Dare To Ask Talk And News About Our Differences - This topic has 13 replies, 14 voices, and was last updated 24 years, 5 months ago by
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As teenagers grow up, they find that they need to doubt and test what they have been told for years. Teenagers, in growing up, no longer can hold onto their parents’ coattails, but need to establish for themselves what they truly believe, rather than believe what their parents say. I commend you for your honesty, and urge you to spend time ‘alone with God and the Bible.’ Know what you truly believe, rather than pacifying your parents. I wouldn’t call you an agnostic or an atheist for that matter. I would call you a believer going through a crisis of faith. I would also add, that this will probably not be your only crisis of faith. I have gone through a few myself. The silver lining in the experience of crisis is that when you come through it, you will feel confident about what you believe.
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Name : Ronald V., Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Christian, Age : 47, City : Edmonton, State : NA, Country : Canada, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class,I am a 16-year-old Catholic, and recently I have found myself doubting the only religion I have ever known. Perhaps it is because it is all I’ve ever known that I no longer accept every aspect of this faith. My confirmation is coming up in a few months. I do not want to go through with it for obvious reasons. Is it normal to have such tremendous doubts at my age? Could this just be a phase? I sometimes find myself doubting the very existence of God. Would it be safe to call myself agnostic until I figure out my thoughts?
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Name : J.M.L., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : Chicana, Religion : Unsure about religion, Age : 16, City : San Diego, State : CA, Country : United States,I went through the same thing when I was 17. I decided not to be confirmed because I had serious concerns about the organized religion of Catholicism (i.e. women’s right to choice, women’s role within the church structure, etc.) I have since explored other ways to be spiritual including attending Unitarian services which I found to be less ‘organized’ (structured) if you will, but still very spiritual. Perhaps more exploration would answer your very personal questions about God’s existence which I found to be separate from questions raised by Catholicism’s restrictive doctrines.
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Name : karen, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 28, City : lake worth, State : FL, Country : United States, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,It’s normal to have doubts. Look at Moses when he asked for proof before he would follow God. He received a burning bush. Noah sent out a crow and a dove, just to make sure there was land out there even though God said He would take care of him. Thomas had to feel Christ’s wounds. I, myself, have had doubts. In fact, it was around your age, too. And while I call myself a Catholic, I don’t agree with everything the Church says. And for many people this is the same way. That is why the Church keeps on changing. Is it a phase? Maybe. But don’t write it off as one. The way I removed my doubts was by surrounding myself in other religions. And the more I explored other religions, the more I found myself being pulled back to the Catholic Church. However, this may not be the case for you. If this is so, don’t fight it. It’s not wrong. It’s who you are. Should you go through with your Confirmation? Only if you want to. But talk it over with your parents. Don’t let them be in the dark. Should you call yourself an agnostic? Again, if you want to. It would lead to less conflict if someone were to ask what religion you are.
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Name : Mekki20751, Gender : F, Race : Irish/Puerto Rican, Religion : Catholic, Age : 23, City : Virginia Beach, State : VA, Country : United States,I’d say it’s normal to have doubts. I certainly did around 16 or 17. Take some time to think about it all. If you don’t believe everything, why go through a process designed to say you do? You can always be confirmed later, if you decide to do so. In my opinion, they push this confirmation thing too early. I was confirmed at 14 and hadn’t given much thought to my religious beliefs. It turned out that I eventually stopped believing. For lack of a better word, I’d call myself an atheist, but the labels ‘atheist’ and ‘agnostic’ seem to have a negative connotation. Just tell people you want some time to figure out your thoughts.
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Name : Patrick30450, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Religion : Atheist, Age : 21, City : n/a, State : CA, Country : United States, Occupation : student, Education level : 2 Years of College,Your doubts are a natural process. At 16 I also doubted not just a religious system but God as well. I doubted my knowledge of Him. What made the change for me? Why did I accept Him and come to trust in Him more and more? It was not some great philosophical argument that settled my mind. It was this: ‘Examine yourself to see whether you are in the faith; test yourself. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you – unless, of course, you fail the test?’ – 1 Corinthians 13:5
You will know He is real when you meet Him. No man can tell me that my wife does not exist, because I have met her and have a friendship with her. In the same way, when you meet God and develop a close friendship with Him, your doubts will cease. But this initial meeting happens often in solitude with God’s Word, and always in faith.
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Name : D. Risko, Gender : M, Age : 23, City : Chattanooga, State : TN, Country : United States, Occupation : Banker, Education level : Over 4 Years of College,PERHAPS YOU ARE DOUBTING FOR A GOOD REASON. THE CATHOLIC CHURCH PLACES ITSELF AS THE ONLY PATHWAY TO HEAVEN, WHEREAS THE BIBLE STATES THAT JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY. A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUR CHURCH AFFILIATION, IT HAS TO DO WITH ACCEPTING THE FREE GIFT OF SALVATION THAT GOD HAS OFFERED US. THE BIBLE TEACHES THAT IN OUR NATURAL STATE WE ARE SEPERATED FROM GOD BY OUR SIN. UNLESS THAT SITUATION IS REMEDIED WE WILL GO TO HELL. GOD DOES NOT WANT FOR THAT TO HAPPEN, SO HE CAME TO EARTH IN THE FORM OF JESUS CHRIST TO TAKE ON OUR SINS AND DIE FOR THEM. IN RETURN HE OFFERS US HIS OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS. ALL WE HAVE TO DO IS BELIEVE THAT WE NEED SALVATION AND THAT HE CAN AND WILL GRANT IT TO US BECAUSE OF THE WORK HE DID ON THE CROSS.ACCORDING TO THE BIBLE I YOU ACCEPT THESE THINGS YOU WILL BE SAVED AND YOUR SALVATION WILL NEVER BE TAKEN FROM YOU. IT IS BASED ON FAITH, NOT WORKS. I SUGGEST THAT YOU READ YOUR BIBLE TO FIND OUT WHAT GOD WANTS FOR YOU TO KNOW. TRY STARTING WITH THE BOOK OF JOHN OR THE BOOK OF ROMANS. I WILL BE PRAYING FOR YOU.
