A
female
age
30-35,
anonymous
writes:I'm considering converting to christianity. I'm from India and from a hindu family. My parents would never be ok with this.I strongly feel that the faith aligns with my values and personal beliefs. I am not religious in general but i don't find enough solace in mine. I don't feel like my religion helps me in living a practical life through its rules because most of them are outdated and irrelevant to the present times. As an adult i feel lost sometimes in terms of what is the right thing, what to confirm to. I'm sure the bible will not be 100 percent relevant to today's times but atleast some of it is. I am depressed from the chaos and confusion in the world around me. People are becoming more and more unethical, marriages are failing more than ever and lot of fakeness. It is so overly acceptable to be selfish and mannerless. I need the closest possoble spiritual guidance. What are your views aunts? I cannot convert openly but I'm inclined towards becoming a disciple.
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female
reader, anonymous, writes (26 September 2020): I can't thank enough to wiseowl and the other aunt for all the useful information. I will do everything that is possible online for now. I know he will show me a way to reach him without hurting my family. (I have gone to the church many times even with my family. They are alright with worshipping any god but not ok with conversation, more so as u pointed out because we will be ousted from our own community. )I want to however go through all the materials you've provided in addition to the holy bible. This is the first time i am telling anyone and no one would believe me but I'm anonymous here so it does not matter. I had a medical miracle as a sign of him listening to me. I'm not usually a religious person and am very science oriented. But he healed something significantly has been there for many months in less than a minute. It happened last night. I don't know if it's okay to even share it here. I feel quite private about the incident.
A
reader, anonymous, writes (26 September 2020): [EDIT]: Typo corrections
"He will still protect us, because down the road we may find deliverance and salvation."
P.S.
You must be baptized by water, and then you will be baptized in the Holy Spirit. You will notice yourself no longer wanting to do things you used to do; but during your transformation, people will reject you and desert you. You will find fellowship among those who live in the name of Jesus Christ. Expect to be called names, accused of being crazy, and even abandoned by people who used to call themselves your friends. Whatever you lose, Jesus Christ will restore. Being saved means the old you dies, and the new you is reborn through Christ Jesus. You'll be surprised by how quickly you'll learn. Don't expect everyone to be happy for you; but pray, and Jesus will give you the courage to press on! I've been there and I've done that!
God bless and keep you!
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A
reader, anonymous, writes (26 September 2020): Before you judge the Bible, you must read it. Usually more than once, because it first comes across as wordy, confusing, and it will often make you drowsy. The devil wants to discourage us from pursuing salvation through Christ. He first wants us not to believe in "the devil." That way he works unchecked and unchallenged. The Bible is the believer's manual for living; and on the contrary, it applies to life as we know it today. Nothing is new under the sun. Times change, the environment changes, seasons change, and technology changes; but mankind is the same as he always was. Different tools, but the same hands. Different skyline, but the same sky. Another generation, but the same planet.
I was raised in a Christian household. Taught the godly principles of kindness, the love of God, and we always prayed, said grace before meals; and went to church and Sunday school. I veered from that, and lived my life of fun and carousing. Spending money, making money, and cherishing material things. I hit some scary and dark times. Horrible things happened. I returned to prayer, and I was saved from what I thought were impossible situations. Through my own human logic and comprehension; I couldn't figure it out. It had to be God, no science or logic could explain it. The prodigal son returned to His Holy Father. I don't plan to leave Him again. I left Him, He never left me. I should be dead, that's how I know.
You must listen to some online-sermons to get an understanding of what the biblical scriptures mean. You also have to learn how to pray; because you have to build faith, and a belief in our Savior Jesus Christ. You asked a specific question, and it was about "Christianity." To a nonbeliever or new believer, the concept of believing without seeing is difficult; but that's what the principle of faith is built upon. When you have the opportunity, you must attend a Christian church. The simpler the better, too much ritual and ceremony often discourages or confuses people. There are different denominations of Christianity. That's because man creates "religion;" but God will lead you to salvation according to His word and doctrines, as written in the scriptures of the Bible. If you pray for it, He will lead you the whole way. Jesus has promised He would.
