Which would be better for my mental health?
Question:
He was a strong atheist up till his death.
Mom wants me to turn christian.
Which is better for my mental health.
being atheist and beliving his life has jsut ended and he is getting to rest forever.
or being christian and knowing he is burning in eternal agaony for all of times.
this was my BEST friend and this way heavily on my decision of wether to convrt or not.
which is better for my mental health?
Answers:
Being Atheist.
Less to worry about, and if your right, or if the after life is just whatever you think it will be, your friend will not be cruelly tortured.
First, sorry about your friend. The violent (especially suicidal death) on someone you care about is a horrible experience, I hope you are looking after yourself. If you are having a difficult time, please consider bereavement counseling - contact your doctor or a local help line.
As for religion - I can't give you an answer - you have to work out whether you believe in God, and find the best way for you to express those beliefs. No one can do this for you, including a parent. Does you mother think that you any receive some comfort in Christianity, or in a supportive church. That may be so, and it may be worth checking out a supportive church, but ultimately the decision about your faith is yours alone.
I do not think that Christianity teaches that your friend will burn in hell. Attitudes on this will differ among believers, churches and denominations (and, if you feel called to Christianity, it is important to find a church that 'works' for you). But some Christians put more emphasis on God's love, compassion and forgiveness than on hell-fire, God understands better then we do on what torment drives someone to suicide, and is prepared to forgive.
Not all Christians believe your friend is burning in agony for all time! I don't believe God is that cruel!
It's not either/or.
I can tell you are very young, and very distressed about your friend's death.
Please get some counselling to deal with this problem. Your mother is not impartial as she wants you to adopt her values.
Talk to someone impartial - a professional.
I am sorry about your losing your best friend. I understand that pain.
But I don't think that converting or declaring a preference regarding an "organized" religion has anything to do with your mental health. I think that you need to find the inner peace you desire from your own thought process; not one that is dictated for you.
You may choose to believe whatever you want in regards to your best friend's afterlife or lack of it. It only matters to you what you believe. And--you have the right to decide not to decide.
Peace!
i say study aithiesm and christianity and then come to your own conclusion on which you aggree with, which one makes more sense to you
religion is not just what happens to a person after death. it's also a way of life and a guide for many choices. what your friend is experiencing now is an unknown and it will remain that way for anyone untill that one experiences it himself. i'll give you a nice example.. i'm muslim, i beleive that both you and your friend are wrong. and a buddhist monk would think that me, you, your friend, christians, jews and any other religion for that matter is wrong. would it make a differnece to me what any other religion says about me? if it does then i either dont understand my own religion or it is a wrong belief that does not appeal to my mind.
one of us is right and the rest are all wrong, that's the only sure thing... and which is which will never be revealed untill we see it for ourselves after we die. maybe atheism is right and all godly religious people are wasting their time. maybe godly religions are right and atheists are going to hell. but one side ,eventually, will be right. for me i beleive strongly in my religion because it appeals very much to my mind. i can swear to you by all that is holy that islam is the answer to everything, but that would not be right and it would not make sense. what would make sense is that you find out about each beleif in an enlightened way, with an open mind and a strong heart. and when you see the truth have the strength to stick with it no matter what.
what's important about your friend is not where he is now and what he is doing, that belongs only to him. what's important is how he lived. the difference he made in your life and in the lives of other people he knew. these are the two faces of religion. and all religions are alike in having both of them, how you live, and how you die... the former is your influence on others and the source of your happiness and satisfaction in life, and the latter is no one else's business.
just remember the good moments of your friend and thank him and whoever god you decide on at the end for having those memories. if he decided to leave now then you can only let him go in peace. as for your belief, that is the most personal thing and the most important decision you will ever make. so think everything over and make it wisely. and when ,eventually, you chose what YOU belief you will know it is the right choice because of the immense mental peace it will bring to you. i hope you have a good life.
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