Doubting my Faith

[Songbird]

I'm an idiot for doing this, because I'll get torn apart. But I'm starting to doubt my faith (christianity). I haven't stopped believing, I just want to make sure that I'm not just switching my brain off and following, you know? Now, I know I'll get allot of people telling me to just give it up, and I'm expecting that. But it would be nice if someone could show how its real for them or what makes it real for them. Anyways, thats my dilemma. Comment.

[Marvo]

Just give it up. Turn to the dark side!

[The Invisible Man]

I'm an idiot for doing this, because I'll get torn apart. But I'm starting to doubt my faith (christianity). I haven't stopped believing, I just want to make sure that I'm not just switching my brain off and following, you know? Now, I know I'll get allot of people telling me to just give it up, and I'm expecting that. But it would be nice if someone could show how its real for them or what makes it real for them. Anyways, thats my dilemma. Comment. It's good that you're actually thinking about it. Being a numbmind and not questioning and wondering about your faith is more likely to push you away from religion, rather than what you're doing.

[Photolysis]

There's a reason why questioning things is discouraged in religions. You should continue doing it.

[really]

I'm an idiot for doing this, because I'll get torn apart. But I'm starting to doubt my faith (christianity). I haven't stopped believing, I just want to make sure that I'm not just switching my brain off and following, you know? Now, I know I'll get allot of people telling me to just give it up, and I'm expecting that. But it would be nice if someone could show how its real for them or what makes it real for them. Anyways, thats my dilemma. Comment. I understand your dilemma. I used to be in similar circumstances, and I became an "atheist" for a short period. Though, I became a strong believer again when I revealed the fallacies of my perception. I found the essential blocks towards spiritual truth, and re-contextualized them for greater comprehension. My life has been illuminated ever since. Really, faith in higher power is important and consistent contemplation is very healthy. There is, without a doubt, a greater Reality beyond our little minds. It is all a matter of spiritual awareness. Let nothing stop you from believing. Essentially you are having faith in yourself - yet you truly do not know what you are. In time all will be revealed.

[Photolysis]

I used to be in similar circumstances, and I became an "atheist" for a short period. It's funny how many religious people always claim this, yet don't appear to show any atheistic qualities whatsoever. I became a strong believer again when I revealed the fallacies of my perception. Religious or not, I think most of your beliefs are based on fallacies and nonsense. Or at least the ones you've posted on this forum.

[really]

It's funny how many religious people always claim this, yet don't appear to show any atheistic qualities whatsoever. Probably because they are no longer an atheist? Religious or not, I think most of your beliefs are based on fallacies and nonsense. Or at least the ones you've posted on this forum. I think this and that. Please elaborate if it is relevant.

[ClassyElf]

Really, faith in higher power is important and consistent contemplation is very healthy. There is, without a doubt, a greater Reality beyond our little minds. It is all a matter of spiritual awareness. I disagree entirely. When I gave up my faith, my chronic depression went away, My random schizo episodes stopped, and I'm altogether happier. Also, I'd attribute what you're calling "spiritual awareness" to a form of light schizo. Would you be willing to explain it further?

[really]

I'd disagree entirely. When I gave up my faith, my chronic depression went away, My random schizo episodes stopped, and I'm altogether happier. That's fair enough, though it doesn't mean if you have faith you become depressed or schizophrenic. I am quite content myself. Also, I'd attribute what you're calling "spiritual awareness" to a form of light schizo. The real state itself is much different to the pathological. It is entirely an experiential understanding, brings happiness and peace.

[Jeff777]

I'm an idiot for doing this, because I'll get torn apart. But I'm starting to doubt my faith (christianity). I haven't stopped believing, I just want to make sure that I'm not just switching my brain off and following, you know? Now, I know I'll get allot of people telling me to just give it up, and I'm expecting that. But it would be nice if someone could show how its real for them or what makes it real for them. Anyways, thats my dilemma. Comment. Yeah you are an idiot for posting this on Dreamviews which is mostly comprised of atheists. It's like wearing a steak suit and walking into a lions den. If you want to hold onto your faith, you'd be better off seeking help in a christian chat or a christian forum. If you're looking for reasons to validate your doubt (which I assume is the case seeing as you posted here as opposed to a christian forum) then you're in the right place.

[hungrymanz]

Doubting my Faith This is a good thing.

