Please Help. I am questioning my Religion.

Michael Belousov · May 19, 2019

To be honest, it's very conflicting for me. I am Eastern Orthodox, over the past years, my faith has dropped significant. I stopped praying to God, and now I am stuck into thinking that there is not enough evidence to support that he existed. I am sort of Agnostic at the moment, and I don't like that. When people say that God is savioir and lord, I secretly cringe and think they are fools who are worshipping a fictional character.

Somebody, please help, because I am questioning my religion. By the way, I am only 15. I will never practice Satanism, so my thoughts about being an Atheist are crossed.

Religions for me are not powerful as before, and I know I am wrong. Thank you.

LuisDantas · May 19, 2019

It seems to me that you should work at self-acceptance and peace towards yourself as you are right now.

It is very difficult to attain constructive things without a measure of those qualities.

You realize that the two categories do not have very much in the way of an intersection, I hope. Many satanists are in fact theists, and most atheists have never been and will never be satanists either.

I hope you find your peace.

Brickjectivity · May 19, 2019

I cannot comment on all of your religion. I think that you have to test reality to see if God reacts to you. I think you must also decide if morality is higher than God or if God is higher than morality. Are things good because God says they are? What is goodness? Does it change when God speaks? Do you have the ability to taste and touch what is good and bad?

I believe you should give yourself time to learn. Let the sun shine on you, and learn. Walk in peace.

sun rise · May 19, 2019

First, welcome to RF.

But to your question - it's perfectly normal to have a time when you question what you were taught or grew up with especially given that you are approaching adulthood.

I don't know you well enough to offer any specific suggestions outside of asking yourself what evidence or ideas caused your current lack of strong belief and what is it that causes you to strongly think that your current state is one you reject. You might also read about people who have been in the state you find yourself in and how they dealt with it.

Orbit · May 19, 2019

This site is specifically for people questioning their religion. You can find support there: Ex-Christian.Net

robocop (actually) · May 19, 2019

Why don't you go on a self-tour exploring different religions and finding what people think about them? It could be fun and it could help.

Frog · May 19, 2019

Do not listen to these crackpots.
God is in and all around you. Religion is a tool to keep you in the dark scratching at walls unable to find the light infront of you.
Find yourself some basic philosophic principals that benefit your life and are good.
Search for God Every waking moment.

Twilight Hue · May 19, 2019

Best advice.....

Keep giving it the college try until you simply can't do it anymore.

It's the only way to know things for sure.

Geoff-Allen · May 19, 2019

Welcome to the forum!

It's a LONG tiime since I was 15 but I can relate to most of what you describe

Doubt can be healthy - sometimes I think people have too much "faith" in what they believe is best for themselves & others.

Not too sure what to recommend. You could try this site - the menus up the top of page would keep you going for a while. Despite the site's name - you don't HAVE to subscribe to Buddhism in order to find out some useful stuff.

beliefs Archives - Tiny Buddha

I was raised on a similar religion so I remember what it feels like when you start to have BIG doubts!

Enjoy your time here & don't be afraid to ask for advice - you-never-know what someone may choose to share with you.

Wishing you all the best in handling your own doubts.

whirlingmerc · May 19, 2019

I think there are a number of things you might try

1) read the New Testament
2) examine the resurrection and the case for it being true
Those are two places to start

You might need to take in some Christian views on the subject one is here
N.D Willison Tilt a whirl! - YouTube

Also the gospel is powerful perhaps you could reexamine the gospel
It may be worth while to listen to DA Carson on the subject. I find him very helpful.

Firemorphic · May 19, 2019

You're still coming-of-age, reaching into early adulthood. At your age I was an Atheist and my journey has taken me all kinds of places and ended me up very happily where I am now.

Compared to some other forms of Christianity, I think you're in a good place within Eastern Orthodoxy (it's something I have a great fascination with and respect for) which does give you great grounding in approaching spirituality and the world, respectively. Don't stress yourself, do lots of reading from a variety of religions (including your own).

Peace bro

Deeje · May 19, 2019

At 15 the world is a confusing place. But the Bible is the most reliable source of information about God.
Religion, on the other hand, is not.....all you get is confused.

There is a promise that Jesus made that I hope you will see the benefit of....

