I want to believe in Christianity but don't.

[fatuglywierdbean]

Basically, I was brought up a christian but it was a very relaxed christian upbringing (i.e. we didn't go to church etc.) and I was left to form my own opinions and beliefs and I decided that there was no possible way that god could exist. However I stumbled upon a song by Steven and Garfunkel called Mrs. Robinson and listened intently to the lyrics and thought about God and Jesus for a long time. I came to the conclusion that I want someone to guide me, to know someone is looking down on me and the rest of the world who treats us all equally and loves us all. I want to believe that there is someone who has created a set of rules that we must follow without debate, someone who has sparked faith and happiness for thousands of years and someone who is always willing to forgive us. But I can't. The larger, rationalist side of me says that I can't. I can't because there is no way that there can be a god looking down on us. So really I am just looking for advice and if this is a common feeling.

Thank you very much for any replies

-Billy

 

[Breathe]

Hi Billy,

What do you imagine 'God' to be?

 

[Thana]

Hmm, Well it sounds like you really truly want God with all your heart. If you actively seek Him, I know you'll find Him. Have you tried going to church, Speaking to a pastor? Maybe watching some preachers online?

You should try John Lennox, he's a professor in science and maths aswell as a Christian, And he has a lot of debates on Youtube if you want to check him out.

God bless

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Why do you think there is no way there can be a God who loves us?

 

[Planets and the Sun]

I can see where you're coming from. I've gone back and forth between being religious and not, and currently I'm agnostic. Sometimes it's normal to experience doubt, especially if the usual way of thinking about God in a certain religion is incompatible with your own worldview.

However, there are many religions out there. If you can't bring yourself to believe in Christianity, you could try to research other spiritual paths and religions, maybe then you'll find something that is more similar to your world view. Even if you were raised a Christian, Christianity doesn't have the monopoly on religion and even within Christianity there are many different branches.

If you want to go back to the denomination you were brought up in, you can start slowly. Maybe even do what I do and say, I can't know for sure that it's impossible even if I don't know if it's possible either, so it could go either way and it doesn't hurt to try.

 

[Desert Snake]

I'm not sure what "advice" to give. Simply because I don't really think you can force yourself to believe in a certain religion. Perhaps investigate various types of belief and find one that suits you, that's about all I can think of.
May be standard Christianity just isn't for you, don't know.

 

[Shiranui117]

There's a line in the Gospel of Mark that says it all. Mark 9:24

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

If you earnestly seek after God, if you sincerely wish to believe in spite of everything that your brain tells you, then let this prayer ring through your heart, and God will illuminate your path to Him.

 

[ZooGirl02]

Hello Billy. Perhaps you should educate yourself more about what the Church teaches? Here are a couple of good links for that:

Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church of Picayune, MS - Faith - Catechism of the Catholic Church

Catholic Answers

ABC's of Faith Home Page WELCOMES You! Relax and ENJOY

The Beginning Catholic's Guide to the Roman Catholic Church

God bless you Billy. I will pray for you.

Holly

 

[thepersianpuzzle]

I will give u my experiences. Christianity , and other religions have disappointed me. I have been through hell with a mental illness the past 3.5 years and I believe in gods but I am searching for a new religion. I have yet to find help from anyone else but my gods. I doubt reality, example, such as carbon dating, history, and possibly the existence of all religious texts ( yes I'm crazy) lol in order to believe in my gods so I can't offer u to believe in the same ones as me.

I sympathize with u that u may be feeling guilty that u do not believe in Jesus. I was baptized in an assemblies of God church in 2004. I'm not sure I ever believed in Christ but I know I do not at the moment. Some being , I don't know who, but someone, I assume, will guide u, because I have been helped myself. I am not great, and searching for a new religion of which I do not feel guilty for, but there may be someone out there. That is only my opinion, and may be because I have a mental illness. Ill leave that for u to decide. Base it on how sane u think I talk, etc. Feel free to ask me further questions if you like.

You sound like u are doubting that u r a good person. I have fear of Christ in me possibly, so I will not say too much here, perhaps that fear is because so many believe in him, or my past, Idk. If u are feeling guilty some Christians would say that is conviction, and it's possible that it truly is. But, you can give yourself a break, take a day off from guilt, if u think he approves.

Just so you know you are cared for by others , though I know u want that love from God also.

I will post more later.

 

[chongjasmine]

Hi, if you really look for God, why don't you tell Him to reveal Himself to you?
A simple prayer you can pray everyday:"God, reveal yourself to me and show me which religion you come from."
Be sincere in your prayer and I am sure you will eventually find God.

 

[Pegg]

Basically, I was brought up a christian but it was a very relaxed christian upbringing (i.e. we didn't go to church etc.) and I was left to form my own opinions and beliefs and I decided that there was no possible way that god could exist. However I stumbled upon a song by Steven and Garfunkel called Mrs. Robinson and listened intently to the lyrics and thought about God and Jesus for a long time. I came to the conclusion that I want someone to guide me, to know someone is looking down on me and the rest of the world who treats us all equally and loves us all. I want to believe that there is someone who has created a set of rules that we must follow without debate, someone who has sparked faith and happiness for thousands of years and someone who is always willing to forgive us. But I can't. The larger, rationalist side of me says that I can't. I can't because there is no way that there can be a god looking down on us. So really I am just looking for advice and if this is a common feeling.

Thank you very much for any replies

-Billy

may i ask what makes you believe that there can't possibly be a God looking down on us?

Has something specific brought you to that conclusion?
.