Dear God,
I’m only 14 and everyday my im stuffed with ideas about god. I go to school. where i have religion class and they talk about how jesus will rise again and then we have ash put on our foreheads and i dont understand it? I walk down the street and people come up to me crying : Jesus is coming!! My best friend is refusing to eat meat for 40 days becos of something jesus did…. I lived in dubai for nine years and everday I was surrounded by cloaked muslims who would rise at 4 am each morning to sing for their god My father is an athiest who says science created everything My mother belives in reincarnation and karma and me? I keep an open mind but its so hard with all these ideas, and out of curiosity I started reading the bible and at the begiinning.. Im sorry.. but it made no sense and your so sexist to woman! : “and she shall be called woman because she is made from a man” and where it said that god flooded the world to kill al animals but how would underwater animals die in a flood? they wouldnt! I dont know what to believe in there are so many ideas about everything the big bang, god, reincarnation and i find it so hard to keep an open mind… Do I believe in you? I dont know I really don’t know. Athina - AustraliaShare:
March 16th, 2009 at 8:54 pm
Athina. I loved your prayer. Thank you. Keep your mind open, it’s far and away the best way. It’s way better to be surrounded by a hundred ideas than just one, that way, when you eventually do make your mind up, it’s a balanced judgement, not one that’s been imposed on you. Question everything; school, science, the bible, family. Don’t adopt other people’s opinions without understanding them first. And always keep your eyes, ears and, most importantly your mind open.
Love
J
March 17th, 2009 at 2:07 pm
Dear Athina,
Your right to keep an open mind. I was raised by Christians, and I, too, am a Christian. I kept my open and as a result didn’t believe in Jesus until I was sixteen. But I now truly believe He died for me. May I suggest you try reading the New Testament instead of the Old one? It makes a whole lot more sense to me and it holds the more important stuff. I pray what I wrote will help you in any way.
March 20th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Welcome Athina to your searching of the truth… Let your mind to keep looking for what’s the greatest truth that appears in your surround, you have to hold a deep contemplation about this universe and all the things inside. You’ll agree that they are created by The ALMighty who is really diffrent with all the settlers in universe, who is really diffrent with human (including the appearance)…
Let your heart accompany your mind to feel which is the greatest truth by asking or reading knowledge of all religions, not only Christian but also Islam, and so on… Then, you’ll find which one is logic and make your heart agree… Good Luck…
March 21st, 2009 at 6:09 am
hallo athina
about foods
religion very clever and right put this progrma to avoid these foods because
we are spiritualy senses in our bodies ,so what we put inside that build our body and our personality..but how
all living presents have an energy so eating meat we take the animal energy to our body
this energy is very strong and pulse in an other frequency because all have blood,vegeterian foods helps you to create more sensitive sense because thre no exist blood to them
god doesnot kill ,rebuild something wrong and to the flood with animals just thing ,god take them from here in a miricale way
about hummans way and thinking for womman and man it is how can see things surface or more deeper so is also the food i all ready told you
bye
March 23rd, 2009 at 6:28 am
Keep your mind open, never stop searching. I hope you will find the truth.
March 23rd, 2009 at 3:40 pm
I’m 50 and I’m confused about faith… so don’t put a burden on yourself…. The belief in God is such a mystical theory, I don’t believe a human mind can really understand the complexity… In a plain and simple sort of way… I believe in God… it’s the organized religions that screw everything up….
March 24th, 2009 at 5:04 am
32and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free…
Everyone of us need to grow up. Growing up means think by yourself. So keep searching your ideals and listen to diferent opinions. Life is beautiful, don’t complicate too much. Remember we are humans, we are all the same but diferent. Don’t be afraid of giving your own opinions, that’s how you make yourself, you create an identity, the real Athina you are called to be. Or do you want to be other?
You are so blessed!
Bye
March 27th, 2009 at 12:27 am
Dear Athina,
You are ahead of everyone else in that you are asking these questions at your age. Listen to your own heart (intuition) for the answers. Forget what everyone else says. Personally, I have rediscovered that what I believed at age 8 (and “forgot”) is actually the truest existential explanation for me. I agree with J’s comment: “Question everything.” If you are interested, check out http://www.abraham-hicks.com. (PS, I have no affiliation with them; I’m just a fan.) Good luck.
