Do you have conflicting feelings about faith?

Question

How many of you were brought up in one faith and had that hammered into your brains that that was the one and only "true" path - only now to find themselves questioning and searching? How many feel guilt about doing so? Do you have an experience to share on this subject? Thanks!

Wow. The person who wrote in about the gun and Joyce Meyer - I saw Joyce tell that story on t.v. I'm glad you're better. She is a great teacher/preacher. For years I watched her and bought her tapes and books. My friend and I said she saved us thousands in counseling bills. I don't catch her that often anymore. Thanks for sharing.

Answer 1

I was raised Roman Catholic. I left the Church for many reasons. (I usually tell people I gave it up for Lent & never went back) I still consider myself a Christian, albeit an unaffiliated one. I harbor some guilt (but that could be the Catholic thing), but it doesn't bother me all that much. I believe in a benevolent God, who loves us all enough to forgive our follies, and if there is an afterlife, I'm hoping he or she will let me in.

Answer 2

Not any more.

I once was a Catholic, and, while I didn't grow into a conflicted youth, I still realized that there were some things in the Christian faith that just didn't fit together well. My junior year theology teacher (at a Catholic high school) taught us that the Bible should not be taken as literal truth, taught us why, and showed us that it should be taken for its moral truths, more than anything else.

With this in mind, as I made my way into college, I studied a bit of world philosophy. After a bit of study I realized that I was more an agnostic (believes that there may be a god, somewhere, but, being human, I will not be able to truely understand it) Taoist (can be summed up in two words - 'Life happens').

Now I realize that, God or no God, fundimentalists right or wrong, etc. all I need to do is live my life morally, with moral teachings that aren't exclusive to any one religion, to be right in my eyes and the eyes of the ones I love.

Answer 3

I was raised Catholic, and attended a Catholic School. I wouldn't say that it was hammered into my brain, but I was led to believe that other religions were a farce.
It didn't take long after I entered the "real world", that I decided that the Catholic Faith was not for me at all. My mother still won't accept the fact that I want nothing to do with catholism, but given a list of religions to choose from it would be last, if not at all.

I do not feel a bit guilty about my decision, as a matter of fact I have a great sense of relief that I have found a religion that I trust and understand.

Answer 4

When i grew up, i was raised in a christian home, i saw a movie about the little girl i think in Italy, that was surpose to have seen the virgin mary , many time, it was a true story. But anyway I wanted to become a nun, mama said we didnt believe that way, so when i got older i searched for answers about God and everything really and ended up trying to be a witch, read tarrot cards,tried to do spells, and some were in the back of mine, my soul i guess, i felt sad as i was doing this, like i was betraying God, and my family and alot of bad thing happened while i did this witch stuff, i tried to kill myself 2 times and i felt i was driven, because this was not my nature or belief. so one day about 4 years ago i put a loaded gun to my head while i was in bed and i was watching tv and i dont know how i got on this channel, but it was a minister named Joyce Meyer and she was looking at me and talking as if she was standing in the room and the words she said were ment for me and i put the gun down and got on my knees and begged God to forgive for all i had done all my life(im 50) and i was saved them, ive never gone back and by the grace of God i never will

Answer 5

I'm actually kind of the opposite. Sure, I was brought up going to church (Catholic and Baptist), but was never really taught to believe - so, i grew up atheist, going to church for show (and the free donuts after... good stuff).

But now, while still not religious, I find myself conflicted anyway. I believe in both creation and evolution, and read religious texts to get a better understanding of their beliefs. I find myself feeling, without any real doubt, that there is some higher force out there, but still can't make that belief correlate to any particular religion.
So, I am a man full of faith, without a religion.

Answer 6

Faith by definition is believing without trying to comprehend. And faith comes up handy in areas where proof is hard to provide. So if you start to question your faith, your are just being more independant and you will definitely end up pushing away what you previously accepted and having that kind of feeling. However it is also very wise to seek the light by yourself, no matter where you end. So I encourage you to be a seeker. You only risk being an enlightened seeker or follower. But do look for the truth without just pushing away your teachings and do stay virtuous, if that what was taught to you, it's important and that's the truth.

Answer 7

I have had so many bad things happen to me in my life that it's hard for me to have faith. I have not believed in organized religion for a long time, it all seems so pointless.

Answer 8

I don't know what you've been through, but it is tragic if it had to be hammered into you.

Know this; If you want to come to God, He will respond and you'll find Him. You see, he makes the want! Those that don't want to find Him aren't being drawn.

Answer 9

NO I was raised christian for a long time and when i left i felt free. however i can see that christianity enslaves the mind and spirit.

Answer 10

No i dont feel conflicted at all. i feel angry for believing in a lie for so many years.