Do you believe that questioning the aspects of your religion strenghens your belief in your faith?

Question

If you have the time, please drop by my 360 where you can this same poll: http://ca.blog.360.yahoo.com/blog-eKqJ7GI7datedl.L7zN7PAr4zA--?cq=1

Here are the options:

A - Yes, it is always good to ask questions otherwise how will we learn more about it?
B - No, some aspects of religion life is not meant to be taken literally & so there is no need to ask.
C - No, I feel that it is (or should be) forbidden to ask such questions about my religion.
D - Yes, to a certain degree & extent & only if it brings about a healthy understanding & benefit to you.
E - No, I do not feel it necessary to ask such questions because I have strong faith in my religion.
F - Other? (please state)

Answer 1

My answer would presently be between A and F. Yes, one should question their faith. However, (presently referring to Christianity) one should not limit their understanding of a point to their own knowledge and accept that 'God' may know more than self does.

Answer 2

Were you borne knowing how to walk? We all had to learn how to do this, first we had to crawl and then we developed our muscles and our ability to stand increased. It is the same with our knowledge of the bible. It will increase if we exercise our reasoning powers by meditating on what the bible says, what it means for us, and how we can apply it in our life today.

The bible tells us that if we search for knowledge "as for silver or for gold," then we will have the knowledge of God. If we knew that there was a hidden treasure in our back yard we would not stop digging untill we found it. It would be to our benefit if we considered this valuable treasure of wisdom that our heavenly father has given us to be just as important.

It is only by our personal consideration of the bible itself that we can gain the acceptance that we truly have the real meaning of what it says. Think about it, just ask 5 different people if it is going to rain today and see how many different answers you get. The best way to get the answer is to go to the source. Jehovah's Witnesses are the only religion that uses the bible from cover to cover without adding to or changing anything. God's word is God's word. Let someone help you with a bible study of your own. It can make sense and you can see for yourself, and if you don't, you can always walk away.

Answer 3

A Assuming you answer them. It's the essence of truth to question and test/prove. Faith is based on evidence. So much so that faith can be said to be evidence just as God is said to be love and truth. You also believe, because of the evidence and "so great a cloud of witnesses." Heb 12:1 I love question, they are so faith strengthening, the answers feel like a new revelation. "The spirit of truth will lead you into all truth, even the deep things of God." We have a source of infinite answers looking for a question. It seems that still small voice of Ezekiel, is the intuition. "Prove all things, hold fast to what is fine." Isn't that almost or perhaps a command to question?

Answer 4

A. Its always healthy to examine your faith against the gold standard (2 Corinthians 13:5 KJV). The flesh will always question what the spirit knows as truth. Constant battle, constant conflict. But the spirit always wins.

Salamat ng dalawa puntos pare'!

Answer 5

it is always good to ask questions, (A) if the purpuse of the questions is to understand what is going on. Otherwise, as you said, how do we (learn)?

It is also good to listen to the answers, and be prepared to change one's mind or understanding if one hears an answer that one did not expect.

But sometimes there is no satisfactory answer, and that DOES weaken my "faith", but since I have never believed that everything in the Bible is factual or true I just kind of skip it. like Ma said, "Chew the hay and spit out the sticks."

If satisfaction is not achieved, one can always seek out a second or third opinion.

Answer 6

F - questioning the aspects of your religion weakens your belief in your faith as you can never get a satisfying answer if you think logically.

Answer 7

F. Always question and accept answers where ever you find them, knowing that this may lead you closer or in another direction. If you cannot do this, don't ask.

(I have found my beliefs were not the path for me.)

Answer 8

Yes, is always important for a person to learn about their faith and where it came from.

Answer 9

Answer "A".

Questioning your faith will always increase your knowledge, if you are asking yourself honest questions, and actively looking for answers.

Answer 10

On picking a letter as an option, not sure exactly where I would go with that. But I can say this. We are to be growing and learning all of the time, till Jesus comes. God wants us to know Him and His word more and more, and then becoming more victiours as a Christian, and becoming more like Jesus. We are to hold onto what we know with all we have, not letting any new wind of doctrine come in and blow away the truths God has given to us. YEt at the same time, noone knows everything yet. SO, we hold onto what has been proven to us, and unless we see proof from the word of God that shows we may be off a bit, we hold onto what we have. BUt, when a new truth comes in, we look at it , examine it, and check it against Gods word, It is the only way we can learn anything new, and God expects us to be learning till Jesus comes. Thats how it is.
So, yes it is ok to ask yourself questions and others questions, on why they believe this or that, or why we believe this or that self examination is fine, as long as we check all things according to Gods word and then we know truth.
If it cant be proven Biblically, it is a lie and we must toss it out with all the other junk the devil tosses at us.
Some will let any new thing in without checking it and htey live in error YOu see ppl joining a new church every year, everytime someone teaches them something new, they go to that faith. And there are some so into holding onto truth, that God cant teach them anymore truths, cuz they wont let anyting new come in , because of fear of losing what they have.
We are to trust God in all things, and know that if we are in obedience, to Him, He will take care of us and not let us be drawn the wrong way. But, all must be checked against what the word says. Its not about what I think or even you. Its only what God says that matters, and if all is checked against His word, we cant go wrong. The Bible is like a huge giant glorious jigsaw puzzle. we start from scratch, putting in new little pieces every time we hear truth. Eventually it fits together like a big puzzle to show the glorious plan of God. and guess what, when we are down and think we are finnished. NO, we start another puzzle, and will do this many times, as the word is given to us in layers, of deeper and better understanding. You may see a passage and hear truth, so simple andyet wonerful. Years later, you see that truth with more added onto it, to have a deeper meaning. This is Biblica, even the Jews know this. Its like an onion, in the way it is given to us in layers peeled back, as we are ready to understand more and more. God is so good ANd we will be learning till Jesus comes. So we must be willing to examine all things according to Gods precious word to be able to truly work the puzzle, that is the plan of God. God is now revealing last day things of the Bible, the mysteries are being explained at such a fast rate We must be serious Bible students and stayin gin pray to complete these studies and finnish one puzzle after another. The more we obey, God will bless with more truth. when we disobey, we block Gods truth and bring in curse. PPL msut udnerstand this to be able to stay on the same exact page as God, where He wants us all to be, to be victorious Christians, to not only know His plan, but be able to obey it . and grow to deeper and deeper understanding. Its such an exicitng adventure to be on.
How anyone could say it is boring is beyond me. There is nothing more glorious than God or studying His precious word, His love letter to all of us. Too bad, we dont all read it and adhere to it. Jesus died for all of us and yet so few will accept Him and be willing to make sacrifices for Him.
Choose wisely folks and do it soon, as Jesus is coming.
Be willing to look at new things, and check them against what you know and God says. LEt in new truths that are of God, the rest toss aside. ANd if we are holding onto a thing we think it truth, but is proven not to be, be willing to admit you were wrong, and let it God Let go and LEt GOD> amen