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Name : Cari M., Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Baptist, Age : 23, City : cinti, State : OH, Country : United States, Occupation : HOMEMAKER, Education level : High School Diploma, Social class : Middle class,As I’m sure you’ve figured out by now, it’s perfectly normal to doubt the faith in which you’ve been raised. I was also raised Catholic and began to seriously examine my beliefs at about my mid-20’s. For me, it started with really listening to the words I was reciting blindly every Sunday – especially The Apostles Creed. ‘Did I really believe each and every thing?’, I’d ask myself. Anyway, take your time with this one. To engage in this struggle at your age is vey courageous. You are clearly a very spiritual person, and your journey is just beginning. Lead with your heart and good luck! Blessed be!
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Name : Carbema, City : New York, State : NY, Country : United States,Evaluating the religious tradition which you’ve inherited is part of the process of becoming an adult. At some point, each of us has to make the tradition we’ve been given our own if we are to remain within it. You might be interested to learn that not everything you may know about Catholicism requires the absolute unquestioning assent of your mind. There’s room for questioning and doubt – theologians do it regularly. I teach Confirmation students, and this year when one of the students elected not to become Confirmed for similar reasons, I supported her choice. In addition to speaking with your parents, please make an appointment to see your priest or pastoral minister for help thinking this through. They may be able to help you articulate just what is at the roots of your questioning.
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Name : C.J.L., Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Catholic, City : West Bloomfield, State : MI, Country : United States,My father grew up Catholic, and when he was in college, he did the same thing that you are doing. He found, and I have found, that the Bible is the final authority, not a religion. There are many things in the Catholic religion that disagree with God’s written word, in fact the Bible was on the top of the Forbidden Books list that the Pope made until the 50’s. My advice and prayer for you is that you read the Bible the best way you know how to, and pray that God will reveal it to you. If you come to the conclusion that you do not beleive what Catholics do, then by all means do something about it! This is eternity we are talking about. If you would like to email me or my father with questions, my address is kheard1@lsu.edu Love, A Christian
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Name : Kayeli Heard, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Christian, Age : 19, City : Baton Rouge, State : LA, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,I am quite possibly the most hardened non-believer you’ll ever meet. In my opinion, God – and religion in general – was created by man to provide an explanation for all the things in the world he couldn’t himself find an answer for. In particular, the origin of life, and perhaps more importantly, the Meaning of Life. As humans, we don’t like to think we’re here solely until we die, and then it’s all over. We need to feel that we’re actually here for a reason, rather than just floating aimlessly through the ether. It’s when people decide they can accept that there is no particular purpose to life that they lose their faith in God – because they no longer have a use for Him. I have also heard people relate to God as a support mentor or something similar, someone you can turn to when you’re having a bad patch or whatever. Provided you believe this ‘being’ can help you, whether He actually exists or not is irrelevant. The important thing is that you can rely on him/her/it. As for your doubts, I can’t say I blame you. My doubts led me to drop everything I thought I believed in – and I’m very grateful for that.
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Name : Andrew, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Atheist, Age : 20, City : Wellington, State : NA, Country : New Zealand, Occupation : Student, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Upper middle class,I was confirmed into the Catholic faith when I was about 14. At that point I had no idea what I believed or even what I was doing half the time. Since then I have explored a number of different religions and paths. Right now my focus is Buddhism and I find what I am looking for there. I do think the Catholic Church is one of the most accepting and understanding of the Christian faiths. So many religions think they have the corner on righteousness, but I think Catholics, in general, just go about their business and let you go about yours. Many hardcore opponents say that Catholics have no faith, but I think the opposite is true. Catholics are comfortable enough in the faith to let you come to your own decision. At your age, if it means conflict between you and your parents otherwise, you might find the Catholic church to be an excellent foundation to begin your spiritual journey. And maybe someday it will be more to you.
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Name : Chris G., Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Buddhist, Age : 25, City : Lansing, State : MI, Country : United States, Occupation : bartender, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class,Don’t be afraid to ask yourself tough questions. Is it God you don’t believe in, or just the teachings of the church? Is there another established religion that makes more sense to you, or is it time to establish your own rules? Don’t be afraid to answer these questions honestly, and don’t be afraid if the answer is ‘I don’t know.’ I was raised Catholic, but no longer believe in God. However, one of the nice things about being an atheist is I have no need to go looking for converts. If you disagree with church teachings, that’s fine, but it’s not the same thing as not believing in God. Take time to examine your beliefs quietly. When you discover what you truly believe, you will emerge with new confidence, strength and joy. As to what to call yourself, if you feel you are agnostic, then that’s fine. Just don’t feel pressured to take up any label that you’re not comfortable with. There’s nothing wrong with saying ‘I’m just not sure right now,’ or ‘I have my own beliefs.’
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Name : Lisa S., Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Atheist, Age : 25, City : Washington, State : PA, Country : United States, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Middle class,I refused my confirmation at age 12. I found my true religion and converted at age 19. The sense of fulfillment is undescribable. Listen to your heart. Go where your questions are answered. Delve. Dont stop until you find your answers–the ones that make sense to you. Then you’ll be home.
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Name : Caroline32358, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Straight, Religion : Jewish, Age : 25, City : Arlington, State : TX, Country : United States, Education level : Over 4 Years of College,
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