Christians: What do you do when you doubt your beliefs?

Question

And don't say you don't cause everyone does sometimes.

Does the idea that what the church has told you could be wrong ever cross your mind? What do you feel/do when it does?

Answer 1

First I examine the doubt I'm feeling/thinking. Am I the cause of my doubt in any way? Did I do something to exacerbate the situation causing my doubt? Do I need to be more patient? Etc.

Second I pray for clarity. Generally, I don't need to go much further than this, as in prayer, once I quiet myself into contemplation, I receive an answer to my doubt.

If necessary:

Third, I try to be patient and continue to believe despite my doubts, and continue to pray for clarity. Occasionally the answer doesn't come to me right away. Though after a few weeks, once even months, the entire situation that caused me doubt became crystal clear to me in an instant.

As I continue this process, my doubts are fewer and further between.

Answer 2

I am a Catholic and believe maybe 1/8 of what the bible says mainly becaused its forced on you from a young age, brainwashed into believing things before you learn to question. Who knows where the bible came from anyway a goup of men in the vatican or did God really have any part to play. I dont believe that a God would descriminate between men and women or want priests to be lonley and have no partners when 'He' is all about love!? I do however believe in a God and have my own thoughts and beliefs and I am quite spiritual prob more so than some devout Christians we read in the papers.... decide for yourself what you believe you dont need others to tell you.

Answer 3

Yes everyone has a moment of doubt about it. I haven't in a long time though becasue I pray every day. also just look at the Bible. Read it and find out how many of the prophecies and even the detailed ones have come true. that is enough to keep my Faith. also when I talk about God I just know he's there. those would be my suggestions.

Answer 4

I have had my doubts. It makes me feel bad, though my doubt doesn't last for very long.
But my faith is reaffirmed by what God's word says and from other believers. That's why it is important to have a church that you belong to.
God is sooooo faithful that he won't let you give up.
If all else fails, find someone you feel comfortable talking to, like an elder in your church or your pastor or a friend. Sometimes just talking about it will make you feel better.

Answer 5

I don't rely on the church, I rely on what the bible tells me, churches tend to have their own interpretations, which aren't always right. I have to do what I feel is right, according to my own interpretation, nobody elses. So when I have those times of doubt, I read the bible and pray. I also watch a lot of movies or read, which for some reason, helps me get over it.

Answer 6

come up with your own conception of God that you're comfortable with, the church can't be right all the time, if they were then there would only be one church with one belief system, but there's not, so take what you can from church, but if there's something they teach that keeps you further away from God then change it to suit your life, i'm sure God will understand, and who cares if your preacher doesn't, he's not God and has no right to pass judgement on anyone anyway

Answer 7

I am a Christian and don't go to church, and whenever I doubt my beliefs I read the Bible and come to a conclusion.

Answer 8

Well, I think there is a difference between core beliefs and the beliefs of specific denominations.

For example, I believe in the metaphysical being we refer to as God. I believe in Christ's presence in this world. I believe the word of those who saw him alive after His supposed death on the cross. I believe that, while this universe is unbelievable complex and vast, it functions according to the way He ordered it.

That being said, I also believe that all Christian denominations (and all religious beliefs) only imperfectly describe God and His interaction with us and his desires for us. After all, individual religious faiths are the product of people and we are fallible. Therefore, I try to separate dogma from my core beliefs wherever possible, especially when one sees contradictions in scripture. As it stands, Christ's message was a simple and beautiful one: Love God, and express that love by loving one's neighbor. But over the course of two millenia, we have focused on incredibly insubstantial texts to support encrusting this ministry with various rubbish, such as Virgin Birth, Transubstantiation, The Rapture, "God Hates Fags" signs at military funerals, et al.

In short, there's a big difference between faith and checking your head at the door. Decide what makes sense based on your thoughtful and prayerful reading of scripture and theological study. Then make your denominational choice based on your conclusions. And don't let anybody budge you from the dictates of your own conscience.

Answer 9

Funny, I am not a Christian, and I am surprised at the answers you're getting from supposedly knowledgeable Cristians. When they question their faith they're supposed to repent and ask forgiveness for the transgression of QUESTIONING. Heratics questioned and were burnt at the stake for not repenting/giving up their beliefs. It's about CONTROL. PEACE!

Answer 10

The Scripture says, "Faith is the substance of things not see, the evidence of things not heard." Therefore whenever doubt arises, I get my head back in the book! I study more and pray more "leaning not to my own understanding."