Confused about my religion... Help?

[RosithBelle]

I was brought up into a very orthodox christian congregational church, but I suddenly find myself to be very confused about religion in general. I think I believe in God, but I just don't identify myself with the doctrines of my church and their mentality, but going to another church just seems wrong.

I kind of like some ideas of Buddhism and Transcendentalism a little bit...

Any suggestions on how to stop being so confused...?

[Xiam]

Many people go through a transition in beliefs. Until you find something that fits, you're pretty much just "Unspecified."

I'd rather not slap a label upon your beliefs - after all, you're the one who knows how you feel about it best. I'd say just look up as much as you can about as many religions you can find, and scout it out. Consider emotional, social, and moral reasons why something might fit for you. Does the description of higher consciousness seem conceivable to you? Could you see yourself keeping up with the practices? Might there be anything in the religion you find yourself disagreeing with?

Sometimes you might not ever find a specific religion, and that's okay too, many people have eclectic beliefs nowadays.

That's all I can think of for recommendations at the moment...

[Honney Boy]

Learn.

[Sanguina Cruenta]

You don't have to attend a church to be a good Christian, so if attending another church seems wrong at this point, it's not a necessary part of exploring other branches of Christianity. It may not feel wrong in the future, but it's not something you need to worry about now. That is, if you decide to remain a Christian.

It's OK to explore. Take a look at the different sects and different religions out there. Take your time. If you feel uneasy because you're not on stable ground, it might help you to start some sort of spiritual journal of your beliefs and your explorations.

[RosithBelle]

Sanguina Cruenta

You don't have to attend a church to be a good Christian, so if attending another church seems wrong at this point, it's not a necessary part of exploring other branches of Christianity. It may not feel wrong in the future, but it's not something you need to worry about now. That is, if you decide to remain a Christian.

It's OK to explore. Take a look at the different sects and different religions out there. Take your time. If you feel uneasy because you're not on stable ground, it might help you to start some sort of spiritual journal of your beliefs and your explorations.

One of the big problems about this, is that my parent want me to go to church no matter what, their church...

And they simply won't accept anything else.

[Sanguina Cruenta]

Amelie_Amabel

One of the big problems about this, is that my parent want me to go to church no matter what, their church...

And they simply won't accept anything else.

So? You can go to church while exploring other options. If it makes them happy, is there any harm in it?

[The Real Mikuo Hatsune]

Amelie_Amabel

Sanguina Cruenta

You don't have to attend a church to be a good Christian, so if attending another church seems wrong at this point, it's not a necessary part of exploring other branches of Christianity. It may not feel wrong in the future, but it's not something you need to worry about now. That is, if you decide to remain a Christian.

It's OK to explore. Take a look at the different sects and different religions out there. Take your time. If you feel uneasy because you're not on stable ground, it might help you to start some sort of spiritual journal of your beliefs and your explorations.

One of the big problems about this, is that my parent want me to go to church no matter what, their church...

And they simply won't accept anything else.

I to went through a stage on unsureness. I had grown distant from God but believe it or not, when I attended a new church myself, I was able to reconnect thanks to my father and step mother and half brother, as well as the people of the church. They made me feel welcome and loved. You can't always rely on yourself to know what is and is not good, your going to need help from others ( and God of course ). So I say it might be good to search out a new church and remind your parents that Jesus doesn't want his teachings forced upon others if they try to make you go to their church.

[RosithBelle]

The Real Mikuo Hatsune

Amelie_Amabel

Sanguina Cruenta

You don't have to attend a church to be a good Christian, so if attending another church seems wrong at this point, it's not a necessary part of exploring other branches of Christianity. It may not feel wrong in the future, but it's not something you need to worry about now. That is, if you decide to remain a Christian.

It's OK to explore. Take a look at the different sects and different religions out there. Take your time. If you feel uneasy because you're not on stable ground, it might help you to start some sort of spiritual journal of your beliefs and your explorations.

One of the big problems about this, is that my parent want me to go to church no matter what, their church...

And they simply won't accept anything else.

I to went through a stage on unsureness. I had grown distant from God but believe it or not, when I attended a new church myself, I was able to reconnect thanks to my father and step mother and half brother, as well as the people of the church. They made me feel welcome and loved. You can't always rely on yourself to know what is and is not good, your going to need help from others ( and God of course ). So I say it might be good to search out a new church and remind your parents that Jesus doesn't want his teachings forced upon others if they try to make you go to their church.

