Is it wrong to question your religion?

Question

I grew up in a Baptist home, my grandfather is a pastor, I went to church every Sunday, sometimes during the week. But lately I have been wondering if the religion I grew up with is really correct. I just see so many flaws in its teachings, so many things in my specific doctrine that I think do not go with what the Bible says. I see so many people today ignoring parts of the Bible or changing them to suit their needs, and it makes me wonder if religion is everything that I have been told it was. My church always said that you have to follow the Bible word for word...but I see so many churches today that are not doing that. I think I am beginning to become an atheist, but I still have a few ideas about religion stuck with me, such as that the Bible should be taken word for word, and not taken here and there. It just seems like there are so many ways to interpret the Bible....but who is right? Am I in the wrong for questioning my religion like this? No one wants to talk to me about this.

Answer 1

It is never wrong to question- we are to take everything and test it against the scriptures. The Bible is not as big a mystery as people make it out to be, taken fully in context it reveals itself. Pray, ask for the Holy Spirit to give you revelation, read the word and if you are taught something look it up, keep scriptures in context, do not neglect the old testament and the wealth of revelation and knowledge it contains.
Most churches today preach good advice or the doctrines and traditions of men over the gospel- the Bible is not meant to tickle the ear or be a feel good book- it is to bring life changing conviction and gives the believer instruction on living a sanctified and set apart life and it is to be taken as a whole- not just the parts that we are comfortable with or make us feel good or powerful.

Answer 2

Good question and very great concern indeed!

I just want to let you know firstly that you are not the only one in that dilemma, there are a lot of people who have noticed what you have noticed. That, however, shouldn't change anything you know about the Bible and its authority.

I am very much impressed about what you say concerning the Bible. Yes, it should be taken word for word - I applaud the Baptist church for emphasizing that. I am not a Baptist, however, I think the Baptists are very good at teaching the word of God, the Bible. Teaching the Bible and doing what the Bible say are two different things, and of course the latter is important. The Lord Jesus Christ likened this contrast to different guys - one hears the word and goes about his own business, the other hears the word and DOES THE WORD. Apparently, both guys heard the word, but the other guy did not benefit from what he heard, simply because he did not do what he heard! It is a said state to be in indeed. It is better not to hear than to hear and not do.

It is, however, very important to hear - for Jesus warned, "What the scribes and teachers of the law teach you, that observe for they sit in the seat of Moses, but do not do according to their works, for they say do but they are no willing to lift even one finger...."

It is a great evil that you have seen happening and it happens in almost every church - so many people today ignoring parts of the Bible or changing them to suit their needs. That does not change anything about God's existence and the Bible being divinely inspired. This simply shows that men are full of flaws, regardless of who they are what positions they hold and no matter what church they belong to - PEOPLE HAVE FLAWS....

It is painful to see people that you look up to and who have taught you things doing quite the opposite! Keep on doing what you know God wants and what the Bible says, even if it looks like you are the only one doing that - God is with you! You are never alone in doing what the Lord wants!

As far as interepreting the Bible is concerned, it is written " The scriptures are not open to any private interpretation, for the word of God never came by the will of man, but holy man of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit." and in another place, "All scripture is written by the inspiration of God......"

So, it should be quite obvious that the Bible does not have the ideas and mind of men, but it contains the ideas, the mind and the perfect will of God - and as such man cannot interpret the mind of God. Any human attempt to interpret the Bible will lead to wrong meaning and will consequently lead millions of people astray, as you see happening in the world today. The Holy Spirit in the lives of those who believe is the one who interpret the Bible, and he does an excellent job, I can assure you.

So, don't quit! That is not a solution. Rather be an 'outcast', who seeks to do the will of God na matter what the circumstances - He will be with you, as he has promised!

There is a lot to say, but I will have to stop hear.

Take care. God loves you!

