How can I defend my faith in God?

Question

I married a man whose family has no faith in God, and who believes that morality rests on mutual respect for nature & home education about society ethics.
I come from a foreign culture where most people are born and baptised Catholics,and wits still a tradition to observe Religious Holidays.I grew up learning morality on a spiritual grounds rather than from men alone, on the basis that humans are sinners themselves. I respect my in-laws oppinions, but when l wanted to attend church for xmas, I explained that I am a Catholic faith and wanted to do things that remind me of home.They argued with me that I shouldn't call myself A Catholic if I'm not going to church every other Sundays, that I'm on contraceptives (against Catholic beliefs) etc. They have a point, but if I let go of my faith, I cannot stay grounded with my morality anymore. I learnt about God the first time thru Catholic Church, no matter what wrongs and scandals the Catholics leaders have get themselves into.

I want to express my faith in God, even if I do have doubts about Catholicism, and have gradually practiced less of it in this day and age.My in-laws are atheists, and left me speechless to ask if God existed, why hHe isn't saving the homeless and thehungry?

Answer 1

Ok. First, My question is do you really believe in God? If your answer is yes, then don't bother 'defending' your faith in The LORD, God can look out for himself. Second, faith isnt just about morality, its about having a relationship with Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. If you have that, you can't and won't give it up for anything.

Answer 2

While respecting your in laws point of view, it is important to know that there will always be people out there who will persecute you.

Do your inlaws have a point? If you profess to be a catholic but don't live like a catholic then in there eyes you are not a catholic, it's the same as a vegan saying they are vegan but only eating food from an animal once in a while. (another example) There is no such thing as being a little pregnant you are either pregnant or not, so in retrospect you are either a catholic or not one.

Having said this, it will be easier for you to be comfortable in whatever you choose to believe, because you will be able to respond the way God would want you to respond to attacks on your religion. Okay you use contraceptives (what's the big deal?) It simply means you want to control how many children you have (but this is your choice)

Be secure in what you believe and don't let others put their standards on you, afterall it is your life. Your inlaws may have a point in what they say but you also have a point in what you choose to believe, when you married into this family that was part of the challenges you married into, as a child of God be secure and know that he will always be with you, what ever you decide.

In the book of Joshua God is encouraging and telling Joshua that he will be with him wherever he goes. Joshua took over leading the Isrealites after Moses died.

Joshua Chapter 1 verse 9 (new international version)
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.



Good luck and I hope this all works in your favor.

Answer 3

Number one, there is a difference between "faith" and a religious system. The Church is flawed, because the people who built it were flawed. The foundation of it, however, the "faith" aspect will always be perfect. What you need to defend is your faith, not your Church.

Number two, express to your inlaws that they need to respect your faith decisions. If your husband really respects and cares for you, he will understand your need to feel at home and express your faith. Perhaps through this, he will find more meaning from his own life.

Number three, you can better improve your ability to defend your faith in a way that will sound odd, but does help. "You cannot truly believe in something if you have never doubted it." Read books and resources on all the different viewpoints. I was raised a Catholic, but as I grew older I researched many different religions, and athiesm view points as well. I feel as though I have stronger faith because it got me to think deeper. By thinking deeper you will know where your in-laws are coming from and what will help them understand.

Good luck!

Answer 4

Many people find themselves in your position, however, you were only born into a family that happened to be Catholic and it would appear many of the responders you have may have been born into atheist families. You must empower yourself to stand up for your own beliefs and it is obvious you are not 100% happy with Catholicism. We would pose some questions to you to help resolve your situation ~ what makes a catholic priest better than you? (Especially regarding their track record globally) Can an establishment that has been exposed as corrupt on so many occasions have any credibility in guiding others spiritually?

What you are seeking is an expression of your own spirituality that you must be allowed to follow despite your family’s resistance and you will never be content unless this is observed.

We would recommend reading Meta Modern Era, ISBN: 81-86650-05-9 by Shri Mataji Nirmal Devi. This Lady was also born into a Christian family and has developed her own system and it doesn’t stop your belief in God and allows you to be your own master. Just doing your own thing with other likeminded folk at home or meeting up somewhere like a park is better than an old church surrounded by a cemetery. (Remember Christ only ridiculed people at the temple and usually addressed disciples in the countryside or gardens).

Whatever, you must stand your ground and not lose your spiritual identity at home for your own sake and that of your children. And let’s remember God doesn’t make people homeless or hungry it’s the social environments mankind has created that bring this about.

