I've made the decision to find religion....Now What??

[saden1]

Don't just consider Christianity...at the very lease try to learn about other religions.

[SolidSnake84]

Originally Posted by saden1

Don't just consider Christianity...at the very lease try to learn about other religions.

I'm sorry if my title confused you. I changed it to try and make it easier to understand.

I believe in God, Jesus Christ...I always have. I believe what he has done for me and other sinners, and I want to live a Christian lifestyle that honors him....BUT i am afraid that i will end up like all of the cultists/weirdos/freaks that i have mentioned in page 1 of the thread.

[firstdown]

I can't figure out when someone says if you don't find God you won't go to heaven. So if I live a good life all the way around but don't find God I'm going to hell? That makes alot of sense.

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by SolidSnake84

I guess most of my problem is maybe being afraid to take the next step, but knowing that i should. You know what i mean? Like the 1st church that I ever reguarly attended was full of extremists, they bordered on being cultists, and it had me being scared that i would end up that way if i stayed a "committed" christian. Because the whole time they were saying how their way was right and everything...and the place was just full of weirdos...seriously.

My wife is the exact opposite. She attended the same church growing up, belonged to the different groups and such, and came from a normal family, that bordered on over-religious, but not to the point where you could see how weird and stuff they were. I guess i was just afraid that if i "gave it my all" i would get consumed and end up like one of those weirdos. The church i reguarly attend is her church and i know it is making her sad and upset that i can't get enjoyment out of it like she does. And i really really want to.....I want my relationship with God to still equate to a normal life. All i've seen is the extreme end of it. I want to have a relationship with God and live a good Christian Life, but i dont want to be weird or be an extremist...does anybody get what i'm saying??

Hopefully i can meet some good Christian men that aren't weirdos and i can have like a mentor or role model/type figure. Because in my short life i've only ever equated "church people", to being extreme and weird.

I find it interesting that you've had a negative experience, but you're still willing to give it a shot. That's pretty darn important if you ask me.

Someone mentioned seeking out a bible study group. That might be a good place begin. The idea of finding the right church can be overwhelming, because you want to get it right and commit to it. Maybe you should approach this similar to job searching. Ask the right questions. What's important to you in a church. By the way, you should probably pray about this too. I'm not offering up any solutions or methods in that area, but church is just as much a spiritually based entity as it is a building and the people that assemble there. Prayer might be a good place to start.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by SolidSnake84

I'm sorry if my title confused you. I changed it to try and make it easier to understand.

I believe in God, Jesus Christ...I always have. I believe what he has done for me and other sinners, and I want to live a Christian lifestyle that honors him....BUT i am afraid that i will end up like all of the cultists/weirdos/freaks that i have mentioned in page 1 of the thread.

Men's Fraternity

This isn't a church per se, but is a course for men. The page lets you look up churches that use it, and from my limited experience, they are pretty normal churches with men asking the same questions you are.

[hooskins]

You are clearly referring to Christianity, but I would suggest reading the holy texts of 5 major faiths.

It definitely helps narrow your thoughts and gain perspective. The reason I suggest this is not to suggest what faith to follow, but to reflect and gain knowledge independently. I think that always means more than just going to Church just to go there.

[saden1]

Originally Posted by SolidSnake84

I'm sorry if my title confused you. I changed it to try and make it easier to understand.

I believe in God, Jesus Christ...I always have. I believe what he has done for me and other sinners, and I want to live a Christian lifestyle that honors him....BUT i am afraid that i will end up like all of the cultists/weirdos/freaks that i have mentioned in page 1 of the thread.

What exactly is a Christian life style and do you need to be a member of a church to live such a life? Personally I'm not convinced one needs organized religion to live a rich and righteous life. As for being afriad of ending up a religious wacko I would say to you that it is permissible to disregard certain things said in church. If you can't disregards some aspects of the Bible am afraid you will end up a religious wacko.

[saden1]

Originally Posted by hooskins

You are clearly referring to Christianity, but I would suggest reading the holy texts of 5 major faiths.

It definitely helps narrow your thoughts and gain perspective. The reason I suggest this is not to suggest what faith to follow, but to reflect and gain knowledge independently. I think that always means more than just going to Church just to go there.

Here here...Knowledge is power.

[DynamiteRave]

Originally Posted by SolidSnake84

I'm sorry if my title confused you. I changed it to try and make it easier to understand.

I believe in God, Jesus Christ...I always have. I believe what he has done for me and other sinners, and I want to live a Christian lifestyle that honors him....BUT i am afraid that i will end up like all of the cultists/weirdos/freaks that i have mentioned in page 1 of the thread.

I don't think there is such thing as a "Christian lifestyle" Christianity is what you make it out to be.

I think it was Hog1 that had a quote in his sig that said something on the order of "Going to sit in church makes you as much of a Christian as standing in your garage makes you a car."

And it honestly makes a lot of sense. If you wanna go to church to help you gain a greater love a knowledge of God, go for it. But Christianity starts within you. You've already seem to have embraced God's love and sacrifice and not to minimize the importance of church, but the rest isn't so much important. As long as you have what you consider a healthy personal relationship with the Man upstairs. You're on the right track. Don't feel like you're in the wrong because you aren't living what others consider is, "right". From what I've read YOU seem to be the one with your heart in the right place.

...And this is coming from an agnostic.

[tryfuhl]

Look under the sofa cushions.

[Schneed10]

Originally Posted by firstdown

I can't figure out when someone says if you don't find God you won't go to heaven. So if I live a good life all the way around but don't find God I'm going to hell? That makes alot of sense.

That's the part of religion that causes more people to go to church so that more hands can pass the offering plate.

[Hog1]

SS84., it's not necessary to begin building bombs and move to Idaho...OR passing out literature in the airport.
If you are concerned about it, stick to the mainstream flavors for the moment. Find a nice Methodist (good sized as they have more options) church, and after the service, either fill out one of the cards and request a contact or speak to the pastor after the service and tell him your new and would like to get in a:
Young peoples group, bible study group, etc. You probably want a church that does a lot of social stuff. They will be more than happy to help. You will know pretty quick if it feels right or not.
If not.....check out another. I personally prefer a pastor who DOES NOT want to interpret the bible to much.......
I volunteer at a local kitchen one day a week that is a chuch project, though not mine. They just feed the hungry.....no strings attached. It.....just makes me feel good
GOOD LUCK

[Hog1]

Originally Posted by firstdown

I can't figure out when someone says if you don't find God you won't go to heaven. So if I live a good life all the way around but don't find God I'm going to hell? That makes alot of sense.

It explains in detail in the bible

[BleedBurgundy]

Philosophy, not religion is what you need. Religion is for sheep.


Bring on the pitchforks! lol

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by BleedBurgundy

Philosophy, not religion is what you need. Religion is for sheep.


Bring on the pitchforks! lol

Philosophy is the talk on a cereal box. Religion is the smile on a dog