...because I question the bible. How does that make me less of a christian? Just because I don't throw myself into every single belief put forth by it? I don't believe I have to go to church every Sunday. Christians are supposed to accept and forgive others. Why can't my family forgive me for not agreeing with everything they say? I am in no way trying to demean God or the bible. Like I said, I don't think you have to live everyday of your life under the rules of it. Then there's the whole creationism thing. I don't think our world just got how it is today in one "POOF". I think God created evolution. Is that so blasphomous?
2007-07-26 09:51:54 · 53 answers · asked by GrnEyedGurl 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
You really have to decide who or what is the final authority in your life. Eve one day felt her own discernment was more reliable than the Word of God. We are still paying the consequences of her choice today.
2007-07-26 10:03:01 · answer #1 · answered by wefmeister 7 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If your family's Christianity believes the Bible literally, as it seems to, your family could consider you blasphemous. However, there are different branches of Christianity that do not consider the Bible the literal word, but instead, more of guidelines. Or even symbolism. Would it be so bad if you were a different branch of Christianity than the rest of your family? God gave you a head, with a brain in it, and if your brain leads you to question some of the aspects of your current religion, wouldn't it be natural for you to convert? By thinking of what you do and do not believe in, you are already half way to finding a religion that fits your philosophies and ideas about the world. The main aspect of Christianity is the belief in Jesus as Christ, so by questioning the Bible, you are no less a Christian. Perhaps you are just a different type of Christian. Because not all Christians believe the same things about the Bible and Jesus, we have several different divisions of Christianity. I think your parents should be pleased that you are so comfortable with your religion to question it and stretch its boundaries to find your place within it. Keep asking yourself questions about what you do and don't believe. Explore the different branches of Christianity, if you believe in J.C. If you don't think J.C. was the messiah, well, that's ok too. You've got to know what you believe, and nobody can change that or make you believe something you don't. Ask your pastor about the differences between different religions. Good Luck!
2007-07-26 10:10:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing wrong with questioning the Bible. The bible's creation was perhaps influenced by God. That's great and all, but over the last 2000 years or so it has been translated to suit the beliefs of centuries worth of corrupt popes and kings. Only to force the thinking man into a classification called heretics.
During a dark period in the 1500's-1700's called the inquisition.
The Roman Catholic Church would burn anyone at the stake for questioning their interpretation of the bible. They even outlawed certain books and literature to keep people uneducated.
In a nutshell I'm trying to say don't ever stop thinking on your own. In the end the only people you can rely on is yourself and God,not the "inquisitors."
So "POOF" there is the truth
2007-07-26 10:07:34 · answer #3 · answered by Jonathen B 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe you can retain your Christianity without full belief in the Bible. For example which version of the Bible? There are hundreds if not thousands. Which set of the Ten commandments? There are different variations? Which creation story - Eve from Adam or both at the same time? Faith is what you make it and you can do that on your time and your own accord. Many priests and ministers have made Christianity into a business. The powers that be don't need your money so long as you have your faith.
2007-07-26 09:58:42 · answer #4 · answered by Capitão Darius Emboabas 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Sounds to me like you got a tough road ahead of you. I started questioning religion in my teens and my family was not quick to give me any answers. That to me is one of the biggest problems with most religions. They tell you this is the way things are and you better just accept it. I am no longer a Christian in the conventional sense of the word, but I still have a fairly close relationship with my family that are practicing Catholics. Just go with what your mind tells you is right. If you are a person that likes to question things christianity is going to be a hard thing for you to endure. If you do choose to step away from your faith tell your family it is your personal decision, and that you still respect their beliefs they just are different from your own. At first they will think you are just going through a phase, but after almost twenty years I think my family has finally realized I am not going through a phase even though my Mom is still convinced I will come back to the church one day(not gonna happen) Good luck. You can only be what are you going to be. They can't ask more than that.
2007-07-26 10:01:08 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you are just about to quit going to church, that's all. When you quit, try to find another one. I know that when I had what people thought was a crisis of faith, it was more that I felt my church had lost its way (just a little bit), not loss in faith in God. For me the issue started when I began giving my Sunday School teacher homework. He'd tell me how to live, I'd ask where God said that. Most of the time I was getting good info from him, but every now and then he was really reaching to make a point. Dancing is evil because John the Baptist was killed for a dance? Interracial dating is wrong because--oh wait, just finished reading that verse--guess it isn't wrong after all.
