Is it normal for teenagers to question their religious beliefs?

Question

Hello everyone!

I'm a 15 year old,and since I became around 13,I started actually thinking about religious issues and actually thinking hard about them and thinking of other possibilities and sometimes I have doubts

I'm happy with religious beliefs,on the contrary,but I feel sometimes guilty that I question and think "What If?" and I wonder that if i'm a believer,why am I questioning?

Is it a normal phase that teenagers go through,like sort of a self-discovery period in teen life,or does this mean I need to explore other religions?

Thanks very much! ~~~Salam

Thanks very much everyone! I'm a Muslim,but my family in general are moderate Muslims and we are from Lebanon,a diverse country with both Christians and Muslims,so this also adds to my interest in other religions

Answer 1

It is not only normal, but inevitable. EVERYBODY, and I mean everybody, goes through crises of faith. The only reason you haven't until now is because you haven't had the mental wherewithal to question yourself. It's around the middle teens when the brain gains the ability to turn inward and examine its own contents with a critical eye.

The important thing is to have faith. And you will feel that faith slipping from time to time. It is good to talk with priests or ministers to solidify your faith. They've been through it too. They know what you are going through, and they help their congregants deal with it every day.

An unexamined faith is no faith at all. It is when you find your way through these doubts and examinations that you can find true faith.

Pray about it. Think about it. Talk about it. Just don't ignore it.

Answer 2

It is normal for every person to question his or her religious beliefs, not just teenagers (although your teenage years are most likely the age that the questioning starts to occur). I wouldn't write this off as a phase, though. I'm sure you have reasons for your doubts. While you may be young you still have a mind of your own and are old enough to look further into what you believe to be true. There is no need for you to feel guilty about questioning your beliefs. It is much better to ask questions and get answers than to follow blindly without knowing why just because that is what you were raised to do.

If there is a World Religions or Comparative Religions class available as an elective at your school, I suggest you take it if nothing more than to learn about other cultures and beliefs. It's always very interesting to learn about these things and why not expand your horizons?

It is my personal belief that you cannot truly know what you do believe until you know a sufficient amount about what you don't believe.

Answer 3

This is normal, and completely healthy. I'm kinda the same way sometimes.

I'd much rather for a person to question their beliefs for a while rather than just blindly follow a religion because their parents do.

My advice to you is start digging deep into Christianity. Read books, study the Bible, ask questions. Ask your pastor or your parents about some of your questions. Don't simply assume that because you feel doubts you must not be saved, and so should go to another religion. Research all the religions, study up and get to know them. But do the same for Christianity. Don't just assume that since you've been one since you were a kid, you know all about it and don't need to study it.

Use your God-given brain and intellect to make an intelligent choice on your own.

*edit
Sorry, I don't know how I just assumed you were a Christian! Reading back over your question, I realize you didn't actually define your religion! sorry about that!
Anyway my answer still applies for the most part... study and dig into all the religions and make your choice. I'm praying for you.

Answer 4

It is normal for anyone to question their religious beliefs. Things happen that make us wonder why or not. If you want to explore other religions that's OK, but in the end be happy with who U are, and Who U believe in. Hope this helps.

Answer 5

Yes. It's normal for teenagers to be unsure about a lot of things.

Answer 6

I think it is normal to question AND I think you should explore other religions and no religion. I'm not saying you will necessarily decide to abandon what you were raised to believe, but if you believe something just because you didn't bother to learn any new ideas, you are no better than an uneducated fool who seesa magic trick and insists it was the work of demons. You learn about ideas and test them against what you know is true.

Good luck!

Answer 7

Yep, happens to pretty much everyone at some point. Especially when you realize that your religion is very much dependant on where you grew up. And if you had been born elsewhere and would have believed just as much in that religion as well - is there really any argument for one religion over another? Or any evidence that any of them are true?

Answer 8

I did not catch the addition you made that you are muslim... but I will leave my responce as I originaly posted... I am one of the belief that muslims are being deceived by the teaching of islam... you are still invited to visit my site if ou like........

Yes... even those raised from birth. in proper instruction in the The Faith, will come to a point that they will have their own questions... each individual must make their own peace with God... and only with God... all of the "instruction" in the world can not bring any one to the relationship with God that is required for the individuals Salvation... No one is a Christian just because the were born to Christian parents... or because they have compleated a course of "instruction". Being a Christian is a personal one-on-one relationship with God... no man can decree any one to be a Christian... only God can make anyone a True Christian.

I will not pretend to "know it all" about The True Christian Faith... and I would say to you to avoid any one who would claim to... No mortal knows it all... but if you have questions, concerning the basics of The Faith, feel free to email me... one honest question will receive one honest answer to the best of my ability... if you would like to check me out first you may visit my amature effort at: http://www.mikesfaith.com

Answer 9

I think it is normal. All teenagers go through a questioning phase of all things not just religion. I think it is good to question religion though, because they way know what you beleive and not just something your parents tell you. I went through that period and it helped strengthen my faith in what I beleive. As long as you are honestly searching for the truth you will find it.

Answer 10

It is perfectly normal of rteen to question any religious belief they might have. It is normal for teens to question just about EVERYTHING at some point. It is a sing of free thinking and an effort to assert the beginnings of independance and self-reliance.