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Post by confused confused on Aug 16, 2007 4:47:31 GMT -5
Is there anyone else out there that is as confused about religion as I am? I have no idea where to turn? The Bible is so confusing in even telling us what to do.
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Post by with ya on Aug 16, 2007 8:57:07 GMT -5
Is there anyone else out there that is as confused about religion as I am? I have no idea where to turn? The Bible is so confusing in even telling us what to do. Yep, I'm right there with ya' The more I learn, the less I know.
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Post by 4hwu on Aug 16, 2007 9:00:44 GMT -5
a good Bible study is invaluable
try to find a BSF or search for an on-line Bible study program you can do at home they are available, some free
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Post by freespirit on Aug 16, 2007 10:29:40 GMT -5
Is there anyone else out there that is as confused about religion as I am? I have no idea where to turn? The Bible is so confusing in even telling us what to do. Turn to God. Sit with God. I don't think any of us have religion or the bible or everything all figured out. Religion is too confusing for my brain--even half the threads here leave me scratching my head--but when I sit with God, I've found He can give me enough understanding to help me for today. He can send the right people or situations into our life to encourage us on the journey. And He can give us guidance on what to do right now today and what step to take. And He can give us peace--maybe we still don't have it all figured out, but we are content to know that He does and trust Him for the future. At least that's been my experience. peace to all, freespirit
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3
Senior Member
Posts: 206
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Post by 3 on Aug 16, 2007 10:56:12 GMT -5
hmmmm......
I say, sit with yourself and begin to search your own heart & brain & ask yourself some hard questions:
Why does religion confuse you? Christians will define religion as man reaching out to God and spirituality as God reaching out to man. But this doesn't help the confused so continue by asking yourself:
Does God truly exist? (personal testimonies, stories of changed lives, cultural teachings, etc. don't count - you are looking for irrefutable evidence)
Does the Bible portray the ultimate level of truth? Why give it more credence than the Hindu Vedas or the book of Morman or the Jewish Talmud? Have you investigated other sources of purported truth? If not, why not?
Perhaps religion confuses because it is it is based on cultural traditions, mythology, personal faith, writings by those who were describing their cultural norms, mystical experiences, etc. etc. all of which are subjective.
When I made the decision to leave the 2x2 church and had a visit with the sister workers, they kindly offered to have Bible studies with me to help me with my struggles. I gently declined, telling them I needed to find the truth on my own.
I needed to venture 'outside the box' so to speak. What good would it have done to spend hours studying the very thing that was confusing me??
My advice to anyone confused with religion: QUESTION THE ANSWERS!
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Post by my view on Aug 16, 2007 11:08:41 GMT -5
I would also encourage you to learn to love the questions. If you do, I think you'll find that unanswered questions make great travelling companions through life.
The poet Ranier Maria Rilke put it this way:
"Be patient with all that is unresolved in your heart. And try to love the questions themselves. Do not seek for the answers that cannot be given, for you wouldn't be able to live with them. And the point is to live everything, live the questions now, and perhaps without knowing it, you will live along someday into the answers."
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Post by freespirit on Aug 16, 2007 11:28:23 GMT -5
I would also encourage you to learn to love the questions. If you do, I think you'll find that unanswered questions make great travelling companions through life. The poet Ranier Maria Rilke put it this way: "Be patient with all that is unresolved in your heart. And try to love the questions themselves. Do not seek for the answers that cannot be given, for you wouldn't be able to live with them. And the point is to live everything, live the questions now, and perhaps without knowing it, you will live along someday into the answers." ooooooooooooh, I LOVE THAT. Thank you for posting. peace, freespirit
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Post by wingsofaneagle on Aug 16, 2007 11:33:26 GMT -5
Religion i have found to be the root of all evil. Spirituality will lead you to God. ;D
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Post by confused confused on Aug 16, 2007 11:42:09 GMT -5
Religion i have found to be the root of all evil. Spirituality will lead you to God. ;D Do you think Jesus was religious? Really, this is a serious question. Was he religious or just a spiritual being?
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Post by wingsofaneagle on Aug 16, 2007 14:58:21 GMT -5
Do you think Jesus was religious? Really, this is a serious question. Was he religious or just a spiritual being?[/quote]
Good question! Jesus was "religious" in the true sense of the word, in that he practised piety. That is the only good thing about being "religious" as I understand the word.
When I think of "religion" in the common sense i think of organized religion and the havoc it has dumped on world (wars, assassinations, rape, abuse all in the name of God).
However, Jesus emphasized spirituality when he spoke to the woman at the well John 4:19-20, 23-24 when she said to him about her ancestors worshipping on the mountain. His reply "true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him". He therefore spoke against religious tradition.
Many "religious" organizations are steeped in traditions and practices and this keeps them inside a "box". Spirituality goes far beyond the written word, or creed, or regulations, even the bible in its written form.
If God is spiritual then to me that is the only way we can connect with him. All the religious traditions/practices in the world wont bring us one inch closer to God if we don't have a spiritual connection with him.
We can be spiritually connected to God without being connected with any church or without even having a bible. I happened to like to have fellowship with other spiritual people and I also like to read the bible but neither i feel are necessary to have a spiritual relationship with God.
