i feel that my questions about christianity upset some people.. but here's another, if you'll answer..........

Question

okay.. please, first of all, tell me if this is beyond sunday school.. if it isn't, i still want to know, and i'll go sign up with the 10yr olds.. i have a lil cousin who's 10 so ill have someone to talk to..

here's my question.. have any christian's out there in cyberspace ever questioned their belief? (and regardless of what your answer is i think you should allow ppl to im or ym you if youre answering questions like this.. i would certainly appreciate it).. and if you have questioned your belief, what did you question? and how did you find the answer? and what was it? long detailed question, i apologize, but i do read all responses in entirety if that means anything to yall.. and i love you.. i do.. well, probly not all of you, but at least a lot of you (im thinking probly about 92.45%.. i did a poll.. on myself, and my cat.. but she abstained)

i love yall.. just in case anyone checks back upon these answers

Answer 1

never really questioned my belief but wasn't in the mood to pray after my miscarriage but years later I know that iI was wrong but just really hurt and sad to let God in at that time; I had to work it through.

Answer 2

Both faiths ultimately believe in the same things. They are both Christian. Both faiths acknowledge salvation through Christ's crucifixion, both faiths believe in an omnipotent god. Now the two disagree on the more superficial aspects of faith. Most importantly, baptists take the Bible as the literal and unquestionable word of God. They read it therefor, it is true. Catholics read the Bible as largely a metaphor, something that needs to be interpreted. Not to dissimilar from solving a riddle. This difference in interpretation leads to many subtle differences. Transubstantiation, by St. Thomas Aquinas' reason, is a blend of theological interpretation and Aristotelian logic. Baptists reject transubstantiation, because it is not, word for word, in the Bible. This concept is a trend among the two faiths and on their disagreements. Also worthy of not, besides he countless rather subtle differences, their is a huge difference between religious tone amoung the two faiths. As I'm sure you can tell simply from the responces, Catholics seem to be less confrontational, while the Baptists seem to be more agressive. This stands to reason that a faith that is based of absolutes will be a little more fanatical and less accepting of differences. While most of Catholicism barely acknowledges the smaller Protesant denominations. In truth, most Europeans have never heard of a modern Baptist. So thats really the conflict in a simplistic nut shell. I would also like to note that the Catholic Church has a very positive relationship with Anglicans, Lutherans, and the Eastern Orthodox faiths. Interesting to note, none of these faiths take the Bible literally eather. All these faiths have their disagreements, however it is usually more theological and less fanatical, in the modern era anyway. As a Catholic, I have to say that no faith is completely right or completely wrong. And I think it is immportant and morally right to respect the Baptist faith, look at their beliefs and honor its finer points while rejecting is worse qualities. I truly wish all faiths could respectfully disagree, but they cant.

Answer 3

In truth, I've never questioned my faith too seriously; I consider this a blessing. However, when I am hesitant or I want to know something, I pray and study the scriptures.

When I say (or type, as the case may be) "pray", I mean sincere prayer. Recognize that you are communicating with God and He will answer in His own way and time. And if you are struggling with prayer (as to whether it really works), try it. At the beginning of your day, sincerely pray that your day will go well, that you will be cheerful. You'll be amazed.

And never forget to study out your questions in the scriptures. Remember, life is a hard test, but at least it is an open book test!

Answer 4

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Of coarse all people doubt, to a degree, because we dwell in a flesh body and are of the world. But I personally never question that there is a God and the Bible is His Word or Spirit. The question now becomes how do I strengthen my faith. The answer is by studying His Word.
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Phi 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
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Phi 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
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Answer 5

Yes I have many times. At one point in my life I questioned whether or not God existed and whether or not the Christian God was the one true God. I believed that many of the Christians believed in God because it was something that they have been taught. (ie Herd Mentality). After reading the scriptures very carefully I realized that the scriptures in an of itself could not have been authored by a human being. It is definitely divine in origin and that is why I am rock solid in my belief today.

