(For Everyone): Have you EVER doubted your own beliefs/disbeliefs?

Question

If so then why do you find it so difficult to understand that others might have a different point-of-view?

If it makes you angry or upset to hear others disagree with you, why do think you react this way?

Correction: I was not assuming that Everyone doesn't understand and should not have worded it as such. the only thing i may have assumed was that people would not bother to answer the sub-questions if they did not pertain to them, but i see I might have touched on a nerve or 2.

So far I have seen some great answers from all perspectives and appreciate you all taking the time to give your input.
I agree that when people start making their personal beliefs into laws or policys that affect everyone is a terrible thing, it becomes a control issue then and it upsets me as well.

Answer 1

I doubted mine, and I came up with my own answer. I don't get angry at anyone who disagrees with me because that is their right.

What I never agreed with was that Deity, by whatever name, would have revealed him or herself only to a small group of people on this vast planet, damning all those who hadn't heard or accepted him or her to eternal punishment.

I believe that Deity is revealed to all. I believe that there isn't one recipe to some "salvation", and that we all come around more than once.

Whatever we believe, I don't think that anyone has the right to belittle others for their beliefs. Disagreement is fine; harrassing and demonizing isn't.

Answer 2

If belief is meant to be faith in religion or ideology, then I will say that I never doubt my religion.

Most people with an open mind can understand that different people may have different point-of-view. This is understandable as people come from different background, level of education etc.

For example, Chinese or Arab cultures may be different from western cultures. Hence, westerners can't impose their way of thinking or cultures on the Chineses or Arabs.

Normal people will not get angry or upset just because others disagree with their belief system or religion. The problem generally is when people show their disagreement, they tend to use harsh or cruel words.

If people show their disagreement regarding the teaching of certain religions with polite words, I believe most people can understand without feeling upset.

Most people will feel upset if anyone starts calling them retarded, stupid etc.

Answer 3

This is a fair and intelligent question. Yes, I have had doubts until I found the path that was right for me. I get angry when people call me a satan worshipper though. This imaginary satan has no place in my life whatsoever. If people would just go read a book before opening their mouths, they might find this out.

Noor: Your Allah is the reason why parts of the world torture and kill innocent people. He is an imaginary control freak.
Religion is a personal choice and a personal belief, people can have free will, thats what sets us apart from robots!!!

Answer 4

As an anti-theist, I get very anal with "the faithful" - If you knock on my door at 10 a.m. on sunday to bring me "the good news" when I've got a hangover and am stark bollock naked, then I'm afraid I'm gonna give you some very choice vocabulary lessons.
I'm prepared to accept that the collective human race doesn't know everything. In order to develop/evolve me MUST question everything from "where to cross the street" to " what gender is god" to "what sound does the colour purple make"?
Only by knowing all the questions will we have a chance of knowing all the answers. (An old programmers' axiom: the secret to being a good programmer is not to know how to ask the questions, it's knowing which questions to ask - Isaac Asimimov).
I'm prepared to accept that there may or may not be a higher being, but I ain't seen no burning bushes yet that can't be attributed to careless campers or smokers.
"The faithful" are merely reading by rote - If that appears to make no sense you need to study Shakespeare, and probably Chaucer, too.

Answer 5

First of all YES I have doubted my beliefs and so did John The Baptist and Peter and and and.
Just stop for a second and look at the questions posted on R & S. And then tell me again why I should just understand. I do not have a problem with anyone: believer or non believer. That is because I am filled with the Spirit of GOD. If I was to step back in the flesh and meet some of these people in RL I would be in Jail. But then again I would not be here if it was up to me. Its all about Jesus weather you like it or not.

May GOD richly bless you.

Answer 6

Belief should never be blind or unquestioning. It is important to continually question everything you believe in order to develop spiritually.

No two people's faith should ever be identical, as we are all individuals, and each have an individual responsibility to develop our own relationship with God.

Those who refuse to question their own beliefs and prefer to dogmatically believe something they have been told they ought to believe display an emotional and spiritual immaturity.

If you continually question your own beliefs, you will go through a constant cycle of belief, disbelief and re-evaluation. This is healthy and normal. If you refuse to question your own beliefs on a continual basis, you might be setting yourself up for one big episode of disbelief.

You should welcome discussion with others who disagree with you, as their views and perspectives will either give you more ideas to think about, and at the very least may help serve to confirm in your own mind what you already believe.

Answer 7

Yes, I began to doubt my christian faith when I went through some dark times. In an attempt to strengthen it, I began reading everything I could on the subject of Christianity. After a few years of research, I came into the light of Atheism.

It doesn't bother me that a vast majority of the world disagrees with my understanding. It does bother me when others belittle it

Answer 8

I agree with one of the other responses. I believe everyone has their free choice of what they want to believe but when it does affect the laws I have to live by then it angers me. Also I don't need anyone shoving their beliefs down my throat. I'll be happy to have a civilized conversation regarding spirituality and religion until you try to convert me or stop listening to my views and start telling me I'm wrong and you are right.

Answer 9

Oh yes, I surely have and that is what brought strengthening to them! And I so understand why others may question what I know to be truth.

You can have it your way, that is my understanding of the Bible. So believe/disbelieve it is all up to you. You will suffer the outcome of your own decision. But that's true with every mistake we make, we pay a price for our own errors. Christianity is the same, accept it and live in its fullness with all the promises, turn it down and accept all the outcome of that decision which is sad news, hell will suck I am sure.

Don't accept it out of fear of hell, do it for the relationship you get to have with God as a result. Very sweet indeed!!!

Answer 10

Everyone has doubts at some time. But, when we see that those doubts have no foundation, or we come to a better understanding of the way things are, faith gets built even greater than it was before.