Am I damned? I'm 37 and have not lived even near a good life...

You’re 37, it ain’t over.
Christ.

If you’re concerned about Heaven, talk to a priest. If you don’t know what you think, read some books and think about both sides, and all the variations.

Go talk to a church leader. If you are really concerned.

Start living the kind of life you want to RIGHT THIS SECOND.

Stop worrying about mythology and start living for your own morality. That is much more motivating.

I am a true believer, And I’m a stand up guy, But some of the things I’ve read here, And alot of things I do that are sins got me to thinking…

Speak to your priest, rabbi, imam, whatever you need to do.
If you’re a believer and this is how you feel, you’re having a crisis of faith and there’s no shame in reaching out.

-It seems alot of relegion is to make people fear, Like me.
What’s up with that.
-I believe in other relegions as well “Native American”, Having more than 1 life, What about non religous regions, All go to Hell, Why is God so Dominate in all aspects of life.

-Is it sacreligious to think that maybe all the “Rules” were written to instill fear in an unpoliced society?

No one is a good person. Admitting it is half the battle.

Going on what you are saying, that you do believe and that you want to know what will happen, I think @asmonet and @willbrawn are on to something. Talk to a church leader. Which denomination will be up to you.

If you are trying to lead a faith-based life, the best guidance for you would be to talk to someone and ask how to move yourself to a place (mentally) where you are living the word.

Only you will know where you truly need to be. Faith-based or not, you need to make the choices on how to live your life.

I’m reading your most recent post

Maybe you need to seek out different religions, see what you truly believe in. If you have hesitation about Christianity, don’t stop seeking. You will know when you find the one religion that you truly believe in.

Well Cristianity is Definatley what I believe in, As opposed to being a Catholic, But in saying so that’s a Sin.
-I’ve had 2 religous experiences, 1 big one!
Why are religons based on afterlife?

@TommyDeShields: Not being Catholic isn’t a sin in itself. I think you’d benefit from reading some theology books, and seriously speaking to someone in whatever church whose practices agree with you.

If you’re not sure which one that is, go to a bunch. Tell them you believe but are having difficulties, fidn the one that fits and feels like home.

If you feel things that you do are sins and that it bothers you to do them, then you need to stop doing those things. You can get help through an organized group such as a church of some sort or you can simply determine to stop and perhaps read books on the subject to clarify your mind as to what things you want to stop doing.

Start visiting a different church every week. Go back to the one that feels most “right” but don’t be afraid to move on if it turns out not to be what you need.

the only sin is mediocrity.

“Don’t live by the words of the Bible?” You also don’t live by the words of English: “Rarley help say homeless people?”
What is that?

Yes, indeed, you are damned. I look forward to seeing you in Hell.

If you believe in Heaven and suspect you won’t get in due to your sinful behaviour, I would strongly suggest talking to a priest/pastor/father of your denomination. He will be able to guide you towards becoming an ideal figure in your religion. Keep going to different churches until you find a person who clicks with you.

@TommyDeShields, You don’t have to drink the religious Kool-aid to have a worthwhile spiritual life. But you do have to spend some time thinking and reflecting. People often join an organized religion because they are uncomfortable doing this for themselves, and have an easier time deciding whether or not they agree with other people.

I find it so funny when people separate “Christian” and “Catholic” because both words have much broader meanings than how they’re usually used.

Just remember…..RELIGION and the rules of religion are MAN MADE. Don’t let man made rules about something nobody knows for SURE about, scare you. Your relationship with your God is the only thing that’s important.

The bible has some interesting things to say about your question. And its likely from what your question says that this could be a time where you’d get to know God.

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God, Romans.

The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son. That whosoever believes will not perish, but will have ever lasting life. John 3:16

One more…
If any man be in Christ he is a new creature; Old things are passed away. Behold all things become new. 2ND Corinthians 5:17.

You see, TommyDeShields, God is a Holy God and since all of us have broken his commandments it seperates us from a relationship with Father God. None of us are truly good enough by God’s standards. Not ever.
It is like when a person speeding; going 100mph through a school zone, and finally gets caught. That person will stand before the judge. Even if a person tells the judge that was a one time thing; never done it before; never happen again and was sorry
that would not be good enough.
If its a reasonable judge the penalty may be something like suspended license, time in jail, bad driving record, and eventually probabtion. Plus way higher insurance whenever that person would be allowed to drive.

Same with us if we sin there is a penalty, and it could be for eternity. I know I would deserve hell from things in my past. Have I ever lied…even once? That makes me a liar. Have I ever took God’s name in vein? That makes me a blashpher. Have I ever stolen…even one thing? That makes me a thief. That is just 3 of the ten commandments, and I’m afraid I’ve broken just about every one of them.
However, God did make a way out. Its not through works or being good enough. Instead of a person having to go to hell someone took the penalty for you and me when he volunteered to leave the glories of heaven, and shed His blood for our sins.
It is through prayerful repentence; being sorry for one’s sin, asking Jesus into one’s life, turning away from one’s sin,and begin to know Him and live for Him. A person can begin to trust Him through reading the bible, talking with Him through prayer, and finding a good bible believeing church.

Here is the thing, no disrespect, but asking most here about this issue is like asking roofers about welding. Don’t live by the words of the Bible Hardly anyone can, that is why salvation comes by grace and not works, no one, not even good people can do 100% good works. What you need to do is know you can’t do anything good apart from Christ and to rely on Him to give you the heart and mind to walk as close to His commandments as possible. When you screw up (and you will, we all do, if we had the power not to we would not need Christ) you own it. You admit you messed up, make an effort not to fall into it again, and ask for forgiveness for being weak to the flesh. That is the formula to get to true peace after you die. You could take the chance on figuring it your own way but if you find yourself not off in the Great White Zephrim, or oblivion, then you get what you get; what you earned before breath left your body.