I really don't know why I struggle so much; is it because what I thought I believe is not true? How does one truly discern what is right, wrong, true, etc? What I think is true, isn't true by societies standards? What if what I have been raised to believe isn't the truth? What does one do to figure it all out?
2006-12-18 05:03:28 · 18 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I am Catholic with a strong background in science. My faith-struggles deal more with the nature of God and the modern social views of sexuality. I'm sure the topic has been discussed numerous times...
2006-12-18 05:35:24 · update #1
Is your faith rooted in what religion you are in or is it faith in God and who God Is and What His Word says?
If you are born again (reborn spiritually) then you were given the Holy Spirit. In 1 John 2:24 it is written that the anointing of the Spirit of Truth will lead you into all truth, that you don't need anyone to teach you, but the Spirit of Truth who never lies reveals & leads...
Me, if I doubt, I sense the Holy Spirit grieve. I don't want to grieve the Holy Spirit, so have to evaluate the situation that is causing me to doubt and where the lie is in it. Then I speak the verse that writes that without faith it is impossible to please God, for those who seek God must believe that God Is and is a rewarder to those who diligently seek Him. And that God does love me and will never forsake me.
There are error in every religion, because usually there are additional man made rules. Parents also can teach us they think is true but it isn't right. We are to honor our parents in the Lord, but that doesn't mean we have to believe everything they say is right. What matters is that one has the Holy Spirit that gives discernment what is in accordance with Gods Word and what is contrare.
The fruits of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, etc... and there is no law against acts of these (except where man made religion is).
2006-12-18 09:42:25 · answer #1 · answered by t a m i l 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Good questions - all of them. If god were really GOD, then He could surely handle a bit of examination. What kind of god would give your mind the ability to reason and then disallow you to use it.
How to determine if what you believe is true? I don't know if you're a christian, muslim, what have you, but I would encourage you to write down the questions you have about your faith. Then find out what the "other side" says about those questions - not just what your own belief system says about them. Secondly, I would examine the roots of your faith. (How did your "holy book" come to be? Again, from wiki or ANYwhere, but not from the people within your group)
I've found a great resource to be www.internetinfidels.org In addition, there is a book on the bestseller list right now, I believe it was #3 last week and it's one of the best books I've ever read. "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins.
Best wishes to you. It's a long journey, but a very worthwhile one.
2006-12-18 05:10:14 · answer #2 · answered by Black Parade Billie 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Ok friend, relax!!
The judgement of RIGHT and WRONG is just straight in your heart. No matter whatever religion or set of beliefs you follow, your heart would ponder on wrong dee and it would really be happy on something right.
Between TRUTH and FALSE can you only differenciate with the hjelp of some criterion probably.
TRUTH of someting means its agreement with its original
FALSEness of something its disagreement with the original
In both casses we need an original to compare with.
Now in case of religion (I dont know what religion you really follow. And that doesnt make any difference). What standards do we follow?
Nature!
Try to find out that what sort of rules are defined in your religion. Do they really agree with nature or not.
Lets take an example, we have a rule that people cant marry (say). Now is really against nature. This is one of the two primary needs of life
The set of beleifs that does this most elegantly is TRUTH
Best of luck
2006-12-18 05:59:44 · answer #3 · answered by A Friend of Yours 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The light of Christ has been given to every person. This can guide us to decide what's true and not true, and what's right and wrong. You can also pray to God and ask Him to tell you what's true. If you ask sincerely and are willing to follow what you know is true, God can tell you whether something is true or not. It's a very good thing that you are asking questions and trying to find truth. In fact, in the 1800s a young boy named Joseph Smith had many of the same questions that you have, and he prayed to God to ask which church he should join. In answer to Joseph Smith's prayer, God the Father and Jesus Christ personally appeared to him and taught him. As a result of this experience, Joseph Smith was a powerful witness of Jesus Christ, and he later became a great prophet. Joseph Smith was led by Jesus Christ to reestablish the Church of Jesus Christ during modern times. That church is known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know that it's the church of Jesus Christ. I encourage you to find out more here: www.mormon.org. Or feel free to e-mail me through Yahoo! Answers.
2006-12-18 05:43:20 · answer #4 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our concept of Christianity and God's are quite different. When God wants to work in a human His idea is to change the heart of a man so that his desires come in to conformity with God's and thus he would lose the desire for evil and delight in the things of God. Humans tend to want to continue living their lives the way the have all along and then just add Jesus to their lives where they can fit Him in. God's way works, and man's doesn't. The result is continual failure. If you read Romans 7, you see man's way and the frustration it brings. Romans 8 talks about God's way and victory. The problem is today that no one wants to give their whole life to God, we want our own lives, with God around in case we have a problem, and of course, we want to go to heaven when we die. The principles of Christians living are in the Bible if you don't have victory either you have not found and understood the principles, or you have found them and are not applying them.
2006-12-18 05:16:31 · answer #5 · answered by oldguy63 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Little Man, you must know this. God knows your struggles. He knows that you search and question. He loves you and is waiting for you to come to Him in your quest.
Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15
And lastly, Little Man, you must not be concerned with society. Society did not accept Jesus, did they? You must do what the verse above says and get your answers straight from the bible. Little Man, you are free to e-mail me anytime, if you have any questions. God bless you.
2006-12-18 05:37:55 · answer #6 · answered by Kat 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sit down and clear your mind. Then once your mind is quiet think about what you truly believe. Is it possible you're trying to believe in something to please others?
I think the golden rule will help you decide. It's in all religions, and there's nothing better than putting yourself in someone elses place to figure out what's right.
2006-12-18 05:06:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you are christian you need to be reading and studying your bible. The old nature is really giving you a hard time. We are not suppose to conform to the world's standards.
2006-12-18 05:09:33 · answer #8 · answered by B"Quotes 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
maybe its cuz u don't believe. U need to ask God to help u with ur faith. God loves to see that people ar really really trying to seek him and ask for him for help. God will help u with ur faith. He wants to help u get closer to him and have a better relationship with him.
2006-12-18 05:14:01 · answer #9 · answered by Mia 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
In John chapter 3 John the Baptist said "He must increase, I must decrease."
Let God increase in your life, while you decrease - it is normal to struggle but placing God first in your struggle will lessen them.
2006-12-18 05:24:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