I believe what I believe because I researched it.
@Masihi (4413)
Canada
February 7, 2012 8:14pm CST
Yeap, what a mouthful of a title that is. In religion (I'm from a Christian background) there's generally a set of rules a person abides by and that's basically it for more people. Well, unfortunately I am cursed with an inquisitive mind, and while I have no issue in believing in a Higher Power, I have a huge issue in all these traditions and rules that people place on us and these restrictions basically puts us in ... well, a dreaded word, I know ... bondage!
Let me explain...I am a social drinker. I like a nice vodka drink or some of my friend's homemade white wine. There's really nothing wrong with that because I'm not getting drunk. There's nothing in the bible that talks against casual drinking. It warns us against getting drunk but it doesn't say we can't consume alcoholic beverages. Now,I see it plain as day, and that restriction is fine and dandy for me because I'm well aware of the health issues involved with getting drunk. But here's the catch - many mainstream Protestants are death against any alcohol and will tell you out and out that you're sinning just because you're drinking a little bit. They'll even go as far as saying you're not a Christian just because you drink. That is bondage there.
Another issue I find, and this involves tradition, is that the original set-aside day is Saturaday, and while many Christians will follow a tradition set by Emporer Constantine 300 years after Jesus's death to observe Sunday worship. I know this is a very old tradition, but seriously, I cannot find any place in the Bible that say the Sabbath have been changed to Sunday.
I put my title as "I believe what I believe because I researched it" because I find people are afraid to challenge their beliefs. I'm seeing too many people just accepting things with blind faith simply because it's what thier spiritual leaders teach them. It's comfortable for them. I know when I read the Bible for myself and read history books, there were many things I questioned and wondered why this and that's not in the Bible and that other thing is in the Bible but not being addressed and so forth.
It was scary at first but well, as the saying goes, the truth will set you free. I'm finding now that things aren't so legalistic as people made thing out to be, and I'm finding that we're missing so much of the rich Biblical history in mainstream teachings. So much to learn, and it's challenging, but no longer scary, but exciting.
Just rambling, LOL, many of you know that I have been through a rough few months especially in relationships with my Christian friends. But I'm asking myself is how can I just sit and accept things by blind faith? I'd much rather understand what I believe in and why I believe in such a way.
3 people like this
8 responses
@aerous (13434)
• Philippines
8 Feb 12
Basically there is no commandment in the bible that we only worship on sundays and or saturday. The bible specifically say do not let your worship daily...so there is no specific day for us to do a worship...other verse was every first of the week but in the Christian era, that commandment was specifically set on daily in worshiping God
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
8 Feb 12
We should worship G-d in our actions, faith, and service to each other. But there is one day set aside to keep it holy, in the Ten Commandments in Exodus. 8 Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: 10 But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: 11 For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
8 Feb 12
Aerous, the proper word is "Fullfilled" not abolish..
@Mashnn (4501)
•
8 Feb 12
Hi. When it comes to religion or what people believe in, it is very hard to convince another person to change from what they believe in and start acting in what you believe in. Most people claims that they read bible but it seems that we all understand bible differently. I think the best thing to do is to stick to what you believe in and do not get bothered by what others believe in. Drink if you think it is ok and do anything elase that you think it is right. Otherwise, arguing about religion is the most difficult thing that you can do and you will never reach into conclusion or agree on anything.
@peavey (16936)
• United States
9 Feb 12
I have questioned many beliefs that are taught by the various churches. I know how scary it can be at first to think that we have the audacity to question the leaders and teachers! 
But you know what? It takes a strong faith to question with the anticipation of finding an answer. Our God is big and He is not threatened by our questions or even our doubts. I think He welcomes them, because being contained within the structure of what someone else believes limits His working in our lives. When we begin to learn on our own and trust Him to teach us through His word, we begin to grow the way He intended.
Congratulations on seeing that what we are taught is not always the truth. Don't stop digging!
But you know what? It takes a strong faith to question with the anticipation of finding an answer. Our God is big and He is not threatened by our questions or even our doubts. I think He welcomes them, because being contained within the structure of what someone else believes limits His working in our lives. When we begin to learn on our own and trust Him to teach us through His word, we begin to grow the way He intended.
