Having trouble with my faith?

Question

Im 16 and i go to a private high school. When im sitting in religion class i find it so hard to find this all real but i really want to believe it! I pray all the time but sometimes i feel like im praying to nobody. How can i become a better cathlotic and start to have faith? Is it normal or not to feel this way?

Oh and i go to church every sunday with family and have my whole life if you wanted to know that

So are all of you telling me im a athest?

Answer 1

Good. If you are having trouble with your faith, it means that you have learned how to observe and reason. Faith is the opposite of that.

Religion only draw is it's emotional appeal. You've been trained since early childhood to believe that religion is a good thing that you should want. Now you're thinking about it and realize it is really nonsense.

Keep studying religion in this new light, keeping in mind how human nature tends to have us make up and believe superstitions, myths, and urban legends. Religion is just another superstition.

Answer 2

A good Catholic questions their religion. Blind faith is never the right path. It's good you have questions, but the Bible is up for interpretation. Ask a priest, do some research. Each passage can be read differently, interpreted to fit a situation, but don't read looking for the easiest answer. God is not simple, but complex.

That being said, do not believe everything you read. Not everything that you read will make sense. Still, there's a reason it's called FAITH.

When you come to a crossroads, you have to make a decision - to either believe or not believe. It's that simple.

Just keep an open mind. This would be a good time to do some research into other religions - to see what other people believe and why they believe it. The Bible is a conglomeration of other religions. A lot of people don't like to hear that, but the roots are there. It's hard to deny the similarities between Hindu and Jewish religions, especially since it was known that Jesus was Jewish.

If you don't believe that Jesus was born of immaculate conception, then you'd better talk to a priest to see why others believe it was such a miracle. Just because you don't see the connection, doesn't mean that one doesn't exist.

And have fun! Religion is supposed to lift you up, inspire you. If you can't find it appealing anymore, going through the motions will make you resent being a Catholic. Also, take your time while interpreting, it's not going to happen overnight.

Answer 3

Remember that belief cannot be coerced. You cannot, and should not, be forced to believe in something you don't.

Not believing that 2,000 years ago a man walked on water is a RATIONAL denial of acceptance.

Not believing that all the answers to life are included in a bronze age writing that are completely anonymous is a REASONABLE conclusion.

As a former Catholic, I hope you take this advice: Instead of praying for guidance, research it. Read all you can about the history of the Church and the bible from all sides.

You can't just "hope" or "pray" that all your questions will be answered. You have to do the dirty work yourself and find out for yourself was is true and what is not.

Your questions are healthy and normal and good. It's how you deal with them that is the issue. Don't just remain ignorant and give into traditional beliefs....rather learn as much as you can so you life has as much full meaning as it can...regardless of what scary roads (maybe theist, maybe unbeliever) that may take you down.

Good luck!

Answer 4

it's normal to feel this way and it's good that you're acknowledging it. most folks suppress these feelings or treat them like they are evil.
you might be questioning your faith because you have not had a true experience of your faith. you've probably not had to truly defend your beliefs or question why you hold them. if you're just being drug to church every sunday, but you really aren't getting anything out of it, then you probably feel like you have just inherited your faith. you haven't had the chance to decide for yourself.
take the time and really look at what you truly believe, not just the doctrine that has been taught to you. examine your heart, see what it tells you is the truth for you.
stop just sitting in religion class and actually take the class. you are being instructed about the faith you've been raised in. take a good hard look at what they're teaching and decide if it makes sense to you or if it calls to you. if it doesn't, then start looking at other belief systems on your own.
if you truly feel that catholicism is the right faith for you, then keep praying and ask your god to increase your faith. just don't expect it to happen overnight. faith takes time and hard work. that's why i think jesus or paul talked about building your house on a rock or solid foundation instead of sand. sand may be easier to dig in, but it will not provide you with a good foundation.
that's why you should question and examine your beliefs. it will give you a solid foundation to build your beliefs on so that you do not crumble in times of hardship.
i hope you find the right path to take.

Answer 5

Whoa, Please!
Every person has times of being close to GOD or feeling alone.
My goodness, have you talked to your family, or priest? Your so trusting that people here in this forum will give you key insights into who your are from 1 question?!????????
You are NOT an atheist. You are a 16 year old woman, practicing your faith as a Roman Catholic.
If you were not comfortable being this - you would have told your parents as teenagers do about being uncomfortable. So you are HAPPY being Catholic.
"Is it normal or not to feel this way?" - Yes!!
YOU ARE NORMAL!
YOU ARE NORMAL!
YOU ARE NORMAL!
Please please talk to your parents, and priest, and friends - these people know you and can provide valuable insights.
"How can I become a better catholic and start to have faith?" - A better Catholic is an older Catholic, as at 16 you can't drive or vote. You are doing all you can in your community at this point in your life. You attended Confirmation, yes? You just need experience.
Keep in mind that learning "book stuff, and history" is NOT being Catholic. Being Catholic is when your helping others, talking and playing with children. Interacting with your community. Being bored in who begat whom is important but not the real nuts and bolts of our faith. Your actions and prayers are more important than religious history/class.
As an OLD Catholic, I would talk to your parents and stay involved in your community. and not worry about class work, as much.

