Losing my RELIGION.

My best advice to you is to pray and I don't mean pray because your mom told you that you had to - I mean actually pray from your heart and ask for answers, ask for the faith that you so desire. I am not a big religious pusher. I have my faith and I believe in it - it comforts me. I can't believe that this world and all of it's amazing creations aren't a product of something bigger than I am. When I was mad because things didn't go my way but then later something better came from it.. I know in my heart, that was not just a coincidence but the work of a higher being. For proof purposes, I guess some people might say we do not know if there is a God or not but I'd hate to be wrong and what have you got to lose by believing? Nothing. What do you have to lose by not believing and it ends up being the truth? Everything. When I am having a hard time with my faith.. I pray. I talk to him as I would my own father. I cry, I question, I thank, I love, I get mad and yell... I do it all and after I'm done I have this peace in me that I cannot explain - like I know everything is going to be o.k. Buy a bible and read it.. really read it. When I was younger, I was like you.. I went through the motions because that's all I knew but as I got older I started to actually listn to the preacher at the church and I would really read the words in the bible and I would start to pray from my heart and not just because I thought it was what I was "supposed" to do. I will pray for you also.. hang in there :)

Please help me. I feel bugged when I am in trouble and i dont believe in a GOD to turn to for help. When something nice happens, i dont believe in a GOD to be thankfully to. I want a GOD. I need faith because i am losing my religion. Why do you need a God? and Maybe its NOT that you are losing your religion but rather you have outgrown or arent suited for the particular religion you were raised with and there is nothing wrong with that. I would say its time to do some serious soul searching and figuring out what YOU truly do believe in rather than what you were told to believe....As silly as it sounds there is this quiz that can actually help you get an idea of where YOUR PERSONAL beliefs fit in in the massive list of religions....Give it a try and see what comes up then go from there...What do you have to lose right http://www.beliefnet.com/Entertainment/Quizzes/BeliefOMatic.aspx

well maybe, a better way of looking at it is that you are going out on your own for the first time. Perhaps you no longer need your security blanket? maybe, just maybe, and whisper it here, religion is a control myth put about by those in whose interests it is to keep you insecure, stupid and docile. Just maybe you have the intellectual acumin to not need religion or god for that matter? blessed be

Hi Nisha_Verghese, I believe there comes a time in all children's lives that regardless of how they are raise in church or not, they must make their commitments and decisions on their own. I think maybe you are just overthinking it, God didn't leave you, you wandered away from God. The Lord gives us parents to help grow up and teach us to love the Lord and His word. I also believe that Jesus is just waiting patiently for you to return to Him. I don't always feel God's presence in my life, there have been many times spent in the desert, where I had to just believe and keep the faith I didn't feel like I had, and when it got so dry, and my walk with God was waning, I just continued to praise and thank Him, there have been days, months even when I haven't be able to pray, but I just talk to Jesus like I do any friend and eventually I come out the other side, stronger and my faith is stronger because I know He promised to never leave or forsake me. I can sympathize with your feelings. My advice would be this, get yourself back into church, continue to read your bible, continue to pray ask God to restore your faith. And know this even if you don't have enough faith right now, I do and on my faith I am asking God to touch you and help you through this time of doubt, and indecision. May the Lord richly bless you, and be your strength at this time in your life and your walk with him. Be happy, be joyful, be safe, be strong!!! oohcute2340

first of all don't let it get into your head it may prove to be a distraction for your career. i wont say ,i know what you mean,cause i don't.....it is not about the reward ,you don't go to the church or temple to get a reward from god.let me put it this way ,i pray because i want to take some time to thank god for keeping me safe ,i want to thank god for looking after me all these years,i want to thank god for giving me such good parents and i want to thank god because i know that he will always be there for me no matter what. and remember,all that happens happens for good. so believe in yourself and ask yourself what you are to do. last but not the least ,don't let it get to your head ,remember your goal and stick to it,this kinda stuff really can mess up your mind.so just chill.

I wasn't really close with the Lord. I didnt do church or anything like that. We had the i'll call him when i need him relationship. Well I got a wake up call when i had my twins four months to early. At three weeks old the oldest was going into liver failure and the doctors said it was time. So for the first time instead of asking for a favor i asked for a sign. if her heart rate would stay up then i knew to keep fighting to save her against doctors orders if it dropped then i would know to end the fight before she suffered any pain. She passed away but God gave me the sign i asked for eventhough it wsn't the one that i wanted. i know i have two tiny angels in heaven waiting for thier momma so their must be a God or that means iwill never see thm again i cannot bare to think that way..

Hey how's going on? I think you have a great problem regarding to your religion. Now see the fact here is that God is there but I have my own religion concept and not forcing you over that. But as an advice just for a moment realize that if there is no God then how who created this world and for what? While when you have your research on questions like that then you slowly find a God every where else. And then compare the concept of God in different religions. Hope with this you believe in God.

