Do you hold your particular beliefs because that's what you were taught?

I was raised Catholic... do I believe everything I was taught. No. I rebeled against Catholism for a long time, I now consider myself Christian, I believe there is a God (higher power). I have formed my own opinions about things and have come to find peace in them. I suggest doing some soul searching and research into different religions... maybe you don't fit in any of them but have your own beliefs... you don't have to be categorized to believe in something.

I was raised to be an atheist, but I am a Christian now, so no, the pushy, preachy atheists couldn't keep me from the truth!

I read the teachings in the Holy Books, I believe that these are useful for the progress of my life and for other people, so I independently decide to become a believer.
This is some main teachings of my religion:

Baha'i Basics
________________________________________
Founder
Baha'u'llah, a native of Persia, announced in 1863 that He was God's Messenger for the Age. His teachings and Sacred Writings are the basis of the Baha'i Faith. He claimed his divine mission was to bring about the spiritual rebirth and the unity of mankind. He promised that this would lead to the establishment of permanent world peace and to the Kingdom of God on Earth.
Baha'u'llah proclaimed that God sends divine Messengers with teachings that enable humanity to know and worship God. These Great Manifestations, which have appeared throughout history at intervals of about 500 to 1,000 years, bring human civilization to ever higher levels of spiritual and material advancement. Baha'u'llah is revered as the latest in this long line of Divine Messengers, which has included Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed, Krishna, Buddha and Zoroaster.
Baha'u'llah was imprisoned, tortured and exiled, but continued to urge emperors, kings and other national leaders to reconcile and pursue world peace. He was born in 1817, died in 1892.
Baha'is believe
The purpose of life is to know and worship God, to acquire virtues, to promote the oneness of humankind and to carry forward an ever-advancing civilization.
All humanity was created by one God and is part of one human race.
Work performed in the spirit of service is the highest form of worship.
The soul, created at the moment of conception, is destined by God to reach the afterlife, where it will continue to progress until it attains the presence of God.
Baha'is practice
Daily prayer and communion with God;
High moral principles, including trustworthiness, chastity and honesty;
Independent investigation of truth;
A life dedicated to the service of humanity;
Fellowship with the followers of all religions;
Avoidance of excessive materialism, partisan politics, backbiting, alcohol, drugs and gambling.

http://bahai.us
http://news.bahai.org/

No because its what i learned. Lots of contemplation, reading/ studying, experiencing. I have read into every major world religion, many many minors, dead civilizations religions, the occult, spiritual movements, and various philosophies, i dont think any of them suit me exclusively and i also dont think they cured me of a fear of death.

There is a lot of literature out there, if you've been apposed to christianity for a long time look into some of the other religions dont just settle with something for comfort.

Being afraid of death is normal and healthy to an extent especially at your age range. When i no longer was afraid of death it may have been one of the most liberating experiences i had. Though my fear of it started when i learned about it at the age of five and couldnt figure out what experiencing nothing was, my dad was an atheist. I lucked out, some people despite religion fear death their entire lives.

Several events in my life made me believe. There are times when life gets so complicated that only prayer and faith brings me peace. Knowing there is a God makes me feel blessed.

I was brainwashed into believing, but I gave it some thought and I don't buy any of it.
We are here because some almighty being needs to "test" us into seeing if we deserve eternal glory or punishment? Yeah right...

I became involved in church later on in my life, after I had children. My hubby was raised in a religious household, but once he left home, he never practiced his faith. His boss and very close friend, is very involved in his faith and he would come into town to work (he lives in another state) with my husband and he would take him to church in the morning before they started work for that day. Every time he was in town, this was the routine. Then my hubby felt like he missed his faith and wanted to get back into it. i was open for the idea so I stared researching and attending some formation classes and that was how I got into it.

I think faith can ease your fears and concerns and you could certainly look into the various religions and see if you find one that feels right for you.
Also, you might want to go to a counselor too and get help in understanding why you have these fears and why you think you are OC.
I certainly hope that you find what you are looking for and something to give you a sense of peace.
take care...

I grew up in what my classmates called the "protestant church", they told me that their parents told them that the Assemblies of God church was evil and that anyone who went there was going to go to hell. The bible clearly states not to call anyone "Father" except our father in heaven. Also I thought that we were only supposed to pray to Our Father in heaven, or Jesus, so I was surprised that people would be praying to Mary for deliverance.(Hail Mary prayer) I was told that we should trust in and lean on God. Life is complicated and there are so many things that do their utmost best to pull us away from faith in Jesus and God the Father. People will say that he doesn't answer prayer, but it's not like when you are a selfish little kid asking for toys and if you don't get it, then your parents don't love you. God knows whether you truly respect him. If there's one thing I know for sure. We reap what we sow, we get what we deserve, our end will justify our means. Death is the beginning of eternity.

In some cases except most times its what Iv come to truly believe.

my family is christian and that's how i was raised.. but i'm not in any religion.. but i do believe in God.. i just get confused because some say different things then others.. or some say the same thing.. but are of different religion.. i have an open mind n respect everybody for they're beliefs..

When I was little, my parents were not Christians....somwhere around my 13th year of life, they converted....and that's when I started to learn about the Bible...and Jesus...

I do not believe in Jesus today, just because I learned some things, then....I believe in Him, because I have felt His presence....I have seen His healing touch, on my family, on myself, and on others'....I have witnessed miracles.....I have been comforted, by the Holy Spirit.....

You have to know, that we are not just physical bodies....we have a spiritual body, too....many hospitals, are even treating the "whole" person, now...in realizing this.....

No matter how/why you are looking to God, for strength, and answers....He will answer them....just keep looking...."Knock and the door shall be opened...Seek and you will find".....It's true....Jesus IS the answer.

I was raised a strange mix of pagan - Buddhist and Wiccan
my father being a (non practicing) Wiccan - and my mother being a Sufi - and both thinking that the best religion to raise a young child would be Buddhism.

Somewhere around ten I started in the creation of my own faith - only really getting serious around thirteen.
I think that a faith that cannot hold up to a little questioning, has very little faith :)

I think that religion should be a growing living thing, that the questions should not just be refuted but conceded and incorporated into the faith.
there are so many faiths out there - I'm sure you'll find one that will help you overcome your fear.

but if you want to join mine. . . :)

I would advise you work in morgue - as a hospice worker - or funeral director.

any thing that brings you in close, to death. Do not run away - face your fear.

I am a non-religious theist. I was taught differently growing up and decided to think for myself as an adult.

yes,i hold to the beliefs that were instilled in me,thru my elders,,and I have passed them on, to my children,somethings I have encountered in my 55yrs on this earth,I hold as beliefs for i have been thru them,and as you no,experiences is the best teacher,and that is fact.