I want to become religious, need advice

[DecemberDream]

Yeah I do. Me the athiest. I was inspired recently by my friend who committed suicide and my friend in the hospital. I'm not sure what religion to go for though. I figured on becoming Christian or Catholic.. but I don't really believe too much in God, I do however believe in Jesus. Should I just be one of those two and build faith in God or go with another religion?

[Sarahbackstreet]

I'm sorry about your friends.

I'm glad that you made this decision.:)Ofcourse I can't tell you what Religion you should follow because I'll have to be biased and favor mine(Islam),But I suggest you take your time and get all the information you can about the different faithes,which are all based upon God's existence,so believing in Him is a must.

Being religious can mean different things,so don't jump into any Religion without being fully aware of it just for the sake of being religious,Take it slowly and study everything well to determine what you believe in.

May God guide you to the right way and deliver you the best.:)

[Allie Lowell]

Sarahbackstreet...*cackles*...I'm sorry but I have vision's of back street's as in whores and redlights, but it just dawned on me you must be a Backstreet Boy's fan !!!...gave some really good advice there. Personally I don't think you need to have a religion to follow in order to be fulfilled in a spiritual sense. My heaven is the Greek Elysian Field of Dreams, it's what you want it to be. My Field of dreams would be a field with a bed in, a tv and a vcr where I could watch Kate & Allie ALL day. I'd have a doggie to play with and a quad bike to ride around on. I'd also like a holodeck (like the one off Star Trek The Next Generation) where I could visit with famous people like Katharine Hepburn and Karen Carpenter. Naturally I'd want to meet Jane Curtin as well...*worships*

[Sarahbackstreet]

<---------is embarrassed

lol,well yeah you do have a point there with the name,I can't believe I never noticed it could mean that.

Yeah,I do like the Backstreet Boys,I don't like my sn though,I wish it was just Sarah,I don't know why I thought about including the backstreet part,seems pretty pointless to me now.

[Leezard]

Sarah had a lot of good things to say, you've got to find the church that works for you-for lack of a better term. I think that if you belive in Jesus and have accepted him into your heart you may want to go with one that believes along that line as well because it may be hard to learn more about God if that idea is missing. Maybe you should go and check out some churches, ask people you know for suggestions. I think the best way to learn about God or a religion is from people who are trained in that religion so finding a good church is important.

I'm sorry to hear about your friends, this must be such a rough time for you...I'll keep you in my prayers.

[tiger_rascal]

Good advice so far.

As for me, people may call me a Christian, but right now, its more important for me to try and form a long term commitment with my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Reading some books, such as the Bible and an english version of the Koran, may help you to further your knowledge in world religions. Just take it easy. For example, with the Bible I would recommend reading the New Testament first.

I currently do not attend a church, but in the past I have visited some and I have met some wonderful people and learned some things too. Its good to have fellowship. Most churches will welcome you and you could just tell them your visiting and set in the back and listen.

Take your time. Search yourself and what you believe. :)

[tiger_rascal]

Sarah, I feel the same about my sn, it should just be Chad. :)

[Allie Lowell]

Originally posted by Sarahbackstreet
<---------is embarrassed

lol,well yeah you do have a point there with the name,I can't believe I never noticed it could mean that.

Yeah,I do like the Backstreet Boys,I don't like my sn though,I wish it was just Sarah,I don't know why I thought about including the backstreet part,seems pretty pointless to me now.

Oooh no !!! I think it's a cool name. It's diff and just Sarah would have been real plain. I just have a dirty mind :p It's name like your's that people remember anyway. I liked the Backstreet Boy's music as well, although I wouldn't admit to it. I always liked Howie

[Sinister]

Are they really from the backstreets? :p

[pop lolly]

Originally posted by Allie Lowell
. My heaven is the Greek Elysian Field of Dreams, it's what you want it to be. My Field of dreams would be a field with a bed in, a tv and a vcr where I could watch Kate & Allie ALL day. I'd have a doggie to play with and a quad bike to ride around on. I'd also like a holodeck (like the one off Star Trek The Next Generation) where I could visit with famous people like Katharine Hepburn and Karen Carpenter. Naturally I'd want to meet Jane Curtin as well...*worships*


So you don't want the contents of my jar then?

[butterfly]

Sorry to hear about your friends.

Obviously any of us will be biased towards our own beliefs, so the best advice I can think of is to follow your heart.

It sounds like you're leaning towards Christianity, but which branch of Christianity (of which Catholicism is a part) you go for (if you do become a Christian) is up to you. I wish you the best of luck in whatever faith chooses you.

[leoslave]

As a catholic, I would say BE CAREFULL ABOUT the religion you choose coz there are a lot bad ones out there ;)

[Bif]

Good for you, sweetie! :) If you're looking into Christianity, I would ABSOLUTELY recommend reading The Case for Faith and The Case for Christ, both by Lee Strobel. They helped me immensely when I had questions and was skeptical. They're wonderful. Good luck with whatever you choose. Everyone here has given some great advice!

