Is it good or even possible to force oneself to believe in God?

[Ambivalent1]

I think it'd focus me and propel me forward. The thing is I've studied religion and can poke holes in them. I suppose I can try and tell myself that what I've studied is just demonic deception meant to prevent me from finding God. I don't know how long I can deceive myself though.

 

[flyinghigh]

for me its an on and off relationship with God, however being scared of the afterlife does prevent me from ctb so theres that

 

[timf]

You might try a different approach. You might try a search for truth.

While God is presented in many ways, sadly even some for profit, one should be able to find a nugget of truth here and there that might point to a way that is less contaminated with human "contributions"

It might be helpful to search for explanations that rely more on logic than emotional assertions. Here is one for Christianity that might be helpful, however, there are probably ones for other religions as well. I am sure that Christianity is not the only religion presented poorly.

http://christianpioneer.com/cphone ebooks/christianity 101.htm

 

[Mirrory Me]

 

[unnormal9]

Sure, if you need another delusional coping method.

 

[SoftWorries]

It really depends. If you have any emotional attachment to the notion of God (having attended church or Bible studies as a child) you mind me able to bring yourself closer to God.

I imagine what you're looking to find is an attachment to some otherworldly power or experience. There's many things you could do to feel this way without attempting to get closer to Christian God.

-You could meditate to guided meditations like Joe Dispenza and let his teachings be a guild towards that feeling

-You could take psychedelics and have those experiences and emotions be part of your spiritual journey

-You could try self hypnosis to bring yourself to different states of openness

-You could do a three day fast without internet or distractions and observe what happens inside of yourself

It really depends what has the least barrier to access for you. All roads lead to Eden but if you have resistance to something due to religious studies do something else.

 

[dreamscape1111]

If you're serious about finding God, don't look to religion, look within!

Here's an amazing audiobook so profound that it'll totally change your life:

The author directly channels God in a series of detailed dialogues explaining the entire structure, function, and purpose of human life, dispelling many orthodox religious myths about God, morality, politics, and sex. This whole 3 part series definitely counts as one of my top favorite books of all time. It's just utterly pure and truthful

 

[Ambivalent1]

Sure, if you need another delusional coping method.

I do

 

[deathLiberation]

I think it'd focus me and propel me forward. The thing is I've studied religion and can poke holes in them. I suppose I can try and tell myself that what I've studied is just demonic deception meant to prevent me from finding God. I don't know how long I can deceive myself though.

Forever Conscious Research Channel on YT. Watch any NDE case.

Christian God have limited range. An if that God is all loving and forgiving, no matter what you do, if it is the truth, you will be loved and forgiven. Yet, i woul prepare for other scenarios also.

 

[Ambivalent1]

Forever Conscious Research Channel on YT. Watch any NDE case.

Christian God have limited range. An if that God is all loving and forgiving, no matter what you do, if it is the truth, you will be loved and forgiven. Yet, i woul prepare for other scenarios also.

An NDE is only NEAR death

 

[deathLiberation]

It´s the closest you have to what happens.
People who were declared dead for a period of time and returned. Granted we dont know.

It´s not about NDE right? I believe you are looking for a way to believe in God. When you watch any of those with an open mind your intuition tells you the truth. Many talk about God, to me, those were the decieved ones. For you, it might be different.

 

[Ambivalent1]

It´s the closest you have to what happens.
People who were declared dead for a period of time and returned. Granted we dont know.

It´s not about NDE right? I believe you are looking for a way to believe in God. When you watch any of those with an open mind your intuition tells you the truth. Many talk about God, to me, those were the decieved ones. For you, it might be different.

