From Belief to Agnosticism

I was always wondering why people experience miseries, travails and hardships while others are on cloud 9 experiencing great happiness and contentment. Then I questioned myself why it so? Why is it that not all people experience happiness that they deserve? Why is life unfair? It was not until one day, I heard my parents talking about Jesus. I then asked myself, who is Jesus? Is he that important to the lives of the people? Why were my mom, grandparents and dad talking about him? In their conversation, they said that Jesus is the Savior of all humanity.It was the only time I heard them talking about Jesus. That probably was the effect of their TV watching about religion and great evangelist. My parents, especially my mother, taught us that faith in God is very important. My mother is very religious, very active in other church activities and the one who really pushes us to go to church though my father is very lazy in attending Sunday services in the church. Just like my mother, my g randparents are also very religious. They never miss to go to church every Sunday. My parents and my grandparents actually meet in the church.My parent’s wants that we should earnestly go to church every Sunday and see to it that it will only be spent for Jesus alone. Eventually, we found a church where we always fellowship. It is also where I grew and mature spiritually. As I served Jesus through the years, I never experienced such great manifestation of His goodness. I always hear my friends and church mates talk about Him and the miracles and help that Jesus did for them and for their family. But why is it that I still do not experience it all? It was not until my dad passed away.I felt so empty inside of me; it was like something is just so missing. I questioned the existence of God that if He really existed why would all this sufferings happen to me? I was faithful to Him all along and all I deserve is this, the lost of my father? I was so miserable and so discouraged at that time. I was full of uncertainties and insecurities at that time. Then one day, I found my bible inside my cabinet and when I opened it I saw God’s words saying that whoever is lonely, weary and tired should just call upon His name and He will feel all of the emptiness one feels.He is also our great loving father that even we lose our earthly father; He will remain our father now and forever. I then realize my worth and regained my faith back to him. I put on my mind that whatever happens, God has a plan for it. That everything happens for a purpose, for a reason. I continued my relationship with God and as I mature I began to see things in a different perspective. In the ways that Jesus wants me to. Things that I should perceive that are right, noble and perfect. But I cannot deny that this generation becomes cruel.Others do not consider religion an important tool in ones life. As we all know Religion involves the relationship between mankind and what is regarded as sac red. Religion almost always includes the belief in the supernatural and a code of ethical behavior. Why do men suffer? What is the nature of the Universe and how it is governed? What is the nature of man and what is his destiny? Religion tries to answer the questions of ultimate existence and of life and death and human and destiny. Many religions hold the universe is governed by God.Through religion man may see meaning in the universe and find a personal role in it. Thousands of years ago, religion played a very vital role in the lives of the people. Even thought that time things were not that so complicated not like now, people still has a closer connection to God. People then put a greater emphasis on going to church, fellowshipping with their brother’s and sister’s in the Lord and in maintaining their relationship with their creator. As of now, in our present times I think that Religion is ten times important than it was before.As the modern world is evolving and i s now being introduced to different kinds of beliefs and theories that could likely shake our foundation of faith for God. The basis and the only foundation of our faith is Jesus Christ. We must hold on to him more especially these days that there are many deceivers out there that are being used by the enemy to destroy us and to keep us away from the loving arms of God. When we don’t have a strong foundation of our relationship to God, we can easily yield to the temptations and offerings that Satan will present to us, like the technology of today.If we don’t know how to control the usage of technology of today, we can be manipulated and controlled by it. That is just one of the tactics of Satan to let us fall into the pit he is preparing for us, for us to be kept away from God’s destiny for us. Today, there are many existing religions. There are the Protestants, Orthodox and the Roman Catholics. But whatever our religion is, let us always remember that salvation is an individual concern. One cannot be saved because of his religion but what counts is his relationship with Jesus.As I look around and observe the magnificent things, I can really say to myself that how awesome is he who created the heavens and the earth. I can truly say to myself that there is someone up there, who is greater than us and omnipotent. There are times that I try to figure out things but the truth is I cannot fathom it; thus, that is how religion came in. Through religion, I have learned that there is God; the God who created the universe and I am his masterpieces. But his existence has been questioned for many years now whether he does exist or not. Doubts and disbeliefs reign in others’ minds because of lack of knowledge in knowing God.Religion plays a vital role in helping us to know our Creator; thus, many religions are coming out because they want to help the mankind to know about God. Like the family and the economy, religion is a universal and pervasi ve phenomenon, a part of the cultural system, because it is assumed to meet some basic need of human being. Religion is an integrated part of human experience and shows remarkable continuity through time. Personally, religion has a significant role in my life. It helps me know who my creator is. Through religion I can be able to know the words and the ways of God.Yes, I do have religious convictions. My principles and philosophies in life are guided with the teachings of my religion. I have faith in my religion because it helps me to do what is right in the sight of God; thus, it helps me live life wisely by loving and putting God first and love my neighbors as myself. I believe that God is my Savior, He is my redeemer. He redeemed from the darkness. I was once was lost but now I am found in His arms already. I believe He created from His image and likeness. He restored my dying soul when I was still lost. I believe that He rose from the dead and ascended in heaven.He is my comforte r, my best friend and my loving father that I could never have here on earth. My personal perceptions with regards to religion are very much different from my mother and my grandparents. They believe that the Bible is for every individual and its principles can be applied to all ages and everything should works the same way as the word of God never changes and still the same yesterday, today and forever. But in my own opinion, I believe that the Bible was written to the older audiences so some of the concepts and rules do not apply to the world we are in today.An example of this is that, the Bible says that parents should train up their children to where they should go and when they are old, they will not depart from it. As I have observed, most of the parents right now do not train their children to the right thing (excluding my parents). They fail to supervise their children. They just let their children talk back to them and allow them to do their own thing even though it is not right. Just like aborting a baby without a valid reason. They consent and condone their child’s immoral act by aborting the babies. I can say that because I have observed it.Another thing, the Bible also agrees that parents should not spare the rod in disciplining their children. In addition to this, the Bible commanded the children to obey their parents for this is right and honor them so that we may live long. Yet, children nowadays are very disrespectful to their parents’ authorities. There are still a number of religious issues being tackled by now. The issues that keeps affecting the different aspects of human life. Different religions keep on competing for them to invite individuals to come and join with them. Sometimes because of these, the essence of having a religion is lost.The real perspective of establishing a deeper relationship with God is lost because of the overwhelming issues that could bother the spiritual and emotional aspect of a person. The real ro le of having a religion is to develop a deeper and serious relationship with our Almighty Creator. God does not base our salvation on what religious denomination we join to. He looks at the position of our hearts and of we really love Him and long to be with Him sincerely. He does not base his judgment on the things we do and achieve. It is our hearts that He looks up to.