why do backsliders and infidels, athiests and agnostics ask the hard questions?

Question

why do we get simplistic answers of dogma that make no sense when we ask for reason and not faith?

can a christian actually evolve and answer a hard and well thought question without resorting to dogma and doctrines?

Answer 1

Well that is certainly a hard question for the Christian groups....and for asking it you are obviously a backslider, infidel, athiest, agnostic or something else along those lines.

Its the classic George Bush mantra of "With us or against us" which is basically a formalized system of intolerance.

There are negatives to other groups as well, not just christians.

Want to know what the fastest growing religious group in the world is? Simple Spiritualists. They believe in a god in their own way. Worship on their own. And most of all, they see the evils caused by organized religions.

Organized religions are just a dark-ages relic. Its time to see them for what they are: Systems of control over people. most wars are fought over religious issues, or simply different religious groups fighting.

I officially gave up on organized religion and you can too! You can still volunteer to help build houses, and hand out food to the homeless, and such.... but you no longer have to be part of a religion.

Answer 2

"why do backsliders and infidels, athiests and agnostics ask the hard questions?" -- That's their responsibility, to test us. IF people could answer their questions they are likely to return to GOD (in a majority, establishment type way, instead of being "outsiders" as they are called.)
"why do we get simplistic answers of dogma that make no sense when we ask for reason and not faith?" -- Faith is all humans have. REASON FROM HUMANS!! LOL!!
"can a christian actually evolve and answer a hard and well thought question without resorting to dogma and doctrines?" -- Can't say, have not talked to all Christians. I think I have less important things to do...
Good HARD question!!! OUCH!! (lol - just kidding)

Answer 3

It's a comfort level. It's a lot easier to critically analyze someone else's religion than your own. It's a very very scary thing when you are unsure about what the Truth is. Think of being on a balance beam, blindfolded. You feel like if you lose your balance, you'll fall, so you dare not even risk moving forward.

Now here's another question: Do "backsliders and infidels, athiests and agnostics" ever ask hard questions about their own beleifs?

I think that anyone can ask the hard questions of their own religion, it just takes thinking outside your box.

Answer 4

In all honesty, I have yet to see it. Trust me, I've tried. Many religious people don't think outside the confines of their scriptures/dogma/belief systems, even if it were for something hypothetical. One person even insinuated that it was a sin to even consider the possibility that his teachings were wrong. I think religion is important, and believe in a God, but I don't think that one particular religion has all the answers.

The big problem with them is, by and large, that there is no definitive proof of anything they teach as history. If we could prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the events in, say, the New Testament had occurred, people would flock to Christian churches and probably stay there. Maybe even folks from other religions. Naysayers would claim that proof is not needed, only faith. Sorry, but many of us on this planet regard blind faith as a great way for somebody else to control others via fear and guilt. It happened in the early years of the Catholic church (and some may argue continues to this day), and is happening now in nations that are Muslim theocracies.

Am I full of BS? Probably. But I'm asking questions, which makes me feel fulfilled, and therefore makes me feel human. Blind faith would strip me of that feeling, as well as personal accountability. And simplistic answers concerning religion are just ways of dodging engaging questions out of fear or ignorance. Wow, I'm cynical!

Answer 5

Did you really have to ask why?? The only answer is because we are the ones with an education, we are the ones with an ability to think outside of what we have had jammed down our throats from the time we are old enough to understand what it is we are being force fed.

And the answer to question #2 is a resounding NO. I cannot think of ANY religion that can answer an intelilgent question without dogma or rhetoric.

Answer 6

You ask those questions 'cause you're thinking.

But I tell you what: about once a day, I give a really well thought out, articulate answer to an atheist's or agnostic's question, and since I never get best answer, I'm inclined to think they don't really read them. So I'm kind of tired of putting the effort in.

FWIW, I'm an ex-minister, now unchurched, a Unitarian in my theology, but pretty much hating organized religion. I am still a theist, though -- maybe a deist if you push me.

Answer 7

Obviously, the people you are speaking of are unsure of their faith, therefore they will try to confuse you also. They bible says that the questions they ask only lead to arguments. You know your faith; they just need to find theirs.

2 Timothy 2:23
But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strife.

I don't think you could ever answer their questions.

Answer 8

I worship a blend of 4 Mexican Cheeses.

If only the world's great religions could be sliced into delicious little shreds, divided into edible portions, and vacuum sealed for freshness.

Answer 9

This forum doesn't lend itself to lengthy back and forth discussions. But I don't think the questions are especially difficult or new. You have to ask a question that can be answered in a few sentences.

Answer 10

I am not sure, but i bet that you will get someone that will cut and paste a 1000+ word excerpt form the bible as an answer.