Why don't I believe it? (beliefs, churches, experience, pray)

[tomspug]

Here's an existential topic for you.

I have never believed anything other than Christianity, and by that, I mean a strong, unwavering faith in Christianity. This does not mean I have never asked questions or closed my mind to other beliefs. Although I am sure that criteria could describe many Christians with 'stubborn' faith.

But I don't think it's stubborn. I feel like I simply understand my faith very well and have yet to find any persuasive arguments against its principles. I find that the only times in life where my faith is shaken, it is not by arguments of wisdom or logic (I'm very reassured to have both of those on my side, actually. My personality is inclined to seek out both constantly.) but by moments of sorrow and grief, personal struggle and loss.

During these times, it can be very difficult to recognize and understand God. But that's personal stuff. When it comes to discussion and debate, I've never really felt wavered or discouraged by people with different perspectives.

Is this a universal thing? Do most of you hold onto your beliefs for the same reasons? Personally, I think it's a key factor in whether or not you HAVE faith: not how stubborn you are, but how confident you are (confidence through experience, I mean).

Or perhaps there are arguments that I am simply closing myself off to. I think after a while being on this forum, you kind of hear them all. This site certainly isn't short on arguments why NOT to believe in Christianity. But so far I've never not known or been able to look up a satisfactory (in my mind) rebuttal.

Just to give an example, being on this forum has SIGNIFICANTLY altered my political views. I've gone from being a fairly ignorant conservative to a most-definitely centrist.

My faith, on the other hand, has gotten stronger the longer I have been here. I'm not sure what the debate is here, but I felt like sharing this. But I think that a site like Religious Forums deserves to be recognized for tempering our beliefs, whatever they are. I know it's also possible for people to just be consistently stubborn, but it doesn't seem like those people stick around for more than a few months, if a few days.

Anyways, tell me about YOUR faith. Has it gotten stronger? Has it changed? Why is it that other arguments have not convinced YOU?

[Random]

RF has not changed my fundamental convictions, but it has driven me near mad a few times. It is supposed to challenge everything one holds dear anyway, so maybe that's a good thing. The people who don't stick around very long are maybe very sensible, they don't want an internet forum making them unhappy about who they are. No-one can tell you that, anyway. You have to discover yourself alone, but if that involves dialogue and dispute to reconcile, then @ least no-one can say you did it the easy way.

[Phasmid]

My faith is almost dead. I'm much happier not being particularly religious. I find that Christianity causes me stress. The thought of an omnipotent god watching my every move, hearing my every thought, knowing my future, caused me great discomfort.

My view now is, if there is a god, he's far beyong our understanding and so likely doesn't care much about us... just look at the world and you'll see that. But I find that somewhat comforting. It's made me stand on my own two feet and realise I can achieve things myself. I do not need god to hold my hand through all the petty, insignficant aspects of my mundane existence.

[Kungfuzed]

When major bad things happen it makes me humble. It can make me a little more open to suggestion. I used to pray alot more during rough times. Now I turn to those around me for support when something happens. I guess it all depends. Adversity and challenges can make me stronger and form bonds with those who are truly my friends and loved ones. Depression and despair can do the opposite.

[rocka21]

My faith has changed.

I look at the bible a little different now.

It took me out of my little " religious box" I was in for so many years.

I don't post that often anymore , but I still read a lot of threads.

I like the posts of .. Dopp, FFH, KATZ, AUTO-, and sometimes midnight (lol) ,the most.

me and rev. rick seem to be on the same side a lot of times also.

O, yeah, I cant forget Victor. ( good stuff!).

Even thou we differ in opinion most of the time, its good to hear the other side of things instead of being surrounded by narrow minded people all the time.

[tomspug]

My faith is almost dead. I'm much happier not being particularly religious. I find that Christianity causes me stress. The thought of an omnipotent god watching my every move, hearing my every thought, knowing my future, caused me great discomfort.

My view now is, if there is a god, he's far beyong our understanding and so likely doesn't care much about us... just look at the world and you'll see that. But I find that somewhat comforting. It's made me stand on my own two feet and realise I can achieve things myself. I do not need god to hold my hand through all the petty, insignficant aspects of my mundane existence.

I think that, in general, religion, by definition, causes stress.

The whole idea of Christianity is that we are imperfect and incapable of living up to the standard that is necessary to escape the curse of death. Literally, it is inescapable. And yet, for some wild reason, even though we are supposed to rely on a loving God to give us the strength necessary, many churches DEMAND that we do our best to live up to the standard that the Bible tells us is IMPOSSIBLE to follow. Absolutely, it's stressful.

Not only that, many churches imply that God hates it when people don't meet the standard, as if he EXPECTS us to achieve the impossible. (I'll tell ya, that's one dumb God if that's true. Imagine punishing a three-legged dog for running slower than the other dogs)

[Dirty Penguin]

Originally Posted by tomspug

Why don't I believe it?

Because there is no reason to.

gods are like money....they are only of some value because we give it value.

[mball1297]

I have learned a lot from being on RF. I wasn't really sure what I believed when I started here, but I have very clear ideas on things now. That is not to say that I know everything, but I know what I believe and why I believe it now. It still changes, though, sometimes when a different perspective presents itself in a new way, but, at this point, it's just slight changes, not to the point of any kind of "conversion".

[Starfish]

The discussion in RF has helped to strengthened my testimony in the gospel of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The constant need to back up my beliefs has motivated me into more Bible study. That's always good. The scriptures never let me down.
The arguing in RF sometimes sucks me in; which is not good, and I have to always be careful to not offend, nor to be offended. That's a challenge.