Answer 5

I believe that God knows your heart and that he knows how true you are to Him. Let your in-laws know that there is a difference between being religious and being spiritual. You don't need to go to church just to prove that you believe in God. If you have been able to accept them and do the things that they believe in, then why can't they do the same for you? God is accepting to everybody's circumstance because He is unconditional love, acceptance and compassion. Why don't you try to come up with a compromise. Let them know that in not partaking in your beliefs, as you have theirs, that they are hurting you. Sometimes people need spirituality not because of the rules that they put upon you or the judgement of unapproving eyes, but because as human beings we need to believe that there is something greater than ourselves out there to hold on to. Life is full of pain and loss. Sometimes when we feel that there is nobody there to listen to the silent torments of our hearts...God is there. If the concept of God was not around...what would be the reason for hope of better things? Sometimes people lack the ability to be compassionate with one another and that hurts, but no matter what you always have somebody to turn to. I know that in my own life I have often wondered why this is such a cruel world. If there was no God...many people would not feel the need to continue living in this world, but because of God they do and you find a small glimpse of human kindness amidst all of the suffering. I believe in God because without Him I would have lost all hope. I know all to well the cruelties of mankind, but I have faith that there has to be something else out there, otherwise everything we do is in vain. God is a relationship, not an act or a weekly routine. Why don't you ask if they can meet you half way and go to half of the religious holidays with you, or see if every other year you can all enjoy the other one's belief. You guys are a family, and that means you all grow together. Maybe you guys will learn from each other things you never thought possible if you had stuck to your own respective religions or beliefs. Learn together and grow together. That is what families do. I hope things work out...let me know if they do :)

Answer 6

Of course God does not need too be defended. The Christian faith is and has been defended numerous times. To say, however, that simply because it needs to be defended that it is fragile is misguided thinking, my friend. The very idea of defending truth is universal across all academia, be it religion, science, math, politics etc. In fact, the Christian faith has stood the test of time and has yet to crumble under intense scrutiny...and it you don't believe that, you have only heard one side of the story.

Answer 7

The best way to stand firm in your faith is too study the Word of God and have a close relationship with Jesus. These are things that you can do in the privacy of your own life. Jesus tells us that belief in Him will cause division in families. Some believe, others do not. Stick to your guns and pray for them. Live a good example to them. I am not Catholic so my belief is a bit different then yours in that I believe that because you don't go to Church every Sunday or use birth control that makes you a bad Christian. We live under the grace of Christ. As far as the homeless and poor go there are many Christian organizations helping these folks. It is a problem that is bigger than life and to expect it to just disappear is ridiculous. It takes people to bring change. Ask them what they do to help the poor. I would try very hard not to get into these kinds of debates.

Answer 8

God does not need you to defend Him. His Word does not require debate. Be ready in and out of season by studying God's word. I grew up as a Catholic as well however I continue to read my Bible to know God for myself. God said that He and the Holy Spirit will come and make their abode in you. Anyone who diligently seeks God will be rewarded. And branch out, visit other churches, Furthermore you are married to your husband not your in-laws. Has your husband since given his life to God considering he was not reared with the knowledge of God? Are you unequally yoked? I have been married 3 times. Divorced twice and widowed once. The first two marriages I was unequally yoked, and needless to say it did not last. Like the Lord says how can 2 people walk down the same path together unless they agree. I am not telling you to get divorced however pray. The prays of the righteous avails much.

Answer 9

None of us as christians are perfect. We all have sin in our lives but never let anyone tell you or bully you into not living your beliefs. Catholics do not like birth control because they feel that it takes away from the sanctity of the marriage bed and also your playing God in that your not letting him decide when and how many children you will have. I do agree with most of that and Im not catholic but a big thing for me are the physical reasons NOT to use chemical birth control. You may want to check it out for your own sake...Chemical b.c actually works 2 fold, it not only can prevent pregancy but also works as an abortifacient once you may have conceived. There is natural family planning and other ways of not becoming pregnant besides ones that harm your body and possibly kill your child. But I digress...
Your faith in God needs to be nurtured and you must not let them tell you otherwise. Perhaps God will use you as a mediator to them to witness to his greatness. My husbands family (except for 1 aunt in florida) are all very anti chrisitan, my husband is NOT a christian either. I do not and will not let them tell me how to live. Be strong, ask God for help to show you the road and to give you strength. Best wishes and God bless you!

Answer 10

the old testament has a plan that GOD had for the homeless and hungry among us but no one follows it the old testament says that if someone hunger we should feed them if your brother don't have you should help them so GOD did planned for there need to be met but we as a race don't follow it because we are a selfish people
as for you husband's family never let someone tell you not to worship if they gang up on you like that it's for a reason misery loves company.
fine if they do not believe why must they make sure you don't.

stand up for what you believe your family would want you to be strong and stand up for your faith as you where taught.
you should also ask your in laws if your husband where with your family and they are all strong believers how would they feel if he was being force into something that he didn't believe in.
and that they should respect you enough as a person to stand aside and leave you to worship. no mater what they might believe it

Answer 11

what is most important is building a relationship with God.... God does not care if you use an intervention to pregnancy.... if He truly wants you to have a child, you will have one whether you do anything or not. and requiring attendance at a 'given church' is not what God wants either... what God wants is for you to get to know Him thru the Word that He gave us. He wants you to have a relationship with Him.. one on one. You may have learned about God in a 'certain church' but God is a lot more places than any one church.... just seek God... He will guide you and your decisions. Don't allow people with no faith to sway you from God tho.... be strong and seek Him