Hello, I am the son of USSR immigrants, or refugees rather, who came to Israel in the 90's.
Due to my heritage I was brought into a family of two atheist generations, I never believed in God, because I never had a choice. I was born an atheist.
I have found myself empty and nihilistic, and after long thought I have realised that I want to believe, and need to. And that I want to follow the teachings of Christianity, and need to.
Now that we got the exposition outta the way, let me ask you for advice, /pol/, for I have no one else to talk to.
How do I believe in god?
How do I bring myself to a place where I can accept a higher power?
More specifically, how do I accept Jesus Christ as my lord and savior?
I want to convert to Christianity, but I don't want to lie to Jesus and the Lord through dishonest prayer.
And when I do convert to Christianity, what denomination should I choose?
I don't want to follow any of the Old testament rules, because it is practically the Jewish Torah which I resent.
I'm thinking about Orthodoxy because of my Russian heritage, would that be a good choice?
Thanks a lot, and God bless.
All others who want to convert are welcome, atheists need not apply - I have made my decision.
>>69730448
http://www.livius.org/sources/content/deir-alla-inscription/
>>69730601
What's your point?
>>69730740
I'm giving you aid.
http://paxexsistovos.blogspot.com/2012/01/tacitus-suetonius-pliny-younger.html
>>69730740
>>69730740
Non sarcastic reply is to study gnostic Christian teachings.. they are what Jesus practiced from there branch out to the different studies.. you will find bullshit and ancient knowledge hand in hand... good luck
>>69730448
Become schizophrenic.
>>69730448
>I'm thinking about Orthodoxy because of my Russian heritage, would that be a good choice?
Yes
>>69730448
You shall find the answers in the Bread Pill Reading List, brother.
>>69730448
>Distant oy vey
>>69731130
I prefer not to become a lunatic.
Inb4 "then stop believing in christianity, hurdur."
Go hug yourself and help the poor.
>>69731474
Following any religion to its T will make you a lunatic moishe
I appreciate your help, but those text might not help(Although I will read them, thanks >>69731339 and >>69731474), it's really a matter of belief. How do I go from being an atheist since birth to believing?
And what does Christ say about prayer and worship without belief?
Sounds like a sin to me, and a lie to God.
STOP DRINKING IGOR.......ITS ALL IN THE VODKA.
>>69730448
I don't know. Take bunch of hallucinogens.
>>69731723
You'll have to find the answers for yourself, I don't think anyone be able to make you believe.. You seem like you really want to find it, you will, if you keep searching.
>>69732422
It's not JUST the vodka shlomo
And I know that Catholicism is pretty fucked at the moment, those pics do not trigger me - no man can ruin the message of christianity by being corrupted and weak
>>69731291
Why? I want to, but for bad reasons of tribalism - in what way is the orthodox Church superior?
>>69732833
I don't even know where to look, but I suppose you're right about the fact that no one can make me believe.
That's why I'm interested if I can accept Christianity without belief in the deity, but only in the system itself.
>>69731723
>how to start believing?
Faith, despite it's modern definition, was always expressed as trust to someone. Rely on God in everything, and follow his commands.
If you're planing to convert to orthodoxy, first a christian orthodox church (and, of course, ask the pastor about this), they'll baptize you, preform the Eucharist (Wine and bread), confess your sins and pay homage in prayer. At least, I think that's how it rolls.
>And what does Christ say about prayer and worship without belief?
Christ didn't really touch the subject.
http://ohr.edu/838
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHofTmolbi0
>>69730448
So how come people raised without faith desire a turn to it later in life, and people raised with faith turn from it later in life?
Is it because people would rather be finding faith than having it shoved upon them expectantly?
>>69731723
You have started to question your previous lack of beliefs, and start to search for God, which is a good step. Worship without belief is a sin, but I doubt you can pray without some kind of belief, even if you still have your doubts - which most religious people do.
I think you should start with reading the Bible, both the Old and the New Testaments, as the contrast between them is a significant part of Christianity. Then if you still want to be a Christian, decide what denomination you want to follow (Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism are the more traditionalist ones from the more populous Churches) and try to seek out a priest, who you find sympathetic and helpful, and talk to him.
>>69732422
>the pope submits to islam
absolutely heretical. As a pope who has done years of theological research, he damn well knows islam can not coexist with christianity as the quran specifically states that christians are haram and are going to be murdered along with all the other sinners/nonbelievers when the end times happen.
>>69733148
>Faith, despite it's modern definition, was always expressed as trust to someone.
That actually helps a lot, thanks. And thanks for the video too!
>>69733206
I think so, but it also might be the natural need to rebel.
Although I think you can introduce faith to children in a way they can accept, while atheistic nihilism, the killer of the soul, hardly.
