Have you ever experienced doubts about your religious beliefs?

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   M. T. Dremerposted 9 years ago

   Have you ever experienced doubts about your religious beliefs?

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   Edward J. Palumboposted 9 years ago

   I have no difficulty accepting the concept of a Supreme Being, an Uncaused Cause, but my doubts were primarily what my response or relationship to God must be and what path or religion could best clarify that. In other words, I don't doubt that God exists, I simply doubt that I have an understanding of how I can best relate to God. To that end, I looked into a number of philosophies and religions, and came to the conclusion that Jesus Christ was the best example to pursue further development, and that started a new journey because there seems a number of perceptions that purport to be "Christian". I pursued the subject further with a minor in Theology and am convinced that a study of Christ remains a pivotal key to my relationship with God, but I have encountered an interesting spectrum of interpretations of Christ's lessons and teachings. In other words, it seems mankind provides its own great obstacles in the quest for answers. I continue to study, of course, but it is normal to doubt; we are encouraged to question and seek the answers to those questions, and I respond to that encouragemnt.

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      cathylynn99posted 9 years agoin reply to this

      what caused your unnecessary uncaused cause?

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      Edward J. Palumboposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      There had to be an intellect and power that preceded what we see as consequence, and that initiator is beyond my limited ability to fully appreciate or understand. It all had to start...until we trace it back to one who had no start and no end.

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   Michael-Milecposted 9 years ago

   For a brief period of time my concern was why I don't care about any popular- world wide- man made religious belief of any kind. Then I 'created' my own. The latest my 'religion' is good cooking and healthy living. That can change periodically.
   If I have to refer to believing - trusting the the Creator of the Universe, my relationship to the God  almighty isn't based on any traditional religiosity,rather knowing the Living word and applying the revealed will of the One who has introduced me to Him who is now my heavenly Father , and I have no time  to vast for doubting in His power, grace and above all manifestation of His love.

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4. 73

   Oztinatoposted 9 years ago

   A religious belief is not the same as the underlying faith in "god".
   In the same way an article of faith  (a noun ) is not the same as real Faith (a verb). Such articles of faith are often man made constructions which change, evolve etc and can even be questioned and discarded.

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5. 91

   MizBejabbersposted 9 years ago

   I began to question my Baptist "faith" when I was a teenager. When the church couldn't answer my questions but told me that I had to take their doctrine on faith, a little voice in my head said, "no you don't." I really questioned it when I came across 1 Samuel 15:10-11. In this scripture Jehovah admitted that he had made a mistake. I had been taught that God was perfect.
   A class in world religion in college helped me to find my path. Once I opened up my mind that had been closed by church doctrine and dogma, I found my way. After all, the bible says that all things will be revealed in the end times, and I think new revelations are coming every day. I have put my old beliefs aside and opened my heart and my mind to the new ones. I have written a hub about this.

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6. 68

   connorjposted 9 years ago

   
   
   Yes indeed; throughout my life I have had periodic and significantly different resonating doubts about my religion; yet after my comatose experience, a significantly-still experience so much of my religion was actually reinforced. Specifically the Sacraments that were given to us by Christ. I have written in detail about this aspect in a hub titled, There and Back Version Deaux.
   After my comatose experience it has continued to be reinforced through different events. Specifically being hit by a drunk driver; I unknowingly blocked the drunk driver from hitting a mini-van loaded with pre-schoolers. A more recent event where I was with police in a high drug trafficking area. Another 20-something girl was driving by, our eyes met, she braked, and looked at me a 2nd time and turned white as a ghost. I thought she had become sick so I began to approach her car. She said you gave me Communion last week at Florida Hospital South! You are John! I replied yes I did; and blurted out you are on a dead end you need to get out of here. She began to cry, mentioned God, and reversed out of here quickly. The Sacraments are one aspect of the living God that is not well known yet so priceless to us. Please contemplate deeply about those so-called "coincidences" throughout your life, I believe they are the Hand of God!

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      Norine Williamsposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      JC:  Yes, God places "people" in our lives for HIS WILL to be accomplished!

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      connorjposted 9 years agoin reply to this

      I have found great revelation in listening...

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   Soraya Gazzazposted 9 years ago

   Hello Miz,
   I guess it is okay to doubt. We are humans and we get to a point where we need to reason and make sense of the world. I advice you to read. Read and research as much as you can. And please don't ask the church or any religious institution for the truth because obviously each religion will try to convince you with it's belief. Don't be a passive believer. Never give up, for sure the one who wants to find God, finds him.
   One more thing, Start with the bible since you were a Christian. And watch debates between Christians and other religions. Best of Luck

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8. 76

   MarieLBposted 9 years ago

   I doubt that there is anyone [who is aware of their own thoughts and feelings] who has not had such doubts.
   
   Faith requires trust, but it does not necessarily follow that one suspends all form of thinking and reflecting on that faith.
   
   I went through many years of torment because of such doubts, and eventually gave up my religion.  After several years I "tried" another and this still did not satisfy my spiritual needs.
   
   I do go into a church from time to time.  Note that I said "a" church, and that is I have given up the idea of "Only One True Church".  I believe that as long as one is honest with one's self, then all roads lead to the same end.
   
   Most of the time I do my 'praying' and my meditation at home, and it seems to satisfy all my spiritual needs.

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   em_saenzposted 9 years ago

   Your question contains its answer. There is no faith without doubt, therefore belief can never imply certainty and every religious belief will always contain an element of doubt.

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10. 64

    Claire Evansposted 9 years ago

    I'm glad you are thinking.  The Old Testament doesn't make a lot of sense to many because it isn't about the Father of Jesus.  Yahweh was a Canaanite deity.  He was an actual being who spoke to people.  He was the god of world. 
    
    Now faith in Jesus when one knows He is the son of God is completely different.  It is not blind faith when you are not sure He is but faith in that you trust Him implicitly. 
    
    So one cannot say one doesn't have faith if they don't believe everything in the Bible.

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11. 51

    Evaneposted 9 years ago

    Yeah. That is normal I think and it's a sign that you are growing spiritually.

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    simonmwangiposted 8 years ago

    Yes l did had doubts in religious beliefs in my teenage n during my late twentieth this was cut off when l experienced God in such a supernatural way lm now in the kingdom of God n preaching the good news to people n sometimes even door to door.l'll never doubt again because l saw the hand of God prevailing over my life and l believe only in Him n his son Jesus whom he sent to die for our sins glory be to Him forever.

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