March 27th, 2009 at 2:19 am
Dear Athina,
It’s good that you’ve come to a realization sooner rather than later. Do NOT stop questioning everything. Religion should not be held sacred just because a bunch of sanctimonious old men said so. NOTHING is sacred. Listen to your father, he’s the one making the most sense among all the people you mentioned. This idea of ‘god’ was created by humans; Man created god out of his own image.
There are far more important questions to ponder in your young mind than silly trivialities such as ‘god’. Think about how we can save the environment and reduce carbon emissions. Think about global warming and how we can contribute to stop humanity destroying the one Earth we have.
March 27th, 2009 at 2:22 am
No need to believe in anything except for Love as that is what seems to hold the Universe together.
March 27th, 2009 at 4:10 am
Dear Sister In Truth
Intuition tells you that these things are not real, so then this is your truth. Allow your inner voice to guide you as it is already doing. Don’t worry too much about what “the others” believe, we must each follow our own heart. Your truth will reveal itself in time. It is not surprising that at 14 you don’t have all the answers yet, this is the quest of a lifetime - welcome to your real work here. Nobody said it would be easy, they just promised it would be interesting. One little clue, nothing but this present moment really exhists, if you let it slip by unnoticed, it is inexplicably gone forever. Good luck on your journey.
March 28th, 2009 at 12:40 am
Hi Athina
Every religion based on LOVE maybe right. The principles of the main religions- catolic, protestant, budist, islamism are the same but there are so many derivations because of each diferent culture. So my real advise is:
Open your eyes and open the door of your mind to LOVE. Everything you made with LOVE, for LOVE and for LOVING its the correct religion. This is my rule. My unic Rule. And its so simple, so beautifull, so instinctive.
Follow your intuition and you discover the real LOVE WAY OF LIFE.
A kiss with love
Eduardo
March 31st, 2009 at 10:48 am
Athina, It is okay to feel this way. It is good for you to be aware of all of the different beliefs there are. You cannot be sure of what you feel and follow unless you know about the others. Just follow your soul. Belief in something is a start. You just keep asking and I know that GOD will lead you. There is an innate ability born into all of us to recognize the existance of GOD. Follow your born instincts. Don’t think that it is sexist, read with an open heart and mind or God promises to harden your heart. If it is true that woman was created from man then the text is not sexist. Look at the words from God’s point of view. He loves us equally. I love you because GOD loves you, and GOD is in me.
April 4th, 2009 at 7:41 pm
Athina
What an amazing 14 year old you are. You are quite right to question and think - but not too hard - enjoy your young life first. It sounds like you are being raised by two unique parents with individual beliefs who have also encouraged you to search and find your own answers.
For me God is a universal energy, the light, the force. In time you will find out what you believe in. Don’t let influence or others try to close your mind. You believe in what you want and what you find…there is a whole lifetime to find out. Trust me, I’m 39 and I’m still learning and questioning but happy that I can.
Keep an open mind and you will evolve as we all do.
There is an inspirational book called “A Guide for The Advanced Soul” by Susan Hayward. It is filled with quotes and Insights from Rumi, Emerson, Rilke, Goethe, and Whitman. When I was 19, a dear friend gave this to me and I found it helpful to begin my search.
You can pick it up, read a quote, put it down. One quote in terms of enlightenment - which is what most of us are searching for is “Before Enlightenment, Chopping wood carrying water, After Enlightenment, Chopping wood, carrying water”
Good luck and always believe that your soul and spirit is on the right path.
Safe Journey Athina
April 5th, 2009 at 10:18 am
hi Athina, salam,
it’s nice to hear that u concern about religion eventhough u are still young.
All I can say, keep searching the truth.
It won’t be easy, but its worthy, really much.
so never stop to search and follow the truth.
Religion is a unique thing,
it’s a combination of logic and believe.
it may not be logic, but you may believe it or
you may not believe it eventhough its logic.
so, you need to use both your brain and heart,
that’s what i got so far from my relgion, :).
i believe every single person have there own hope of anything,
when i say ” i hope tomorrow will be better”, doesnt it shows a believe on God?
even those who do not believe, they do have hope, but they never think whom they actually depend on.
keep searching, use ur logic and heart to believe.
salam.