All God wants is a relationship with you. It doesn't have to be about religion. Just pray to Him. Ask Him to come into your heart. He will show Himself to you. God will NEVER push Himself on anyone, He is very gracious and gives us all the beautiful gift of free will. If you want God, just ask Him. If it will help you further, seek a pastor to help you with this. Start attending a church to be around other believers. We are creatures of habit and we tend to take shape to our surroundings so of course, if we are not going to church and we are around people that don't believe, naturally, some of us will start to lose sight of God. But if we are going to church, surrounding ourselves with other believers and reading our bible, then that will strengthen not only our relationship with the Lord, but will also keep ourselves focused.

christianity isnt the only religion out there.. maybe it just isnt the one that speaks to you.. which is why youve never felt it really "fit" and never got out of it wha you were hoping for. start some theological research.. do some studying into other faiths.. other paths.. find something that jerks at yer heart and makes you say "hey.. ive always felt THAT!" or "thats what ive always thought..." myself.. i was raised seventh day adventist. same as you.. never FELT anything.. id pray cause i was told to.. i went to church because i had to.. but never did i get any sort of anything from it other than confusions. and even more so when i reached old enough age to read this bible everyone yapped about being so wonderful. what i found in its pages honestly.. disturbed me, and same as you.. lost my "faith" and started looking in other directions. now.. im a heathen to the core. if yer not sure what that term is.. i follow the Old Religion. polytheistic. its where i fit.. its where ive found my peace.. and i dont pray to an unhearing unanswering seemingly indifferent oblivious deity due to "fear" or habit or order. praying out of fear doesnt bring you any warm and fuzzy feelings.. find what brings you peace.. find where you fit..and youll find yer faith.

That is the million dollar question. There are many, many people who feel as you do. After all we have no proof of the existence of God, he does not show himself to us. I have felt like you on many occasions, but I must believe because I am in fear of not believing as you are. I look at it this way, the very earth is the proof of God's existence. It is to brilliantly and inteligently made to just devolop all on its own. All of the creatures on earth including humans are to perfectly and imperfectly made to just be a coincidence. Only you can provide yourself with the answers that you need. Study the Bible to find your answers. Look within your self and search to find your faith.

Religion is not really the way to get the faith we want because there are religions that do not really teach what is right. But I am sure you need to be a member of a Christ believing church for your faith to really grow. This is because you need to be fed with the word of God in order to have faith. Romans 10:17 says "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." You need the Word of God my dear. I hope someone could teach you the Word of God properly. Your parents have not introduced Jesus to you in a way your young mind could comprehend. You've got to have personal relationship with Jesus first. You need to know who is Christ and what He has done in cross for you. You belong to a church which I believe teaches Jesus as the Savior. I believe you need an individual who could sit down with you and teach about what salvation is all about. How about going to your pastor and ask for help. Meanwhile, if you have the Bible, start a daily devotion. Give enough time to your Bible. Read it and see how the holy spirit will speak to you.

Could it be that we (the human family) needed gods in our infancy, but as we approach adulthood, perhaps we have less need for gods and more need for mutual connections that are based on the values once found in religion. So as our species matures, perhaps we need human values (such as love, charity, integrity, honesty) but less need for omnipotent beings.

It was really very honest of you to admit that you didn't feel the presence of God, all your childhood days! So, you say, even though you joined the Church choir and used to attend Sunday School and do everything your mother asked you to do you could not somehow feel the presence of God. How may years has it been since you have begun feeling that you would love the presence of God in your life? This is how God comes into one's life. The very fact that you have begun to feel not wanting to "lose" your religion, and you somehow want to feel His presence,[B]is[/B], please remember, an Act of God. This is how the Lord comes into one's life - stealthily, with soft steps without even you being aware of His coming. Have you read the Quote called[B]Footprints...[/B] where a tired exasperated man calls out to God where had He been in the most difficult moments of his Life?Please read that Quote. Even the mere remembrance of a few lines of God's assurance to his doubting Child is making me sob uncontrollably. It is just lucky that I am inside my cabin where nobody can see me crying. Please my dear Nisha, never Give up on God.Who in this heartless world would care for you even if you deny Him; you will never come across anyone more benevolent than the Lord. He is boundless kindness and compassion. All you have to do is just take one step towards Him and just watch how many steps He will rush towards you? You could haltingly walk in His direction. But you will know He will only rush towards you. If you still feel you are still not able to shake off your agnosticism even just to look up to Him,my advice is you just pray to Him, asking HIM to help you LOVE HIM. Before long you will be in His fatherly lap!

I feel kinda the same way too. my religion says that really devout followers of the faith have always doubted before, so maybe it'll be the same in your case. just follow through with your prayers and etc., maybe you'll find your GOD eventually.

