Have you ever questioned your faith?

Hi everyone,
For my third year at university I have to write a dissertation. I have chosen to write my dissertation on ‘Why do people question their beliefs in times of need?’ I myself have always been an atheist and have not questioned it, however I am intrigued to speak to others who have. So if anyone has the time would you be able to answer the following questions for me?
1) Were you brought up in a religious household?
2) Was you raised with no religion and then found God? If so why?
3) Have you ever questioned your faith?
4) What does ‘faith’ mean to you?
5) How do no your belief is the truth ?

Please take note, none of these questions are to cause offence, each of these questions are being asked to a range of people
Thanks a lot, appreciated,
Jade

1) Were you brought up in a religious household?

-Yes, my parents were Catholic and by the time i was in grade school, they decided to convert to Christians. But sadly, growing up I really don't consider a personal relationship with God. Going to Church is like a routine for me before.

2) Was you raised with no religion and then found God? If so why?
- I am raised in a Christian family, but accepted Christ and been a Christian for just three years now.

3) Have you ever questioned your faith?
- Yes. I have questioned my faith many times before. Because of unanswered prayers and sufferings that i have experienced.

4) What does ‘faith’ mean to you?
- Faith means TRUSTING God in whatever circumstances we face and BELIEVE in HIM.

5) How do no your belief is the truth ?
- Because He did miracles in my life.

God bless you Sister! Praying for the success in your dissertation.

Isn't a catholic a type of Christian?
[HR][/HR]@jademcgrail
1) Yes.
2) No.
3) Maybe so.
4) Faith = 100% faith in the lord means that we trust God to provide for everything that we need in order to grow.
5) Evidence.

I would say "God bless you", but you don't believe in that stuff...oh well..why hold back?? God bless you.

Yes that's correct. So I will correct it to Born Again Christians. God bless you more!!

1) Were you brought up in a religious household?
Yes. But I prefer spiritual household over religious, because we did not attend church or carry out our personal prayers, Bible study, etc., out of habit or because it was something we were used to doing. It was a sincere desire.
2) Was you raised with no religion and then found God? If so why?
N/A per #1
3) Have you ever questioned your faith?
Yes. That is normal. Some of the most celebrated men and women from the Bible questioned their faith as well at times. That simply comes from being human and losing my focus on God and his Word at times.
4) What does ‘faith’ mean to you?
To me, faith means knowing something is real or true without having to actually see it with your eyes or touch it.
5) How do no your belief is the truth ?
I know my faith in God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost) is real because I have done what the Word of God instructs to do and just as it reads what would happen as a result... those things have all happened to me and for me. As I continue to improve my personal relationship with the Lord, He continuously reveals Himself to me many times in different ways leaving no doubt in my mind that He is real. Finally, there are all of prophecies that have already come to pass, prophecies that are currently being fulfilled, just like the Bible reads, and I know the remaining prophecies will also come to pass.

Hi everyone thanks for the replies they have been a great read and will be a great he;p for my dissertation
TaylorTG , May i ask what evidence you have to prove your faith is the truth?
Fourleaf, if not to personal may i asked what personal sufferings made your question your faith?

1. No my dad is okay with me believing but does not believe. My stepmom says I am crazy for believing and God is imaginary

2. Yes... Someone gave me a Bible. I read Psalms and knew God was real. My Aunt gave me my granddads Bible after that and I continued to study and learned. Accepted Christ and was filled with the overwhelming love of The Holy Spirit... This is the short version anyhow.

3. Since accepting Christ I have not once questioned anything but the ways of the world. God has guarded His word in my heart. I am blessed in the best way possible.

4. Faith means to believe something without a doubt. You can place faith in many things, like literally anything. I place my faith in Christ alone.

5. Prayer and Christ's words in The Bible. Also the happiness I now feel, the joy that is so huge I have to share the love with everyone.

Hope this helps with your studies..
God bless.

Love you,
lexi

thats not you questioning.. thats satan getting in your head trying to manipulate you. dont listen to him. he is a liar.

1. Somewhat.
2. Vice versa, the reason being I actually explored opposing arguments and fully read the bible.
3. Yes.
4. A perception or confidence of the truth
5. I don't.

Well, I believe that Christianity is a credible and unique religion, if not the right one. Reasons below:

1) Christianity is the only religion which features God serving man. ---> Jesus Christ.
2) Jesus is the only one who claimed to be God himself and resurrected from the dead. Thus, he is unique along the religions of the world.

3) Jesus presented proof that he was God through miracles. He practiced the supernatural, doing things only God has the authority to do, such as forgiving people of their sins.
[HR][/HR]If it weren't for Jesus's death, resurrection, and ascension, then we wouldn't actually know if Jesus was lord or not: Christianity would be doomed.

Okay, i was raised in a religous home, and most questioned my faith when i came out as being gay at school. The teasing, pain, humiliation, it was bad. But the worst part was the looks. The faces of girls i had been friends with since kindergarten, that was the worst of it. I just felt like, god cant be real! If he were, he wouldnt have made me gay and given me a homophobic family and school. I cried myself to sleep every night for six months. It sucked.