For me it will be the demiurge master of darkness

 

[Housefly]

I grew up religious. Parents are ministers, my religion was the first thing to go. Why would god who made me this not help me after days of prayer and crying and genuinely seeking his attention. I felt mocked, I felt like I couldn't tell anyone because church people have such high standards for preacher's kids. I stopped believing and it was easier to attempt. I failed but for a second I was at peace

 

[Ambivalent1]

I grew up religious. Parents are ministers, my religion was the first thing to go. Why would god who made me this not help me after days of prayer and crying and genuinely seeking his attention. I felt mocked, I felt like I couldn't tell anyone because church people have such high standards for preacher's kids. I stopped believing and it was easier to attempt. I failed but for a second I was at peace

Yeah God hasn't helped me. Maybe he gave up on me or he never existed. Who knows

 

[Konjac]

During times of despair I've managed to convince myself of the strangest things, not confined to one particular religion but mainly constructs of my own mind. The way I wanted the universe and the afterlife and the concept of life and death itself to work. I found great comfort in my delusion, although could never bring myself to believe in something strongly enough to bring more comfort than it does doubt when in a clear headed mind. In that way I envy religious people slightly, they have what they believe to be some form of answers and they must find a lot of comfort in that.

 

[blujay21]

I have had some similar struggles with religion. I think if you are a rational and critical person it is almost impossible to logically convince yourself of any traditional religion today. Furthermore, it is apparent that throughout history and even today there are many examples of how organized religion has persecuted certain group of people. That being said I think there is some legitimate value that religion brings to society and an individual. For me, an Abrahamic god does not make sense. Too many logical inconsistencies regarding his power and omnipotence. However I consider myself to be a determinist, which happens to be the one logical support I have for the existence of god. If everything that happens is a result of what came before it, that means everything is in a self contained and self determined system. Think of a set of dominoes being pushed into one another, one dominoes hits the next and so on. If all of the events happening in reality is a row of dominoes what knocked over the first domino? In other words, a self determined cause and effect system cannot cause itself. That thing may or may not be god, but that is as far as I have gotten with that. Sorry for the schizo post

Forever Conscious Research Channel on YT. Watch any NDE case.

Christian God have limited range. An if that God is all loving and forgiving, no matter what you do, if it is the truth, you will be loved and forgiven. Yet, i woul prepare for other scenarios also.

"Live a good life. If there are gods and they are just, then they will not care how devout you have been, but will welcome you based on the virtues you have lived by. If there are gods, but unjust, then you should not want to worship them. If there are no gods, then you will be gone, but will have lived a noble life that will live on in the memories of your loved ones." - Marcus Aurelius

This is one of my favorite quotes by Marcus Aurelius and it really makes me have zero worries about any scenario of god being an asshole lol. If an all knowing god exists then he will understand us for the flawed people we are.

 

[EternalShore]

What are your struggles with God? :) I know religion has helped a lot of people here, and it could help you too! :D Please tell me them, so I can help~ hehe~

 

[Ambivalent1]

What are your struggles with God? :) I know religion has helped a lot of people here, and it could help you too! :D Please tell me them, so I can help~ hehe~

Lack of evidence of a particular deity and the fact that my life sucks despite my best efforts. Don't cite the story of job. God answers none of his questions and simply says "I am God. Who are you to question me?" Sociopath

 

[ggetout33]

As someone who was raised Buddhist (and is now agnostic atheist) I would say no. You could act like you believe in God to others. But forcefully "converting" yourself is way more trouble than it's worth. You'd basically be gaslighting yourself into thinking a specific way that's not in your nature. AKA brainwashing.

Assuming you're atheist, you don't have to believe in the Christian God. As Christianity is far from the only religion in human history. There are plenty of religions out there that don't have a God or God-like figure in the center.

You could also just adopt a more spiritual or meditative lifestyle without worshipping a God. Find your own truth without conforming under any religion.

However I will say, don't put all your faith in human religious leaders. They will disappoint you, even use you for their own personal gain. I would even go as far as to say not trusting any religious institutions, especially if they heavily intertwine with politics.

 

[SVEN]

The Tao which can be named is not the eternal Tao. I doubt you can "force" yourself to know the unknowable, you must allow the eternal to find you. If you have access to a Quaker meeting, this may assist you as they believe in "that of God in every person". Reading the Tao de Ching (it's available online) may help to form thoughts or meditations of the universal life force as you can accept it.
Or, as the Christian Bible might express it, "Be still and know that I am God". Perhaps just cease to strive so hard in your search and settle into that which is.
Sorry if this is useless to you, it is honestly well intentioned.