>>69733214
What denomination can ignore the old testament completely?
And another question, what does Christ say about simply following the bible without officially joining a church? Or does following the bible requires joining the Church?
Just out of interest.
>atheist since birth
and since you became of age to better understand God, your given an oportunity to answer His call. but we all are at one point or another.
OP, the old testament isnt a "go to" (to some sects) the New testament is what most believe to be what should be followed but TOT is more of a buildup, and a history lesson ( pretty much the necessary details for TNT)
just find what is right for you. in the end days men will preach the bible outside of churches and homes, for those places to dont yield a last harvest
>>69730448
Roman catholic here - we think faith is one of the Gifts of Holy Spirit: if you need faith you have to pray for it to the Holy Spirit. I know it sounds strange that you need to pray before you even belive in God but remember, catholics think that we can pray for someone else's faith. For example Im going to pray for the gift of faith for you tonight, if you are going to do this yourself - dont put God into the test, try to be humble during praying.
>>69734192
t-thank you, I mean it.
I don't think I can pray yet myself, I'm scared
>>69730448
How do I believe in god?
Pray for divine inspiration. Or drop some acid or shrooms. Something to expand your consciousness. You have to experience ONENESS.
>How do I bring myself to a place where I can accept a higher power?
Learn to respect your elders, you came from your parents and their parents, practice ancestor veneration.
>More specifically, how do I accept Jesus Christ as my lord and savior?
You just do it. Believe in your heart of hearts. Believe in your soul. It's the most simple and powerful magical practice. Also, know you are also a son of god, but, not THE son of god. So don't go crazy. We all will play our part in the grand plan.
>>69734379
My both grandmothers prayed a lot for me during my entire life and I try to pray for everyone else. And their prayers werent hollow, they usually suffered a bit during asking God for mercy: it wasnt anything heroic, but litany can last for 30 minutes, and kneeling for so long aint easy for elder woman.
http://fisheaters.com - For all your basic questions.
http://drbo.org - For the English version of the Catholic Bible and also good articles about the One True Church / Why Sola Scriptura is stupid
http://judaism.is - History of Talmudic Judaism, how the Synagogue of Satan has infiltrated the culture, world domination, behind porn/sex trafficking industry, corruption of morals
http://www.sspxasia.com/Documents/Archbishop-Lefebvre/OpenLetterToConfusedCatholics - Excellent book on the current crisis in the Catholic Church. Good reading for all Catholics/Orthodox to understand how the Judeo-Masons infiltrated the Church with Vatican 2 and the modernist religion, condemned by Pius X.
Having role-models and knowing inspirational, truly Catholic people will help. Read lives of the saints, and history of Christendom. I suggest Padre Pio, St John Vianney, St Pius X.
Also, the good Bishop Williamson has interesting conferences on Youtube that can help you get a grasp on what Catholicism is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5o1uLsrjKHA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xViF9jv8PpM
Lastly, if you'd like to talk about Truth, Christ, history, Catholicism, anything you can think of, I'd be more than happy to offer whatever help I can give. I'm not an expert, just interested in the faith. My whatsapp is +1707902321(two).
Laudetur Jesus Christus et Maria Immaculata
>>69734922
Easy with that magic mumbo-jumbo son, I can already smell minor heresies here
>>69735307
Sorry, I get hyped on Jesus. Also, diagnosisEd Paranoid Schizo. So considering, I did well.
>>69730448
>tfw born in an atheist family
>in a country where religion is a key component of the national identity
>spend entire youth defending atheism
>heard every argument
>"all that violence and contradictions in the bible"
>recently got redpilled on pol
>now feel like a traitor for not believing
I feel you OP.
I want to believe but I think it's too late for me.
>>69731723
Religion is retarded. The only reason why you want to believe is because other people believe. Agnosticism is the logical conclusion to the theism debate, and anyone who disagrees is retarded.
>>69734192
Thank you for this post my Polish friend.
t. doubting Catholic
>>69735588
the only time its too late is when your dead, or completely denounce God
>>69735588
>I think it's too late for me.
It's not. You have no idea how broken, how black my soul is, and what sinner I was, and in many aspects still am.
Nobody is lost, that's exactly why I'm here asking those questions.
>>69735588
>Got redpilled
>Converts to faggot ideology thought up by sandnigger jews
You were never redpilled son
>>69735866
Double digits confirm, seeking advice for salvation
>>69730448
>How do I believe in god?
>How do I bring myself to a place where I can accept a higher power?
>More specifically, how do I accept Jesus Christ as my lord and savior?
Learn that Jesus was a real person, who by non-religious historical accounts was born, baptized, and crucified:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_Jesus
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historicity_of_Jesus
And that the Christ myth theory is practically accepted by no historians, only a small few who have an atheistic agenda.
