LIFE? anyone else confused?

I think it's good that you have a questioning mind, one that doesn't blindly accept all things it is offered. However, it really breaks my heart to see how much you are struggling, and I want to try to offer you some answers to the best of my ability.

I am a follower of Christ myself, and I know beyond any shadow of a doubt that to know God and Jesus Christ, Whom He has sent (John 17:3), is the full purpose of life. The Bible says this is true, and I have seen it in my own life. The reason you have not found it to be so is because we have an enemy who is the father of lies, and his whole goal is to plant doubts in your mind. He's very good at it because he's been doing it since the garden of Eden.

But the good news is that there is an answer to those doubts as well. The Bible says, "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17). So my question to you is this: Have you ever read the Bible cover to cover? If not, please do. And, once you finish, read it again and again and again. Its content is the answer to every question you have because it contains the very words of the Living God. Don't worry that, at first, it might seem like a foreign language. The Bible is revealed by the Holy Spirit and, if you ask God to show you the Truth, He will do so. And, as you read it, ask yourself whether you believe it and how you will act if you truly believe it. If you believe what it says, it will change your life.

In Jeremiah 29:13, God says, "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." Look for Him inside the pages of what He has written to you, and you will find Him there.

Firstly congratulations. You are blessed with an honest sincere passionate desire to know. This is the most valuable thing that exists I believe. 

I hope this starts a lifelong journey of searching for the truth and for the true self. 

Don't be scared about having a decent life. You can still have love, laughter, and experiences, friendships... That is the good stuff in life. Don't think that life is about knowing. As I've gotten older, I've realised I know less and less about stuff. Everything keeps changing. 

Don't worry about feeling bad or upset. I'm sorry to say this, but suffering is very closely related to truth. Remember the Buddha creed. 1. Suffering exists, 2. There is a cause to suffering. Etc

my advise, read a lot, go to some Buddhist or Hindu temples, learn how to meditate, and start running.

Where do u think that doubting and logic comes from? It must come from the purest essence - God? 

Thanks for your post. Good luck.  

i dont pretend to hold all the answers here but maybe for a start we can take a look at the basics which cannot be refuted. whatever your convictions.. For example we live in a universe that is permeated with order and purpose . The sun provides us all with energy as well as the gravitational pull acting like an umbilical cord or lifeline to connect us to it as it goes along. Isnt this wondrous? We have things like oxygen, water etc in just the right amounts to support life. Other planets are toxic to life. We ourselves are a magnificent workmanship when you look at the body and its functions. This is not even to speak of the other creatures. Surely this should provide you with an inkling of someone being in control so not to worry. Reflecting constantly on these things can keep your sense of perspective in a world that is constantly rocked by flux. Beware of the temptation of wanting to be in control yourself and so ending up dissapointed when this does not happen We are simply to trust and wait on the creator. Hope this can comfort you and i aint preaching!

There are no answers to some questions. Let that sink in. Make peace with it. Do your best and live well according to your own standards. Everything else will take care of itself. No one can offer you proof of anything, you will never find satisfaction with religion because you use your reason. You were raised on religion however and the threats of hell make you doubt yourself when you feel there is no God. The bottom line is that none of us has the answer your looking for and no one ever will unless you let them delude you. Just concentrate on what your doing here on earth and cross that death bridge when you get there.

It does you absolutely no good to demand what no one can give. You cant get blood out of a rock.

I think you are looking at life and faith at the wrong angle. In most cases, it's not what you believe that counts. It's how you life your life. That's what's important. Forget for a moment about what everyone says is their idea of what and/or who God is. God is all around. There is no need to try to figure out God. You need to figure out yourself. The best way to figure out yourself is also considered by some to be the best way to become closer to God. Coincidence? You should try to show love to everyone and do good for others, even your enemies, without thought of reward or recognition by others. This will start to break down the barriers of prideful ego within your heart, so that you can understand yourself better, and at the same time have more love in your heart. The more love in your heart, the closer you will be to God, since God is love.

no the truth is not impossible to find, but you have to find it for yourself or it will not mean a thing.

people are pounded with different religious beliefs from cradle to grave, it is no mystery why you are confused.

I found my way to atheism by searching for the roots of religion, everything had a starting point.

over the last 50 years I read everything I could find on the subject.

my conclusion is; early humans invented god and the supernatural world because they did not understand the natural world. the prehistoric world was a very hairy place to live in. [no pun intended] prehistoric people were scared all the time, that's one reason they grouped together in villages, towns and cities, there's safety in numbers.

do your own research, prove to yourself what is real .

So you've made your own goal in life...in this goal, it seems, is to find out the meaning of life. There are different, fascinating fields you can dabble on, you will need to do a lot of reading but it will be fascinating. There is no actual answer...nobody knows but there is a lot of literature out there of people questioning life and its meaning, its purpose.

First, Philosophy: Look for texts on Metaphysics, Ontogeny and Epistemology.

Classics of Western Philosophy by Steven M. Cahn is a good intro to philosophy textbook.

Then try some Anthropology text books, any intro to cultural anthropology text book will work.

And then try science; Biology, chemistry, physics, astrobiology...etc.

Ok the "what if I'm wrong" part seems to be critical here. Unfortunately the fear of god punishing you is still messing with your mind. I had to deal with this too, as I was raised in a christian household.

The way I see it, if god exists, and gave you a brain, and your brain has doubts, why should god be upset? God's the one who's hiding, not you. If god hides and then punishes you for not finding him, then god is EVIL.

Hope that helps. Good luck!

--Atheist

Gods purpose was not for humans to go to heaven....he made man to live on a paradise earth and for the earth to be inhabited forever. Why would God create earth for man to live on earth at the beginning so man could die and then go back to heaven where he was intended to live anyway??....doesnt make sense, not to mention the fact that according to the Bible we were supposed to live 'forever' on earth anyway.

That was the purpose of our life before the rebellion, but his purpose has not changed....hence the sacrifice of Gods son....

The earth will always be, and the righteous will live forever upon it

Psalm 37:29

My meaning in life is to be a part of the original purpose God had made for us under his perfect conditions and discover what more our creator has planned for our universe...... angels created for heaven, humans for earth....'he did not create the earth simply for nothing but formed it even to be inhabited' Isaiah 45:18

Sounds like we're going through almost identical things. I don't know the truth either - but I don't think anyone has all the answers, so you're not alone. Just aim for a good, happy life, and you can't go too wrong.