Doubts about some ideas of God

[Venite_Adoremus_1]

Same here. I’ve never really doubted that God existed. I’ve always believed that there had to be some kind of Being out there. I think that my doubts about Him are rather more centered around certain beliefs than God Himself.

For example, I don’t understand how God can send those who live in places that have never heard of Jesus straight to hell because they were born in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I also don’t understand how many churches praise how Joshua and the ancient Israelites slaughtered entire groups of people, even though today we’d call that genocide.

What should I do about these doubts? What exactly does the Catholic Church teach about the these things?

 

[LethalMouse]

Same here. I’ve never really doubted that God existed. I’ve always believed that there had to be some kind of Being out there. I think that my doubts about Him are rather more centered around certain beliefs than God Himself.

For example, I don’t understand how God can send those who live in places that have never heard of Jesus straight to hell because they were born in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Well that is not a catholic teaching. Actually the salvation of the ignorant is a matter for natural law and God’s Will and Mercy.

I also don’t understand how many churches praise how Joshua and the ancient Israelites slaughtered entire groups of people, even though today we’d call that genocide.

I think it is how one looks at things. If God then it is okay.
They were not in the OT generally acting all willy nilly but with direction literally from God. I don’t personally fault what God does.

What should I do about these doubts? What exactly does the Catholic Church teach about the these things?

Well the first doubt is sensible because it is not Catholic teaching at all

Idk about the latter. Idk how to articulate it, but with the doubts I will suggest talking to a priest

Though I am also sure someone here may know some better wording than me on the last

 

[SilverShadow22]

Well that is not a catholic teaching. Actually the salvation of the ignorant is a matter for natural law and God’s Will and Mercy.

I think it is how one looks at things. If God then it is okay.
They were not in the OT generally acting all willy nilly but with direction literally from God. I don’t personally fault what God does.

Well the first doubt is sensible because it is not Catholic teaching at all

Idk about the latter. Idk how to articulate it, but with the doubts I will suggest talking to a priest

Though I am also sure someone here may know some better wording than me on the last

What God does with His own creation cannot be faulted.

That would be like calling me a murderer for writing my own characters out of my novel.

Or, if you prefer something nicer…

Take humanity at large as a single child, and trace its development… When they are infants, you just move them around by force.

Later they understand simple yes and no, but they can’t understand why.

Later still, you can be more precise in your commands.

And finally, you can explain why.

Humanity needed led like a child. Not until we developed enough history to understand more and more complicated concepts of God and morality, could He finish his teaching and give us His Son.

 

[Little_Tiger]

For example, I don’t understand how God can send those who live in places that have never heard of Jesus straight to hell because they were born in the wrong place at the wrong time.

I also don’t understand how many churches praise how Joshua and the ancient Israelites slaughtered entire groups of people, even though today we’d call that genocide.

What should I do about these doubts? What exactly does the Catholic Church teach about the these things?

My friend,
As for your second doubt, please take a look at these links, I hope they will help -
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=352863&highlight=genocide
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=19671&highlight=genocide
As for your first doubt, the earlier poster was correct. The Catholic Church teaches the reality of “baptism of desire”. People who, through no fault of their own, do not know our Lord and His Catholic Church are absolutely NOT condemned for their ignorance - the Church has never taught that, even though religious sisters in parochial schools might have.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says - ““Since Christ died for all, and since all men are in fact called to one and the same destiny, which is divine, we must hold that the Holy Spirit offers to all the possibility of being made partakers, in a way known to God, of the Paschal mystery.” Every man who is ignorant of the Gospel of Christ and of his Church, but seeks the truth and does the will of God in accordance with his understanding of it, can be saved. It may be supposed that such persons would have desired Baptism explicitly if they had known its necessity.”
God bless you!

Your friend and brother in Christ,

Kyle