Combating skepticism

[StJoseph8]

Lately I’ve had some strong, unwanted skeptical thoughts about Catholicism. Of course, one needs to be a critical thinker at every time, but these thoughts seem quite irrational. I try to answer these thoughts by looking up information on Catholic Answers and other sites, but the thought comes, “Well, why is that true?”, etc. Like I said, I don’t want these thoughts. Any suggestions on how to deal with this would be appreciated.

 

[St_Francis]

Treat them as you would temptations: gently turn your mind away from them, and if they get too insistent, pray for help! Do not address them logically, do not look things up, maybe pray the Creed or otherwise remind yourself of the authority of the Church, and let the evil thoughts go.

And pray the Act of Faith frequently.

 

[Lucretius]

Lately I’ve had some strong, unwanted skeptical thoughts about Catholicism. Of course, one needs to be a critical thinker at every time, but these thoughts seem quite irrational. I try to answer these thoughts by looking up information on Catholic Answers and other sites, but the thought comes, “Well, why is that true?”, etc. Like I said, I don’t want these thoughts. Any suggestions on how to deal with this would be appreciated.

This is why we must believe by faith primarily, and reason obyk secondarily. Our intellects are weak, and if we believe in doctrines of the Church by reason alone you will end up rejecting it eventually. The passions and demons love to mess with us weaklings (wouldn’t it be convenient that the Faith is false, but only just when I want to eat more on Ash Wednesday ).

This is from someone who was converted largely due to the reasonableness of the faith.

Christi pax,

Lucretius

 

[HelenRose]

Lately I’ve had some strong, unwanted skeptical thoughts about Catholicism. Of course, one needs to be a critical thinker at every time, but these thoughts seem quite irrational. I try to answer these thoughts by looking up information on Catholic Answers and other sites, but the thought comes, “Well, why is that true?”, etc. Like I said, I don’t want these thoughts. Any suggestions on how to deal with this would be appreciated.

Think of how Jacob wrestled with God. When I call out to God, “I believe, help thou my unbelief.” I think of how Jacob wrestled with God. I believe that God does not want blind faith but a faith that is based on honest questions.

Do not be afraid of doubt. Face it honestly. Wrestle with God. When He wins you will win.

Practical advice: Associate with intelligent Catholics. Take classes. Study the life of Saint John Paul II. Read the writings of Pope Benedict. Immerse yourself in the writings of the fathers of the Church. Place yourself in the path of the many truly brilliant scholars and doctors of the Church.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Sometimes skepticism comes out of a desire to follow our own will, rather than surrendering to Jesus Christ, those things we have yet to reconcile with our own intellect.

Christianity is about sacrifice, i.e. sacrificing ourselves in order to live closer to Jesus.

Obedience to the teachings of the Church require self-sacrifice in accepting the fact that we don’t have all the answers and Christ gave us guides, i.e. the Church, to teach us how we should live.

Its not easy, but through prayer, God will give us an understanding in all things which are true, which will result in seeing that His way is the way of freedom.

Jim

 

[littlestsouls2]

Firstly, prayer.

Secondly, study.

You can also combat these temptations indirectly. No Church teaching exists in isolation; if one dogma falls, they all fall. Likewise, if one stands, they all stand.

Suppose you are tempted to doubt the authority of the Church. You might answer this doubt with the fact of Eucharistic miracles, which confirm that the Church possesses Truth Himself. And so on.