 

[aGoodDayToDie]

I don't see why you'd want to delude yourself. Imo religion purely robs people of common sense and the ability to choose rational courses of action. Why would you want to believe in delusional nonsense that stops you from behaving rationally? Inducing irrational fears? It seems akin to going up to a con man and saying "please, confuse me! Convince me to give you all my trust! All my money! Manipulate me!"

If you just want to be part of a group, there are other groups. If you want guidance in life, read the work of the various philosophers. But pardon the pun, for the love of God, give religion a miss. It'll only get you good at doing things blindly. You'll never be able to do or know what is truly good for you or good for society.

Religion was formed by the culmination of madmen having hallucinations, psychopaths trying to manipulate the masses and misguided leaders trying to keep order but they never compared to the effectiveness of applying common sense, common decency and wisdom to every day life. On top of that you have all the knowledge in the world to make informed choices. Why throw that away and purposely seek out some fictitious entity for guidance, written by manipulative misguided men eons ago with questionable intentions?

 

[RedSpiderLily]

I think it'd focus me and propel me forward. The thing is I've studied religion and can poke holes in them. I suppose I can try and tell myself that what I've studied is just demonic deception meant to prevent me from finding God. I don't know how long I can deceive myself though.

If anything you could, at the very least, take inspiration from religious texts. I personally am not religious, but sometimes I find certain bits of religious writings to be comforting despite be only viewing them from a literary perspective.

To answer the question: I personally don't think it's possible to force yourself to believe in something you don't. You can only try and see it from the perspective of those who do.

 

[theslasher]

This is quite relatable. No matter how hard I try to believe in that blissful delusion, it's impossible.

It's almost as if when they say to not bite from the "Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil" or else you'll go to hell.. it's like a metaphor where biting from the tree of knowledge is like knowing there is no god, which leads to going to hell (AKA becoming nihilistic, depressed, and realizing that there is no meaning to life).

It's true what they say: ignorance is bliss.
My recommendation to you is to study all these religions and only take the lessons that actually bring value to your life. These stories are literally just metaphors that teach a lesson, they are not literal truths. The stories were not meant to show WHAT happened, but the stories show people HOW to live. Religion has been twisted in many sinister and idiotic ways. People preach it as if these things actually happened.

Many times lessons are better understood through stories as opposed to just being told these lessons in one sentence. So learn what you can from the stories in these religions but don't actually believe in it like the average person who has a very smooth brain.

Also, if you truly despise religion (which is very much understandable) but you still want to have some sort of structure that religious beliefs tend to provide to one's life.. I recommend you read the book "12 Rules For Life" by JP.

 

[NoLightRemains]

I think it's possible if you are desperate enough (like me). I've been reconnecting with my Christian faith after abandoning my Catholic upbringing in my teenage years. For years I always said I'd like to believe, but there is no way I could believe again. There's some level of skepticism I'm working through, but I am enjoying exploring it again.

 

[suicidalloser]

This is the equivalent of a torture chamber, factually: inflicting merciless pain onto another.
No it is not good.

 

[shootingstar]

I used to be an agnostic. I ended up converting when i ran into quite a bit of personal evidence. Managed to successfully summon some demon or angle thingy, calculated the long term effectiveness of various contraceptives, talked to people of various different religions and noticed that there was an increase in the number of demonic possessions being reported. Had a hobby of doing paranormal investigations for fun while in college, used to read old newspaper clippings from the 1920s. Became Catholic.

I strongly recommend searching for the truth to the best of your ability. Question yourself and others, question your assumptions, create metrics, then investigate. Have fun. I know what its like to be Catholic and I know what its was like to be agnostic/atheist.

Believing in God, doesn't really bring me peace because of scrupulosity and not knowing how to deal with a being supremely more powerful than myself when I can't seem to get along with normal humans. So I find it strange when people tell me that my belief in God is just a delusional comfort (it really isn't). I don't fully understand the character of who God is since he is so alien to me.