Questioning Catholic/Christian unsure of everything?

Question

Okay, so I've recently been asked, "What has God done in your life?" by an atheist friend. Having been raised Catholic in the Bible Belt, I have always been surrounded by Christianity and its ideas-never really questioning what I believed, and I was pretty into church too. But as I thought about the question it's easy to say that all of the good things that have happened have happened because of God. But it's just as easy to see that what I've achieved, I've worked hard for. Now I wonder a lot about what I believe, and I got involved with this church group that does comm service not long before this conversation with my friend. It's also a really dogmatic group that meets and prays the rosary daily, which I dislike, but the service is rewarding. But I guess what I've questioned most is what if I think my religious upbringing was good as establishing values but now I just feel like I am a good person...if I continue to be this good person w/or w/o God-what then?

Now I feel that maybe it doesn't matter if I believe in the basis of this group but rather it makes other people in the group happy that I am there and that in itself is rewarding. I don't feel like I can really talk to my parents about it because they've been getting really into the church with this new priest and it might freak them out, because I'm pretty sure I don't want to be catholic anymore, maybe not even christian. And I don't really feel like I can talk to a priest about it because it would basically turn into him saying that I needed to come back to the church to find the answer. I just don't know.

Okay...well another thing I've been considering as well as far as Biblical references go: the Bible was written by man. Man is sinful, man is not perfect, man has wants/desires. I look at Jesus and what is written about him in the Bible and see that he is definitely an AMAZING role model, but can this man be real? He is perfect. Who's to say that man didn't use God, an all-powerful, omnipotent being to instill fear? I understand that faith is a hard thing. This question came from a person who is a good person, someone who would lives by the golden rule, and when it boils down to it, isn't that one of the main goals of the Bible, to treat people as you want to be treated? And all those who are telling me that Satan is creeping in from questioning, have you ever questioned your own beliefs? I think the result of this will maybe end in a stronger, more meaningful relationship with God, or at least help me figure out what it is that I believe, isn't that what's important?

Okay, sorry last edit, the feedback is great and I feel less freaked out about the whole situation. But I guess that in all of the years of faith and prayer, I've never really felt any divine intervention. I cannot say that I have truly felt a presence in anything I have done in my life, I can see coincidence maybe, but it's not as if it was something that I was sure, yes this is because God did this. Thanks for your help and I think this process will be long, but I think that this will truly result in a huge maturation, I guess going off to college really does change a lot.

Answer 1

While it is great to be raised and educated within a faith, at some point you have to step back and ask a LOT of questions in order to start the process of choosing your own faith, or choosing not to have any faith. Do not be afraid, and do not let it worry you. Take your time.

Abiding faith is not something that can be rammed down your throat or brainwashed into your heart. For some people, it is very simple. For others, it is almost as if a period of atheism is necessary before they can feel that they are choosing faith rather than being somehow tricked into it. What kind of person do you want to be? Are the people you admire people of faith or not? Are they more interested in what to believe (doctrine) or what to do (practice)? which matters most to you?

Good luck to you and God bless your journey wherever it may lead, even if it is away from God. :-)

Answer 2

Pastor Billy says: As a Catholic a couple of points for you,

1. I see undertones of atheism and protestant belief in the many responses. One in particular is the false doctrine of faith alone created 1500 years after Jesus Christ. Another is the falsehood that Catholics aren't born again when of course all Catholics have been born again and done so the original bible way.

2. If someone advises you about searching for a personal relationship with Jesus be mindful your Catholic faith has already taught this and what's more it teaches a family relationship with the entire family of Jesus Christ that being his Church, his mother, his saints. Afterall the Church is a community and we are to be One not just separate individuals, I think this personal relationship doctrine and the version developed by our separated brethren comes more out of the rugged individualism taught in secular non-religious America as you do not find this doctrine stresses elsewhere in the world's Protestant groups .

3. Your questioning beliefs is natural and also a challenge. One of your godly gifts is your intelligence continue to use it to search for the answers of truth.
As you seek divine interaction you surely will become more enlightened. I suggest listening to EWTN on TV or radio goto http://www.ewtn.com. Contribute to the call in programs, ask questions to the experts, the theologians, canonal lawyers and apologists.

4. Many people your age go through this time some stay firm others fall away. Patience and temperance are virtues keep this in your understanding.

Finally many times I look back at times of my life and think where did God help me out. In the present it is not as obvious because we are not open to it. Reflection at the beginning and end of the day is important and based on your dislike of the rosary is a good indication at least to me you need to work on your prayer life, or your Christian mysticism. Try reading the lives of the saints if prayer is less appealing at present.

Hope this is helpful see my source list and if you want to communicate via email please tell me I am a cradle Catholic who has rediscovered the truth of his Christian faith.

Answer 3

I am someone who was raised Catholic but managed to dodge Confirmation. I feel like I still have the same values I was raised with and still believe in God.
I define religion as having to do with meanings created by man about God which become dogmatic and I think Atheism is a religion just as much as Christianity.
I believe Christians, Jews, and Muslims all revere the same God and that beyond that simple fact, their differences are completely dogmatic.
I think someone who is not certain whether or not there is a God is Agnostic (really the true irreligious state of thinking), and someone who is certain there is not a God is an Atheist.
Someone in your position should at least give equal time with a Priest (someone degreed in Theology) as you give with your Atheist friend in discussing your beliefs. Barring that, hit the library and study as many belief systems as you can find before making conclusions. Who you are is not a comfortable subject upon which to be uninformed or misinformed.