Dhimas
April 5th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Hey Athina.
I am also 14 and have been asking these questions for ages.
My dads an anglican minister and my whole family are Christians.
But I hated it. Religion, Jesus, the Church.
I thought it just marked me as different from my friends.
But when you stop and think, even for a moment, about what jesus said,
Well it all makes sense doesnt it?
Dont steal, dont murder, love those around you.
The world is a better place for it.
Its religion thats pretty screwy.
A bunch of old men telling you how to live our lives.
Its no fun.
Just concerntrate on a RELATIONSHIP with him.
I know that sounds pretty weird.
BUT
Remember, man created religion.
God was always there.
Good luck xx
April 6th, 2009 at 6:01 am
Just try Jesus!! All you have to do is get on your knees and sincerely ask Him into your heart! He WILL change everything for the better!! I promise! He did it for me and I already thought i was saved and going to heaven. I had addictions that went away with one simple prayer. I asked Jesus to come into my heart and to cleanse me. What do you have to lose?? Many people will say many things about Christianity but in the privacy of your own room, bathroom, shower, wherever you can ask Jesus into your heart. That’s all!! Then get into a good Bible-believing church. They can help you. Don’t worry about the things you have done or that your life is not quite right. My life was a mess and He straightened me out! He will do the same for you!
May 1st, 2009 at 8:16 pm
dear athina .
keep searching about god , you’ll find the truth
i just want to say god is exist and always be in our heart
just comparing the Bibble, Al-Quran, and etc
and i hope youl get the right choise
coz i ever do that and thax god i found the truth.
May 4th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
Hey so I’m 15 and I’ve been involved in my church for a few years now.
I understand somewhat of your burdens and struggles and im not gonna tell you to go to church, or read the bible, or get on your knees and pray.
What I am gonna tell you is that one day you will see that there is a God. You’ll go through a situation that will be life changing and allow you to realize that someone had to be watching and protecting you. So just keep strong in your open mind and enjoy what will be coming your way. :]
June 4th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
searching for the truth is hard, finding the truth is often torture…especially when we look at ourselves. Forgiveness is always ready in God.
June 16th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Dear Athina
i hear you and sometimes even me trying to carry out my duties to be a strong, devoted christian, i have questions like, God are you really out there. For myself, i’m still on this long journey filled with suffering and all these obstacles. with the help of my parents, i learned that you have to search in your heart. so now i give this advice to you. look in your heart. not the outer layer. Go deeper into yourself… look for the truth. if God is tugging you to come to him, don’t resist because of any worldly temptations. i’m glad that God has done things in your life to at least open your heart to come closer to him. every step you take, if its big or small, whatever it is, God loves you as his own and he won’t let you stumble. stay strong in God and just hang on to the ride.
June 17th, 2009 at 9:12 am
Athina,
You’re searching for truth; that means that your heart is already crying out for God. I am wary when it comes to websites like this one, but your story touched my heart. First, let me touch on some of what you have said…
“God is sexist”: If you are basing this on the fact that woman (Eve) was created from man (Adam), look a little deeper. Why was woman created? Because God saw that His work was not done. Genesis 2:18 says “The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”" The word for helper used here in Hebrew is “ezer kenegdo” which translated literally means “help meet.” What on earth is a help meet? To find the answer, we look at places elsewhere in the Bible to see how the words were used. In every other place, it is used when God is “helping,” or saving. This is the key. We, as women, are not meant to be dominated by men; no, we instead are the crown of creation, God’s finishing touch on His masterpiece. We have an irreplaceable role. May I suggest reading Capivating by John and Stasi Eldridge?
As far as the underwater animals dying: correct me if I am wrong, but the Bible never talks about the purpose of the Flood being the wiping out of animals, nor the death of all animals. There was such wickedness and evil; unfathomable evil that God was filled with pain and anger, and decided to start over, with MAN. Unfortunately, land animals went with that, as they could not survive the flood. You’re right, the sea animals didn’t need saving, nor were they wiped out.
I also want to suggest that you start reading the Bible in the New Testament; the Old Testament is often confusing and downright boring in the beginning; most people, even devoted Christians have trouble reading through it. Start with John, or even Matthew.
