How exactly do you keep such a strong faith? God has not shown himself in thousands of years and nothing supernatural ever happens. On top of that, look at the massive amounts of evidence supporting evolution and the big bang theory. Now I am asking please do not flame me, I consider this a legitimate question because I have grown up as a Catholic, although I try to stay away from religion I still consider myself to believe in God and Jesus.
2007-09-19 19:31:59 · 12 answers · asked by burgler09 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
This may not be quite the answer you're looking for, but here goes.
I, too was raised Catholic. I struggled for 9 years with the same topics you mention. I weighed the evidence, and found the christian faith as a whole, lacking. I spent a number of years investigating and immersing myself in other beliefs and faiths, I came to a similar conclusion; namely, they're all myth and legend, with no actual basis in reality (Buddhism was a different story, to a degree...I don't hold to it's spiritual aspects). My time caused me to abandon faith, entirely.
If you choose to maintain you're faith, take some comfort in the fact that 2 past popes have publicly stated, both evolution and the big bang, are very credible and worthy of study (the current pope seems intent on turning back some of the progress that JP 2 made, but that's my opinion). It is possible to rationalize the facts with the faith, however, IMO it's not very realistic to do so.
2007-09-19 19:44:22 · answer #1 · answered by Bill K Atheist Goodfella 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have no real "faith" but trust.
>>"God has not shown himself in thousands of years and nothing supernatural ever happens."<<
I have no doubt that God has not shown himself TO YOU
and I have no doubt that nothing YOU have recognized as supernatural has happened TO YOU.
but just because it hasn't happened in your experience does not mean it has not happened to anyone else.
>>"On top of that, look at the massive amounts of evidence supporting evolution and the big bang theory."<<
why is this a problem? what is saying that God could not have used these as a means of bringing things to exist as they currently are?
the problem is in the assertion that its the bible taken literally or not at all. which is silly, so much of the bible, that makes NO sense, or UTTERLY conflicts with science taken literally... when taken with some moderate interpereation... supports and compliments science.
and by the way, as to my first point... yes, I have experienced things that you would probably call "supernatural" but some of which happen so much that they are just part of life for me. and I have come to understand them such that "supernatural" is not an appropriate term to describe them, as they are entirely natural, just not part of the mundane physical world.
2007-09-20 02:45:25 · answer #2 · answered by RW 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you have grown up as a Catholic you should know that Catholicism integrates pretty well science with religion. Evolution is accepted and the Big Bang theory too.
2007-09-20 02:38:47 · answer #3 · answered by remy 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Psalms 146:3 Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. 4 His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish. 5 Happy is he that hath the God of Jacob for his help, whose hope is in the LORD his God:
James 4:7 - Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
2007-09-20 03:04:58 · answer #4 · answered by just a man 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
profitbbqdog -- you would have though it would be more sane of God to have given you the gift of common sense. Falling asleep driving -- God might have considered giving you a few extra brain cells as well.
I kind of get a kick out of this kind of story. Here we have an ordinary person with a lack of sense and he claims God came to his rescue. Yet we have millions upon millions of people all around this world starving, in pain, diseased, what have you. They are left to live hell on earth and many 'believe' deeply but they are forsaken.
Makes your stories kind of interesting in a new way.
2007-09-20 02:53:12 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
What have you done for him? DO THE WILL OF GOD
You need to find a home church, be obedient, follow his word, be baptized with the holy spirit, show your self approved and do the will of God (Mark 16: 15 - 18)
God has shown his power to me.
MY EXPERIENCES
I experienced God many of times, when you fellowship with him. I received the Holy Spirit one day before I came to the church that I am attending now. The power of the Holy Spirit was so powerful that it was a force that rippled from my feet through my body and up to my head. It removed the pain and depression that I had at the time and it caused a great sensation of peace (to this day, I was never water baptized). He will be there for you; he knows your needs and wants. One night after doing the will of God (ministering to someone against the book of James) I was driving back home and I continued to fall asleep on the fwy. On the third time, my ears popped opened, like a loud explosion, I felt a rush of pins and needles swirling around the inside of my head, I felt pins and needles from my elbows to my hands and then I was wide awake, like I had slept for days. I drove all the way home and when I got into the driveway I started to fall a sleep again. Once he picked me and my motorcycle up, while riding in the mountains after I was about to crash. I blacked out and when he set me back on the path, I woke up. Once he sent an angel down to stop me from doing something stupid, this angel looked like a human but when I turned away for a second and then back he vanished. I can go on and on. Have faith, sit in a church and learn God's word. You need to find a home church, be obedient, follow his word, be baptized with the holy spirit, show your self approved and do the will of God (Mark 16: 15 - 18)
Why Jesus died For Us
He is our sacrificial lamb who shed his blood to cover your sins: past, present and future. If not he died at the cross in vain. He full filled (Luke 24: 44) and nailed the 10 commandments to the cross (Colossi ans 2:14). Christ did not die in vain (Galatians 2: 21). The spirit or the works of the law (Galatians 3: 2). Christ is the end of the law (Romans 10: 4). The law is our tutor no more (Galatians 3: 24 – 25). God will remember your sins no more (Hebrews 10:17). You are a sinner for life, there is nothing that you can do not to sin (1 john 1: 7 - 10). You can not go out into the world and do what ever you wish, just because Jesus covered your sins (Romans 6: 1 - 3). Hebrews 8: 7 – 13 (he wrote the laws into their hearts, so that you would know right from wrong.
If you have faith in Jesus and are obedient to God, then you are not under the 10 commandments.
If you do not believe in Jesus, then you are under the 10 commandments, now you need to bring your unblemished goat to the alter every year and sacrifice it to cover your sins but with Jesus, he is our new covenant.
You are justified by faith and not of your works
www.mylordmysavior.com
2007-09-20 02:39:27 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 4⤋
The "Big-Bang" theory is the "baby" of scientists, who are catholic priests. Next; the theory of Evolution is currently being rejected by many scientists; please make reference to this site: Center for Science and Culture ( a.k.a. CSC) www.dissentfromdarwin.org - herein, you will find numerous Scientists providing ample proofs of why ol' Charles' theory simply, is the pet of the "educated idiots" - not educated thinkers !!!
2007-09-20 03:02:47 · answer #7 · answered by guraqt2me 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In light of all you've said, I don't know how you would keep a strong faith.
Myself, I grew up fundamental x-tian. I gave it all up as nonsense.
I do, however, believe in a higher being... I'm agnostic.
Life's so much easier that way and things actually make sense.
2007-09-20 02:38:46 · answer #8 · answered by sprite 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Nothing supernatural ever happens? By what power do people believe that Christ is God?
2007-09-20 02:39:36 · answer #9 · answered by cheir 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I'm sorry don't want to burn but your premise is all wrong.God shows himself everyday and if you let Him will live within you.
The evidence supports something similar happened but not why or how.
The supernatural is all around us and stuff happens constantly.
2007-09-20 02:40:21 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