Not all churches are so into defining and preaching on what you shouldn't do and telling you to vote against abortion like nothing else in the world matters. Find one that tells you how to live, not how you shouldn't live.
(I take the Bible as true, but place no faith in churches to read it to me.)
2007-07-26 10:06:48 · answer #6 · answered by wayfaroutthere 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Put these questions at the feet of Jesus. I had many issues with my spirituality in my 20's. Conservative Christianity just did not quiet my spirit, and made me feel angry as a woman that it seemingly plants evil at the feet of femininity and teaches women are subordinate. You probably will not find a common ground with your parents unless you submit to their dogma, I am sorry for you for that.
When I asked Jesus at 26 what path to follow, he said I must follow the truth of God that was in my heart, that I believe the way I do for a reason and if that included exploring the Divine Feminine that is what I had to do. Mystical Christianity has been pretty much marginalized through most of history but the only way I can honor the Christ Consciousness is as a mystic, I just do not believe the conservative 6,000 year universe fairy tale.
It is lonely sometimes. I do try to be kind to fundamentalists, they can be very nice and I don't start arguments with them but I can finish them if I am being backed into a corner. Educate yourself, find a faith community you can agree with and live and let live. If preachy folks get holier than thou pull out Leviticus and do a check on their adherence to the Law that Christ came to uphold.
2007-07-26 10:08:33 · answer #7 · answered by Princessa Macha Venial 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Question everything. Their criticizing you is a control behavior, Which is why sometimes organized religions are not always a good thing.
They can not know your heart only you and God knows how you feel. And remember God gave you a questioning mind.
The Bible was written by people, not God, It is a nice guide but I doubt it is the last word. God speaks to us all differently.
Listen to your heart you will find the right balance.
Never let others tell you how to think and feel. That is between you and God. Their behavior may push you away rather then pull you closer.
2007-07-26 10:06:47 · answer #8 · answered by buffysrosebud 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If questioning leads you to the true and not further away from the truth. Making up beliefs or picking and choosing is not the way to go. It sounds like you are going with the "convenient religion" if it doesn't make you go out of your way, makes you feel good, etc. then you'll take it. If not, then just don't believe it, easy enough.
Christianity isn't living under rules. It is a relationship with Christ. You can't loose your "Christianity" but you can look- not so much like a Christian or whatever religion your family is.
2007-07-26 09:59:15 · answer #9 · answered by Lizzi 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Grn... It's good to "question" but, you are asking the wrong people for advice... If you wish to know something about God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, or the Bible, then, ask God yourself... I started asking Him "Why" when I was only 4 years old. LOL A LOT of "why's"! He answered every question (even if it was to tell me "not yet")
Your relationship with Him is YOUR responsibility, but, your family are just being concerned by what they may be seeing as a change within you... if they notice a "change" enough to question it, then, it is something that you should step back and consider. Yahoo R&S is filled with the "lost" as well as some True children of God... satan's workers are here and you can't take everything you see as TRUTH...not even when they may say they are "Christian".
Sorry, but there it is..."Truth".
Talk to God and Jesus about your questions and concerns...
My prayers are with you :)
2007-07-26 10:27:16 · answer #10 · answered by ForeverSet 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
On the contrary; you're attempting to use logic and employ fair-mindedness, while is sounds like your family is adhering to a policy of exclusivity and close-mindedness. Those with that attitude tend to believe, fiercely, that everything in the world is out to get them and that anyone or anything that questions or is in conflict with their beliefs is evil and/or under the control of the devil; it's mere paranoia, little else. There is absolutely no reason for you to interpret your Christian beliefs through such a narrow spectrum; on the contrary, your beliefs can be strengthened by appreciating differing views and even differing faiths. I doubt God would have intended hard-hearted exclusivity to be used by his followers, especially if he's a "loving God", right?
2007-07-26 09:59:50 · answer #11 · answered by ಠ__ಠ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