Agnostic

[DaVinci2]

If I were to write every I wanted to ask, I would likely take an entire day trying to write a post. I'll just start off with a little and see where it takes me.

I was never raised with any real religion. My father was raised catholic and 'forced' to go to church. He swore he would never force his kids to do the same. My mother is protestant, but always raised us to believe that we should find our own way, whether it be Christian, Buddhism or anything else. She always said "If you are good to yourself and good to others you will go to heaven."

Anyways, there are so many things that I have been thinking about over the last years that have made me question my beliefs. First, I was always pro-choice. I am still pro-choice...but I now emphasis that I hope the choice is life. I was very much for the death penalty, now I'm not so sure it's right. I wonder if God new that as humans we would try and explore beyond the stars and be curious of our history and so he created 'science' to keep us moving forward. Was there a big bang? I don't know? Will I go to heaven if I die...I don't know, but I certainly hope there is a heaven for me to go to.

I sometimes feel that religious people have a very old-fashioned view of what God and Christ are. My wife had 2 abortions before we met. I believe she suffered during both, she regrets having done them but felt it necessary at that time in her life. We met while she was married (In an extremely abuse marriage) and I was living with my girlfriend who was a religious nut (Buddhist)...I coveted my neighbors wife...but I don't feel sorry because I felt such a strong love for her that it never even entered my mind that it was as sin (I never knew much about what a mortal sin was or wasn't). I look back on my life and see many things I can imagine the 'old-fashioned' God would send me to burn in hell for enternity...but the God I feel must be up there looking down on me knows that I am good, no perfect but good. Is this enough?

Just looking for a bit of guidance here...I'm agnostic and know little of the bible. I do attend church Fridays here in Japan (American pastor, and friend runs the church). He and I both lived a 'wild' life before he started a family and became more serious about religion. What got me on here to post is that I ran into a Christian missionary here in Japan while on my way to work. He asked me to say a prayer with him and felt that what he was doing had such great meaning...while I my mind was getting to work on time (I was late), I still kept thinking about the experience itself...

confused and looking for some clarity...

[ayla zaire]

we seem to have the same background......dad lapsed catholic....except that my father had a sort of hatred toward all organized religion......and my mom was methodist....

i don't know if i call myself christian.....i think i'll have to find a church that is right for me first......i'm still looking there....but many of my beliefs are christian.....and i read the bible.......for serenity........

it can be so hard for people like us, who have no religious background....no real, educated knowledge of the bible, and if you are like me, just a little bit embarrassed of the idea of being religious because of your parents beliefs.....at the same time, i do believe in god, i strongly believe in heaven....i think i have the right attitude to embrace religion....i'm still searching for something........

i would have to say that i'm confused too, a lot of the time.....

[best]

Welcome DaVinci

I can write out all I know and answer your every question but if you are like me, you won't believe but half of it unless you find the answers for yourself.
I will be short with a reply...
Believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord and died for our sins.
Ask for forgiveness, repent of your sins, and follow Jesus... you will see heaven.

To find the answers...read God's word. The bible is God's guide that He has given us so that we may know the truth.
As written in the book of John...

John3:16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[f] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

Believe, ask, repent, and our "every" sin is forgiven.
Yes even that sin that I never thought anyone would forgive me for...Even that sin has been forgiven.

[DaVinci2]

Just wanted to say that I appreciate all the answers and PMs. I will get back to everyone and post in this thread as well as soon as I have my family in bed and some personal time to myself.