How to Choose the Right Religion for Yourself
Religion exists wherever two or more gather to worship. Most of us were raised in one religion, although some have never been exposed to the concept of a higher power. There are so many religions in this world that if you walked into a hypothetical International Worship Cafe, you would be able to taste any of these from the menu: Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Deism, Taoism, Wicca, Agnosticism, Atheism and Humanism--just to name a few. How do you choose the right religion for you?
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Things You'll Need
- Books, CDs, and other media about world religions
- Notebook
- Pen
- Church services and other religious gatherings to attend
Instructions
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Attend different houses of worship before choosing your religion. You will quickly determine if you feel comfortable and welcomed. Ask yourself the following: Am I comfortable here? What am I learning? Do I still have unanswered questions? Are our values comparable? If you have any doubts, keep seeking a safe sanctuary.
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Bring a notebook and record your thoughts. Attend many services and compare your notes with ongoing research about religions that interest you. You will likely determine that not all leaders or teachers preach the same messages, even when they are affiliated with the same religion. Through careful study you will uncover a religious viewpoint that makes sense to you.
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Ask specific questions. Talk with church leaders, the congregants, and the community to uncover the opinions, values, and actions of the religious group. Do you share a common ground with them? Is there community involvement? What is the religious organization's vision for the future? Are they moving or stagnant? Any unanswered questions confirm the need to continue your search.
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Pray and meditate about it. During this time of prayer and consideration, listen for a voice that speaks to your conscience and heart. Does it bring you to a place of peace? Which voice is speaking to you?
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Rest in the knowledge that choosing a religion does not mean you cannot change course later on. Your needs change, beliefs alter, and the dynamics of the community may shift, leaving you on the outside looking in. You may find that the religion you have chosen is no longer the best fit for your life. At that point you will need to revisit your journal notes, reaffirm your convictions, and seek out something new.
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Tips & Warnings
Religion is when a community of believers gathers together to pray, worship, and meditate through rituals and relationships with one another and their God. Although religions can be quite different in outlook and focus, faith, unity, and tolerance are the bedrock of true religious experience. Finding the perfect fit for yourself may be a daunting task. Take heart; there is peace in the process and comfort in community when you discover the right religious fit for you.
The time of seeking, asking, and searching for the right church, mosque, synagogue, or religious community can be a tumultuous. History has shown a fundamental need in humans to belong to something greater than their own immediate world. As you explore, it will help to be tolerant of other viewpoints and understand the relevance of religious convictions. Be cautious if you encounter teachings that harbor hatred toward one another do little to promote unity in the world. Misunderstandings run rampant, and you must learn to trust what feels right for you. Remain steadfast in your quest, and when you find your religion or your God, you will also find your peace and place in this world.
