Is it wrong if you don't believe in God?

Question

I'm a teenager who has recently lost my father. My friends are also going through tough times in their families. I know I sound like a moaning typical teen, but I am seriously doubting the existance of God. I go to a Catholic school, and I attend church, but I've nearly given up forcing myself into religion. Is that wrong?

Answer 1

you know, you get to choose your religion. its not wrong unless you think it is

Answer 2

People often question God in time of grief-that's normal.
Now, all religions are not the same. The catholic church is very different from some other 'christian' churches. Their beliefs and type of service are different. I would try another 'christian' church before I gave up on God. No offense intended but most catholics have very little idea about God. I would advise you to try a baptist church (not independent, maybe American or southern) for a long time before I made an opinion. That is probably the safest church to be in. Then try a 'Calvary chapel' if you can find one, or Presbyterian-find a church that teaches from the Bible. Some Methodist churches are okay, but its really hard to tell a good one from a bad one, they are falling into apostasy fast. The main thing is find some 'real Christians' you can make friends with, and get them to explain how their church works. Stay away from this type of church: Episcopal, Anglican, Mormon or LDS, Unitarian, Islam, Jehovah's Witness.
I am sorry for your loss, but remember that God loves you. You will not find Him in a Church that does not love Him.

Answer 3

I am responding if nothing else than to keep the balance, I don't make a habit of trying to encourage atheism/agnostism in believers, just refuting bad facts and reasoning when it appears.

I was raised RC, and yes once I started learning about the world more, and experiencing things, I too had a serious problem with faith, and now I am an atheist. The more I learnt and investigated about world religions, their history, the sciences, and natural history the more everything points towards impersonal beginnings. And I am fine with that. I feel we should simply seek to be in accordance with nature and to live content lifes, giving no thought to what may or may not come in death.

It is definitely NOT WRONG to leave a religion, of course its adherents will tell you this is the worst thing in existence, and some religions even punish apostaphy with death. Now if you tried to join another religion they would all be telling you this is the best thing in the world, and you are saved to have left the other one. With so many different ideas about what is wrong and right, who can really make claim to hold the single truth, this is the true nonsense! Righteous people don't have a clue what they are talking about and bring much harm to this world.

You are growing and learning, let it take you where you will. Don't cling to old traditions to remain accepted, that is being untrue to yourself, and will not make you content. Sure ask your priests and family any questions you may have, but also look up the answers of other faiths, and atheists, and make the best decision you can based on your upbringing, knowledge, inate abilities and situation. Who can do anymore than that?

To re-iterate, it is a good thing to learn and investigate. It is not good to cling on to old (mis)conceptions simply through obediance or nostalga. If you teachings take you somewhere else, then let it. We don't all have to agree, just don't lie to yourself.

Happy investigations.

No one holds the truth. He who speaks loudest has the least to say.

I prefer philosophy to religions anyday, but that is just me. You might try the Tao Te Ching or Lieh Tzu as a good introduction to a different philosophy than you are probably used to.

Or this website below is very good for investigating different religions/philosophies and world issues.
http://www.beliefnet.com

Answer 4

I could have asked this question when I was a teenager. I started doubting the Catholic teachings when I was in the 3rd grade. Those doubts never went away, and I could never find a nun or priest to give me a straight answer. I am now an official agnostic, and have been for over 40 years. I too lost my Dad when I was a teenager. There is no explanation as to why these things happen, they just do. No one on this planet can convince me that it is "God's will" that bad things happen. They just HAPPEN - it's the natural order of things.

Sorry about your Dad. I know what you're feeling.

Answer 5

See
http://tethys.croydon.ac.uk/magdalenecircle.nsf

To learn the truth...


There is nothing wrong with not believing in god any differently to the tooth fairy and santa claus.

Belief and faith is simply like a drug... Look at all the cults.


Whats good about a evil homophobic, irrational, sexist, murderous system that thoughout the centuries says its about love but really about evil... Ie centuries of nothing but reglious wars, massacures, inquistions, torture, rape, mass murder often by buring alive (they think sex is bad but ok to get thrills from the screams of agony of some girl buring to death for the crime of healing the sick) witches,

The basis in lies and taking over of pagan dieties ... ie look up the true history of the easter bunny suymbol and how easter is really about a saxon fertility god.

With little else this century other then spread of AIDS and unwanted pregnancies leading to the third world full of street homeless children sniffing glue to take away the pain of the only form of income to eat. Pleasing peadophiles as child prostitutes.


Forcing children rape victems including a 9 year old or trying to force her to give birth.

Suppressing sex ed and building an anti sexuality culture which only causes hurt.


If you want to follow anything look into wickenisim and the new age...

They are pro girl and not sexist. But nice and hippy like. With no history or wars, witch burnings, mass abuse etc etc.

So you are not wrong... Just intelligence to see that the system is wrong and in reality makes no sense...

Its not the crowd thats right... Look at nazi germany or islamic countries... Its the rebels that were the good guys.

Answer 6

To stop believing in God because of a death in the family or having other problems is for sure wrong. Look around we live in a evil world and we are going to have problems. This is a time to trust in God. Remember God sent His son to die on the cross for your sins. He was buried and took your sins away and He rose again the third day so you can stand just before God. If you truly believe and trust in that then God has promised you eternal life. Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.

Answer 7

It is always difficult to believe in God, in those times when we feel alone. The death of someone we love certainly leaves us feeling alone and confused. We question how a good God, a god of Love, can let people die and suffer so much. However what we fail to realise is... we all have a choice and freedom to be anything we want. If you do not wish to believe in God's existance, that is ok... God believes in YOU. We all go through tough times to help us see ourselves, we go through lessons to strengthen our Souls. Hopefully this time can be used to remember Who You Really Are and to gain the lesson from this experience.

Answer 8

Perhaps God is not about religion? When you accept God into your being, then the grieving process (and it is a process that occurs) will be minimized in intensity. No one will take away your grief. It must be worked through in stages.

God exists in nature and He is within you too as a part of nature. Listen to that nature within and find your own path. Keeping your covenant of love with God will see you through all your troubles.

Answer 9

Being uncertain of the existence of God is denying once own existence too- and that is foolishness! Every thing is created by God and For God, you have to believe this in your heart, go no where or try not to investigate this truth in your earthly mind, but sake for the spirit of God and He will teach you,

Answer 10

Its just not smart. There is so much to gain by believing
and so much to lose by not believing. Intelligent people from
all over the world have believed in God from Moses to Jesus,
from John Kennedy to Desmond Tutu, from Dyan Canon to
France Nguyen.
I Corinthians 13;8a, Love never fails.
I Corinthians 13;8a, Love never fails.

Answer 11

No one has perished yet.
Death of the flesh is not death of the entity that dwelt there.

Study His Word which is His Spirit.

Psa 53:1 The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.

Isa 43:2 When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.