Do any of these questions ever challenge your faith?

Question

If not, why?

wishgirl: The questions in this section...

To all the no answers: Shouldn't you keep an open mind in order to find out if your faith is correct?

Answer 1

Nope if anything I pray more for the lost people I read about on here. Thats why they call it faith. My faith is strong. You have to rely on it.

Answer 2

Yes -- for example, whoever asked the question about one's soul, earlier. I went to a website to research a little on when a soul was created, and found myself agreeing with just about everything mentioned -- up until the point where I realized that these ideas were leading me down a path that contradicted my faith. It made the claim that either souls didn't exist, or that there was such a thing as reincarnation. It hit me right away that I agreed with the logic, but not the result of this line of thinking -- truthfully, my faith in part relies upon logic, so this definitely challenged it. And after having been told at mass one day to realize how much truth there can be in other philosophies outside that of my own Catholic faith, this clicked together, and I'm more open to the concept. Now I ask myself, why does the Catholic church believe in souls? It is now a challenge to determine this answer.

Answer 3

Riverotter7 (on the first page) nailed it for me, too. I guess they challenge me to investigate things. They don't challenge me to begin divorce proceedings with my faith, though. Why not? Over the years I've had to deal with and address most of these questions for myself and how they relate to my faith and beliefs. Not how they sound on a message board.

Questioning *why* I believe *what* I believe is a good thing for me. For some people, that may not be the case. However, posting questions or answers to deep theological or metaphysical issues *here* doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me unless you’re just amusing yourself during lunch (I’m a case in point). Many (not all) of those browsing, I'd guess, aren't really looking for answers, and many (again, not all) who post questions are just doing so to either have fun or try to make a mockery of what they feel runs counter to their views.

Those who don't have a love for God, hold to any particular faith, or have an adherence to a specific set of religious beliefs seem to get a childish rush by trying to poke fun at those who do (while using their most intellectual-sounding persona). And I have to admit, some of their posts *are* funny. Typically, though, they lack evidence to back up their venomous remarks ("answers") while claiming that the "religious nuts" don't have any evidence for what they're posting, and that those losers just look stupid doing so.

On the flipside, I get the impression that many of those who are God-fearing feel that they don't have to offer any particular evidence for their belief that, for instance, the earth is, like, 17 years old or so. It really doesn't help that a statement like, "I'm praying for your eternal soul," is sometimes included in the sign-off. Now, *that* doesn’t come off sounding self-righteous or condescending, does it?

I'm a God-fearing, Bible-believing Christian, by the way. Much of the Q & A I’ve found here is basically “nyaah-nyaah” talk (some of it fun, some not). At least most of the posts are fairly coherent, which is a really weird thing for an open forum, come to think about it.

Just remember that this ain't the place to go for sound theological or Scriptural truth...

Below is a link to a page that I really like (the whole site has great material). A quote from it: "...Christians all too often are as wise as doves and as harmless as serpents!" Thought some of you might find it interesting and useful.

Answer 4

Not mine, because I have yet to read a question that I didn't already face during my 17 years of atheism. I've already answered those questions and am ready to submit all to my Lord and Savior. That doesn't mean I haven't tried to examine the information provided. Testing my faith is essential to know what I truly believe & why. That's why I can safely say that if I ever run across something I've not seen yet I'll consider it but it had better be huge to get me to reconsider in light of the other evidence I have found that supports my faith.

I would ask the same of you - is your lack of faith ever challenged by these questions & response? Why or why not?

Answer 5

If you're asking whether atheist comments cause me to rethink being a Christian than, no. I don't pretend to be an expert on Christ, or anything. An interesting point about the Bible or something may get me interested but only if it's an interpretation, of something that maybe isn't meant to be taken literally.

Unfortunately, too many people on here, ask questions with the intent to offend or convert Christians to atheists (Yes, some people do that). The way many of these questions are written, it's hard to imagine anyone challenging their faith because of them. As i said in a previous answer, It promotes a stereotype of all atheists. I know that some people just have their beliefs but they don't really care what anyone else believes in as long as they show them respect. I'm sure there are many atheists who have friends who are Christian/Muslim/Jewish etc. . . I'm sure that some religious people probably see these questions and think even more negatively about atheists. It's one thing to differ in beliefs but to portray yourself (and others who share your beliefs) as disrespectful and immature.

Answer 6

No, because the perception that religion requires faith alone is a misperception. Religion requires belief and belief is based on knowledge. For knowledge, we live in an opportune era. We have learned, through the past few decades in Astronomy, Physics, and Paleontology, that there was a time before which there was neither time nor space nor matter. Discoveries related to the explosive development of life have forced a reevaluation of the process and direction of evolution.

Answer 7

Yes all the time... really puts things in prospective.... like the fact that there is no way to prove that the big fish was really just a minnow unless you were there, there is no way to prove the bible and it's stories are real. Not to mention when I think of the fact that Jesus said on the cross "God why have you forsaken me?" I can't help but think that he truly believed that God was going to take him from all the pain and not let him suffer. Now I know that everyone says it was because God had put all of the worlds suffering on him but truly I think he just realized at that point that it wasn't real.... that's the only thing I can get from it and until God shows me a miracle I don't think I will believe....

Answer 8

I don't think they challenge my faith. I believe these questions make me stronger in my faith because to truly explain the Catholic faith to another individual I must first have a deep understanding of the faith myself.

Answer 9

Yeah, a lot of times they do. I am an Atheist in large part from my interpretation of the Bible. When someone posts something that may conflict with how I interpreted it, I have to double check to see if perhaps I interpreted it wrong. Sometimes in reading I realize I do interpret things wrong, but at the end of the day I still manage to see that it's still all nonsense.

Answer 10

Absolutely not.

If I can answer them for some one, then I will. If not, biblically, then I will just give my opinion, and I will "tell" them that its only my opinion and I cant, (or actually didnt take the time) to look up the answer.

Some are so silly, that they border on the perposterous.
Others are thought provoking, and I love a good question like that!

I am "Saved" and nothing will take that away.

I wish you well..

Jesse

Answer 11

Actually Yes !n Infact they consitute a good measure to destroying it. I am a Protestant and frankly after years of study I am no wiser.. I do not find my Computer compatible with my Faith infact it is waneing considerably the planet is dying whta faith can you have left..?