I commend you for your search for truth. What answers I have presented here I present objectively, or as objectively as I could, because my heart lies with God. Jesus came for us. He died for our sins. Just remember that in doing so, he also came to heal wounded hearts. You have grown up in religious chaos; you have every right not to know what to think. And I am not going to pretend that I know everything, nor do I wish to present myself in a holier-than-thou way. I only say what I say in hopes that it helps. I would warn against sites like this one; find someone you know, a minister or pastor and ask them questions about God and God’s character. Listen to some Christian music, and really listen to the words. Read your Bible. And, most importantly, ask God to help you. He will. But remember, you will have to listen to hear His reply, and look to see His work.
Know that you are loved by the Creator of the Universe, that He stands right behind you, waiting for you to turn around. He’s knocking; open the door, and invite Him in.
June 19th, 2009 at 6:43 pm
Heeeey I am 14 years old too and I want to share my opinion with you . .
My Mum is a spiritualist who can talk to qhosts. She calls herself a medium, she heals with her hands.
I used to have arquements with people about GOD b/c I don`t believe in Jesus.
I keep an open mind also. I love maqical thinqs, but I do believe there is some sort of qod out there.
He may not come in the form of a bearded man, but he`s still my homeboy/qirl. I`m not sure if it`s a quy either ? It could be a qirl ! (:
I just wanna say that your prayer helped me, I now know there are other confused people out there and I am not alone ! Thnks
July 23rd, 2009 at 8:18 am
I’m also 14 years old.
I’m in very much the same situation. All I have to say is keep an open mind about religion. You’ll eventually find your path.
Don’t listen to anyone who tries to force their religion on you - have your own opinion.
August 31st, 2009 at 5:46 am
I’m truly sorry you have to live in a world where you have to take up so much of your precious time to investigate things which would normally just be laughable to you, except for the fact that there are billions of minds that already seem to believe it. I know it might be hard for you to imagine at 14, that you have stumbled into a world where such a large number of people could have actually been enslaved by nonsensical ideologies, but I can assure you that you have, and I regret the time I had to spend finding it out for myself. It sounds like you have wise parents though and that’s good, since most people are trapped into these ideologies by the people they trust most in the world, their parents, and since they grow up with these lies, it forms who they are at their core as adults, and no manner of reason, truth or reality will ever penetrate, and the cycle continues with their own children.
The world as it lies in front of you is a beautiful and mysterious place. There is no reason to try and solve it with simplistic and self contradictory answers like “god did it”. This will only take away the beauty and mystery and make it dissolve into a muddy pool of contradictions and impossibilities. Enjoy all life has to offer, the joy, the pain, the beauty and mystery with courage and reason instead of fear and blind faith, and you will reap rewards of character and perspective that make the religious alternative look like what it is…..a piano playing chicken in a party hat.
Cheers
September 7th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Dear,
There is only one god in this world and it is called LOVE !
November 9th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Good Point about the underwater animals! Ha Ha!
November 12th, 2009 at 5:49 am
I don’t usually post on blogs but had to on yours. You have a very easy to read writing style. I really enjoy sites about religious topics, they give me a lot to think about. I don’t have time to read all of the articles here right now, I found this site when looking for something else on beliefnet.com, but I’ve bookmarked your homepage and will check back soon to see the latest thoughts. I have a site with scripture and related art on it. Please visit it - it as at http://www.GotTB.com. Thanks again and God’s Peace!
November 26th, 2009 at 8:21 am
Athina, I know how you feel. I’ve been going to a Catholic school since kindergarten, and by first grade I was fed up with my teachers shoving the Cruxifix down my throat.
About God being sexist- I believe that the bible is so sexist because men wrote it. The Bible is not scientific truth and although I beliong to the Catholic church, I don’t believe everything that’s written in it. Women are stong, intelligent beings. The fact that they are able to conceive children must’ve been intimidating to men (it’s a power they don’t have).
And one more detail - you can still have faith without being in an organized religion. That’s what I’m planning to do after I graduate high school. Take your experiences to shape what you believe in. Who says you can’t be a Catholic Agnostic Jewish Buddhist Muslim? Or who says you can’t make up your own religion?