After you accept that fact as fact, you need to learn if he was actually the Son of God as he said. The accuracy of religious texts cannot be verified, so instead of fact you must learn by faith. Recognize that the christian god wants people to "walk by faith" so he will not be factually proven or disproven. Read the religious texts and then pray. Contrary to what atheist will tell you, personal antecedent evidence is valid for you (if not, then we have Descartes's problem of reduction to nothing), although it is not valid for others. I cannot prove to you if Christianity is true or not, you have to find that out yourself.
>And when I do convert to Christianity, what denomination should I choose?
Try a bunch and then determine which one you think is the most correct. Even if you dislike it more than another (because it's stricter or less friendly than salad bar Christian churches), pick the one you feel is the most correct. Do not focus on the people or their actions, but the denominations and it's doctrinal beliefs.
>>69735639
As an agnostic myself, the reason I'd love to believe is to stop worrying about the nothingness that follows death. I'd love to believe in a paradise and a loving God, and me not being meaningless and having a part in his plan or whatever. I envy the religious, but don't resent them.
>>69735588
https://www.ewtn.com/faith/teachings/maryd6f.htm
>>69735866
>>69735707
That's not what I meant. With all the logical fallacies and inconsistencies I just can't make myself believe anymore.
I was a libtard just weeks ago, and recently realized how religion and adherence to traditional values can actually preserve a nation from self-destructive neoliberal policies. The entire eastern Europe is the perfect example. And now i feel like shit for being an atheist.
>>69736712
Maybe try looking at it as trust, it helped me just now.
Also, have humility - we are living in an age of over information where everyone is made to believe he knows everything. Some things are beyond us or our logic.
>>69736712
>logical fallacies and inconsistencies
maby another anon* can chime in on this one, but ive come to learn that there are things that are outside the realm of human understanding.
>>69737047*
>I just can't make myself believe anymore
i feel similar. but we as humans are very weak, which is why praying, but being humble about it can help you.
>>69736211
>This feel
It feels like fear is holding me back in everything I do. I want so damn badly to become religious, and have the knowledge, that assurance that you are in deed in control of your destiny and you ultimately have a choice in what happens to your conscience.
All religions in the world are not as much sets of spiritual beliefs or whatever as methods to demonstrate loyalty. Faith doesn't matter as long as you serve the State. As such, the first thing you should do is leave Israel and go to some country where Christianity is accepted as a State religion (Russia is a good first choice because it's not decadent like us or gayrope and in the same time not a shithole like africa or south america). Then you convert to the Church that's official in the country and do what the priests and religious Leaders tell you to do. This will be all.
>>69730448
https://youtu.be/WDEBz25lGdY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC6o90PNQLA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hycjHApNNOM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTAz7XIUy_0
>>69739033
>perfect
things like this and things like "your works vs your faith" confuse me
>>69739352
http://www.fisheaters.com/solafide.html
>>69730448
I've been brought up in a religious household, I've always been to church and prayed. I used to highly admire the pope (John Paul 2) younger. I'd read and pray.
I had cancer at age 12, I was treated but the cancer came back a few years later. I managed to go through the treatment and came out intact, overall my chances of developing leukemia or other organ-related problems are only 3% higher than the general population and that is only restricted to certain organs. Chances of developing the side effects decrease with time.
Anyways this to say that today, I am literally a machine, I never get sick, am much fitter and have a great cardio, muscle mass. What helped me get through the cancer was daily prayers and Bible reading. God never left me, I've suffered a lot, but all the time I was blessed.
I've also always been a lucky person where God saved me from death on multiple occasions besides this misfortune I had to experience.
I was a believer before, but after what happened there is no way I could ever become a non-believer, sometimes in life you go through things that allow you to see or firmly believe without any doubt.
I would suggest you read the Bible for starters and not just read it and close the book, but read it and then think about what you just read, reflect on your thoughts.
>>69739535
thank you, i will read through.
im not a catholic but this gives me a few answers
>>69731723
Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
I believe in God and Jesus though I have never gone to church and only attempted to read the bible. (can't understand to much due to wording)
I grew up with neither atheism or Christianity being pushed upon me and I gathered my beliefs on my own.
"I don't think I can pray yet myself, I'm scared"- I'm sure giving a try talking to Jesus or God is worth a shot. Get comfy, maybe before you go to bed and try to talk to him. I prayed occasionally not specifically to God or Jesus, I say both of their names and talk to whoever listens. I once prayed about my anxiety problem and while I asked for it to be gone but would be fine if they did not do anything. After that, it is still there but is not as strong as it used to be.
Sorry for the long text.