Going to another church just seems wrong to me.

And it's the concept of a church and a community following the church's guidelines that is bothering me...
I almost want to be by myself, pray by myself an seek something by myself.

Whenever I go to church, I find myself judging everything that the minister says.. and start being cynical about the word of God etc...

[The Real Mikuo Hatsune]

Amelie_Amabel

The Real Mikuo Hatsune

Amelie_Amabel

Sanguina Cruenta

You don't have to attend a church to be a good Christian, so if attending another church seems wrong at this point, it's not a necessary part of exploring other branches of Christianity. It may not feel wrong in the future, but it's not something you need to worry about now. That is, if you decide to remain a Christian.

It's OK to explore. Take a look at the different sects and different religions out there. Take your time. If you feel uneasy because you're not on stable ground, it might help you to start some sort of spiritual journal of your beliefs and your explorations.

One of the big problems about this, is that my parent want me to go to church no matter what, their church...

And they simply won't accept anything else.

I to went through a stage on unsureness. I had grown distant from God but believe it or not, when I attended a new church myself, I was able to reconnect thanks to my father and step mother and half brother, as well as the people of the church. They made me feel welcome and loved. You can't always rely on yourself to know what is and is not good, your going to need help from others ( and God of course ). So I say it might be good to search out a new church and remind your parents that Jesus doesn't want his teachings forced upon others if they try to make you go to their church.

Going to another church just seems wrong to me.

And it's the concept of a church and a community following the church's guidelines that is bothering me...
I almost want to be by myself, pray by myself an seek something by myself.

Whenever I go to church, I find myself judging everything that the minister says.. and start being cynical about the word of God etc...

Interesting, I've never heared of this before. Though maybe, just maybe, it could be God telling you that your minister is preaching wrongly? Maybe he's teaching things that aren't right? It is also quite possable that Satan is trying to poke at your mind and make you think badly of God. There are times it is easy to do so, especially when you read some of the stuff of the old testament or when you are going through a rough time. I had blamed God for a lot in my life when things where going quite bad for me but later found that it had actually all worked to my benefit even though it took years to work out. The fact that you are wanting to distance yourself from your church and yet feel guilty about going to another can mean a multitude of things. I would suggest going to a trusted Christian friend or family member other then your parents and talking about this as they would know you better then any of us here.

[CalledTheRaven]

Amelie_Amabel

The Real Mikuo Hatsune

Amelie_Amabel

Sanguina Cruenta

You don't have to attend a church to be a good Christian, so if attending another church seems wrong at this point, it's not a necessary part of exploring other branches of Christianity. It may not feel wrong in the future, but it's not something you need to worry about now. That is, if you decide to remain a Christian.

It's OK to explore. Take a look at the different sects and different religions out there. Take your time. If you feel uneasy because you're not on stable ground, it might help you to start some sort of spiritual journal of your beliefs and your explorations.

One of the big problems about this, is that my parent want me to go to church no matter what, their church...

And they simply won't accept anything else.

I to went through a stage on unsureness. I had grown distant from God but believe it or not, when I attended a new church myself, I was able to reconnect thanks to my father and step mother and half brother, as well as the people of the church. They made me feel welcome and loved. You can't always rely on yourself to know what is and is not good, your going to need help from others ( and God of course ). So I say it might be good to search out a new church and remind your parents that Jesus doesn't want his teachings forced upon others if they try to make you go to their church.

Going to another church just seems wrong to me.

And it's the concept of a church and a community following the church's guidelines that is bothering me...
I almost want to be by myself, pray by myself an seek something by myself.

Whenever I go to church, I find myself judging everything that the minister says.. and start being cynical about the word of God etc...

Here's a question. What is your opinion of the minister as a person and what do your parents think of him? If he seems like a decent sort that you just can't agree with in this context you might talk to him. If he's okay with the idea of you taking some time to contemplate you faith by yourself then you could get him to support you with your parents.

On the other hand, you don't have to listen to him preaching. You can be alone with your thoughts in your own head while in a room full of people. While you're a certain age and live in your parents'house you have to live by their rules to an extent. It's not too hard to deal with.

[TANRailgun]

Sanguina Cruenta

Amelie_Amabel

One of the big problems about this, is that my parent want me to go to church no matter what, their church...

