re: Help me with my religion struggles

That’s assuming that atheists don’t go to heaven if they are wrong

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“Remember, young man, unceasingly,” Father Paissy began, without preface, “that the science of this world, which has become a great power, has, especially in the last century, analysed everything divine handed down to us in the holy books. After this cruel analysis the learned of this world have nothing left of all that was sacred of old. But they have only analysed the parts and overlooked the whole, and indeed their blindness is marvellous. Yet the whole still stands steadfast before their eyes, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Has it not lasted nineteen centuries, is it not still a living, a moving power in the individual soul and in the masses of people? It is still as strong and living even in the souls of atheists, who have destroyed everything! For even those who have renounced Christianity and attack it, in their inmost being still follow the Christian ideal, for hitherto neither their subtlety nor the ardour of their hearts has been able to create a higher ideal of man and of virtue than the ideal given by Christ of old. When it has been attempted, the result has been only grotesque. Remember this especially, young man, since you are being sent into the world by your departing elder. Maybe, remembering this great day, you will not forget my words, uttered from the heart for your guidance, seeing you are young, and the temptations of the world are great and beyond your strength to endure. Well, now go, my orphan.”

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- Fyodor Dostoevesky, The Brothers Karamazov

See my edited post bruh

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I'm not Catholic, but acting as if pedophilia is an actual part of Tradition or the Magisterium is absurd

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The acts of pedophilia were one thing. But the concerted effort to conceal them were just as bad If not worse. This went on worldwide, so yes, you can say it was part of "tradition"

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you can say it was part of "tradition"

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more sports board

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Do you believe Jesus was celibate?

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In terms of Scriptural understanding, yes. What actually happened is beyond my knowledge and is immaterial to my religious practice.

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The acts of pedophilia were one thing. But the concerted effort to conceal them were just as bad If not worse. This went on worldwide, so yes, you can say it was part of "tradition"

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Incorrect. Actual Tradition, understood properly, condemns such acts with impunity. Again, I am not Catholic (Orthodox, for the record), but to assign the awful actions of certain clergy to the Faith itself is disegenuous. Want to call it corruption of the Church? Cool by me.

Maybe you should be Preysbeterian ;). That's often a subject I've seen when I went to that church. They often say it's an issue that everyone struggles with, but accept you do your best and be good.

As to the concept of God. I haven't really struggled to much. Whether he's an all knowing sentient entity who actively intervenes in people's lives is something else entirely and that's for each person to decide. But at its base level, I see God as nature. The world in which we live in. The rules and constraints and possibilities that have erupted from the beginning of time. And when we live with nature, we do live with God.

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Also, you can believe there is a God and still not believe in all the religion hokus-pokus that men made up.

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Bingo.

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key is to not think too much

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Do your own reading and not rely on what the church tells you. It’s a hard thing to want to believe yet there is no proof.
It does feel better to believe.