[Steggy]

Originally posted by Bif
I would ABSOLUTELY recommend reading The Case for Faith and The Case for Christ, both by Lee Strobel.

Excellent books! Also, if youre going for a christian religion read "The Purpose Driven Life" it is extremely helpful in understanding what life is supposed to be about and finding your place int his world.

[young again]

I don't know if you saw my response on your "decision" thread, but here you've talked about Jesus and Christianity and there and elsewhere you've talked about an interest in Judaism. Which makes me want to advise you to take it slow, explore broadly, and pay attention to what aspects of the various faiths/religions/communities are most appealing to you, or speak to you most directly. It's about the journey, not the destination (IMHO).

[Allie Lowell]

:mad: It's STIFF around here when it comes to what you can and cannot say. Might as well CENSOR everything and have no freedom of speech whatsoever.

[DecemberDream]

Actually YoungAgain I'm glad you remember what I've said and thought I believed in and what not, but I know what I think and feel now and Judaism is it.

[Earl Purple]

DecemberDream:

May I suggest that you turn to a way of life that is often referred to as Noahidism.

This is the path of the righteous gentile, and the righteous gentile has a share in the world to come.

One of the best places to find out more is the yahoo group http://groups.yahoo.com/group/noahides

You may well also find some links online by searching for Noahide. It is not a new religion, it is one of the oldest (if not the oldest).

[Earl Purple]

The group I gave you is "members only".

For more information (before you decide to join the group, that is) you can look at this yahoo group:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/noahidesandtorah/messages

On some of the other sites you can see why Jews and Noahides do not accept Jesus as the Messiah. As the Messiah is a Jewish concept, it is the Jews who are best qualified to determine whether or not Jesus is acceptable as the Messiah. Jesus fulfils only 1 (or possibly 2) of the 7 requirements of the Messiah, and that is the one of being Jewish. Three of the requirements have not been fulfilled yet by anybody, which is good reason to believe that the Messiah has not yet come.

[oldernow]

On some of the other sites you can see why Jews and Noahides do not accept Jesus as the Messiah. As the Messiah is a Jewish concept, it is the Jews who are best qualified to determine whether or not Jesus is acceptable as the Messiah. Jesus fulfils only 1 (or possibly 2) of the 7 requirements of the Messiah, and that is the one of being Jewish. Three of the requirements have not been fulfilled yet by anybody, which is good reason to believe that the Messiah has not yet come.
Can you post the so called requiremnts that have not been fullfilled? It is not the Jews who are best qualified it is who God chooses.

[Earl Purple]

Jews are best-qualified to interpret their own texts. i.e. the old testament, in the same way that Muslims are the best qualified to interpret Quran.

Some of the things the Messiah must fulfil are:

- Gather in the exiles, i.e. bring all the Jews back to Israel (including the 10 lost tribes)

- Bring about world peace.

- Rebuild the temple.

I believe these criteria are in Ezekiel though I don't have the sources with me right now.

Have a look at http://www.messiahtruth.org and http://www.jewsforjudaism.com

[oldernow]

Pardon me Earl Purple, but have you read the Bible? Sounds to me like your saying that only the Jews can understand the Bible. Translation is made so others can understand in their own tongue. It is the Jewish scribes who are responsible for giving us the Bible.

[Earl Purple]

I have read much of the old testament, or the Tanach, as we call it.

Most of the "proof" texts are either mistranslated or quoted out of context.

[oldernow]

Ezekiel 34:13I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land.

Ezekiel 36:24'For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land.

Ezekiel 20:34 will bring you from the nations and gather you from the countries where you have been scattered-with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with outpoured wrath.




In 1948, the Jews declared independence for Israel for the first time in more than 2000 years. Since 1948, millions of other Jews have returned to "their own land." The Jews have been regathered in their homeland after three exiles. . Not every single Jewish person will be returned to Israel. Romans destroyed Jerusalem and killed and exiled hundreds of thousands of Jews. The Jews were scattered to virtually every country in the world. But, during the past century, millions of Jews have returned to Israel, from the east, the west, the north and the south.



About the Temple: It was Jesus himself who said that the temple would not be rebuilt until he returns. {The second time}
World Peace: Not fulfilled, but will be.

[oldernow]

Most of the "proof" texts are either mistranslated or quoted out of context
I have been reading the Bible for over 20 years and have done extensive research on the Bible. I have read numerous books and studied the History of the Bible including translations and the original texts. So if you could show me where you got this information I would appreciate it.

[Earl Purple]

Resurrection of the dead will not happen immediately.

When it says the ingathering of the exiles, it does not refer to those who are dead, but those who are still living.

During the period of the first temple, many of the exiles of the 10 tribes returned to Judah under the reign of King Josiah. It may be from the descendents of those people that the 10 tribes are represented in the future, but when the Messiah comes it will be revealed who these people are, as we will all know our tribal origin again.

