im really doubting...?

Question

my catholic christian faith... im 14 and have been catholic all my life (no WAY my parents would let me get out..) and its so hard for me to belive that like god just says "oh heres the world" .. while sciences suggest its a natural phenomonon.. and all the stories of like adam and eve... but I feel like a bad person for not beliving! i belive there is a god and heaven but I think my religion is just too ... stretched. Please help

what should I do about it?

Answer 1

Dear SwimBabe:

When I was your age, I looked at a Young Person's bible and thought it was funny that God looked like a man and sat on a white cloud in the sky. But, I never doubted that there WAS a God.

When I was your age, I looked at the story of Genesis and saw Eve with an apple and a snake wrapped around the tree she had picked it from. I thought it was strange that an apple could bare carnal knowledge and that a snake could talk to you and offer you the knowledge. But, I never doubted that - some thing must have happened that made mankind feel they had been Separated from God.

Many, many young people, as well as older people, have felt that Bible stories were representative of some thing that actually occurred - but, the Truth was depicted and clouded in the manner we have been told about it. They have realized that Bible stories are filled with symbols - and yet they accept the symbols and the representations knowing the Truth is somehow not very far off from the stories. In other words, SOME kind of Separation must have occurred. And SOMEhow we must be in God's image.

When you are older or have time to do it, you may choose to read some books on Spirituality, along with the Bible. Spirituality speaks of the Truths without representations made through symbols. Books like "A Course in Miracles." But you should wait until you are older. I do NOT speak of Occult books. No. I speak of pure Spirituality - as books that will take you to the truth.

You believe in God. That is enough for now. All that is ever asked of us is to remember our Creator, our God. Keep the connection in your mind, always. As for Science, remember this: The human Intellect denies the Soul/Spirit that lies behind it and, looks upon the physical world and its sciences as its only interest. But we all have a soul/spirit within us and it is THAT that God Created. The human body and its Intellect (brain) will age, wither and die. But what God Created, in His own Likeness, never dies. The Soul remains, eternally. What is God's Image? He is a spirit-mind. His body is an essence that fills all space and dimension. He Created more of Himself - because He knew nothing but Himself. We are all spirit-minds, like Him. Humans call that PART of themselves Soul. It is the seat of Knowledge.
This is what you can look into when you are older. . .

In the meantime, there is one important thing to "get" from Church. That is a feeling of reverence for your Father/God. And know YOU will come to know Him much better when you are older. The Catholic faith can offer you much beauty. If I were you, I would enjoy what it offers and when it comes to the Bible I would make mental notes of those things that seem "too far stretched" for you. Make mental notes so that you can look into those things later, when it won't be too upsetting for your parents. When you become College age they will expect that you will be looking into all kinds of things. Reading lots of books.

About Science: Science searches for information about this physical world. But this physical world arose due to the Great Separation from God. The human Intellect likes to study its world of the physical. But Soul knows of the Kingdom, its Father, and its own identity. Intellect doesn't allow Soul to speak very much - until you have a Will to know about it and a Will to hear your Soul.

For instance, the Soul is your level of Conscience. It is the seat of your higher thoughts. Science tells the Intellect how to understand the start of this world in a manner that the Intellect will accept ! I would not avoid Science books on evolution and such. Read them. Know about it. But when you learn about Soul/Spirit, which is within you, the Science of THIS world won't seem to you to be so interesting.

God will never be a mathematical formula. Science can never touch Him for He isn't seen, locate-able, or touch-able. Science, alone, will leave you with emptiness - except as an intellectual exercise. When Soul/Spirit is uncovered to you and Truths released to you, it will fill you up and make you feel rich.

In Church, think upon God's Power and how much people want to be able to know Him. Don't let your peers tell you he's a fairy story. They speak from ignorance. They demand proof, but look to the wrong thing, the Intellect, to find it. Think of His love demonstrated by Jesus. Think of His splendor and that YOU are part of Him. Just use Church to quietly think upon Him.

The time is ahead for you to discover Spiritual truths.

