matthews Gospel Chapter 19:

16Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" 17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." 18"Which ones?" the man inquired. Jesus replied, " 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19honor your father and mother,'[d] and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'[e]" 20"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" 21Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.


The much toted John 3:16 :

16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[f] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.[g]


These are some of the verses that convince me that following Christ is the only way to salvation.

Okay, my religion makes claims too. Are those claims just as valid as what Jesus says?

I still don't understand why you care what they think?

If they would leave me alone, I wouldn't care. As long as Christians try to change my beliefs, I will discuss it with them.

I don't see how any Christian can disagree with that?

Some do disagree. They don't believe in us non-Christians having freedom of religion.

Well the only thing I can say is that prayer is important, especially when making these kinds of decisions. I think it is important to regularly come before God, explain how you feel, and then hand everything to him, say 'your will be done'. Prayer is a way in which we grow in our faith, we learn what Gods will is. Frequently when I have been praying over a specific problem the solution comes to me. Others would describe that as coincidence, I see it as an answer to prayer, (plus it happens to often to be coincidence), not always tha answer I want, but then I don't know best.

Think of it this way. How often do you ask God to confirm for you that the New Testament is true? Do you feel that God will forget to keep you as a Christian if you don't continualy ask Him to?

There are things I pray often about, because God is slow in giving me what I want.

 

[Canadian75]

How do I go about finding out for certain what God wants me to believe?

I've been wondering the same thing for years now. I think that MANY people of different faiths will ask the same question at one time or another. Unfortunately, I don't have an answer (the last time I felt 'called' to a faith I ended up Muslim for many years).

Peace.

 

[Saraswati-Devi]

I know this is a question for Christians to reply to, but I wanted to say something in the most humble way possible. -my little knowledge of God-.. God (in any Religion) knows everything even before it happens.

Thanks and my God continue to guide and shower you with blessings on your path to him.
Aum tat sat.