Welcome to Gaia! ::

Reply Theological Debate
ZOMG WHAT HAVE I DONE?!

Quick Reply

Enter both words below, separated by a space:

Can't read the text? Click here

Submit

ZOMG
  HO NOES!
View Results

[.ChibiElenoa.]

PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2006 5:39 pm


So I was talking to this gaian girl who goes to a Catholic school but dislikes it cuz the people there are pretty messed up.
So I asked her if she had to choose, would she have chosen Christianity anyhow instead of another religion?
So now she says she'll think about that and explore into other religions.

I'm like..."CRAP I JUST TURNED A GOD-DRIVEN PERSON TO ANOTHER RELIGION NOOOOOO!!!"

So do you guys think that it's a bad thing to question one's faith? >>|| Man I think God will smite me for it if she does end up choosing another religion not of the monotheistic branch
PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2006 5:53 pm


Not at all. One who doesn't understand other religions is more likely to be prejudiced against them.

Now, I only questioned other religions, and my own (Catholicism) after I had lost my faith (not that it was ever all that strong). In this process I read the bible a few times. I also read through other holy books, philosophical and theological writings and scientific books. I decided that I was atheist. Not that atheism was a good choice for me, but that I WAS an atheist. It was natural to me.

However, because I have researched all these religions, I still have interests in them. I can debate on their terms. I am a member of a bible study forum. Some of my best friends are very strong Christians. I also can speak with some certanty on other, lesser known religions, like Wicca or Satanism, and stop others from being ignorant or prejudiced against them.

If someone has to question their faith, then they should be given the chance to find their own path. You can't force someone to believe something. As Christianity holds that only faith saves, not acts, the act of 'being' Christian is worthless unless you truly hold it. For someone like me, or someone who doesn't yet understand their feelings/beliefs, forcing onto a path is worthless. Worse, they may resent such a forced viewpoint, and then feel worse about Christianity and so reject it out of hand, even if that is where they fall naturaly.

Look, have you researched other religions? If not, then how can you be sure what they are like? How can you be tollerant of something if you can't understand it?

Love is understanding. I understand Christianity, for the most part. I also strive to understand many other faiths. From there, I can understand the followers of such faiths. So I am able to love anyone for who they are, by understanding their beliefs and from there their thoughts and feelings.

TANSTAAFL


Guitarhero356
Crew

PostPosted: Sat Jan 21, 2006 6:06 pm


Elenoa
So I was talking to this gaian girl who goes to a Catholic school but dislikes it cuz the people there are pretty messed up.
So I asked her if she had to choose, would she have chosen Christianity anyhow instead of another religion?
So now she says she'll think about that and explore into other religions.

I'm like..."CRAP I JUST TURNED A GOD-DRIVEN PERSON TO ANOTHER RELIGION NOOOOOO!!!"

So do you guys think that it's a bad thing to question one's faith? >>|| Man I think God will smite me for it if she does end up choosing another religion not of the monotheistic branch
It depends, if she already believes in Christ then she will probably come back around.
PostPosted: Sun Jan 22, 2006 6:27 pm


Well I'd just tell her to also investigate other denominatios of Christianity and to always remember, don't judge a religion by its followers but its leader. The founder of the religion if all the other followers are messed up, then she should study her own religion if it still makes sense than go with just go strictly by the books and don't associate herself with other Catholics.

Personally I all but despise Catholicism as a faith though I have Catholic friends it just makes no sense and in alot of ways they're centered around "holy relics". It goes against what the Apostles and Christ taught, only Christ and faith can give you 'power' and even then you're suppose to use it to glorify Him. 3nodding So all these relics and the Pope acting like hes Christ on earth making up laws, its pathetic he has no right to do so.

Not only that they have a misconception of what a saint is and the "relic wars" that still go on underground....So many things I don't like about the Catholic Church. But nothing against the Catholics in general.

Cradoc
Captain


Guitarhero356
Crew

PostPosted: Mon Jan 23, 2006 12:13 pm


Cradoc
Well I'd just tell her to also investigate other denominatios of Christianity and to always remember, don't judge a religion by its followers but its leader. The founder of the religion if all the other followers are messed up, then she should study her own religion if it still makes sense than go with just go strictly by the books and don't associate herself with other Catholics.

Personally I all but despise Catholicism as a faith though I have Catholic friends it just makes no sense and in alot of ways they're centered around "holy relics". It goes against what the Apostles and Christ taught, only Christ and faith can give you 'power' and even then you're suppose to use it to glorify Him. 3nodding So all these relics and the Pope acting like hes Christ on earth making up laws, its pathetic he has no right to do so.

Not only that they have a misconception of what a saint is and the "relic wars" that still go on underground....So many things I don't like about the Catholic Church. But nothing against the Catholics in general.
You should see how hard most mormons are on Catholics. stare
PostPosted: Fri Jan 27, 2006 12:53 pm


Elenoa

So do you guys think that it's a bad thing to question one's faith? >>|| Man I think God will smite me for it if she does end up choosing another religion not of the monotheistic branch


It is always good to question ones faith... if you ask questions you will find answers that lead you one step closer to the Truth.

However.. we are responcible for those we lead astray.... keep that in mind.

