Confused about my religion and spirituality

[Diggitydave]

to elaborate on the title, i am very confused. I was raised in a very liberal jewish household, where we didn't very much follow the Torah or the bible for that matter. I kind of always felt there was a God but I was never really sure. Over the last 4-5 years I sort of became a Christian. I met a girl that introduced me to everything Christian. However, she hurt me very badly and since them have become very cynical towards Christians. I am so confused myself lately, I don't know what to believe. I have trouble reading the bible and believing it. Everything about it only reminds me of the trouble and hurt I had suffered at the hands of my ex girlfriend. I don't know if I believe in Jesus or God or both or what not. I don't understand religion, Jesus says I am the way but what about all those who never got to know about him, are they left behind?. What about virgin birth, I dont' believe that is possible but people believe that.

How do i find what I believe and actually feel it without someone just brainwashing me. Am I jewish or am I Christian or am i a little of both. I know I want to go to heaven when I die and you could read me all day long what the bible says, but the Muslims, Taoist Buddhists and jews all say something different. How do i know who to believe and who knows which one is right?

I am so confused... Can anyone help me?

Please don't delete this thread, this is not a religious debate, I am just confused. So the thread doesn't get deleted, please keep your responses if any not debateable because ENA will delete it. I just need some neutral feedback, not brainwashing.

[Crazyaboutdogs]

It sounds like your "belief" in Christianity was mainly tied in with being with your girlfriend...it was a decision based on who you were with rather than how you felt so when that relationship ended badly you no longer felt good about Christianity because you associated that with her. Religion is intensely personal and should not be associated with a partner. So while your girlfriend may have hurt you, that has absolutely nothing to do with being Christian. You don't have to follow all the religious beliefs of a religion to feel linked to that religion. As a Jew I certainly don't believe in lots of the things that you are "supposed" to believe..yet I am very much tied to the religion. At one point in my life when I was very very unhappy with how things were going, I drew away from Judaism and felt very disconnected from it...but I eventually overcame the negative feelings and now embrace it. So perhaps you are going through a period of time where religion is just not cutting it for you...that's okay...it is never too late to come back to it no matter which religion you ultimately choose to follow. Take your time..there is no rush to feel anything for religion...do it in your own time. The only thing I will urge you to do is to disconnect religion from the state of your interpersonal relationships. Do not allow your disgust for a particular person influence your perception of a religion.

[Daligal83]

Maybe it would help to do more research. Read about all the different religions out there. Attend multiple churches, synagogues, etc. The more you learn, the more you can discover which religion works for you, if any. Some people decide that they are just spiritual and do not want to follow any organized religion. It's all about what makes you feel at peace and just what works for you.

I was also raised Jewish, but in a reform household where my parents were involved. I went through religious education, but never believed. However I am still strongly connected to the faith. I love what it teaches and describe myself as a "cultural Jew." Usually when I go to services, I am just bored. But the last Shabbos service I went to really spoke to me. It was all about peace and the power that we have within ourselves. It really touched me. I'm still not sure how I feel about God, but to me that was enough. I'm not going to temple often or anything, or even for the High Holy days, but I know it's always there for me if and when I'm ready for it.

[itsallgrand]

I happen to believe that who a person is goes much deeper than the particular religion they adhere to or not. You can practice as a Jew, a Christian, a Muslim, whatever your choice - but a person can not BE a religion.

Find Dave underneath the religious identification. Then you can pick anything or nothing at all that suits you.

I wish you luck in wading through your confusion - and finding out what works for you.

[hersmudders]

Let God be whatever you want it to be. If you're at all familiar with 12-step programs, we have "higher powers", and it's wahtever you want it to be (physically, I mean). A higher power loves you and wants what's best for you and is there to take away the troubles of your life; it's just a matter of faith.

I was raised Catholic and have sense realized that I'm very un-Christian and don't agree with any "religions" at all, but I do have my faith in a power greater than myself and that's enough for me.

Your religion shouldn't define you, but whatever God you choose will love you.

[love-guru]

i was born as a muslim in england. i was very strict muslim for 24 years. i realised that being muslim i never thought about any religion, i never helped any other religion,nor i did anything for my religion. i used to talk about allah and heaven. my dad was married three times, 5 years ago he married to a girl younger than me, i felt so ashamed, i know its so common in my religion. all muslims are so popular all over the world for various reasons. my mother comitted suicide after my dads 3rd marriage. my mum was muslim she tolerated my dad for so many years. in muslim religion there is no life for women, also they don't mix with any other religion, they always live in their own community and force other people to adopt islam.
i was sick of these fake double meanings of religion. i read many books on different religions, at the end i decided to adopt sikhism, very nice people from north india. they believe in one god, there religion is open to every one. main thing is females got same rights as men. also they believe in serving humanity, doesn't matter to which religion you belong they will help you. they also taught me that to become a real true human i don't need strict rules, all i need is pure heart, and should start loving all human beings.
since i changed my religion from islam to sikhism, iam a new man.
now i give more respect to woman and also help other people.
i would advise you to read about sikhism before you change your religion, also you should believe in your religion too, try to indentify your self first, you don't need to change religion to be extra ordinary, because every one is extra ordinary because every one is created by same god with different names.
all the best

[Caterina]

The search is yours alone. I think that if your ex introduced you to Christianity, its hard to take away the connection of your once love for her from your spirituality. You are having difficulties deriving the connection of all your memories of Christianity from all your memories of your ex. But now that she is out of the picture, you are asking yourself if the whole conversion experience really was there b/c she was the essential, the fundamental part of it. Where do you get your faith from? Thats only for you to search, and to figure out on your own. You can ask others, but its up to you to decide if you want Jesus or if you wanted Jesus b/c of your ex alone.

[onewithbooks]

Dave-

I understand where you are coming from. In fact my struggle has been yours in reverse. I was raised in a Southern Baptist house and in my early 20s I attended a Jewish temple. I struggle with my thoughts on religion. I have tried to read up on various religions trying to find my own way. What I discovered is that it is one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.

I dont think you will ever be brainwashed as long as you listen to your gut. For me I have always believed in God. No ifs ands or buts. Jesus on the other hand, is a struggle. I have always seen my religion as a very singluar thing. Its between me and God. I dont need a group of folks to worship with, and to chat with. At the end of my week, as I am looking to spiritual growth I find that I want it to be just me and God.

I think you will know when your faith is right. I think you will feel it in your gut. There wont be a sense of not being sure. I think that you might disagree with somethings, but it will feel right. Your relationship with religion may be like that of a relationship with person, you may not like every aspect, but love it as a whole.

Take your time, learn, go to various places of worship, see what feels right.

I hope your journey is a prosperous one.

owb

[avman]

This is a religious debate. Thread closed.