Edit:
I just read what you added to the question and I remain certain that if you will engage a priest in dialogue (doesn't necessarily have to be the one at your church who knows you and that your parents think is so wonderful) that you will be able to get straight answers to any questions you may have. Typically, they will also have completed studies in Judaism, Islam, and Atheism to acquire a degree, often a Master's or PhD in Theology. That makes them a really good resource for questions of faith.
Also you can check:
www.beliefnet.com

Answer 4

First of all, doubt and questioning is a really important part of a person's development, in their faith or otherwise. In fact it was a Catholic theologian that said that faith without doubt is dead. I was raised catholic and my parents always allowed me to think for myself and encouraged discussion and questioning. Faith is also a very personal thing, if you don't like to pray the rosary, then you shouldn't have to, it's not like its a sacrement or an obligation, its a tool some people use for their own personal prayer time. If you get something out of certain parts of catholic ritual and community, that's great, but its not essential that you adhere to every activity. I'm sure religion is important to your family, but they shouldn't take it personally if you have your own preferences. healthy religious life comes with openess to ask questions and to have doubt. Even if you come out at the end of your questions, and don't believe in some of the teachings, at least you had an authentic experience. It is impossible to have an authentic religious experience if you are following things because of dogma or because you think you have to. Catholocism has a rich academic tradition based in questions, so if your priest doesn't welcome your questioning and your concerns, then he shouldn't be a Father. I'm sure you are a good person and that you appreciate the values with which you were raised, and if you don't believe in everything the church tells you, you are still a good person because you are smart enough to have a spiritual life on your own terms. It would be a waste of the brain god gave you to blindly follow, if you are meant to believe in something, it is with your eyes and mind completely open and engaged.

Answer 5

It's perfectly OK to not believe. It takes a lots of courage and intellectual honesty to break through the fear instilled in you by religion and the thoughts of disappointing your friends and family. This very feeling you are going through is exactly why the cult remains intact despite having not a shred of evidence in it's favor.

I am an Ex-Southern Baptist. I can tell you that the first couple of steps away from a cult are the hardest. But once you have taken them it is the most rewarding and liberating experiences one can have. Your mind will begins to see things a lot more clearly and you'll look back one day and wonder how you could have ever believed some of the most insane ramblings ever uttered by man.

Follow the truth wherever it leads and don't let your mind be clouded by fear. If your family and friends truly care about you they will accept you no matter what.

http://www.godisimaginary.com - good site to help you break the chains.

http://www.rationalresponders.com - If you need a support group who will back you in your decision to leave the cult.

Response to details:
Jesus had some good teachings, but he also endorsed slavery. No one who is perfect would endorse slavery. It was the words of Jesus(John 15:6) that led to the burning at the stake of an untold amount of people... no one who is perfect would have uttered such words.

http://www.ffrf.org/nontracts/jesus.php

Answer 6

I have met many people that are asking the same questions as you are. They have usually come from a family that has been "churched" or have been taught "religion". The only way that you will ever feel complete as an individual is to have a "relationship" with the almighty God through his son Jesus Christ. The one who designed you longs for an intimate relationship with you and knows exactly how to meet your needs. Religion is only a set of rules and will never fill you the way that Christ can. "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free."

Answer 7

It's perfectly okay to question your beliefs and wonder if you're living your life to its fullest potential. Have you considered the possibility that you're a good person BECAUSE you've had faith in God and that He's provided AVENUES for you to grow as a person? I challenge you to put the entire matter in God's hands (not the priest's, not your parents', not even yours). Pray that God helps you to understand your purpose in life and that He guides you to HIS way of thinking and to do HIS will. If you pray that and mean it, God's gonna answer you. You may be lead into a different direction than Catholicism, but you won't be lead into a different direction from Christianity. If you're not willing to give this to God to handle (He's good at stuff like this, lol), then you're on your own. I'm sure I'll get some thumbs down on this, but as a Christian, I know this'll work for you if you allow it to.

Answer 8

I think you are a good Christian and don't want to give up your faith. Instead, you look for deeper answers the church and the people there can not present.

You might find your mission, your cause in life.

If moer people would do, rather than chosing being lazy and stupid and beg for forgiveness in the Church, Satan had less chances to deceive them.

Church has degraded to a Sunday "have to go there". Whats real important that you do good things. Obeying the catholic church can be good for some, not for others.

Greetings

Answer 9

There is nothing wrong with examining your faith I have been there before. I am also Catholic. It is no different than any other relationship that requires work and constant effort to maintain growth. I suggest you try the Catholic forums at www.4marks.com There are a lot of nice people you could gain a lot of insight from or share some concerns with... I hope this helps. I also hope you will not allow yourself to be swayed by someone who doesn't have the courage to believe in what they cannot see.

Answer 10

I was raised Catholic in the Bible Belt as well. In the end, once the cracks appear in one's examination of Christianity, the rest of the wall comes down rather quickly and atheism is not far away.


For me, the cracks "appeared" a few years before I abandoned it all; but when I was young I was taken all the way to Conyers, GA, where a supposed apparition of Mary was occurring.

That day, I saw the sun spin. After the "cracks" appeared, I always told myself, it doesn't matter what contradictions there are, I saw the sun spin.

One day, I went out and replicated the exact same effect by simply staring at the sun through a tinted window, just like I did that day. The walls came tumblin down.