[Lucid_boy]

It's ok to doubt, moses doubted, david doubted, abraham got really pissed off. Your doubt is natural, every christian doubts. It's all a matter of getting the questions you have answered by people who are willing to help you work through your doubt in a clear and patient manner. It is good to doubt and doubt you shall. But While you are in turmoil don't forget, there is a God who loves and cares for you. Take all the time you need to think and explore, God will be waiting for you with open arms when you've come to a conclusion and you'll both be happier because of this whole issue. The thing that makes it real for me is the complexity of it all, life that is, and all of the 'signs' some of which can only be attributed to God. There are to many things, spiritual things, that happen in this world for nothing to exsist in the beyond.

[ClouD]

It's ok to doubt, moses doubted, david doubted, abraham got really pissed off. Your doubt is natural, every christian doubts. It's all a matter of getting the questions you have answered by people who are willing to help you work through your doubt in a clear and patient manner. It is good to doubt and doubt you shall. But While you are in turmoil don't forget, there is a God who loves and cares for you. Take all the time you need to think and explore, God will be waiting for you with open arms when you've come to a conclusion and you'll both be happier because of this whole issue. The thing that makes it real for me is the complexity of it all, life that is, and all of the 'signs' some of which can only be attributed to God. There are to many things, spiritual things, that happen in this world for nothing to exsist in the beyond. It's not a matter of getting anything. Do what you do. If you let others judge you, don't expect God to do differently.

[drewmandan]

I'm an idiot for doing this, because I'll get torn apart. But I'm starting to doubt my faith (christianity). I haven't stopped believing, I just want to make sure that I'm not just switching my brain off and following, you know? Now, I know I'll get allot of people telling me to just give it up, and I'm expecting that. But it would be nice if someone could show how its real for them or what makes it real for them. Anyways, thats my dilemma. Comment. Don't stop believing! If you do, you will lose all your moral values and become a murderer/child rapist with a gay husband!

[DeathCell]

It's funny how many religious people always claim this, yet don't appear to show any atheistic qualities whatsoever. Religious or not, I think most of your beliefs are based on fallacies and nonsense. Or at least the ones you've posted on this forum. It's quite simple... We are open to changing our minds, a point of time in our lives personally for me when I was younger I was an atheist. Doubting everything and making all the same arguments you are, but than I had an experience and I didn't turn back to my former religion of Protestant Christian to something else that I feel more connected to. And people can look at you and say the same thing about believing nothing but one spontaneous chance. It's all perspective, you should have more respect for others beliefs... Also, I'd attribute what you're calling "spiritual awareness" to a form of light schizo. Would you be willing to explain it further? When in doubt, call them crazy, call them a heretic and burn them at the steak. An atheist walks into a room and claims he knows the truth, everyone sits in wonder until someone tells him to spit it out already. The truth is, their is nothing out their. A religious zealot chimes in... That is not true, the real Truth is God created us all. + - Both claims are very similar. Different ideas but the same, neither one really knows the truth.

[nitsuJ]

I'm an idiot for doing this, because I'll get torn apart. But I'm starting to doubt my faith (christianity). I haven't stopped believing, I just want to make sure that I'm not just switching my brain off and following, you know? Now, I know I'll get allot of people telling me to just give it up, and I'm expecting that. But it would be nice if someone could show how its real for them or what makes it real for them. Anyways, thats my dilemma. Comment. I used to call myself a Christian, although I never went to Church, or read the Bible, besides Revelations. Apparently my aunt had a "Children's Bible" and gave it to my mom. I was bored one night before bed, so I read some of it. It basically takes verses, or chapters, or whatever from the Bible and makes it like a regular book. I didn't read much, and I already knew before I read the Bible there were parts I'd disagree with, but from what little I read, it's really hard to believe much of it at all. I never have thought that God interacts with the world, but after I've read some of the Bible, I definitely don't believe he's ever interacted with it. There's a lot that's unbelievable in the Bible. Talking snakes, water parting, red seas, and other things. I find it easier to believe in a Deistic God than the Christian God, or any other for that matter. It's good to question religion/faith, I do it a lot. I did it more when I was younger, like from elementary to middle school, then from high school to now I really don't care one way or another. I'm not that religious, never have been. I'm not worried about possible "consequences" I'll face when I die, if there will even be any. I'm not really worried if the FSM is the real God and he'll force me to eat super spicy meatballs when I die, I just don't care. I don't have time to be worrying about what's going to happen when I die, because it's not happened yet and I don't feel like being bogged down. Questioning your religion, I believe, shows that you're capable of thinking for yourself, and not letting someone else think for you. (As in people trying to convince you there's a God, and you don't question it.)