For instance one of the first things God did to open my eyes was to show me that Genesis 22 is not just a story but rather a portrait where God is telling us through this historical event about what He will eventually do to his only Son Jesus at the cross, and that through this event all nations on earth will be blessed. And then many many other scripture passages started to come alive like this.

Answer 6

Hi, Christian here;
No, i have never questioned my belief in God, but I did question alot of the nonsense thats being taught in the churches, and stopped going about 35 years ago. I study in the manuscripts, and with knowledge of the Biblical languages. I started doing that, because I couldn't believe that God would have a fit over somebody eating an apple. Well, just like I thought, she didn't eat any fruit that upset Him.
Thing is though, that I wasn't prepared for what I found. I found out that alot of whats being taught is not in the manuscripts. Its complete garbage - alot of traditions and church rules/church doctrine, thats all.
I also found out that the Adam and Eve story is paramountly important to understanding everything else thats written; if you believe there was fruit involved, the possiblility that you do not understand the entire Bible is very, very high. The rabbit hole goes far deeper than anyone can imagine........

Answer 7

I became a Christian late in life, around my 28th birthday. Having so much non-Christian experience behind me, I have indeed questioned my faith very strongly on many occasions. I found it hard to believe that an all loving God would make a place like hell for the eternal torment of unbelievers. I found it hard to believe that I had enough faith to be saved when I didn't have enough faith to move mountains. I concluded that the Bible must not be God's word, or that if it were, I was prevented from believing it because of my sin. But after I thought I had departed from the faith and returned to pagan beliefs, I realized that I did indeed believe in Jesus Christ and His gift of eternal life, but that faith is God's gift to me, not something I contrive on my own. God had to let me fall away from my own personal concept of faith as something I chose to do so that I could embrace the true faith as His supernatural gift. There were some rough nights, and I'm sure more will follow, but now I see that it is God's grace that holds me in His will, not my own striving.

Answer 8

Your questions are good, they force me to think about and defend my beliefs!

I have questioned my faith in many different ways.
The first question was, is there actually a God?
I came to the conclusion that yes there is, first by looking around me and seeing the beautiful complexity of creation, and also, by seeing the way God works in my life. He may not always answer prayers in the way I would like, but I am confident that He is in control and He does what is best or His children.

The second question: How does God reveal himself? Through study and prayer I realized that the Bible is His revelation.

The Third Question: (this one is not resolved). How does faith work? Do we choose God or does He choose us, or both? Are we meant to be baptized as infants or adults? I am currently reading the bible, praying for wisdom and understanding, and reading different writings on these issues.

Answer 9

No your question is a good one.

I have questioned my faith. When my x-husband was beating and abusing me and my kids. I did not understand why, what did I do to deserve that type of punishment? I felt like God had left me all alone to try and survive and keep my kids safe.

It took me a while to understand that I needed to make a decision, I did not want to get divorced because God hates divorce. The abuse was getting really bad, others new about it and tried to help me. To me this was a sign from God. I moved into a woman's shelter with my kids and was divorced about 6 months later.

I now understand why I went through all of the craziness, I don't blame God or feel abandon anymore. What happened in the past has brought me closer to God, for that I give God thanks and praise.

Answer 10

I was very religious as a young teen but was finally enlightened around the age of 16 and cast off the shackles of religious mythology. I now view religion as an ancient practice tied to our tribal cultures, and as man evolves past the tribal way of life, relgion no longer has the same meaning. Eventually in a few hundred years I suspect only a very few will still practice these archaic concepts and religion as we know it will be dead and forgotten.

Answer 11

It wasn't I ever questioned my belief it was I ran from it.

I was raised Christian and b/c I felt I saw some hypocrites then all I believed were.

I soon realized that it wasn't up to me to judge the fake ones. It was my personal relationship with him he wanted. Not to be perfect but to be progressing.

I returned to the Lord when I realized how self centered it was to think I didn't need him and wasn't doing so well on my own. I came back and stopped questioning how others were walking with God and started questioning how I was walking. I was hurting God.

God Bless and I am not hurting him anymore