Anyway thats just my opinion/experience. Anybody else have any thoughts?
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Post by diet coke on Aug 16, 2007 16:07:31 GMT -5
What do you want from religion? Do you want fellowship? Connection with people? Belonging? Purpose? My advice is quit looking for God; look for Good. Put down the Bible for now and skip the goofy theological questions. Indeed, they will only confuse, if you are honest. When you find the Good, God will be there. You can pick your Bible back up again later, if it's still relevent.
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Post by Bad advice on Aug 16, 2007 16:41:32 GMT -5
My advice is quit looking for God
My advice is that you stop giving advice. The only reason you'd give this advice is because you don't know God yourself.
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Post by diet coke on Aug 16, 2007 16:47:43 GMT -5
My advice is quit looking for GodMy advice is that you stop giving advice. The only reason you'd give this advice is because you don't know God yourself. Sorry, I stick by this. Everybody is different. - the f&w way isn't for everyone. - Christianity isn't for everyone. - Organized religion isn't for everyone. ...but Good is, and that is where each will find his/her understanding of God. My advice is to back up far enough to see above what you have been taught all your life, and start over, looking for the very basic meaning of life. Keep backing up until it makes sense.
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Post by Back Up on Aug 16, 2007 17:12:46 GMT -5
The basic meaning of life is to ensure the continuation of the species. That''s it. It ain't to be happy or find God or be a good christian or any of that nonsense. It's to stay healthy, attract lots of healthy females, make love often and provide for our children when they're born. Lots of them. We are mere slaves of the will to life. Other than that life has no purpose at all. Nothing in this life to look forward to except old age, illness, pain and death. And our grandchildren.
But of course we can strive to give life meaning and purpose though. We can choose to fill the void through pleasure, leaning, religion or oblivion. Take your pick. Most here choose religion because the hope of the hereafter makes our misery a little easier to bear. If the great here after wasn't a factor christianity as we know it would never have got off the ground. The great hereafter is a great way to keep the faithful in check and on board. The 2x2's and the catholic church have it down to a fine art. Indeed in some ways adoptiong christianity is a more selfish approach to this life than even pleasure as it's all about 'me me me ' gettin to the great hereafter. How many would do good works and believe in God if heaven was hell and hell heaven? Hmm!
I wish you well on your journey - do keep backing up until it makes sense 'cos it sure makes no sense to me.
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Post by All Righty Then on Aug 16, 2007 17:28:36 GMT -5
The basic meaning of life is to ensure the continuation of the species. That''s it. It ain't to be happy or find God or be a good christian or any of that nonsense. It's to stay healthy, attract lots of healthy females, make love often and provide for our children when they're born. Lots of them. We are mere slaves of the will to life. Other than that life has no purpose at all. Nothing in this life to look forward to except old age, illness, pain and death. And our grandchildren. But of course we can strive to give life meaning and purpose though. We can choose to fill the void through pleasure, leaning, religion or oblivion. Take your pick. Most here choose religion because the hope of the hereafter makes our misery a little easier to bear. If the great here after wasn't a factor christianity as we know it would never have got off the ground. The great hereafter is a great way to keep the faithful in check and on board. The 2x2's and the catholic church have it down to a fine art. Indeed in some ways adoptiong christianity is a more selfish approach to this life than even pleasure as it's all about 'me me me ' gettin to the great hereafter. How many would do good works and believe in God if heaven was hell and hell heaven? Hmm! I wish you well on your journey - do keep backing up until it makes sense 'cos it sure makes no sense to me. Lets just all go out like animals and wack the first mate or matriss over the head, drag them into the bushes and have are way with them. When done just leave and then you have it. The perfect way of maintainance of a species. Who says we are to take care of the young ones or anyone else. Let natural selection decide who lives or dies. Caveman Leader Because I can make fire with sticks ;D
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matia
Senior Member
Posts: 242
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Post by matia on Aug 16, 2007 17:48:07 GMT -5
Religion is mans way to God
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Post by Answerman on Aug 16, 2007 17:56:38 GMT -5
Is there anyone else out there that is as confused about religion as I am? I have no idea where to turn? The Bible is so confusing in even telling us what to do. Go and love your enemy. It will give them the willys. You will need God's help to love your enemy properly!
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Post by wingsofaneagle on Aug 16, 2007 18:02:19 GMT -5
Religion is mans way to God Thank you for so eloquently summing up in six words what I was TRYING to say!
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Post by Hey Now on Aug 16, 2007 22:41:52 GMT -5
Religion is mans way to God Thank you for so eloquently summing up in six words what I was TRYING to say! I heard religion is what keeps the havenots from killing the haves. Or What keeps the poor from killing the rich.......!
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Say it with pictures
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Post by Say it with pictures on Aug 16, 2007 23:28:47 GMT -5
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Post by or how about on Aug 17, 2007 11:49:20 GMT -5
Religion is mans way to God Thank you for so eloquently summing up in six words what I was TRYING to say! Religion is a word. Most literate words have a great deal of meaning tied to them. religion is from latin. re: back lig: is also the root word of ''Intel-lig-enence'' [meaning the root of one of the names of God, therefore it is from the ''I'' or the I AM, or 'GOOD' , ion: a suffix that makes this 'verbal noun' into a noun.
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