Congratulations on seeing that what we are taught is not always the truth. Don't stop digging! 1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
9 Feb 12
Thanks for your support, and I do admire you for your attitude I think we should all dig into our faith because you're right, it will only make us stronger. I know myself I feel more confident in discussing my faith with people because of the research, and I can share with people doubts and feeling. Plus I also feel more freer.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
8 Feb 12
Hi Masihi, I think I told you once that the root word of religion is "bondage" and so you are on the right track..Another problem is the traditions and the comfort it brings. If a person were to stop traditional observances, it would make him or her uncomfortable and no one like to be uncomfortable. Plus like you said, the other drawback is losing many Christian friends, including family. My sister still hasn't spoken to me, even though I did call her to say Happy Birthday, I only got her voice mail and she never returned my call. But I can't force a relationship, just like G♥d can't force a relationship on us, (some people don't realize that His hands are tied because man gave the earth over to the enemy) and we just got to keep moving forward and pray for those who are straggling behind.
1 person likes this
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
9 Feb 12
Not all, I have some that are not only friendly, but also occasionally ask me questions. As for where we'll be after this life, I won't go there, it isn't for me to judge, but if they are, they are going to have a wide eye-opener, because no more Easter, it is going to be Passover, and Sukkot....They will now go up to Jerusalem during the High Holiday days and observe the days they missed observing here on earth. If this will happen that way, I wonder if the ability to think like they did on earth will be there and they say, "But G♥d, that was done away with, we don't have to do that anymore" I doubt it though, they'd be happy to do anything just to be in His presence, but you know what I mean. The few that have disassociated with me, are my relatives, and you know what Y'shua said about that? It is those closest to us that will turn against us..
Anyway, I hope I didn't cause a lot of tension in this thread..
I will go soothe (sp?) it over if I can..
I will go soothe (sp?) it over if I can..1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
9 Feb 12
Ya, I think that's what's causing many people to just look to the religous leaders because it's kinda like a comfort zone. It's really a lot of fear mongering saying if we do this we're going to hell and while that's true in one sense, we need to realise that G-d is full of forgiveness and grace at the same time.
I think it's horrible that Christians won't speak to you because of your faith, because essentially you do have the same faith, - the salvation message is still the same, the Bible is still the same, you'll be in Heaven to gether, so I'd say to those guys why try to disassociate with you because you beleive another way? I know personally I don't disassociate myself from Sunday-keeping Christians, and I know u don't either, so it's not right that they should disassociate themselves from us.
1 person likes this
@IntrovertShy (2780)
• Marikina, Philippines
8 Feb 12
He he 
I understand what you are trying to say here because I have already been there. I grew up in an extreme family religious. They are traditional and conservative religious family. When I was a kid, I just followed what they taught me. Those are laws that my family taught me. I stayed at home without questions ask. As I grew up, I realized that there is something wrong about all the things that they have taught me so what I did is to search and read, and understand. At the end, I realized that some people interpret the bible literally and follow it, and some people misinterpret it. I was so scared before because I was so innocent when I was a kid, but now, I understand all of it. Sometimes people believe something, which is very outrageous that may also harm other people in the society.
I understand what you are trying to say here because I have already been there. I grew up in an extreme family religious. They are traditional and conservative religious family. When I was a kid, I just followed what they taught me. Those are laws that my family taught me. I stayed at home without questions ask. As I grew up, I realized that there is something wrong about all the things that they have taught me so what I did is to search and read, and understand. At the end, I realized that some people interpret the bible literally and follow it, and some people misinterpret it. I was so scared before because I was so innocent when I was a kid, but now, I understand all of it. Sometimes people believe something, which is very outrageous that may also harm other people in the society.1 person likes this
@IntrovertShy (2780)
• Marikina, Philippines
9 Feb 12
Oh. He should respect your beliefs. He must not block both of you just because you have beliefs that is too liberal.
1 person likes this
@Bluedoll (16774)
• Canada
9 Feb 12
You are the vessel. If we love God in our heart, trying always to be reasonable with others and seek to live a good life why worry about how others worship or tell us what to believe? Fill your cup with good things and honour yourself with the knowledge that what is good before God will be yours to cherish and that is all that really matters.
1 person likes this
@Masihi (4413)
• Canada
12 Feb 12
It's not that I'm worrying aobut how other people live their lives, it's not the point of my discussion. The point is, those are 2 examples on how I believe differently, and for Christians to attack my faith on Facebook and even tell me that I'm NOT a Christian because I believe differently from what their Reverends tell them, I just don't think it's fair to be hurt like this. I mean so what if I'm not so deeply religous as they are, so what that I"m not as old in the Lord as they are, does that make me doomed to go to hell? Before these people blocked me I was always trying to defend myself for what I believe in.
I just wish we could agree to disagree and continue our friendships.
@lostteardrop (23)
• China
9 Feb 12
i am in godless country,very often,i feel that we do not have faith,do not know what to believe