I'm often very thankful that I didn't find my faith in a house of faith, but in the glorious mountains.. I surely did feel his presence.. this was 30 years ago (or so) and since then he has knocked my socks off a number of times (i.e. has really, really blessed me). I find that all problems and troubles have one thing needed.. more of him! "God is love".. all of it.. the love you feel for the most cherished person in your life.. and all love and affection you've ever felt... that's him!.. "you will find him when you seek him with all your heart" - and I believe that 'cause that's what happened to me.. when i earnestly sought him.. there he was, oneday, and i realized i'd always 'known'/felt him... I've also studied quite a bit about science and man's current theory about where life and the universe came from just doesn't stand up to scrutiny.. laws of science are against it! And after 150 years, there's no data to support it! I was smewhat surprised by this! by the extent of it i should say.. All the best...

Nisha, you have to have an open mind to understand the ways of God. And you have to have an open mind to receive faith. You must realize that faith is the things hoped for, which is yet unseen. In other words, faith is believing before you start receiving. Believing as if you have already received what you prayed for--that is faith in action. But then you should also put action into faith; to start acting in faith to bring the about the result you want. You should not be bothered with religion, God is not interested in religion, but in people who have faith. We, Christians are called people of faith, or God's people. The religion which most people and churches are practicing, is nothing but the practice of rituals and rites. The Bible says, true religion is--to take care of the poor and needy; and to see to the needs of orphans and widows. That is the religion that pleases God. Read the books of Romans, Hebrews and Corinthians. You can start to read one book a week or month; begin by reading for at least an hour each night/day; or chapter by chapter, at least. Start believing in God, Nisha, and he will start believing in you. Study the life of Jesus Christ by reading the Gospels; Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. I have been where you are now, but I discovered many years ago, that life without God and Christ, is empty, unhappy and confused. Go visit a teaching Christian Church which can help you to understand scripture and care about your soul. I am glad I woke up in time. I'm so much happier and content. And can tackle difficulties I previously could never face. I hope I could be of help. God bless.

I think you have faith but not a religion. No one Really has concrete evidence that G-d exists, so we go on faith. You Want to believe there is a G-d, then you Have faith already. you don't have to belong to a certain church to have faith.There are many paths and some are not linked to Any religion.You are already open to the fact that there maybe a G-d, then build on it.Knowing of your background it may seem hard but I think you have faith already.p.s. Don't be so hard on yourself. not everyone is made to be Orthodox Christian or any other faith.

Hi Nisha, I think you are from "God's own country." Faith in God is not something that can be manufactured by one's own effort. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing what the truth is. I would encourage you to read and study the Bible specially Matthew, Mark, Luke and John diligently and even talk with some people whom you know can teach you about God and so on. I have friends in Chandigarh, and you can email me at headhunter525@rediffmail.com, if you are keen to know more. I would also encourage you to read some books. You can purchase them from christian bookstore. If you are becoming an atheist, just ask yourself how you will defend that there is no God. And even if you are a Christian, it is important to ask yourself why you are one... is it because you are simply born into a Christian family and so you are supposed to follow the tradition? Well, if that is so then there is no point in being a Christian. By Christian I mean follower of Christ. so point is why do you follow Christ? Because Jesus is Lord and God or because of something else. If you have not through then it's time to think through.

Hi there...you're absolutely correct, all your angst is brought on by the idea that you were Christian in the first place, having been brought up in the Orthodox faith. To be truly Christian, you must have/develop YOUR OWN faith in Christ, and ONLY AFTER/UPON beginning a relationship with Him. Many mistakenly believe they're Christians if raised by/in a "Christian" parents/church, and that's where all the confusion arises. With God, all that matters is whether you know His Son personally and have a right relationship with Him, not the denomination to which you belong. I can tell you this for sure, because I was in a somewhat similar situation like yours, until I came to have my own faith in God and Christ. I did believe there's a God, faithfully attended Mass, taught to pray the rosary, but in all honesty, I still had my doubts...until that "fateful" day when I made Christ my Savior and Lord. I was converted into the Christianity of the Bible without first knowing it, and as I spent time reading the Word, praying, I got to know (and am still getting to know) Christ personally and God's attributes. Plus, in my heart, there's an unmistakeable certainty/surety of His presence. I started changing from the inside out as God revealed His love for me. Where before I hated myself, life, and people, I developed a love for myself and others when I came to this faith. Do you know of any groups/churches in your area that teaches the Bible? Try and contact them, and ask questions about their central doctrine. If it mirrors what I described above, stay with them. Or, if you're interested, add me as a friend, and I'll PM you the name of Christian organizations you can connect with there. Don't give up; God cares about you, knows your heart, and will lead you to Himself.

My first question for you is are you saved? Have you ever in you life accepted jesus christ as your personal savior? God did give you free will to chose how you want to live. But, if you have not accapted jesus christ as your personal savior then that maybe why you feel like you do. God will not answer you nor be there if you have not accepted jesus as your savior. Why dont you do that first and see what happens if you haven't already done so.