Muslims, Christians, Jews... need help?

I have been jumping through religions from age 11-14. I was born in the Unification Church, which has a complicated theology and is complicated in general. But, I had jumped to Evangelical Christianity a few times. Every year from 11-14 I had a "born again" experience. Before that I tried everything out---Jehovah Witnesses, Unitarianism, Messianic Judaism, etc.---and came back to the Unification Church which held some principles I held that most Christians did not.

I felt empty, though. I didn't feel complete. I knew there had to be more. I asked God for truth, for completeness, for God.

During this crisis, I went to a party at my friend's house. She gave me a Book of Mormon. She was Catholic and didn't want it. I took it, read it, and felt the Holy Ghost stir something within me. I prayed about it, and I knew it was the truth. I contacted the local ward, went to Church, met with missionaries, and since that have been involved and awaiting to get baptised.

I studied all the "anti-Mormon" propaganda since I was young. I always knew about Mormonism. But the more I studied the accusations against the Church, the more I realized there is biblical support and a reason for everything. I also found out that a lot of anti-Mormons downright lie, and some have even admitted to doing so. In my heart I knew this was true, and intellectually I cannot deny that this is Christ's Church.

The growth I have experienced, the peace I've felt---it's been incredible. Though I have struggled with God so much, I never told my parents about my conversions prior to this one. For the first time in my life God gave me the strength to talk to my parents about my conversion. And He gave me a peace, and though my parents were angry and refused to allow me be baptised, I felt satisfied and I felt the Light of God.

This is my testimony, but... you have to ask of God. Read James 1:5. We are instructed to ask God. He will answer.

Despite being an atheist I do believe that Christians, Muslims and Jews all believe in the same God. I come from a religious family and studied religion quite a lot at school (this is how I ended up an atheist!). I just find so many contradictions in the practice of the different faiths. For instance: in the Koran nowhere does it state that women have to cover themselves from head to foot when appearing in public. Mohammed advised his followers to respect women not to subjugate them. The fundamentalists have taken Mohammed's writings and totally twisted them to suit their own ends. The same can be said for the Christian church. Christ turned the money lenders out of the temple but the Church of England are now the biggest land owners in the country.

Dear Sarbear,

If it is OK with you, I would like to add you to my contacts list. I am experiencing much the same situation. Where my philosophies differ, is I don't believe someone can observe the wrong religion. If there is only one Almighty, then no matter what faith you recongnize it must take you to the same G-d - there only is ONE. What I find though, is that different faiths provide different ways to worship and one may be a better fit than another. That is the reason people say I didn't have peace and fulfillment until...There is nothing in this world more personal than one's faith, it has to be a perfect fit in order to find your way. I'm Jewish and really identify with my faith, but I know there is something more out there as well. The hardest part of exploring another faith is having others within your faith respond neg. to you. If you can overcome that, it's half the battle won.

I believe that the choice of a religion - if any - is a highly individual process. I am Jewish by my own choice, having converted 12 years ago, but it is not necessarily what is right for you.

Personally, I do not believe in the notion of hell as postulated by Christianity, and certainly it was never an idea that even existed until the Church came along and created the idea as a means of exercising control over its followers. A hell of torment is not and never has been part of Jewish theology in the least.

For me, Judaism is a faith that I can follow because it does not ask me to be stupid, or to check my brains at the door. It encourages personal growth, debate over points of the law and ethics, and acknowledges science as a valid way of viewing the universe. We do not believe that all people have to be Jewish to be good people who are acceptable to God, thus we do not seek converts, although we accept them.

I personally became interested in Judaism when I was about eight years old, and had occasion to visit a synagogue. It seemed to me, even at that very young age, a place of reverence for God, and yet not a place where people were denigrated or made to feel unworthy. Respect is a hallmark of Judaism.

I think it's very important to learn about a wide range of beliefs to find what is right for you; I hope that you will listen to your own heart in this matter, and proceed in the direction that is right for you, whether anyone else agrees with you or not.

Shalom.

Edit: Before you would be allowed to convert to Judaism, you would be required to go through a period of study. You would be required to learn the basics of the laws, the traditions, and even some of the philosophy of Judaism. You might learn Hebrew, but that is not always necessary. Generally speaking, it takes about a year to convert to Judaism - long enough to go through a year's worth of observances.