Prince of Lies


Tessar
Crew

PostPosted: Fri Feb 03, 2006 7:00 pm


My youth teacher at my church says you absolutely must always question your faith. he's pounding that in our heads... sweatdrop I'm not sure why though... it makes me... question what I'm believing... and it doens't help much confused but um... good luck with that...
PostPosted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 7:37 am


Tessar
My youth teacher at my church says you absolutely must always question your faith. he's pounding that in our heads... sweatdrop I'm not sure why though... it makes me... question what I'm believing... and it doens't help much confused but um... good luck with that...
There are two reasons to question your faith, other than if you actualy want to challenge it.

1) To understand it better.
2) To come to terms with it.

If you have these, then your faith will be in context and stronger for it. You can stop making mistakes or being defensive about challenges put forwards by others, and actualy understand what you are talking about. You can also see where your faith leads you in everyday life rather than running around blindly as many do when they are trying to find the path that they have been promised by others, but never seen themselfs.

TANSTAAFL


Mandocello

PostPosted: Sat Feb 04, 2006 11:49 am


Of course you have to question your faith. It makes your faith intelligent rather than blind.
PostPosted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 1:25 pm


Guitarhero356
Cradoc
Well I'd just tell her to also investigate other denominatios of Christianity and to always remember, don't judge a religion by its followers but its leader. The founder of the religion if all the other followers are messed up, then she should study her own religion if it still makes sense than go with just go strictly by the books and don't associate herself with other Catholics.

Personally I all but despise Catholicism as a faith though I have Catholic friends it just makes no sense and in alot of ways they're centered around "holy relics". It goes against what the Apostles and Christ taught, only Christ and faith can give you 'power' and even then you're suppose to use it to glorify Him. 3nodding So all these relics and the Pope acting like hes Christ on earth making up laws, its pathetic he has no right to do so.

Not only that they have a misconception of what a saint is and the "relic wars" that still go on underground....So many things I don't like about the Catholic Church. But nothing against the Catholics in general.
You should see how hard most mormons are on Catholics. stare
Mormans aree known by alot of groups as mystics because of things like the 'holy underwear' the guys wear and the 'getting your own planet' thing. So, um...yeah anyway I don't realy want to beat down the Catholics and make them feel bad or like they've been 'evil' I just want to correct flaws in their Church. Some individuals may accept this and others will not.

Cradoc
Captain


Guitarhero356
Crew

PostPosted: Tue Feb 21, 2006 8:12 am


Cradoc
Guitarhero356
Cradoc
Well I'd just tell her to also investigate other denominatios of Christianity and to always remember, don't judge a religion by its followers but its leader. The founder of the religion if all the other followers are messed up, then she should study her own religion if it still makes sense than go with just go strictly by the books and don't associate herself with other Catholics.

Personally I all but despise Catholicism as a faith though I have Catholic friends it just makes no sense and in alot of ways they're centered around "holy relics". It goes against what the Apostles and Christ taught, only Christ and faith can give you 'power' and even then you're suppose to use it to glorify Him. 3nodding So all these relics and the Pope acting like hes Christ on earth making up laws, its pathetic he has no right to do so.

Not only that they have a misconception of what a saint is and the "relic wars" that still go on underground....So many things I don't like about the Catholic Church. But nothing against the Catholics in general.
You should see how hard most mormons are on Catholics. stare
Mormans aree known by alot of groups as mystics because of things like the 'holy underwear' the guys wear and the 'getting your own planet' thing. So, um...yeah anyway I don't realy want to beat down the Catholics and make them feel bad or like they've been 'evil' I just want to correct flaws in their Church. Some individuals may accept this and others will not.
A lot of people don't get mormons, but then again a lot of people don't get christians or jews either so that's nothing new. However, the mormon church is a little infamous for getting people to think like zombies, although I personally feel that that has more to do with peoples sheepish nature than anything else. Have you ever heard of the book of mormon challenge? It's the same as the bible challenge. You read the book, and pray to God if it's true or not. THat's it. So really, the mormons bad reputation is unjust. Of course, Warren Jeffs deciding it's still okay to practice polygamy isn't helping the churches reputation any either. Most people don't realize that the LDS church does not recognize him as a member. As for mormons being mystics, that's a bunch of bull, they just have slightly different beliefs then that of a christian church. Besides, if we all believed the same thing then what fun would that be?
PostPosted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 8:16 pm


I think Soren Kierkegaard made a good point by saying that faith is strongest through doubt. We must question our faith and seek answers. It ends up strengthening your relationship with God immensely. The more and more I look at both sides of the spectrum (theism and atheism) the more I learn of God's nature; It's a beautiful thing.

I'd recommend any Kierkegaard work- but the exceptionally beautiful is "Sickness unto death". It deals with anxiety, doubt, and depression with practicality in a wondrous (but complex) language.

The answer is that if one has blind faith, it ultimately makes them easier to reject what their central beliefs with the flip of a dime. Faith is strengthened through doubt and questioning; it's a natural, healthy thing that ultimately draws one closer to God.

Columcille

Reply
Theological Debate

 
Manage Your Items
Other Stuff
Get GCash
Offers
Get Items
More Items
Where Everyone Hangs Out
Other Community Areas
Virtual Spaces
Fun Stuff
Gaia's Games
Mini-Games
Play with GCash
Play with Platinum