Frustrated and confused

[GoodbyeDave]

The world appears so complex to me. I can't make any sense of it. Everyone says something different and they keep contradicting each other. I don't know who or what to believe anymore.

Well, the world is complex. Nor would you expect to make sense of it: it's a lot bigger that you are, for a start. Can you make sense of your computer? If not, what are your chances with the universe? Anyone who tells you that they can make sense of everything is obviously deluded, to put it bluntly.

Does everyone contradict each other in religion? Well, that depends on to whom you're listening.

Secondary religions - ones with founders and scriptures - necessarily contradict each other. If you are starting a religion, you are obviously claiming that everyone else has got it wrong, so you have to tell them what's right. For me, that was the killer argument. If there are, say, 10 secondary religions, then if one were right that would mean the other 9 got it wrong. So, if you found a religion, or pick one at random, there's a 90% chance it's wrong!

Primary religions, that have "just grown", do not usually contradict each other. A Christian can't worship in a mosque, but I could worship in a Hindu/Japanese/Chinese/etc temple. If you believe Jesus was the messiah, that implies that Muhammad wasn't a prophet, but if I worship Hestia, that doesn't invalidate the worship of Ganesha or Xiwangmu.

 

[Geoff-Allen]

Me again ...

I can also highly recommend "When Things Fall Apart" by Pema Chodron.

I have read this book a few times & found it most helpful.

Her basic advice is to be kind to yourself -

http://www.lionsroar.com/turn-your-thinking-upside-down/

Wishing you all the best!

 

[Aset's Flames]

I'm so lost right now. The world appears so complex to me. I can't make any sense of it. Everyone says something different and they keep contradicting each other. I don't know who or what to believe anymore. It seems that making up your own answer is just as well, since it's impossible to get to the 'truth' anyways.

I've been there and done that with many faiths and beliefs. I don't know what happened, but I've started feeling not at peace. I keep looking and finding something else each time, but nothing satisfies me. I keep worrying that I'm going insane, but I guess that's what I do anyway.

It's exhausting. I wish I could find whatever it is I'm looking for.

Sorry. Just venting :s

I understand how you feel, I have went through the same process countless times.

The best route to truth is to look within.

 

[Senseless]

I'm trying. I regret ever being an atheist, it's left me faithless. I don't need this despair on top of everything else.

 

[rusra02]

I'm so lost right now. The world appears so complex to me. I can't make any sense of it. Everyone says something different and they keep contradicting each other. I don't know who or what to believe anymore. It seems that making up your own answer is just as well, since it's impossible to get to the 'truth' anyways.

I've been there and done that with many faiths and beliefs. I don't know what happened, but I've started feeling not at peace. I keep looking and finding something else each time, but nothing satisfies me. I keep worrying that I'm going insane, but I guess that's what I do anyway.

It's exhausting. I wish I could find whatever it is I'm looking for.

Sorry. Just venting :s

I understand how you feel. Have you read the Bible?

 

[Senseless]

Not in its entirety.

 

[Windwalker]

It's exhausting. I wish I could find whatever it is I'm looking for.

If you don't know what you're looking for how will you find it? I suggest starting there. Seeking to know what it is you are seeking.

 

[Aset's Flames]

I'm trying. I regret ever being an atheist, it's left me faithless. I don't need this despair on top of everything else.

No, Faith is bad.

Faith is beileif without evidance it is lying to yourself.

Reject faith and look within to find truth.

 

[Aset's Flames]

I understand how you feel. Have you read the Bible?

Make sure to read all the good stuff in the old testament, like mauling down children with bears in god's name because they made fun of your baldness.

 

[rusra02]

Make sure to read all the good stuff in the old testament, like mauling down children with bears in god's name because they made fun of your baldness.

There are many things in the Bible people criticize without knowing all the reasons for what occurred. They quickly conclude that their ways are more righteous than God's.As Job 35:2 asks; "Are you so convinced that you are right that you would say,‘I am more righteous than God?"

 

[Windwalker]

There are many things in the Bible people criticize without knowing all the reasons for what occurred.

So you're saying that we can't really understand the contexts so we shouldn't really conclude anything definitively from what we read in the Bible. Right?

 

[Demonslayer]

Make sure to read all the good stuff in the old testament, like mauling down children with bears in god's name because they made fun of your baldness.

Those punk kids had it coming!

 

[Senseless]

No, Faith is bad.

Faith is beileif without evidance it is lying to yourself.

Reject faith and look within to find truth.

