Ex Christian Needs Help!

[9-10ths_Penguin]

It seems odd to me that you could have come this far and still have worries like that.

It doesn't seem odd to me at all:

http://journeyfree.org/rts/

 

[9-10ths_Penguin]

If you know the literal biblical description of god is ridiculous, why on earth should you be worried about burning in hell?

Irrational fears sometimes die hard.

When I was a kid, I managed to convince myself that cars shoot invisible rays out sideways from between their wheels as they drive, low to the ground.

Even after I recognized this as completely irrational, I'd still feel uncomfortable being in a driveway when a car passed by.

 

[suncowiam]

That's something you have to see for yourself, I think. The notion that a deity would burn people in a hell simply for not believing in him can never be proved false, just as it can never be proved false that an undetectable leprechaun is farting undetectable rainbows outside my widow even as we speak. But there may come a day for you, as there has for me, when both the notion of such a cruel and petty deity and the notion of an undetectable leprechaun strike you as equally absurd.

Personally, I rather believe in farting leprechauns.

At least, that will bring a smile to my face. And then maybe, I'll be one step closer to that pot of gold because I can smell in which direction to go.

 

[Etritonakin]

Hello!

I'm new to posting but I'm seeking some guidance so I'll give it a whirl..

I was brought up a christian in the United States. For the last almost 3 years now I've been almost addicted to learning and discovering knowledge from all over.

I study a great deal of philosophy (Alan Watts at the top of my list) I love Hindu philosophy such as Nisargadatta. All these beyond realisations are happening to me.

I can see how we are all one and connected. I see that I simply Am.

With all this being said.. I know the literal biblical description of god is ridiculous and my beliefs have expanded greatly. But I can't escape the fear of "what if I'm wrong?"

To be frank can anyone help me see that I am on the right track and I shouldn't worry about burning in hell??

The "literal" description of God is not necessarily biblical. Many read the bible and believe different things about what it says.

Asking God sincerely to reveal truth to you is a good idea.

I would advise not worrying so much about which beliefs are correct, and focusing on which actions are correct.

One cannot help but believe what they sincerely believe at any time.

If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.

 

[Walter Russell]

Hello!

I'm new to posting but I'm seeking some guidance so I'll give it a whirl..

I was brought up a christian in the United States. For the last almost 3 years now I've been almost addicted to learning and discovering knowledge from all over.

I study a great deal of philosophy (Alan Watts at the top of my list) I love Hindu philosophy such as Nisargadatta. All these beyond realisations are happening to me.

I can see how we are all one and connected. I see that I simply Am.

With all this being said.. I know the literal biblical description of god is ridiculous and my beliefs have expanded greatly. But I can't escape the fear of "what if I'm wrong?"

To be frank can anyone help me see that I am on the right track and I shouldn't worry about burning in hell??

I was exactly where you are several years ago. It took some to let go of a belief I had for 30 years. Once you fully realize that God in you creates the heaven or hell you live in, not some guy in a robe with a book, he claims is from God. As a former Christian you can take solace from the true spiritual meaning of Jesus when he says God judges a mans heart. Where does he do it then? From within.
Glad to see i'm not alone in the world

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Hello!

I'm new to posting but I'm seeking some guidance so I'll give it a whirl..

I was brought up a christian in the United States. For the last almost 3 years now I've been almost addicted to learning and discovering knowledge from all over.

I study a great deal of philosophy (Alan Watts at the top of my list) I love Hindu philosophy such as Nisargadatta. All these beyond realisations are happening to me.

I can see how we are all one and connected. I see that I simply Am.

With all this being said.. I know the literal biblical description of god is ridiculous and my beliefs have expanded greatly. But I can't escape the fear of "what if I'm wrong?"

To be frank can anyone help me see that I am on the right track and I shouldn't worry about burning in hell??

I don't think that's strange. Overcoming years of cultural conditioning will take some time, particularly if your environment continues to reinforce it.
One technique that helps me (although it sounds backwards) is to take the problematic thought to a more extreme position, where it's ridiculousness can become clearer sometimes.

So...in your case...sure, God might burn you in hell if you're wrong. Of course, if Muslims were right, you were going to burn in hell even with your old beliefs, so not like this 'burn in hell' thing is actually a new threat to you.
And then consider all the different flavours of Christianity. Strikes me that WHATEVER position you take, there will be some who say you'll burn in hell because of it. So the threat becomes effectively useless/meaningless when trying to determine what you believe or what practices you will follow.

 

[Muffled]

Hello!

I'm new to posting but I'm seeking some guidance so I'll give it a whirl..