Answer 3

no, it's not wrong to question your religion at all, you are just entering the next faith develpoment stage in your life, some people just get stuck and don't move on , you should feel lucky that you are finally seeing more than what was fed to you. There is no such thing as the right religion, you will realise this in time, it is then that you will actually be very accepting of other religions because you will have repect for others faith. Becoming athiest isn't a choice, just go wherever your life leads you, and if it leads you to be athiest then that's fine.

Answer 4

No. Ask yourself this- why aren;t the words of jesus Christ separated from everything else and considered the most important of all?

Why do so many christian churches and preachers use the words of others who "interpret" Jesus almost as more important?

It pretty clear that for some reason, the rituals, the interpretation, the rules are hiding and suffocating the essential wisdom upon which it is all supposed to be based- the words of jesus, as the true messiah.

There are historic reasons for this. See who really created christianity and it all makes sense:
http://one-faith-of-god.org/new_testament/apocrypha/founders_christianity/founders_christianity_0020.htm

The point is, once you can separate your faith in jesus, in God from churches and preachers who tell you only they know, only they can guide you, then you are well on the way to a stronger, a more truthful faith. Good luck.

Answer 5

The Bible says that those who have a sincere heart will find the true religion. Because this world is ruled by Satan most people are blinded so that they couldn't be able to see the truth.

"Draw close to God, and he will draw close to YOU." -- James 2:8

"The god of this system of things has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, that the illumination of the glorious good news about the Christ, who is the image of God, might not shine through." -- 2 Corinthians 4:4

"Whereas narrow is the gate and cramped the road leading off into life, and few are the ones finding it." -- Matthew 7:14

I'm really curious to know which are those doctrines which you don't consider to go with what the Bible says.


For more information go to:
http://www.watchtower.org/library/pr/article_04.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2004/6/1/article_01.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/library/w/2004/6/1/article_02.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/library/rq/article_13.htm
http://www.watchtower.org/e/20040201/article_01.htm

Answer 6

Well, to answer your question no their's nothing wrong in questioning it, Christ doesnt call us to be religious (Thats the problems the Jews had), He called us to be Spiritual, and to have a deep loving relationship with Him. Ask Him which religion is for me, ask Him which church is His church, is remnant in this era of so many different beliefs in religion that started from the minds of man. Seek God, He tells us in His Word if we ask it will be given to us, I'm sure He's allowing this to happen to you for a specific purpose, part of His plan for your life. However, it is very dangerous to wander away from Christ completely. After all, He is your creator.
God Bless, I'm praying for you.

Answer 7

You only grow and become strong when you question the very existence of God and then move on to the religions. Your questioning might lead you to abondoning belief in the xistence of God - r it can strengthen it. The very questioning could make you feel that there is no need for you to associate with a religion while still believing in God. Assuming that after the questioning, you remain believing in God and organised prayer (religion) you'd be in a btter position to defend your belief. And still you must keep you mind open to challenges in order to remain strong.

Answer 8

There are as many religions in the world as there are people - no two people will ever interpret teachings the same way. You are not wrong to question your religion, and in fact it's a sign of intelligence to think for yourself. Continue to question and search until you are truly comfortable with your faith.

Answer 9

You simply must give up your idea that the whole bible is inspired by God. The central message from Jesus is that the kingdom of God is inside all of us. Once I understood what that means I started focusing all my attention on the Spirit of truth within me, not the bible or christianity. The Spirit led me to the inspired scriptures, showed me what they meant, and showed me the best way to apply them in my life to be transformed. Until I broke free from the shackles of bible based christianity the Spirit could not show me what I needed to know

Answer 10

It is important to question. God says taste it and see that it is good. I also was raised in a Baptist family my uncle a Baptist minister. When you seek the truth where do you go? I went to God. The word of God is an important place to go also prayer and meditation. If you have a problem with understanding take it to God he is available for a personal relationship. Those who love the truth will seek him and through this receive a gift called faith and through faith comes revelation and a personal relationship with God. We have to know God personally no one can know him for you. God is very real and very much available to you. God Bless You. You are in my prayers.