Why do people consider it noble to stifle doubt?

Question

Doubt is a normal human response to supernatural claims.

Answer 1

I struggled for a long time with Christianity. A lot of it just doesn't make any sense. I doubted.

But, instead of answers, what I got was a lot of strife from "believers". What it showed me was that people who stifle doubt do so because they do not have answers to give. Answering a question is simple but, when someone doesn't have the answer--and feels they SHOULD have it--they tend to get mean to cover.

Not having the answers leads to one of two reactions:

Anger

or

They get all spiritual and start talking about the need for "faith", "God works in mysterious ways", "God's plan is greater than any of us can comprehend", "trust not in your own understanding" etc.

All this means is, "I don't know."

But the truth is that, whatever God or Gods you choose to follow, the first thing s/he/it/they have to do is PROVIDE ANSWERS! Concrete, tangible outcomes to questions you pose them. If they don't, then chuck them, they aren't real. Eventually, you will find the answers to your questions, and those answers will make perfect sense.

There is no question that cannot be answered. You just need to look in different places if you aren't getting those answers where you are. Go exploring!!

Answer 2

Doubt goes hand in hand with natural curiosity. But what it's become in our time is a pathetic excuse to doubt EVERYTHING that is deemed fair game by those who have an obvious agenda. Stifling doubt is not the real issue. The real issue is to get people to understand that just because they feel pressure from their peers to conform to a collective delusion of willful ignorance, is no rational reason to follow the herd around saying "How do you know this?", "Why do you believe that?". Human nature being what it is, they should learn to have the respect for others that they claim they have a "right" to themselves. Such arrogance can have consequences they are better off using common-sense to avoid.

Answer 3

I think the people who attempt to "stifle" doubt only do so because they can't understand those who have trouble believing.

When I was struggling to believe in Christianity, I got a lot of those "you just have to have faith" type of answers. Maybe that's why I was an atheist for most of my life.

I not only believe that doubt is perfectly normal, but it's HEALTHY, and it can help a person. We should naturally be skeptical. It keeps us from being gullible.

Answer 4

Having doubt is normal process in life as well as questioning things. What bugs me the most is the use of "you have to believe" or because "god wills it" or "gods will". Sorry but I am the type of person that wants to see proof. The use of circular reasoning is a poor attempt at avoiding the question.

This is why I gave up on religion, the lack of definitive answers or at least plausible answers.

Answer 5

Tom Paine said, 'Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.' And in a religous context, I say, 'alway doubt the speaker, you can stand corrected. That's better than to sit in ignorant bliss...'

Answer 6

Certainty will take the bondsman to every sublime state and every wondrous station; thus did the Messenger of Allah make known the immensity of certainty when he mentioned that ‘Isa [a] walked on water. He said, 'If he had had more certainty, he could have walked on air.' By this he indicated that in spite of the majesty of the place which the prophets have with Allah, they also have different ranks according to their certainty. Certainty is ever increasing, and remains so throughout eternity. Believers also vary in the strength and weakness of their certainty. A person whose certainty is strong may be recognised by the fact that he finds himself stripped of all ability and power other than what Allah has given him, and by his keeping to Allah's command and worship both outwardly and inwardly. He considers the states of having and not having, increase and decrease, praise and blame, might and abasement, all to be the same because he considers them all on an equal level. However, a person who weakens his certainty attaches himself to external matters, and allows his self free rein therein. He follows the customs and sayings of people without substantiating them, and strives in the affairs of this world, accumulating its wealth and holding on to it, acknowledging and affirming it with his tongue.

There is no withholder or giver except Allah, and the slave can only obtain what he is provided with and allotted. Effort will not increase provision, but he disavows that by his action and his heart. In Allah's words,

يَقُولُونَ بِأَفْوَاهِهِم مَّا لَيْسَ فِي قُلُوبِهِمْ وَاللّهُ أَعْلَمُ بِمَا يَكْتُمُونَ

They say with their mouths what is not in their hearts; and Allah best knows what they conceal. (3:167)

Answer 7

Doubt can lead to fear and make people hide
OR
In my case doubt lead me to study outside sources (even critics) and after lots reading my faith in Christ is stronger today the it ever has been!