Answer 6

Questioning faith is normal! Expecially when we inherit our religion from our parents or others. It sounds like the faith you are in is not for you. I would do some soul searching and do reasearch on a faith or philosophy that appeals to you. http://www.religioustolerance.org is an awesome place with lots of information and links on different systems of belief. If you decide to stay in your faith do so because it's what YOU belive in because it's awefully hard to connect with a view of Diety that you don't belive in. But a word to the wise. If you decide to follow a different spiritual path while in your parents house be sure and respect their wishes. And if you feel you can, try your best and be open and honest with them about how you feel. Best of luck to you.
Brightest Blessings!
Kayla )o(

Answer 7

If that's how you feel, then I strongly urge you to reexamine what you were brought up to believe and see if it is really true (history will reveal to you truth). Also, as you do...consider this...do you consider yourself to be a good person? If you answered yes, then ask yourself these small tidbits: have you lied, stolen something despite value, desired something that belonged to someone else, used God's name in vain, and looked with lust? If you answered yes to any of these, then consider this; if you lied (for instance, you're a liar) then the Bible says that you are a liar; a theif (for stealing) etc, and on and on it goes. Essentially, God placed these laws inside your heart so you know you've done wrong; and by these standards God would judge you. And when He does, you'll be found guilty before holy God and you'll face judgment in hell. To escape this, remember what Jesus Christ did on the cross for you so that you wouldn't have to go to hell; he died for you, taking your punishment and paying for your sins on that cross, then He rose again on the third day and defeated death and had victory over sin. If you repent of your sins and place your faith (trust) in Jesus Christ, then He will forgive your sins and give you new life and seal you with an eternal inheritance, which is your assurance (the Holy Spirit). If you sincerely "turn away" from you sins, God will hear your prayer for righteousness and He will save you. I hope this helps and I will be in prayer for you. I don't want anything to happen to ya, so I urge you to at least consider this and do the right thing. God bless!!!

Answer 8

yes it's normal and probably happens to everyone at one time or another.
well since i'm not cathlotic i can't really tell u how to become better but the most important part is having faith and to believe but since u don't hav dat....hav u ever thought of the possibility that maybe all the religion taught you isn't completely real. i'm not saying all of it is fake i'm saying that over the years everything hav become exagerrated like maybe there really once was a person like Jesus who cured ppl just not magically.
all your life u hav been under the impression that religion is real and true but hav u thought that maybe it isn't? maybe it's just another superstition that ppl believe in? u should question where ur source came from and that's how u study history. there's always multiple versions of the same thing.

Answer 9

You are at that age when you begin to question your faith and everything you have been taught about religion. The most important thing right now, is to follow your conscience. You know right from wrong, and you need to be accountable for your actions. Do good things, and good things will come to you. Do bad things, and bad things will come to you. Just try to be respectful of nature and mankind. Also, be good to yourself. Eventually, you will make up your own mind what you believe and what seems fanatical about any religion.

Answer 10

"Doubt makes a bond stronger"

Mother Theresa one of the most famous nuns of religion Doubted God. She wrote many letters about how she felt that god wasn't there anymore. And look how amazing she was.

Listen alot of the stuff you are taught may not be true. The bible has not been translated with 100% certainty meaning that the bible could mean exactly opposite of whar we know.

How to be a good catholic you ask?

Its not about religion its about acts. Just be a good person, help others, never put anyone down, dont hurt others, just basic rules of morality. You do not even have to go to church to be a good catholic, because Catholicism is not a belief it is an Idea. It is a relationship and bond with God, not the rules that we think he made. So just do good acts and in time you will see your bond with god grow.

"Just because someone does not believe in our God, does not make him anyless important than us"

Answer 11

all people struggle with their faith from time to time. reason is a good thing. you can have reason, and logic, and hard facts and still believe in God and Jesus, and be a good follower in christ. I would suggest that you read and study the bilbe, find bible studies and groups to build on your knowledge in Jesus. I happen to love independent fundamental baptist. i am not saying you show change your church, but if you are not getting your spiriual foods there anymore, maybe it wold be time to more to another church. does not necessarily mean new demomination. alough i think i went to 5 different churches before i found IFB and there i stayed, that is where i'm gettting fed. being 16 you still need to follow the rules of your parents, my parents were glad i wanted to go to church, to them it did not matter which. so parents it is a big deal. you should have your parents blessings if you try to switch churches.