- No reason to question atheism, its not a belief, its non-belief thus the default position. You should only disregard atheism if given good reason to accept some belief system.

- Now to briefly answer your question:
I was raised in a christian home.
I found personally that in times of need, it actually brought me closer to god, strengthening my faith.
What caused me to question my faith was more philosophical than practical. I needed to be able to explain things, and had trouble defending my faith to others without seeing the holes in my own arguments.

May the two of us start a civil debate in PM regarding the existence of a divine creator? If you're interested, of course..

Thanks a lot for your reply Alexis may I ask what you mean by 'the ways of the world'? are you referring to how other people do not believe in God or the evil that happens around us?

Imperfect not to be rude but I don't believe in Satan either :/

Grey,Would you say you more of an agnostic than a Christian? You come across a little unsure of your thoughts.

TaylorTG why i understands your reasons for being a christian,can you really say this is evidence? how do you know the bible is not a book of Chinese whispers or exaggerated for the entertainment of the reader,lastly how do you know Jesus was not a con man? Please do not take offence to any of these questions I am just trying to get all angles of an arguments that may succumb throughout my dissertation.You are more than welcome to question my beliefs.

Notgoethyourtime,do you still consider your self gay now? if so how is this seen by others of your religion?

Doesofreailty, Do you still find flaws in your arguments against others?


Question for all again,I myself am from England, I've noticed around me the majority of people are Atheist or Agnostic. I currently live in a student hall of 32 people and only one of them is a practicing Mormon.
Is this the same case in America?

Thanks a lot everyone I can see a really interesting dissertation coming along.

You are welcome

We are not of this world but of the kingdom of God once saved. Not that I don't live here. Basically anything that is secular, not based upon The Bible I would refer to as worldy. So when I say I only question ways of the world. It's not specifically evil. It's just not God's teaching or from God. An example would be bubblegum, it's not bad but it's worldy. When I say I have not question Christ's teachings but at times ways of the world or worldly things, I mean anything from unkindness, to something I just don't get like rocketry. Not meaning I don't like it or I deny it works, simply meaning I don't get it. Mostly I mean worldy things that teach God is not the truth.

Sorry I am quit dyslexic. So if that's confusing that may be why.

God bless,
lexi

- Yes, the flaws are still there

- It is Not the same in America, depending on where you live, some parts are more religious than others. As a whole though only maybe 20-25% would say they are atheist or agnostic. 80% of Americans believe in "God" .
I need to move to England

Like it or not, Satan exists, and we all must deal with him.
In Grey's defense, I'd say that he just doesn't want to give the enemy too much information.

You might get an answer to this later.
I get what you're saying...

I think there are more believers by population here. Though I will say it depends on the demographic and age group. I live in a small town in Alaska. I'd say of the 47 students in my Sophomore class about 1of 3 believe but way less, attend church on a regular basis. Still 1 in 3 is an accurate number.

Then the rest are mostly agnostic, meaning they believe in something or the possibility of something just aren't sure it's Christ and that The Bible is God's word. The atheist group is by far the smallest.

Hope that helps,
lexi

Thanks alot for your first reply Alexis,and read it well. Don't worry I'm dyslexic aswell

Doseoffreailty? I'm assuming that even with the flaws you face you still are a full believer or you agonstic? may i ask what flaws you have came across? I feel they are flaws in both Christianity and Atheism arguments and i believe we will never reach a full conclusion on who is correct. Would you say it bothers you that everyone is not of the same belief? or do you take it with a pinch of salt and consider it to keep the world interesting.

TaylorTG, would'nt you say referring to me as the enemy is against god wishes? as he preaches to love everyone?
and thanks TaylorTG receiving some answers on the questions I asked you would be great insight to how others see things.

Doesfreailty and Alexis do you think there is a reason for america being more religious than england?
I will give you a short insight on where I am from. I am from a city named Manchester,its very known for its multiculturalism and acceptance of other people. However I would say each religious group and non religious groups appear to be sectioned off from each other. In one area it is orthodox jews where everything around them is cartered to suit their religion such as kosher food shops.The same for the Muslim area, where it is catered to their beliefs,halal food and clothing of their religion.
The same continues for each religions throughout the city. In the city center we are very well known for what is known as the 'Gay village' which is around 150 bars and clubs dedicated for gays lesbians and bi to go and feel accepted.
I've heard many arguments on why Christians being against and not against people sexuality,may i ask you all where you stand in this case and why? Do you believe that England is becoming more and more accepting of other people beliefs and catering for it? where as in america people may feel they have to follow a certain religion due to not feeling accepted or knowing no other way of life? (side note: I was brought up with no religion at all,i was also not raised an atheist. I was just raised by being made aware of religions and ways of life around me. -This bit may sound silly and abit of a unnecessary fact but two of my favorite bands are contradictory of them selfs,Flyleaf and Aiden. Both which preach their beliefs through music.I like to believe it shows that I am open to other people's beliefs even if I do not feel the same way.)