Does it matter why we believe?

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This question came up in a thread. Does it really matter why we are Catholic, as long as we accept all that the Church teaches? Thank you for your answers.
 
Does it matter if you believe the Catholic faith is true, because of historical/philosophical arguments, because of approved apparitions, the argument from prophecy or others. Does the Church teach that (for example) the historical arguments are the most important basis of our believe and that everyone should consider them as the main reason why they are Catholic?
 
If you understand your religion as a relationship with God, then think about all the relationships in your life and why you entered into them.

It doesn’t really matter why you started. And at the same time, your relationship with God should keep growing. Learn about Him. Read His word, and talk to Him.

You may have followed Him for one reason, then found many more reasons to stay.
 
It matters. Remember the parable of the sower and all the seeds that failed. People need to grow spiritually in order to remain faithful and bear fruit.
 
I would say we do. After all our faith has to be “reasonable” and make sense.
 
Yes, we need some rational bases, but it doesn’t really matter if it’s more the historical arguments, philosophical arguments, apparitions etc. Am I right?
 
We need some basis of our faith. Fideism is a condemned idea, but it doesn’t really matter if the historical arguments, philosophical arguments, apparitions etc. Persuade us. Am I right?
 
It’s a very good question indeed . Probably the best I have seen on here my friend.
 
0Scarlett_nidiyilii said:
If you understand your religion as a relationship with God, then think about all the relationships in your life and why you entered into them.

It doesn’t really matter why you started. And at the same time, your relationship with God should keep growing. Learn about Him. Read His word, and talk to Him.

You may have followed Him for one reason, then found many more reasons to stay.
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This. So much this!
 
First we must understand believe and faith are not the same thing.

[James 2:19] says, “You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder.” James is showcasing the difference between mental agreement and a genuine saving faith.

So what is the difference between the demons’ belief and the faith required for eternal salvation? Fortunately, James does not leave us to wonder. The rest of the chapter goes on to explain that faith without any resulting action is useless ([James 2:20]. The kind of faith that saves us is the kind that changes us. We can understand this better through an illustration:

Imagine standing on the brink of the Grand Canyon. A narrow suspension footbridge spans the canyon. It dips in the middle, sways slightly in the wind, and has a few planks missing. Standing with you on the edge is the architect of that bridge. He is world-renowned for his designs, and he holds the plans in his hand. He asks if you have faith in his bridge. You eagerly reply, “Yes! I have faith in you. I believe that bridge will hold my weight.” But real faith does not remain on the brink of the canyon. That is only hope. Faith is when you step out onto the bridge and begin walking across the chasm.

So I am kind of guessing from reading James, God puts believe ( belief ) in our hearts as a gift . But to gain faith we must draw closer to him.

May be I am wrong ?

Very good question.
 
Kullervo said:
We need some basis of our faith. Fideism is a condemned idea, but it doesn’t really matter if the historical arguments, philosophical arguments, apparitions etc. Persuade us. Am I right?
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You sound like someone on a second or third date who is getting cold feet because they actually started dating the man because their friend dared her… or because he looked wealthy… or because he drove a sports car. Okay… so that’s what got you here. It may have been questionable & kind of shallow. But NOW you get to move past that and decide if you want a personal relationship with this individual. Do you?? Whatever led you to the Faith, perhaps now is your time to stop picking it apart and judging it & start asking Jesus to lead you towards his Person moreso than his “qualifications.” “The Jesus I Never Knew” by Philip Yancy is a thought-provoking look at Jesus as a God immersed in earth. Very humanizing. I found it to be a catalyst for a more personal connection to Jesus & perhaps you would find it beneficial to read too.
 
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Of course it does. Would you do or believe in something that does not make sense ? I would not.

Historical and philosophical arguments are also important to complement what reason already point us toward.
 
I think you are right. Many people are brought up Catholic and they never give a thought as to the historical arguments, philosophical arguments or apparitions etc. Some never grow past what they learned in their CCD classes. And I think they may not have ever been challenged to wonder why they believe, they just do. And I don’t think that is wrong either.
 
I think it’s very wrong. If you don’t have a bases for your believe it’s unknowingly living fideism.
 
Irishmom2 said:
And I don’t think that is wrong either.
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It may not be wrong but I would imagine that they could be swayed by non Catholic arguments or have their faith shaken by scandal more easily than one who knows and accepts the arguments.
 
Yes, it does matter. Without faith it is impossible to please God. Faith is defined by the Church as follows (from the First Vatican Council):
  1. This faith, which is the beginning of human salvation, the Catholic Church professes to be a supernatural virtue, by means of which, with the grace of God inspiring and assisting us, we believe to be true what He has revealed, not because we perceive its intrinsic truth by the natural light of reason, but because of the authority of God himself, who makes the revelation and can neither deceive nor be deceived.
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Now, we come to know what God’s revelation is through a wide variety of ways, which is what I think you’re getting at more. But we believe that revelation to be true based on God’s authority.

But it is important to note that faith is not agreement with God–as if what He has revealed was subject to our judgment–but rather is an act of submission and assent to God.
 
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Well okay, tell everyone’s grandparents in the 50s that they were all doing it wrong then. Funny how many of them just went as they were, and there were many more Catholics then. No swaying or converting involved.
 
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