Help me have Faith!!!!!

[lukenick1]

I am not a religous person and would like to be but I have had many doubts about religion in general. I even have doubt about God. What does it take to believe? I know this will most likely be a heated topic but I'm looking for guidance without being judged. I felt this is a good place to talk about seeing you all don't know me and will not talk smack about me to my neighbors and friends.
Can anyone of you christians help me believe?
How do we really know that God exists if we haven't seen him with our own eyes? How do we know the bible wasn't made up? Why do people with true faith get sick and die of diseases like cancer? Why are we made scared of NOT believeing?
Thanks to those who have something to help.

 

[Disneyland1084]

 

[Disneyolic]

I am not one of those people who judge others based on religion. It seems that you are truly seeking spiritual help. I am a happy converted Catholic. It took many churches in my life to finally find one that I was happy with and that I felt was best for me. That being said, I believe in the bible. You ask, how do we know it wasn't made up? I'll just say this about that question. Whether or not it was or wasn't, it is what you want to believe. People need guidance and if it is the bible that helps them through their spiritual needs, then, even if it were made up, it can still help them.

I'm not sure how I can help you. I am hoping someone can come here and comfort you and guide you ...

 

[Wishing on a star]

Nope, we can't really help you to believe.

That is up to you, and GOD.

Religion really has nothing to do with it.
Religion is just manmade organizations.

You ask, why don't we know.. Why can't we see God, etc...

Well, the very definition of FAITH is belief in things unseen!

I can tell you this. The one thing that will happen for you to really be a born again believer is for you to put all questions and all of your human knowledge and all of your faith in yourself and the world around you away. Humble yourself and see yourself as the mortal creature that you are, and you will then be able to open yourself up to your creator. HUMBLE yourself before the Almighty!

Remember, you are out to create, or define, or find God.

God has created and defined, and found YOU!!!

 

[Wishing on a star]

Me again, posting a little more of my thoughts.

You mention religion, and the Bible.

I have no faith whatsoever in religion itself.

However, as one who obviously does not have any religious connections, you are probably not familiar with the Scriptures.

I have found no value to those preachers who preach their own man-made religious dogma. "Putting their faith in the words of man, instead of the Word of God".

I can tell you this... If you were able to find a Church where the preacher/pastor/whatever truly preached the WORD of God, from the Bible, it would probably speak to your heart and give you understanding.

Of course, this is very very difficult to find.

 

[NY Disney fan]

Why are we made scared of NOT believeing?

Because of ignorant people who treat your horribly if you don't worship the same religion as them.

 

[JennyMominRI]

I? Why do people with true faith get sick and die of diseases like cancer? Why are we made scared of NOT believeing?
Thanks to those who have something to help.

I am not Christian but jewish...I'd like to give my perspective on this...I have AIDS a really nasty disease... In Jan my DH had an Aortic Dissection, emergency open heart surgery and almost died...He spent 9 weeks in the hospital... My Mother has renal Cancer... My brother has skin cancer and sarcoidosis...I've had to come to grips with the fact that both Ed and I will probably die young.
I don't believe G-d gave me AIDS. I don't believe he gave my family these illnesses..I believe we are imperfect humans with free will and bodies prone to sickness... As such we get sick..We have accidents, and sometimes others use their free will to do horrible things to us..
I believe that G-d is up there crying WITH us when these things happen..I can't reconcile a loving G-d with one who gives illness , and causes death and murder. I don't believe the It's *all part of his plan* idea...I can't concieve of any acceptable plan that allows for the rape and murder of a little girl or the deaths of 3000 people in their office building..If G-d wants to *teach* us something there are other ways...He is G-d after all.
I also cannot reconcile free will with a G-d who is up there giving Bill cancer and causing Bob to get hit by a car.. If this is true than free will is an illusion.
We can either have a G-d up their micromanaging us or we can have free will and a G-d who loves and cares for us while the results of free will and human frailty happen.

 

[nannerbadnanner]

First, it's okay to have doubts. I think everyone does. If you are a reader, I suggest reading "Mere Christianity" by C.S. Lewis. It really answers alot of faith questions.

As for me, I believe in God because I can look back through my life and see his fingerprints on it. Right now, I am really struggling because my dad has terminal cancer. I am so sad about the thought of losing my dad, I'm angry that he has to suffer, and I am grieving because he may never meet the child that I am pregnant with. Still, I have a peace about the situation and a comfort that I cannot explain. I see where God has brought people into my life that have helped me carry this burden. That's how I know He exists in a personal sense to me.

 

[salmoneous]

How do we really know that God exists if we haven't seen him with our own eyes? How do we know the bible wasn't made up? Why do people with true faith get sick and die of diseases like cancer? Why are we made scared of NOT believeing?

My 2 cents - God is strange. I don't understand God at all. As folks say, "God works in mysterious way."