Answer 8

Because, first of all, God tells us we are to tell the truths of Jesus to the ppl, any that will hear. Some will hear and accpet and some will reject truth. That is NOT our issue, that is between that person and God. We are to live truth, speak truth, and leave the convicting to the Holy Spirit, (GOD). WE are told to encourage one another and to help others keep their faith. Even in our trials and tribulations, God is always right there all the time, but sometimes we forget to call up to Him. Devil makes it so easy to focus on the problem and not the solution. If we see anyone going thru doubt, it is our job in serving the Lord to try and help these ppl put their faith in Him and get thru in victory over all they are currently going thru. Doubt is only natural when you will hear the voice of the devil. You may not be aware of that, but we are either hearing God or the devil, as that is the two sources that battle for us every moment of every day. There is a supernatural battle going on for each of us at every moment of every single day, and nighttime too. Each thought we have, comes from either God or the devil. Doubt is from the devil. Many dont know that, or get so into bad times that they forget it and feel that God has left them. If it seems as tho God has left us, rest assured, He has not. IT is we that have moved from Him. Whether ppl believe it or not, nothing is happenstance, coincidence. Everything is either of God or the devil, and once one finds that out and really understands that, they will begin to notice things going on around them all the time. There truly is a supernatural battle between God and the devil for our very salvation at all times. You feel a need to pray, and suddenly you dont, you talk yourself out of it. Thats only one example of both God and devil talking to you. Once you learn to truly believe and love God and obey, many will begin to hear the audible voice of God. Believing in the supernatural realm is not difficult once you let God just show it all to you. PPL can so easily believe in the lie of evolution and much other stuff, where its all theory. But, many have a hard time believing in a God they cant see. But, once you do know Him, you see Him everywhere. Begin with creation, all the beauty that He created for us all to enjoy. Look at the vast oceans and convince yourself that all just a happenstance. Not, it is all intelligent deisgn by almighty God. Once you realize this, you want to know more of what He has for you. He longs to give us all blessings to overflow. But, few receive, as they stay in unbelief. You say doubting is normal. I disagree. I say doubting is only normal to those that wont open their eyes, their ears, and their hearts and let the Lord in to show it all to them. Look at each little snowflake, no two alike. accident? big bang explosion,?????? Happenstance???? nor is it coincidence. ITs all GOD CI DENCE as I like to call it. Its of God, and all of the bad is of the devil. If you dont believe, do one thing. The next time you want to do something really really good, see how easy it is to be taled out of it by the devil, even tho you dont hear a voice talking to you, you can just talk yourself right out of it. Thats the battle going on in the supernatural realm every moment of every day. If you dont allow God to battle for you, you will be lost. We must accept Jesus before we die or He comes again, whichever comes first. Just how it is. He longs to save each one of us, and doesnt want even one to perish. But, it is all choice. We have a choice to ignore all this and all the evidence that scientists that are Christian , have been finding for years, and also all the Bible prophecy that has gone on and continues still. Or we can look at it and say , Gotta be something to this, check into it, study the Bible and pray and ask God to reveal truth to us, and He will. Repent, turn from sins and ask Jesus into your heart, for HE IS COMING SOON>
GOd loves you and so do Christians. Thats why a true Christian will keep trying to reach you, even if you hate them. When they were crucifying Jesus, He was asking the Father to forgive them, for they know not what they do. That is incredible love and unconditional love and forgivness.
But, all must choose Jesus and obey Him to be saved. To turn from sin and leave it there. Following JEsus is the only way. I pray you will find Him in time. And no, doubt is not normal, tho that thought is sure popular today.
Its onlly normal to those that want to go there and will not just stand stedfast in faith to the God that created us all and loves us all and wants to save us. No, I never doubt, never did. And that is normal for many of us. Normal... is only how you see it and assume everyone else does too. Strong faith is normal for me and most all of those we know. Faith still moves mountains today. Ask God to move your mountains... SEek and ye shall find, and all will be added unto YOU> AMEN

Answer 9

Oh if you have doubt, then you lack faith, and if you lack faith you will go straight to hell!

oh isnt religion great.