May I recommend reading books and listening to sermons by Ravi Zacharias; because he is a Hindu converted to Christianity. He can explain his journey, and answer many of your questions from a perspective you can relate to. He is a Christian apologist, who can explain many of the things people do not understand; but belief is left-up to you. No-one convinces you, but your convictions. People will say unholy blasphemous things about God, that's the devil speaking through them. People will ridicule your faith, that's also the darkness; they are only skin-puppets. If there is no God in them, then they are open to anything else. He will still protect us, because down the road we may found deliverance and salvation. You can't say any man or woman is hopeless, or will be rejected by God. That's a lie, He made us in His own image. He loves us all. Whether we deny Him or not. Who can explain Him, but He Himself. He is beyond human comprehension and totally illogical. He has no boundaries.
Try to avoid those ministries espousing the use of God as a way to wealth and financial-success. God is not a genie or a sorcerer. He is sovereign, and people anger at Him; because He runs the world He made as He pleases. People arrogantly try to "out-good" Him; and insult Him by denying His existence. Criticizing Him for not being within the scope of our puny earthbound-understanding. He exists nonetheless. He is a Divine Spirit, the Creator of all things. He is omnipotent, omniscient, and all powerful. He is the First and Last word. Believe, or don't believe; He gives us the free-will to choose. Call Him a myth if you like, when you determine that He's not; that's too late. You must believe before Jesus returns; and once He has returned to judge the world, it's too late to change your mind. He gives us a lifetime to decide through faith. It's His world, He gets to set the rules. He blesses the good and the bad. We wonder why bad people seem to get away with things? They won't. God punishes His own way, and in His own time! We wonder why good people suffer...you mean like Jesus Himself? He offers eternal-life and paradise as a reward. To be with God, Jesus, the angels, the saints, and every good-person who ever lived forever! He still blesses and heals; even while we live on earth. He is good, forgiving, merciful; and He does whatever He pleases for our good. Nonbelievers don't understand, and hate even the mention of Him. Again, that's darkness. He is light.
Because He loves mankind to a fault; he will forgive you for anything. Provided you repent honestly; and sincerely promise you won't do it again. He knows you will do it again; so He gives us grace, to strengthen us. He encamps angels around us to keep us safe. He purchased us with blood, by dying on a cross to reconcile us with His Father God. Mankind was so wicked and sinful, we could only be saved through His sacrifice. God decided to give His own Son as a sacrifice to save us. He put on a skin-suit, came down to teach us and heal people. He had human flesh, blood, and bones. He could feel pain, sorrow, and hunger. He loves us that much. His truth scared people, so they killed Him. Jesus rose from that death, and He lives today! Through His blood, we are redeemed and forgiven of all sins. Turning to Him, maintains our relationship with God and Jesus. He does the heavy-lifting, and we do the praying and praising. You'll learn much about Him, but it will be a life-long journey; and the lessons never cease. God is quite complex...to say the least!
In these days and times, many false-teachings mislead newcomers to a great misconception of who God Our Creator is; and completely mislead people about the purpose of Jesus Christ's sacrifice of His life on a cross to save the world. You will learn many things, and it starts by praying for knowledge and understanding. God is known as a triune, three in one, The Trinity. He manifests in the form of God The Father, Jesus Christ The Son, and His spiritual power in the person of the Holy Spirit. People claim to be Christians and evangelists, but they're wolves in sheep's clothing. They are cruel, relentless, and judgmental. They see their own righteousness, and set standards for other people. God says we're all sinners in His eyes, but He changes us to make us righteous and holy. Man has no right to judge you, that is left only to Jesus; because He is merciful and fair.
If you try to understand it all at once, it will only be confusing. If you learn from the wrong teachers, you will only see the Bible as difficult rules, and a lot of religious mumbo-jumbo that seems impossible to live-up to. Zealots will cherry-pick "sins" as whatever they self-righteously consider to be one sin as comparatively worse or overshadows others. God sees evil as evil, and sin as sin. He doesn't mention one without listing all the others He detests. So even the use of the word "sin" will be excluded from many sermons; or the constraints of political-correctness. Haters will ostracize those who have given their lives to Christ. Persecution comes with the territory. Hated by many other beliefs and confused by many interpretations within the very faith of Christianity...that are self-serving, or used as a way to condemn others.
