Reevaluating your beliefs?

Question

I am an atheist, and have religious friends who argue that abortion isn't right, or homosexuality isn't right, because God 'said so'. They offer no other reasoning other than that's how God meant for things to be, and I'm open to a lot Christian ideals (i.e., treating others as you would yourself), but would hate to be molded to believe in anything and everything God says I should.

I'm sure if God existed, he'd like us to act as the intelligent individuals we all are, and make up our own minds, figure out right and wrong, etc., etc.

If you've been raised Christian, are you ever allowed to reevaluate your beliefs, disagree with some Christian principles, and still remain a Christian?

Answer 1

Among liberal Christians, sure. That includes most Protestants (mainline denominations -- Episcopalians, United Church of Christ, Methodists, Presbyterians, etc.) and many liberal Catholics.

Among conservative and fundamentalist Christians, no.

I like this quotation from Frederick Buechner: "If there's no room for doubt, there's no room for me." Faith is a journey. If we ever think we know it all, we can be sure we're off the track.

The Spirit is still here, and God is still speaking.

Answer 2

I don't believe that we have the right to judge anyone or their beliefs. God gave us as humans free will, so we can choose whatever path we may. Whether or not I believe that something is morally right, I cannot pass judgment on someone. It is written that God will judge us all, and he is supposed to be all forgiving isn't he? I think that these people that get bent out of shape over a gay wedding, an abortion by some random woman, or even a nativity in the yard of the local rec center have entirely too much free time and should find something more constructive to do with their time. I do believe some Christians do reevaluate their beliefs from time to time, honestly to be right by their relationship with god. I am not a Christians so I cannot say for sure. I also think there are some hypocrites that change their beliefs as such to suit any situations they want to be in so they can justify it in their belief system. Admit the truth and be human, we all make mistakes. Free will?

Answer 3

God created us as thinking, reasoning, decision making individuals. I believe that God does not fear our thinking.
The fact that there are so many denominations in Christianity, is evidence of people reevaluating their beliefs, testing what they have been taught, as we are told to do by Paul.
There have always been churches and individuals who have stepped away from churches that had muddied the clear teaching of the Bible with practices that they made up.
Christians are never told in the Bible to "check their brains at the door", but rather to "test everything, hold on to what is true."

Answer 4

Oh yes. I have changed my mind in many areas since coming to Christ. That's why I call it a path.

When one becomes a Christian, God doesn't just open the brain and dump in a big truckload of spiritual wisdom. He just enables us to understand the Bible if we choose to read it and study it.

During my early Christian years, I held different beliefs than I do now about some things. The more I have read and studied the Bible, the more I understand how God sees things and I wish to emulate His character.

Of course I will never be just like Him, but I'm glad I have His Word so I'll know how He thinks about things so I can educate myself.

Answer 5

Absolutely. But my experience is (and it's not because it was inflicted by anyone around me) but every time I have willing lived outside of the known will of God (sometimes for years at a time), I have been miserable. You see, being a Christian is more than just going to church, or reading a Bible, or hanging around other Christians. When you ask Jesus into your heart, He changes you on the inside. He doesn't remove your cerebral cortex, He leads you from deep down on the inside. It's like the old hymn says, "trust and obey, for there's no other way to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey." That doesn't mean obeying the pastor of the church, it means obeying God Himself. He is always leading us into the things that are good and right, because that's the best thing for us and those around us - and it brings Him glory also.

Answer 6

Some Christian are raised to have strong thoughts about some things and that it is wrong such as if you don't accept Jesus as your savior you are going to hell, which to me, is not what Jesus preached. He preached love and forgiveness, not hate and eternal punishment. God's love is also suppose to be unconditional, not based of performance. Some could reevaluate their beliefs, some believe in what they've been taught firmly, it just depends on the person.

Answer 7

I am a Christian. Have been for most of my life. I have questioned some beliefs that were taught to me when I was younger and have since decided that they have nothing whatsoever to do with my faith in the Lord. That's what you have to decide. Are you going to put your faith in God alone or let others tell you what is and what is not acceptable. As far as abortion and homosexuality is concerned, yes, they are wrong, but so are Christians who go around judging others when they need to deal with themselves first. Let's not focus on what is acceptable and what is not. Jesus went where the religious leaders of His day would not go-to the sinners. He sat with them. went into their homes, ate with them, and changed their lives. He did not focus on their sins, but rather their needs. Christians should follow that example and quit trying to play God. As far as being molded- God gave each one of us a free will and made each one of us in His own image so don't fret about being made into a mold. His disciples were as different as night and day. I wish you blessings on your spiritual journey. Hope this helps.

Answer 8

hi pangel I certainly have come to verify that what we expect of all of us know is the main important impediment to our religious advance. If we basically low fee something that doesn't mesh with our modern perception gadget how do we advance in any respect? for some years i assumed in a judgmental punishing God. It by no potential even got here about to me that this might no longer be authentic. in fact it by no potential even got here about to me that there might desire to additionally be the different hazard. the 1st time I heard approximately god's unconditionally loving nature it basically made experience to me. nonetheless interior the back of my innovations I had a nagging doubt approximately this because of the fact it exchange into no longer what I have been instructed to have self belief approximately God. The extra i assumed approximately it the extra logical it grew to alter into. finally I basically knew that this alteration into the genuine God and what I have been instructed before exchange into little extra beneficial than a lie approximately God. Ever on account that I certainly have puzzled each and every thing. My ideals are fluid and advance by potential of leaps and limits. i exchange into ineffective spiritually when I in basic terms believed what i exchange into instructed to have self belief. Now my faith is a stay and finished. I certainly have got here across that in case you ask basically an answer would be provided. The trick is being open to the fact once you spot it.. Love and reward Don

Answer 9

I am Sure You are a very intelligent person and you will simply see that God prohibits things for a reason of course

abortion for example is prohibited because it is simply killing another soul which is that innocent baby inside

as for homosexuality it is not normal and it causes allot of disease like the aids for example and it also causes a lot of social problems and other many problems

last thing to say I am a Muslim and prophet Muhammad taught us to seek the truth and try to learn more he said "Who seeks for the truth and finds it will be rewarded and Who seeks truth and did find will be rewarded too" because he tried

I hope this answer helped you :)
if you want to talk more feel free to msg me on [e-mail] peace

Answer 10

I sure hope so. I can't imagine believing the exact same things at the age of 80 that I believed at the age of 8. Life experience has to count for something.