I am 17 years old and i was born a Catholic Christian, and my whole family is Catholic and the baptized and confirmed thing is all over now. But what i am having a hard time with is solidness of my faith, i don't like to say i don't believe in anything but i have a hard time believing in a lot of things, i guess i am just confused. I have people all around me who know their religion and i have tried for so long to understand it, i went to sunday school for who knows how many years and it sounds just crazy that i can't get into it. I guess i am just scared because i am perfectly fine just being me and not feeling like i have to have religion in my life, but then i get around people who know what its like, and i wonder if all the stories of hell and heaven are true. Any suggestions on what to do?
2006-12-05 10:42:47 · 9 answers · asked by RyanThaGreat 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You are young and should educate yourself. It is important for you to find what is right for you and what you believe is correct. Having said that, I'm not sure a 17 year old is focused enough to reach such an important decision as religion, but that is not certain. I have studied many religions, which is not only fun, but it opens your mind up to other cultures and provides understanding as to why people act and believe the way they do. As long as you are sincere I think your family would be fine with you finding yourself. Lastly, there are many groups and people out there that would like to have you join thier religion or group, or even go against all organized religion, but you need to make sure you are in control and look at things from an insiders perspective. Don't be fooled by lies and gimmicks. I think God does exist and will touch your life if you allow him to. Good luck.
2006-12-05 10:50:08 · answer #1 · answered by straightup 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's natural, at your age, to feel as you do. You're not crazy. We all have a point where we question our religion. My suggestion is that if you don't believe, find out why. Are you worried about heaven and hell because you fear you could be wrong? Accept it. You have at least another tough 8 years of finding your own identity (maybe longer) ahead of you. My suggestion isn't to abandon your religion, but rather really look into it and find out why. Once you're more comfortable about the things you are wary of, the more you'll understand what you *want* in a belief system (if any religion suits you at all). I went through an atheist period in my teens. Then I had some life experiences that turned me back into a theist. So you never know where you'll be 10 years from now. The important thing is you don't pressure yourself or force yourself to be comfortable with your beliefs overnight. You may find that Catholicism isn't a fit for you, but another branch of Christianity is. You may become an atheist. You may become Pagan. Who knows? Those choices are yours and yours alone based on whether or not you are one of those people who needs a spiritual path or not. Some people don't - and that's okay.
2006-12-05 18:50:45 · answer #2 · answered by swordarkeereon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
everyone gets confused in their faith insome time. Talking to other people in you church may help you....however if you feel that this religion isn't for you pursue a diffeerent religion and you may find one which you can understand and believe in.
i personally don't believe i heaven and hell.
hell in the old english is just another name for grave...so where do you go when you die.....the grave. the wages f sin is death, this all came about when Adam and Eve sined in the Garden of Eden. hoever through Christs death we can have eternal lif ein the Kingdom of God which will be set upon EARTH when Christ returns.
i also don't believe that you go to heaven when you die either. When you die you die. and you stay dead until christ returns and then you may be resurrected. fwe are made from dust and when we die we return to the dust....stay in the grave. our soul doesn't go into heaven.
i also believ that you should conciously know what your doing when youare baptised and not just becoz ur parents have told you do ...in fact i'm getting baptise don Sunday.being baptised symbolises dying and raising again as having a new life in Christ Jesus
even though we don't go to these places when we die doesn't mean we can just let go....live a Godly life in Christ, be baptised. and if you die before christ returns you will be resurrected and judged...if you lived a christ like life you will gain immortlaity live in the kingdom of god for ever.
if you have any questions you can email me!
good luck with your journey :-)
2006-12-05 19:00:00 · answer #3 · answered by ticklish101 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There's a name for your condition. It's called "being seventeen". Read as much as you can about your own faith, about the faith of others. You were Baptized and marked by God for all time. You will always belong to Him. You may walk a wider path for awhile....but know that seeds were planted in you. You feel invincible right now - "no need for God or religion", right?
I've been there. And the older and wiser I got...the more I began to see God in everything...and my unending need for Him.
You'll come back. We all do.
Just make me this one promise? You'll go to Mass on Christmas?
Peace be with you,
Fr. K.
2006-12-05 18:51:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have been examining religion my entire life. My beliefs are an ever evolving thing. They have never been static. You can study what theologians, historians, philosophers, and anthropologists have to say. You can talk to your priest, your friends, and ask questions on here. Ultimately you have to decide. It's your spiritual journey. Good luck.
2006-12-05 18:54:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Study everything. Read. Vist. Talk with people. Mellow. Refelect. Then make a decision in your mid-20s.
2006-12-05 18:47:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
faith is a personal journey towards God. it has nothing to do with the people around you. spend some time on your own, pray lots, join an independant Bible study group, whatever you gotta do. but remeber, this is between you and God, it has nothing to do with your family, your neighbour or even your preacher.
2006-12-05 18:47:38 · answer #7 · answered by Kevin H 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Poor guy. :) You sound very confused. Remember.. its okay to have our doubts and questions,,, afterall you can't fake these things...
Try reading the "purpose driven life" by Rick Warren. It provides answers to you deepest questions concerning the faith
Good luck
2006-12-05 18:48:43 · answer #8 · answered by venom! 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask God in heartfelt prayer for help, and believe that, asking in the name of Jesus Christ, He will answer you. And love the Lord your God with all your heart mind and soul, and love your neighbour as yourself.
2006-12-05 18:48:53 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