I was brought up a christian in the United States. For the last almost 3 years now I've been almost addicted to learning and discovering knowledge from all over.

I study a great deal of philosophy (Alan Watts at the top of my list) I love Hindu philosophy such as Nisargadatta. All these beyond realisations are happening to me.

I can see how we are all one and connected. I see that I simply Am.

With all this being said.. I know the literal biblical description of god is ridiculous and my beliefs have expanded greatly. But I can't escape the fear of "what if I'm wrong?"

To be frank can anyone help me see that I am on the right track and I shouldn't worry about burning in hell??

I believe this amounts to a lack of knowledge. I believe I know nothing ridiculous about God but perhaps you can pull a rabbit out of a hat and show me something you think is there.

I believe if they can they are misleading you.

I believe you do well to worry but would do even better to find out how to avoid it if that is your desire.

 

[Muffled]

As long as you ask yourself that question you're not 100% sure in your Hindu belief and I simply Am.
I have a feeling that when person converts to another religion with true heart they never question if they are wrong.

I believe that means his eyes are still open and he can still see the truth which is more than I can say for some people.

 

[PackJason]

Hello!

I'm new to posting but I'm seeking some guidance so I'll give it a whirl..

I was brought up a christian in the United States. For the last almost 3 years now I've been almost addicted to learning and discovering knowledge from all over.

I study a great deal of philosophy (Alan Watts at the top of my list) I love Hindu philosophy such as Nisargadatta. All these beyond realisations are happening to me.

I can see how we are all one and connected. I see that I simply Am.

With all this being said.. I know the literal biblical description of god is ridiculous and my beliefs have expanded greatly. But I can't escape the fear of "what if I'm wrong?"

To be frank can anyone help me see that I am on the right track and I shouldn't worry about burning in hell??

Hell doesn't exist. No worries. You're safe.

 

[Muffled]

If you have really strong programming, it will be extremely difficult to purge your mind of it. Not impossible, but difficult. In my 40 years of watching people switch into Hinduism, I've witnessed lots of attempts, some successful, some not so successful. It makes one wonder why if, after a few years, or even decades on 'this' side, the person finds comfort in what they were taught. Very difficult to teach an old dog new tricks. Fortunately, you get many chances.

I believe it is difficult to negate ones own memory. It is better to make a correct assessment of the memory but that is problematic if the person has already made a wrong assessment and that gets stuck in the psyche.

 

[Muffled]

Hell doesn't exist. No worries. You're safe.

I believe Hell does exist and believing it doesn't makes a person a prime candidate for going there.

 

[Raahim]

I believe that means his eyes are still open and he can still see the truth which is more than I can say for some people.

What's true to you isn't true for him or me, if he believes it will make him a better person who am I to judge? I might not agree on his views, but as long as there is moral in him I believe God will be merciful on him.

 

[Muffled]

Hi, Bently. Welcome to RF.

Have you considered some reflection on the role of hell (if it exists) and of your personal realization as it relates to it?

It is my firm belief that enough consideration on those two matters and their logical conclusions ought to dispell those fears of yours.

I believe one can pretend the viper in the room is not really there but subconsciously the memory of it still exits.

 

[PackJason]

I believe Hell does exist and believing it doesn't makes a person a prime candidate for going there.

Your belief in it doesn't make it real.

The idea of Hell is a ridiculous notion.

 

[Muffled]

What's true to you isn't true for him or me, if he believes it will make him a better person who am I to judge? I might not agree on his views, but as long as there is moral in him I believe God will be merciful on him.

I believe there is only one truth.

I don't believe there is any evidence to support that view. My experience with God is that He has the view that it is His way or the Hell way.

 

[LuisDantas]

I believe one can pretend the viper in the room is not really there but subconsciously the memory of it still exits.

I agree.

I stand by what I said. Those are entirely unlike situations.

 

[Muffled]

Your belief in it doesn't make it real.

The idea of Hell is a ridiculous notion.

Your disbelief in it does not make it unreal. I go by the evidence not wishful thinking.

I believe I find it quite rational so it is your concept that is ridiculous because it is baseless.

 

[Muffled]

I agree.

I stand by what I said. Those are entirely unlike situations.

I believe it is the height of delusion to think of one's self deception as realization.

 

[PackJason]

Your disbelief in it does not make it unreal. I go by the evidence not wishful thinking.

There is no evidence for Hell. If you disagree, please provide it. (The Bible is not evidence)

I believe I find it quite rational so it is your concept that is ridiculous because it is baseless.

If you find the notion of Hell rational, than you don't understand rationality.

 

[LuisDantas]

I believe it is the height of delusion to think of one's self deception as realization.

Again, I agree. It is sad, really.