John 6:44
"No one can come to me unless they are drawn to me by the Father who sent me...."(CEB)

John 6:65
"He said, “For this reason I said to you that none can come to me unless the Father enables them to do so." (CEB)

You see, if you are serious about acquiring knowledge of God, then he already knows it. He can see you searching and will open up to you what he is looking for in us humans. I believe that when he sees a sincere heart, he will respond.

Those who don't want to know God are never "drawn" to Jesus Christ. He becomes some fictional, mythical superhero of ancient times.

Those who claim to know God but who fail to obey the teachings of Jesus will likewise never be 'enabled' to understand anything.

So a genuine desire to know God, outside of how religion portrays him will broaden your outlook.

Try praying for the right guidance. The Bible assures us that God's is listening.

Bird123 · May 19, 2019

God does exist. On the other hand, I have found no religion that really Understands God. Seems you are on an equal playing field with religion.

As I see it, in this time-based causal universe God's actions can be seen. Further, God's actions can not be altered by mankind. When you discover why God acts as He does, you will start to Understand. The world will change before your eyes. You will discover the world is not a mess. It is a Masterpiece!!

At 15, you are just getting started. You are Smart. Don't walk on eggshells worrying about making a mistake. More is learned through mistakes than almost any other thing.

My advice: Listen to the advice of others but walk your own path. Life's lessons are best learn that way.

Be who you must! It's a part of the plan!

God isn't the demanding, controlling,wrathful, hateful, intimidating, judging, punishing or coercing Being others have told you. It's all going to be OK! You are doing better than you think.

Daemon Sophic · May 19, 2019

Welcome to the RF @Michael Belousov ! Have some Nanaimo bars.

Most of The advice above is good. The take away points are...
1. You are young and have a lot of time to figure things out.

2. It is good to question what others have taught you. Introspection brings wisdom.

3. Atheism has almost nothing to do with Satanism.

4. Agnosticism can be a comfortable ending point unto itself.

5. There is much for you to learn.

6. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, especially here in this forum. But even here, question the answers you are given, and see if ty fit your own needs/psyche/personality.

Peace!

Hockeycowboy · May 19, 2019

You’re not alone...many feel the way you do.

But keep in mind: this world is not stable. (Do you think it is? I don’t, there’s simply too many problems.)

Do you know why? 1 Jo 5:19 gives the answer....1 John 5:19 We know that we are of God, and that the whole world is under the power of the evil one.

It’s not the only verse in the Bible stating that, either. (John 12:31, NLT...”The time for judging this world has come, when Satan, the ruler of this world, will be cast out.“) There are even more.

What can we learn from this, then? This, that we can’t expect to learn what is reality, ie., truth, in this world since it’s under the devil’s control. Currently, but not forever.
Religions may not have truth...there are so many, they all can’t be right....but don’t stop praying to God.

Give up on religion, maybe, but not Jehovah God! Jesus said, “True worshippers will worship the Father”, not him. John 4:23-24.

Aupmanyav · May 20, 2019

You are too young at the moments. Your views would change as you grow up and learn about other things. Don't be in a hurry. This is a life-time search.

George-ananda · May 20, 2019

Well. the traditional Atheism versus Christianity results in many people feeling 'neither of the above' today.

I think we are entering an age where more satisfying understanding are needed. Things like so-called New Age and eastern (Buddhism/Hinduism) religious thought are becoming more popular among many people today. You are still very young so allow yourself to think and consider that there are more things than Atheism versus Christianity out there.

pearl · May 20, 2019

When people say that God is savioir and lord, I secretly cringe and think they are fools who are worshipping a fictional character[/QUOT

If we are honest I think we all experience doubt at times. As far as your religion is concerned that is a man made response to faith which is the self gift of God. The language of religion, as the language of Scripture, does not speak to us today without understanding how it was understood in the life experience, how the initial believers understood the world ie we no longer believe in a two story universe, the language of myth to express what was believed. One needs to be open to belief in the incomprehensible Mystery we call God.

Rational Agnostic · May 20, 2019

Read Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis followed by The Antichrist and The Genealogy of Morals by Frederich Nietzsche. Think critically and decide whose reasoning you find to be more logical and compelling.

But aside from this, at 15 you should also be focused on learning critical thinking skills in general. Study science extensively and learn the basics of logic. But more importantly, don't forget to take time to just enjoy life.

Audie · May 20, 2019

It is good to question things.

My q-you want help getting out, or getting back in?

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