[DeathCell]

I used to call myself a Christian, although I never went to Church, or read the Bible, besides Revelations. Apparently my aunt had a "Children's Bible" and gave it to my mom. I was bored one night before bed, so I read some of it. It basically takes verses, or chapters, or whatever from the Bible and makes it like a regular book. I didn't read much, and I already knew before I read the Bible there were parts I'd disagree with, but from what little I read, it's really hard to believe much of it at all. I never have thought that God interacts with the world, but after I've read some of the Bible, I definitely don't believe he's ever interacted with it. There's a lot that's unbelievable in the Bible. Talking snakes, water parting, red seas, and other things. I find it easier to believe in a Deistic God than the Christian God, or any other for that matter. It's good to question religion/faith, I do it a lot. I did it more when I was younger, like from elementary to middle school, then from high school to now I really don't care one way or another. I'm not that religious, never have been. I'm not worried about possible "consequences" I'll face when I die, if there will even be any. I'm not really worried if the FSM is the real God and he'll force me to eat super spicy meatballs when I die, I just don't care. I don't have time to be worrying about what's going to happen when I die, because it's not happened yet and I don't feel like being bogged down. Questioning your religion, I believe, shows that you're capable of thinking for yourself, and not letting someone else think for you. (As in people trying to convince you there's a God, and you don't question it.) Smart guy. "I'm not worried about possible "consequences" I'll face when I die" That's a good mindset better to be worried about the consequences you face in life.(Christianity I believe is the only religion that shuns all others out of a good after-life)

[Lucid_boy]

Don't stop believing! If you do, you will lose all your moral values and become a murderer/child rapist with a gay husband! Great post, really adds substance to the discussion and helps the OP.

[Scatterbrain]

The point of faith is believing without a reason. If you need logic arguments to validate it, then it's not faith. But it's good your questioning, keep at it and you'll be able to get over religion.

[drewmandan]

But it's good your questioning, keep at it and you'll be able to get over religion. I doubt it. The guy is 19 years old. If you don't get over religion by then, you're too stupid to ever get over religion.

[Rakjavik]

But it would be nice if someone could show how its real for them or what makes it real for them. Anyways, thats my dilemma. Comment. It was real for a lot us man. I can't even tell you how real it was for me holding my hands up to the sky, and knowing that their was an awesome being up there hearing my praise and looking down and loving me for who I am. What you have to figure out now, is was it real? I came to the conclusion that it was not. This was through many years of experience, and then through years of research into theology and science. You have to figure it out for yourself though. Don't just believe whatever someone on a forum tells you. Figure it out for yourself. Do your own research. Good luck.

[Needcatscan]

I doubt it. The guy is 19 years old. If you don't get over religion by then, you're too stupid to ever get over religion. And another prime example of why religious people are so hesitant to post in here. Religious people aren't stupid; from our perspective they may believe in some very silly things, but in no way are they stupid. To the OP: Like Scatterbrain said: religion takes faith, faith is believing in something with no substantial evidence. So you need to ask yourself will you believe something because there's good evidence for it, or because you were raised to/it makes you feel better about death/you think there has to be a primary cause/ etc etc. All of the arguments for believing in a god have their atheistic rebuttals, it is up to you to study both sides and believe the side you want to, or preferably, believe the one that makes the most sense and is grounded in evidence and reason. As far as Christianity goes, if you really think about some of the implications (IE hell, all other religions are wrong, modern day science is wrong, suffering in the world) and get past the vapid surface-level arguments (there is suffering because of sin, there is sin because of the fall, etc) and really think about them, then that might help with your search. Good luck, I was at the same place you were 4 years ago, make sure to make a thread when you make a decision.

[DeathCell]

People really need to drop the if you believe in a Religion you are an idiot.. thought (It doesn't make anyone non-atheist look at you guys as good, or wanting to be involved with such, just my observation) Some people just want more than looking forward to a life of atoms then to a cold grave.... Religion Hypocrisy is the problem, not Religion. I guess Faith isn't the word to use... but you can believe in something more than nothing without subscribing to years of Hypocrisy and Dogma...

[ClouD]

The problem is 'the problem'. Or is it?

[drewmandan]

Some people just want more than looking forward to a life of atoms then to a cold grave.... When I was a small child, my mother taught me that just wanting something doesn't make it happen. I guess your mother forgot that lesson.