Is it alright to doubt my own religion?

Question

Im Catholic but I doubt Roman Catholicism esp in my country bec of the religious leaders getting in the way of national politics. I realized that its not about religion anymore but faith. I now prefer to talk to Him directly because people makes religion so confusing. It hurts more when atheists make fun of Catholics because of our religious leaders. There is more to God than those who are trying to interpret Him and His glory in different ways.

Answer 1

Yes, it is okay to doubt your religion, especially the way things in the world are today! One thing you shoudl never doubt though is that Jesus Christ died for your sins! Never doubt that God truly loves you!

You do not need to go through any other person or saint when you pray. You have a direct line to God and He will answer! For me, its not about religion......a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is SO MUCH BETTER than being 'religious' ever thought about being!

Answer 2

First of all, I have to admit I'm an atheist, but I am not here to make fun of you or anyone else.

In my opinion, what you're doing is *healthy.* Think of it not as being less of a believer; in fact, your beliefs can only become stronger when you have fully questioned them and explored all possibilities until you're sure they're the right ones for you. This is less about your religion and more about the way that you, and perhaps everyone, should think - it is both natural and wise to always question, to never believe anything blindly.

It seems as though you still have a good relationship with God and you're beginning to develop a more globally-friendly point of view; that is, you have come to understand that God might transcend religion. I think it's more important that you strengthen your relationship with a loving God than pay attention to the more "man-influenced" facets of religion.

Hope I made sense. Think of it this way: if people never doubted anything, society never would have progressed as far as it has in terms of economy, technology, biology, and a myriad of other fields. We would still, essentially, be cave men!

Good luck and keep seeking!

Answer 3

This isn't really much of an answer I guess, but I'm also kinda doubting my religion. Because my teacher made us watch this video on how earth got started and all that stuff. That day, like, change my view kinda. It's wierd though huh? Because when I was a kid, I truely believed in god (still do), and heard about how the world was started and I never once, thought it about it. Another wierd thing is that, I never once doubted my religion UNTIL that day my teacher played that video. This happened a few months ago too, sometimes I feel like my teacher did that on purpose. Haha... my teacher even said, before playing the video "Don't go like 'but that's not right, god blah blah blah", lol. But now, I'm much better and I'm still catholic, you can say eh?

Answer 4

I think you are absolutely right. You don't say what country you're from but in the USA there are Christian activists getting way too involved in politics for my comfort.

There are many brands of Christianity. I am not Catholic, I don't believe in the infallibility of the Pope, and I don't believe you're going to hell if you're not in the Catholic church.

It's great that you want to talk to God on your own and make sure you've got a Bible you can read regularly. Find out the truth for yourself, make those beliefs your own. Have you read Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis? Great book, it lays out the fundamentals of being a Christian without referring to a specific denomination.

It's a good idea to find another church though, one that's more in line with what you believe. Lutheran and Episcopalian are Protestant and they still use the liturgy although I don't know if it's the same. Or there are many other nonliturgical denominations. Good luck in your spiritual searching.

Answer 5

There is nothing wrong with doubt in religion, and in fact it can result in a stronger person of faith if they engage that doubt. Remember even Jesus’ disciples had many doubts concerning his divine nature and his ability to rise from the dead, yet he did not rebuke them and reject them for this. Doubt is the precursor to greater understanding in anything, because it is the impetus behind deeper inquiry.

I would not allow the political bent of some Church leaders, or the past and present sins of our Roman Catholic clergy to reduce my faith in the Roman Catholic Church. We believe the Catholic Church, just like the Bible, is created through the inspiration of God, and yet we also acknowledge that God used very fallible men in the creation of both the Catholic Church and Bible. We should learn to ferret out the truths of faith from both sources of Gods inspiration, while disregarding the foibles of men who were involved in the creation of each.

Answer 6

It is absolutely ok to question your religion. It's by asking ourselves if we truely believe what is being taught that we can grow, and develop spiritually. I urge you to talk with your Heavenly Father directly, and ask Him if (fill in the blank) is true. He will answer, if asked with an open heart believing you will recieve an answer.
As to doubting your chosen religion, I think you mean question some of it's teachings, or question whether it's the right one for you. If you are truely doubting, are you doubting that Christianity is the right way? that God exists? that the Roman Catholic church is the same as it was in the first century a.d.? Doubting can lead to a slippery slope ending with hopelessness, faithlessness, and lowered self-esteem, -confidence, and -worth. Questioning can lead to the opposite of these.
It may sound like I'm splitting hairs, but for me there is a distinct difference.
To GROSSLY oversimplify my comments: Doubting - bad; Questioning - good.

Answer 7

First of all being a Catholic isn't belonging to a religion. Catholicism is a sect of Christianity, just like Shiitism is a sect of Islam. Don't mean to sound condecending.

I am not sure what country you are in, but remember that according to Christian doctrine (and Islamic/Judaism) God gave us free will, you choose to be a Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jew etc. My guess, wild guess, is that if you live a good life, follow the tenents of Christianity and love your neighbor, God will forgive the fact that you don't feel terribly close to your church.


All else fails talk with a Priest and direct your concerns to him. Who knows.

Answer 8

Just remember there is a big difference between the Catholic Faith and the Catholic Church. Just because you doubt the institution and the failings of the men who run it, does not mean you doubt your religion.

Answer 9

It's totally alright to doubt your religion. And you've hit the nail on the head about it not being about religion, but faith. I think developing a personal relationship with God is more important than any religion.

I grew up in the Pentecostal faith, and if that doesn't screw you up, I don't know what will! Our doubts and questions help us learn.

Answer 10

If you studied roman Catholicism, you would know the world will soon severely persecute Christians, especially catholics. Your faith and work with the church can only help stave off the persecution and allow a future generation a chance to follow Catholicism, instead of blantantly opposing it.