Well said. Thanks for that

 

[rusra02]

So you're saying that we can't really understand the contexts so we shouldn't really conclude anything definitively from what we read in the Bible. Right?

I'm saying; "It is unthinkable for the true God to act wickedly, For the Almighty to do wrong! For he will reward a man according to what he does and bring upon him the consequences of his ways. For a certainty, God does not act wickedly;The Almighty does not pervert justice." (Job 34:10-12)

 

[Windwalker]

I'm saying; "It is unthinkable for the true God to act wickedly, For the Almighty to do wrong! For he will reward a man according to what he does and bring upon him the consequences of his ways. For a certainty, God does not act wickedly;The Almighty does not pervert justice." (Job 34:10-12)

So you're saying scripture cannot contradict itself? And when it does, it's something wrong with your interpretation? So how do you know then that this verse you are quoting here isn't a bad interpretation which contradicts the portrait of God sending a bear to kill children for mocking a bald man? How do you really know the context well enough to say this verse doesn't actually mean God is good, since elsewhere it shows him as petty, jealous, and vindictive?

To me, it's easier to say scripture contains many portraits of God, some good and some juvenile. It's a collection of ideas about God which often times conflict with each other.

 

[Wu Wei]

I'm trying. I regret ever being an atheist, it's left me faithless. I don't need this despair on top of everything else.

This may help.... Finding a still point.

Forget about the religious affiliation of the author, forget about the word "Zen" and focus on the Meditation....just sit.

 

[Brickjectivity]

Seeking is not always caused by a spiritual need.

I think sometimes when people begin to seek for something missing it is because there is really something missing physically. For example I have found that my nieces and nephews (while troublesome) turn a key. They are troublesome and ask for favors and things, but I need them somehow. They are a benefit to me and inspire me. If I did not have them I would feel like something was missing and wouldn't know what it was.

Sometimes it is as simple as getting a pet. Its also possible to feel like something is missing and it be a lack of sleep, not eating enough, etc.

Sometimes it isn't any of those things, and the search is for other reasons. These are the times that the Buddhists are correct when they say go back to breathing or sitting etc.

Sometimes what you need is reassurance that humanity is worthwhile or that there is a better future possible -- something to work for; and its true that there is a better future possible. There is a better future, and we should be a part of creating it.

 

[Rick O'Shez]

Seeking is not always caused by a spiritual need.

That's a really good observation.

 

[rusra02]

So you're saying scripture cannot contradict itself? And when it does, it's something wrong with your interpretation? So how do you know then that this verse you are quoting here isn't a bad interpretation which contradicts the portrait of God sending a bear to kill children for mocking a bald man? How do you really know the context well enough to say this verse doesn't actually mean God is good, since elsewhere it shows him as petty, jealous, and vindictive?

To me, it's easier to say scripture contains many portraits of God, some good and some juvenile. It's a collection of ideas about God which often times conflict with each other.

The mob of juvenile delinquents that mocked Elisha showed great disrespect for God's prophet. It was not childish fun, but persecution of God's representative that apparently continued for some time. The account states "He went up from there to Bethʹel. As he was going along the way, some young boys came out from the city and began to jeer at him, and they kept saying to him: “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” Finally he turned around and looked at them and cursed them in the name of Jehovah. Then two she-bears came out of the forest and tore 42 of the children to pieces." (2 Kings 2:23,34) This account shows me that Jehovah does not excuse evil conduct merely because the perpetrators are young. Your view that the true God is vindictive or petty is much mistaken, IMO.

 

[Windwalker]

The mob of juvenile delinquents that mocked Elisha showed great disrespect for God's prophet. It was not childish fun, but persecution of God's representative that apparently continued for some time. The account states "He went up from there to Bethʹel. As he was going along the way, some young boys came out from the city and began to jeer at him, and they kept saying to him: “Go up, you baldhead! Go up, you baldhead!” Finally he turned around and looked at them and cursed them in the name of Jehovah. Then two she-bears came out of the forest and tore 42 of the children to pieces." (2 Kings 2:23,34)

Ok, so God listens to the injured ego of some prophet and kills those who made fun of him? That's a lot of power in the hands of a fallible human. Isn't that the fantasy of every victim of bullying in 7th grade?

This account shows me that Jehovah does not excuse evil conduct merely because the perpetrators are young. Your view that the true God is vindictive or petty is much mistaken, IMO.

It shows me it's a direct contradiction to Jesus' teaching to love your enemies.