Best regards, Lana

Answer 2

Remember the fifth commandment, “Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God commanded you, so that your days may be long and that it may go well with you in the land that the LORD your God is giving you.” It's hard in these days to a teenager when you are in constant attack by the devil, the flesh and the world. I know to be young and follow your faith is not a piece of cake when you have restrictions, but faith is your protection from sin and death. if later on you want to leave the Catholic church do so, but don't forget the good doctrine about Christianity. If you want try a Baptist Church, there are lots of young persons like you. Don't leave Jesus He loves you. God bless you and if you believe in God as you mention above pray to Him through Jesus Christ to lighten your path. Love you.
Niguayona

Answer 3

you are still living with your parents, which means that you should continue to attend the church of their choice. I just dont think that they can rly have an effect on the way you rly feel about things... i mean they could try, but theres no way that they can control that...its kind of like the parents of gay kids and they want to change the way they are, but they just cant, bc its how they feel inside, which cant just be changed bc someone else wants it to be... it is rly hard to believe that GOD was just like, " Let there be..." and it was, but you have to have faith that He is powerful enough to just plant the stars in the sky and the planets in orbit. faith is the main thing...if you dont have faith that creation is the way everything occurred, then its rly easy to get sidetracked and away from your religion...i mean i dont agree with a lot of things that catholics do...or many other religions, but i do believe that when you ask GOD to come into your life, and you know that you're changed and you dont have a longing to live the way you did, then you're going to heaven...i think your religion is too stretched too, but there rly isnt anything you can do about that.... if your parents are like practically forcing you to believe in it, then yeah its going to be on them, but that doesnt mean that you have to believe what they do inside... you should investigate and study your bible and come to your own conclusions...your parents arent responsible for you getting to heaven, and theyre not responsible for what you believe, as much as they might think they are...just hold in there and never lose sight of what you rly believe deep down....

Answer 4

Start reading the Bible for yourself, first of all, Honey. That's not encouraged in the catholic church. (supposedly too hard for the average person to comprehend)? And ask God before you read it, to confirm to you that this is His truth that you are reading. Start with the new testament, and carry on from there. You're on the right path if you believe in God; now you need to make it a personal relationship with Jesus Christ!

Answer 5

Speaking from experience, I'll let you know the Catholic guilt will follow you wherever you go. I went through a similar thing, but luckily I was older when it happened, so I didn't have to answer to my parents regarding it.
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I would address the issue with your parents, if you feel they won't come down too hard on you for voicing such opinions.
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I think you do have the right mentality, though - question everything and don't take ANYTHING for granted. (Yes - that even includes atheism.)

Answer 6

You should ask your questions. You should read about what the other side has to say as well as what your religion has to say.

You should give yourself time, and let the truth come to you naturally. It will. Learn about evolution, about cosmology, about physics, and so forth. Learn about religions, memetics, psychology, and so on... learn all you can, and whatever you end up believing, have reasons as to why you believe that.

The truth is not afraid of scrutiny. Don't forget that, ever.

Answer 7

The truths you are looking for are in the Bible.
To find the truth for yourself, read Mattthew, John, and Acts then the epistles but don't leave out the Old Testament. Try Psalms, and Genesis-all of it, not just the story of creation, then discard it because you can't see the truth. When and if you read the bible, turn off the radio, and get somewhere quiet and don't let other people's opinion color you own perception.

You won't find what you're looking for on this site.

Answer 8

Questioning your faith is NOT a bad thing, no matter what anyone tells you. You don't have to abandon your faith, but asking questions and research (if it's internet, just be sure it's a reliable source.... http://www.beliefnet.com is one) until you are comfortable with your faith. Be warned however, that it may take years of searching until you find what you're looking for, but oh my... the journey is so rewarding.

Good luck.

Answer 9

I would desire to admit that i did not study this finished difficulty because of the fact its long, and, greater importantly, I see the project interior the 1st line. you're nervous. you think of you may believe in god in the different case you are worried the outcomes. IF it somewhat is the only motivator, then sister, this faith difficulty aint for you. what variety of a thought gadget are you attempting to cajole your self to purchase into? this methodology says believe in this or that for the period of the different case you do not make it to heaven. Baloney! The bible is a determination of historical memories that men sat down and wrote. Basing your life on the memories of goat herders from 1000's of years in the past is nuts. think of, come across, learn faith and meditate on your individual innate being. Come on your individual conclusions. don't think in something out of worry. this is incorrect.

Answer 10

Honestly it sounds to me like Satan is having you doubt. He is very good at making people doubt- he wants you to go as far away from the truth as possible. I think you should pray hard about this. Seek God's word- and really seek Him! Because God is real- and I do not want to see you deceived- I too do not believe that Catholocism is "right on" because it has many holes and unbiblical beliefs. Maybe that is why you are doubting- because you were raised in false doctrine- The truth of God never fails! Those who are born again and saved and sealed in the Holy Spirit will always be. The Holy Spirit teaches us all truth- while studying the word. The Holy Bible that is- not the catholic bible or the book of mormon- for men have come into these and twisted things. Satan is good at twisting scriptures. For the Bible says :

1 Peter 5:8
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

- I will pray for you...I hope you do not mind- Have a good day!