But we aren't meant to understand God. We are meant to puzzle, to wonder. And, in particular, we are meant to accept things that don't make sense to us. God expects us to trust Him. Why? I don't know. And I don't think any of us will ever know.

So why believe? Because believing is better than not believing. Our lives are better because we believe.

 

[Chicago526]

Well, you can have faith and believe in God, even pray to God and not be "religous", meaning you don't have to belong to a church, attend church, or study religous text. Faith in God is whatever you want it to be.

But, if you want to belong to a religion, the best thing to do is to look into all the religions and find one that speaks to you. Don't stick just stick with Christianity either, check 'em all out!

And there is no rule you have to have faith at all. I know several athiests who are some of the most awesome people I know. They live more "sinless" lives than some others I know that have their butt parked in the front row at church every Sunday. If you can't find faith in yourself, it doesn't mean your a bad person, it's just the way you're wired, that's all.

 

[jimmiej]

I am not a religous person and would like to be but I have had many doubts about religion in general. I even have doubt about God. What does it take to believe? I know this will most likely be a heated topic but I'm looking for guidance without being judged. I felt this is a good place to talk about seeing you all don't know me and will not talk smack about me to my neighbors and friends.
Can anyone of you christians help me believe?
How do we really know that God exists if we haven't seen him with our own eyes? How do we know the bible wasn't made up? Why do people with true faith get sick and die of diseases like cancer? Why are we made scared of NOT believeing?
Thanks to those who have something to help.

First let me say, throw away your thoughts & biases about religion! Focus on JESUS!!! I encourage you to read the book of John in The Bible. Read a version you can understand. Here's a website with most versions & languages:

http://www.biblegateway.com/

The "Message" version would be a good place to start. Focus on the words of Jesus. Here's what Jesus said to the apostle Thomas when he refused to believe Jesus was alive again after the resurrection:

John 20

Jesus Appears to Thomas

24Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. 25So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!"
But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." 26A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" 27Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."

28Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!"

29Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."

30Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31But these are written that you may[a] believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

Even Thomas, who was with Jesus in the flesh for three years & saw His miracles, doubted. Don't discount yourself because you doubt. Many, if not all Christians doubt at times.

I'm sending you a private message with some other info.

 

[DawnMarie]

I would suggest that you study the history of the Bible and the historical accounts that are written in the Bible. Only upon research will you be able to accurately say I believe or I don't believe this book is from God. To exercise faith(firm belief in something for which there is no proof) you must believe that God is real.

 

[NY Disney fan]

((((JennyMominRI))))

 

[Magpie]

Start calling up local churches, etc. and make an appointment to talk to the pastor/preacher/reverend/rabbi - whatever they've got. Religious leaders are almost alway open to answering questions like yours and can give you better guidance than anyone on this board. You don't have to be a member of their congregation - they should be delighted to see you regardless.

Good luck!

 

[JoyG]

((((JennyMominRI))))

I second that hug.

 

[JennyMominRI]

((((JennyMominRI))))

I'm Good I didn'tpost this to get attention for myself,but to show the OP that I know what it's like to deal with horrible sickness and wonder why me, and why us?

 

[JennyMominRI]

I second that hug.

Hey Joy
It's almost 2008..Think I'm ready to put 2007 behind me?

 

[JoyG]

I am not a religous person and would like to be but I have had many doubts about religion in general. I even have doubt about God. What does it take to believe? I know this will most likely be a heated topic but I'm looking for guidance without being judged. I felt this is a good place to talk about seeing you all don't know me and will not talk smack about me to my neighbors and friends.
Can anyone of you christians help me believe?
How do we really know that God exists if we haven't seen him with our own eyes? How do we know the bible wasn't made up? Why do people with true faith get sick and die of diseases like cancer? Why are we made scared of NOT believeing?
Thanks to those who have something to help.

The bible says faith comes by hearing the word of God. I agree with the suggestion to start reading the Bible (book of John) and I'd pray these same questions while you're reading.

 

[lukenick1]

To be honest with you all.....I'm afraid not to believe.

I'm afraid that bad things will come to me and that I will go to "Hell" (if there is such a place). I do think Religion is a business as is everything else in this world. I just want more to have "faith". To feel better spiritually and to not be afraid anymore. I can't possibly teach my kids about God if I'm not truly a believer. That would be hypocritical of me. My in laws are very Religious and bother me about teaching my kids about God. They think I'm a bad person cuz I don't pray. I grew up going to Catholic school and it never meant anything to me. My parents never went to church or taught us about God either so blame it on my upbringing I guess.
Also, my children are Orthodox and at their church they take communion from a community cup and it grosses me out. Everyone sharing the same cup!!! I don't want them to get communion but have my inlaws pressuring me.
ugghhhh!!!!

 

[JoyG]

Hey Joy
It's almost 2008..Think I'm ready to put 2007 behind me?

Absolutely! May 2008 be a walk in the park!