[oldernow]

If the Jews dont believe in Jesus why do they believe in the resurection?

When it says the ingathering of the exiles, it does not refer to those who are dead, but those who are still living.

During the period of the first temple, many of the exiles of the 10 tribes returned to Judah under the reign of King Josiah. It may be from the descendents of those people that the 10 tribes are represented in the future, but when the Messiah comes it will be revealed who these people are, as we will all know our tribal origin again.
Can you show me where in the Bible it says this? Also can you answer my previous request?

[Earl Purple]

I don't have my sources with me but refer to the sites I gave you links to and ask questions there if you like.

You have to also remember that Jews believe in the authenticity of the Oral Law, which was passed to Moses at Mount Sinai but was not written down until later on.

The Oral Law is not additional law but adds detail to the written law. For example, the written Law mentions that animal slaughter has to be done in a prescribed way but does not tell you what that is. Similarly the written Law tells you to wear Tefillin but doesn't describe what Tefillin look like (i,e. that they have to be black and square, and contain parchments).

[oldernow]

So then you dont follow the torah?
I dont see any reason for me to go to the sites you posted to ask questions. I am only asking because you are discussing it here. I did look briefly at the site and found it to be anti Christian, so I did not see any need to look further.

I was hoping that being that you brought these subjects up that you would or could answer them.
I am curious about your opinion about the resurection of the dead.:)

[Earl Purple]

You could call it anti-Christian if you want. Not anti-Christians as people, just that we do not accept Jesus as Messiah and that is by nature totally contrary to Christian beliefs. But there is nothing there suggesting that we go around attacking Christians and persercuting them in any way, or attacking churches.

I don't know what will happen as far as resurrection of the dead is concerned. I do believe there is some form of after-life and that when we die we are judged for the deeds we did in this life.

I don't know if the post-messianic afterlife will mean a return to a life-style of this life but simply better. If the afterlife is better than the what we have here, would we want to return? The answers to these things I will know only when I die and when the Messiah actually comes. In the meantime my job is to live my present life.

[oldernow]

On the first page of the site you posted,
http://www.messiahtruth.com/response.html
Here is a brief part of what it says.
it says the ultimate goal of Christians fundementalists is the eradication of the Jewish people through assimilation, IT IS OUR OBLIGATION TO STOP THEM.
I take this as anti- Christian.
It also goes on to say how we are misinterpreting the New Testament. The scriptures that are posted are completely taken out of context. And this is what I call deliberately misleading the reader. Now anyone can take a sentence out of a book and make it out to be what they would like it to be. But put it in the full context of the story and you have a completely different account.
Just so you know I am one of those fundemental Christians who have supported the Jewish people and their right to Israel.
What irks me is that you posted a website that accuses Christians of being mislead and misinterpreting when there is absolutely nothing on this site that can prove what is being said holds water. To pick a few lines and use that as a basis of Christian believing in Jesus as a lie, well that is not proving anything.
I am assuming that many who go to this site choose to believe what is said by the author without reading the New Testament for themselves. A bit strange for those who want to make their case.
Your saying my belief in Jesus are contrary to what Christians believe, yet when I ask you to show me how you know this you dont give me anything to support what you are saying. Making accusations and not being able to suppot them is not convincing.

[Earl Purple]

As I said, the site is anti-Christian only that it denies Jesus as the Messiah and goes on to show that the verses in the Old Testament that relate to the Messiah do not relate to Jesus, and that the verses in the Old Testament that many Christians point to as prophecies about Jesus are in fact prophecies about other things completely, or are total mistranslations.

The site is aimed at Jews who have been converted or are thinking of converting to Christianity, and the only Christian people who the site is really against are the missionaries who are out there trying to convert Jews.

The site does not refer to the New Testament because according to Judaism there is no divinity whatsoever in the New Testament. Maybe Jesus did perform miracles, but that does not prove divinity - maybe G-d allowed him to perform miracles to test the faith of the people.

We are going to continue to disagree on the matter because you believe in Jesus as Messiah and I don't.

[bluehorizonx10]

The site is aimed at Jews who have been converted or are thinking of converting to Christianity, and the only Christian people who the site is really against are the missionaries who are out there trying to convert Jews.

Fear maybe promotes the site? Missionaries are sent out into the world by God to convert anyone to a life with God in Heaven through Christ Jesus. This is exactly what the Bible tells us to do.

[DoubleEdgeSword]

Originally posted by DecemberDream
Yeah I do. Me the athiest. I was inspired recently by my friend who committed suicide and my friend in the hospital. I'm not sure what religion to go for though. I figured on becoming Christian or Catholic.. but I don't really believe too much in God, I do however believe in Jesus. Should I just be one of those two and build faith in God or go with another religion?

Back to the original intent of the thread for a moment...

This site is pretty cool. There is a little quiz you can take that may help you decide what your beliefs are and which religions may come closest.

http://beliefnet.com/story/76/story_7665_1.html