Self-righteous do-gooders chase people away from God. Our Father's goodness and love is blocked by self-righteous mean-spirited "church-people." Jesus embraces the broken, the lonely, those who have been imprisoned, the downtrodden, people rejected by society, homosexuals, murderers, adulterers, and those who have lost hope. You must first repent of your sin, and surrender to Him; and He forgives and forgets any and all sin. You can't fool Him; He knew before you were born, if you are sincere. He chooses us, we don't choose Him. He will draw us to Him, and He will teach us through the Holy Spirit the way to redemption and salvation. It seems so complicated and even ridiculous or mythical to a nonbeliever. If chosen, God makes it clear to you. He gives everybody a chance.
Other religions and nonbelievers do not like hearing the spiritual mandate that you must believe that Jesus Christ is the "way, the truth, and the life." It is something you are required to believe, it's not offered as an option or choice...it is necessary to be a Christian. Call it what you will, but it is what God commands. He said it, I believe it, and that settles it!
I will pray for your journey; and that He will lead you to all the right sources. Of course you will meet resistance from your family and others; but once Jesus becomes a reality to you, He will never part from you. You will never want to part from Him. Jesus demands that you follow His commands, and you align with the will and the word of God. If you are not up for that, then you won't pursue Christianity in it's fullness; because God doesn't stutter or make mistakes. He means what He says, and He says what He means, in spite of human twisting of His word and gross misinterpretations. The Holy Spirit, The Intercessor, corrects any misunderstanding; with discernment, knowledge, and revelation. God knows a true-Christian; because He is the one who will remake you and change you. No man on earth can do that. Expect a lot of discouragement and taunting; that comes with the territory. If Jesus died on the cross for my sins, I will not deny Him or be ashamed to speak of Him; or not testify about the good things He has done for me. If you are afraid, He will make you courageous! He makes many promises, and He will not break a single one of them! It isn't easy, and bad things don't stop happening to you. It is a journey.
I pass this on to you. You've asked, and it my Christian duty is to help you. The site isn't here for that purpose; but we are here to help anyone who asks. Advice is not limited by prejudice towards faith or any human being.
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A
male
reader, anonymous, writes (25 September 2020): I believe that basically religion is an idea in our head. An ideology that we can shape like a dough according to what we think is right. We can choose the principles which are in accord with our ethics and values. Religion is not an iron jacket or an iron subject which we cannot change or reshape. I think the basic principles of all religions are similar to the ten commandments. I personally am at peace with my religion although I don't practice any of its rituals but I think generally if you are an honest decent person you are fulfilling a great part of your religions duties whatever it be. Do you know that some theologians claim that Jesus Christ may have traveled to India and developed Christianity from the teachings of the Hindo Monks. I hope this little ceremon will help you whatever path you choose. Good luck.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (25 September 2020): I think that's beautiful. I would pray to God in Jesus' name to strengthen you and lead you by his holy spirit and to put some godly christians around you who will help you through this time. Also pray for him to find you a church where you will hear the truth.
cfc india is a good indian christian ministry and you may be able to ask them for help and advice via email and search their site for help. www.cfcindia.com
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (25 September 2020): What you are looking for is spirituality, not necessarily a religion. And you don't have to "be" anything or "become" anything to find it. You say: "I don't feel like my religion helps me in living a practical life through its rules because most of them are outdated and irrelevant to the present times. "I could have written exactly the same thing about Christianity. Btw, I was baptized orthodox christian, my father was catholic and I have friends who are protestant. So, when you way christian what exactly are we talking about?No religion will give you solace, but personal practice will. When I say practice, I mean being respectful of yourself and others. Doing no harm if it can be avoided. Always keeping in check your intentions and being honest with yourself and others.You can find many inspiring "teachers" and they do not have to be necessarily religious leaders, saints... but poets, philosophers. Converting to a religion won't solve your problem. You need to decide what your values are and stick to them.My personal favorite is Buddhism (in a simple non denomination form). There is no God to follow. There is no "I'm right you're wrong" doctrine. It fosters your own responsibility and consciousness. You do not have to "be Buddhist" to adopt some of their ideas, like doing no harm and paying attention to your thoughts and feelings that could lead to some hurtful actions towards yourself and others. No religion has ever really "saved" a marriage or a person. Person has saved him or herself by becoming responsible.So... educate yourself. Work on your own growth.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (25 September 2020): Much of religion is about how to behave in society along with beliefs that keep people treating each other well.
But most have similar themes.
You can be an advocate of whichever religion you wish to connect with.
The inner spirit that you carry within your body is always questing for a higher level of understanding and this is available to you in many forms.
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