And they simply won't accept anything else.

So? You can go to church while exploring other options. If it makes them happy, is there any harm in it?

How about exasorbating her confusion? IMO, until she knows what she believes, and is comfortable in what she believes, she should abstain from giving into the pressures and influences of others, ESPECIALLY family.

[RosithBelle]

CalledTheRaven

Amelie_Amabel

The Real Mikuo Hatsune

Amelie_Amabel

Sanguina Cruenta

You don't have to attend a church to be a good Christian, so if attending another church seems wrong at this point, it's not a necessary part of exploring other branches of Christianity. It may not feel wrong in the future, but it's not something you need to worry about now. That is, if you decide to remain a Christian.

It's OK to explore. Take a look at the different sects and different religions out there. Take your time. If you feel uneasy because you're not on stable ground, it might help you to start some sort of spiritual journal of your beliefs and your explorations.

One of the big problems about this, is that my parent want me to go to church no matter what, their church...

And they simply won't accept anything else.

I to went through a stage on unsureness. I had grown distant from God but believe it or not, when I attended a new church myself, I was able to reconnect thanks to my father and step mother and half brother, as well as the people of the church. They made me feel welcome and loved. You can't always rely on yourself to know what is and is not good, your going to need help from others ( and God of course ). So I say it might be good to search out a new church and remind your parents that Jesus doesn't want his teachings forced upon others if they try to make you go to their church.

Going to another church just seems wrong to me.

And it's the concept of a church and a community following the church's guidelines that is bothering me...
I almost want to be by myself, pray by myself an seek something by myself.

Whenever I go to church, I find myself judging everything that the minister says.. and start being cynical about the word of God etc...

Here's a question. What is your opinion of the minister as a person and what do your parents think of him? If he seems like a decent sort that you just can't agree with in this context you might talk to him. If he's okay with the idea of you taking some time to contemplate you faith by yourself then you could get him to support you with your parents.

On the other hand, you don't have to listen to him preaching. You can be alone with your thoughts in your own head while in a room full of people. While you're a certain age and live in your parents'house you have to live by their rules to an extent. It's not too hard to deal with.

It's not just one minister.
When I used to live in the U.S. the church was small and the community was tight nit. The preacher knew everyone and their families and their problems and could be more helpful. He visited our house quite often and gave good advices.
Now that I'm in a different country, the churches here are huge, and the members are quite old. The hierarchy of elders and such, they are very traditional.
I go to church and me, having the influence of a country such as the U.S., see his advices and mindset as being completely bogus.

[RosithBelle]

Some of my recent friends were atheist, and even though they didn't try to make me atheist, I couldn't help but open my mind to their set of beliefs or lack of beliefs..

And now every time I go to church I remember what they say, and I start to question things..

[TANRailgun]

Amelie_Amabel

Some of my recent friends were atheist, and even though they didn't try to make me atheist, I couldn't help but open my mind to their set of beliefs or lack of beliefs..

And now every time I go to church I remember what they say, and I start to question things..

I suppose then you should start this journey by attempting to answer one question: Do you believe in the divine? If they answer is yes, then you can start getting more specific about it from there.

Edit: And remember that there is nothing wrong with questioning what you are told by authority figures. You are not a bad person for having doubts about your religion, and you're not a bad person if you decide you don't have a religion.

[RosithBelle]

TANRailgun

Amelie_Amabel

Some of my recent friends were atheist, and even though they didn't try to make me atheist, I couldn't help but open my mind to their set of beliefs or lack of beliefs..

And now every time I go to church I remember what they say, and I start to question things..

I suppose then you should start this journey by attempting to answer one question: Do you believe in the divine? If they answer is yes, then you can start getting more specific about it from there.

Edit: And remember that there is nothing wrong with questioning what you are told by authority figures. You are not a bad person for having doubts about your religion, and you're not a bad person if you decide you don't have a religion.

I want to believe in God, I do. I know that it's the right thing for me, but I also want to question and I think that the fact that I've been questioning a lot of main ideas of Christianity have driven me away from my religion. As I said, I've become skeptical....

I feel the need to be more religious and everything.. but it seems that one step that I take, it's two steps back...

And then I start to look at some eastern religions and how some of them is all about finding peace within.. and about meditation and trying to reach some kind of enlightenment...