The basic beliefs are the 613 laws, and most importantly, the concept of a single, indivisible, non-physical God who is all-powerful, all-knowing, and present in all realms of existence. We believe in treating others with kindness, with taking care of ourselves, and in responsible stewardship of the physical world and its resources. We value scholarship and family.

If you wish more information on Judaism, there are many books and web sites. I would suggest "Every Person's Guide to Judaism" by Stephen Einstein and Lydia Kukoff, as well as "Basic Judaism" by Rabbi Milton Steinberg. Many synagogues have "Judaism 101" classes that anyone can attend to learn the basics, whether or not you plan to convert (and there will be no pressure to convert if you should decide to take such classes). You are also welcome to visit a synagogue should you wish to do so.

Ultimately, though it would be nice, no one can really help another person in his/her search for truth and the "right" way to live. I can present my ideas, and others can present theirs, but the decision is yours. That doesn't mean it has to be a final decision; you can continue to refine your outlook and change your point of view for as long as you live; I think it's the process, and the fact that you keep asking questions, that's the most important thing.

But that's just MY opinion :-)

hmm... i think that religion is a personal thing, so whichever religion is right for you is the one you pick. "There are many different paths to the top of the mountain."

these religions are pretty similar, in the grand scheme, really. they all believe in one almighty G-d, and prophets, and the old testament, and the ten commandements, and prayer. they all have the same main points: love, peace, be nice.

dont worry about going to hell. if you are a good person you will not go to hell, regardless of which name you use for G-d or what day the sabbath is.

judaism, i know, doesnt even focus on hell and the afterlife, because to them it doesnt matter. just do what you feel comfortable with here on Earth, be a good and happy person, and you'll be fine.

Right or wrong is not for us to decide but yourself. God is omnipresent, so whenever you ask him for help and guidance, he'll be there for you whether or not you know it. Asking others to tell you their experiences will not help because all of us WANT to believe what we believe and will attribute all experiences to OUR creator. Asking a Christian about this would give answers like 'Jesus did so and so for me but the Jewish/Islamic God is fake'. Likewise, asking a Muslim/Jew would yield similar answers. Get hold of the various religious scriptures and read them in your spare time and, before you do, ask God to clear your mind of any bias and to protect you from evil thoughts by Satan. And REMEMBER, if you need guidance about a particular religion, the best person to go to would be one who converted into that religion so they can tell you what they found in it (e.g. any contradictions in their old religion not found in the new).

I would prefer you choose (true) Christianity now and for future; suggest 2 or more witnesses (Matt. 18:16, 2 Cor.13:1) principle regardless.

(Note; applying 2 Tim. 3:16-17, then Matt.18:16, 2 Cor. 13:1 also exposes (Eph. 5:11) a common falsehood in USA 'Christian circles (a test?)).

Sarbear, its very good that you believe in God and God answer your demands.

Take it by logic or proof from scriptures

God is one and Creed should be one.

God ordered people to worship him and submit its will to him.

Islam is not a new religion, its religion of Adam and all massengers.

In Islam there is no trinity which is not mentioned in the bible.

CJ said Islam rejected truth, do you know, because Islam refuses trinity.

Trinity isnt mentioned in the bible and Jesus never said Im God or worship me. Jesus him self said in the bible "I on my own, I can do nothing"

I can bring you proofs from the bible that Jesus is not God and trinity is fiction.

Islam acknowledged all massengers and prophets including Jesus Christ. Islam praised Jesus christ.

Also, bible prophecises prophet Mohamad in various verses in the old and new testament.

Bible contains thousands of mistakes and scienfitic errors, can this be word of God. We believe some of it might be word of God.

Quran conciliate with modern science and till now no proof of one error or mistake regarding science.

How can religion be named by city like judaism and by person like Jesus Christ.

Look you can Email me for discussion

Hope you reach the truth

Listen this is really a big question, one that shouldn't be played around with on YA cause this is dealing with your salvation.

If your serious and would like to receive a biblical answer to this question then go to this site.

http://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-Questions.html

They will pray about it, they will then research it in the bible, then answer you in a couple days. Please tell them exactly what you post here so they can understand the seriousness of your question.

I can try to answer it but I would rather them do it cause they are more knowledgeable of the bible then me. But I will tell you this much those who believe in Jesus are saved and Jesus said that his Father does not wish for one to be lost including you. He said no one can take you away from him once your truly saved. God has made it clear that it's not by works but by faith.

Choose Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the cross for all mankind's sins and rose 3 days later. Jesus is the true God and is a God of love. Not one person is capable of saving themselves!