How do you know you're right?

[BlueShadow123]

Let me direct you back to your question. What about you? How do you know that you are right and we are wrong??? And would yours hold up in court?

I’ve already said numerous times that my belief is based on faith, not scientific fact. And that I could definitely be wrong. I hope I’m not though.

 

[tbcrawford]

I am in that position: I have not made up my mind on Christian churches. I am relying on my personal relationship with God. I know God is real to me because of certain things that have happened.
I have made up my mind about Jesus Christ. But church is a different matter. I have given up with the protestant understanding at the moment because it would take me forever to get my head round all those different denominations. I did think i was right with some churches that i had been to. Then latter i think i am wrong. I have had long periods were i have not gone to any church. I am looking into the history of the catholic church at the moment to get a better understanding. There the ones who put the bible together. There are only 3 different types of catholic churches. RC, OO, EO.

Yep. I understand.

I understand entirely what you both are asking.I sense true sincerity behind the question and not
your goal just to argue.

Well, the primary answer is that Catholicism is the right religion to follow because it is true.

This leads to the question:

Why is it true or how do we know it is true? This is not an easy argument to make. To be honest, it is the Holy Spirit who comes to us and converts, and unless He does, no one will believe… Have first recourse to prayer.

I would encourage you both to pray about it and read the bible,we can look at the Scriptures, and history.

If we first take the Scriptures as historical documents , we see that Jesus was a historical person who lived and taught, was crucified and according to his followers, rose from the dead. If he did not rise from the dead, it seems quite unlikely that a group of (people) disciples would suddenly proclaim a lie (or at least an unsubstantiated fact) with such boldness and courage. We also see how the Scriptures accurately portrayed the faults of the leaders of the early Church; ancient writers tended to hide negative information about themselves but Peter denied his Master and they put it right in there. This is evidence of authenticity.

There are only three possible conclusions about Jesus:

•He lied, in which case he was the worst kind of evil man, which seems unlikely since he had no worldly ambition and died a terrible death he could have easily avoided;
•He was a lunatic, but he doesn’t behave like one; or
•He is who he claims to be, Lord and God, in which case He should be followed.

Anyway, these historical documents tell us they founded a church with Peter as its leader, and we see that church in other historical documents of the time. Since it’s unlikely, as I said, that such a church would be founded on an event in doubtful, tenuous, or unsubstantiated veracity given its explosive growth and amazing fervor, something must of happened, and there is no reason to suppose that the Resurrection didn’t really happen

Thus, accepting that Christ is God and rose from the dead, we trust the testimony of the Church itself and move from considering the Scriptures as historical documents to inspired documents, and demonstrate that the Church is the conduit of all truth (1 Timothy 3:15, John 16:13,
John 14:26, John 3:34, Isaiah 59:20-21, Jude 3, Isaiah 2:2-3)

This is a brief overview of ‘reasons’ but not mine.My own personal experience of faith and my relationship with God are my ‘reasons’.I would never tell you ‘I am right’,nor should anyone.We each have to seek for ourselves.

Christianity is not just a religion; it is a relationship with God. It is a trusting in Jesus and what He did on the cross (1 Cor. 15:1-4), not on what you can do for yourself (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The scripture is right when it says in 1 Pet. 2:7-8, “This precious value, then, is for you who believe. But for those who disbelieve, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, this became the very corner stone,’ and, ‘A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense’; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.” (NASB).

We cannot tell you we know we are right we trust God,His word and we pray and have a relationship with Him.

If you are seeking the truth for yourself my advice would be read the bible often and pray.

Christians do not go around saying Christianity is the only way because they are arrogant, and judgmental. They do so because they believe what Jesus said.

God bless you Happy Christmas and I hope you find the answers you seek

 

[BlueShadow123]

I understand entirely what you both are asking.I sense true sincerity behind the question and not
your goal just to argue.

Well, the primary answer is that Catholicism is the right religion to follow because it is true.

This leads to the question:

Why is it true or how do we know it is true? This is not an easy argument to make. To be honest, it is the Holy Spirit who comes to us and converts, and unless He does, no one will believe… Have first recourse to prayer.

I would encourage you both to pray about it and read the bible,we can look at the Scriptures, and history.

If we first take the Scriptures as historical documents , we see that Jesus was a historical person who lived and taught, was crucified and according to his followers, rose from the dead. If he did not rise from the dead, it seems quite unlikely that a group of (people) disciples would suddenly proclaim a lie (or at least an unsubstantiated fact) with such boldness and courage. We also see how the Scriptures accurately portrayed the faults of the leaders of the early Church; ancient writers tended to hide negative information about themselves but Peter denied his Master and they put it right in there. This is evidence of authenticity.

There are only three possible conclusions about Jesus:

•He lied, in which case he was the worst kind of evil man, which seems unlikely since he had no worldly ambition and died a terrible death he could have easily avoided;
•He was a lunatic, but he doesn’t behave like one; or
•He is who he claims to be, Lord and God, in which case He should be followed.

Anyway, these historical documents tell us they founded a church with Peter as its leader, and we see that church in other historical documents of the time. Since it’s unlikely, as I said, that such a church would be founded on an event in doubtful, tenuous, or unsubstantiated veracity given its explosive growth and amazing fervor, something must of happened, and there is no reason to suppose that the Resurrection didn’t really happen

Thus, accepting that Christ is God and rose from the dead, we trust the testimony of the Church itself and move from considering the Scriptures as historical documents to inspired documents, and demonstrate that the Church is the conduit of all truth (1 Timothy 3:15, John 16:13,
John 14:26, John 3:34, Isaiah 59:20-21, Jude 3, Isaiah 2:2-3)

This is a brief overview of ‘reasons’ but not mine.My own personal experience of faith and my relationship with God are my ‘reasons’.I would never tell you ‘I am right’,nor should anyone.We each have to seek for ourselves.

Christianity is not just a religion; it is a relationship with God. It is a trusting in Jesus and what He did on the cross (1 Cor. 15:1-4), not on what you can do for yourself (Ephesians 2:8-9).

The scripture is right when it says in 1 Pet. 2:7-8, “This precious value, then, is for you who believe. But for those who disbelieve, ‘The stone which the builders rejected, this became the very corner stone,’ and, ‘A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense’; for they stumble because they are disobedient to the word, and to this doom they were also appointed.” (NASB).

We cannot tell you we know we are right we trust God,His word and we pray and have a relationship with Him.

If you are seeking the truth for yourself my advice would be read the bible often and pray.

Christians do not go around saying Christianity is the only way because they are arrogant, and judgmental. They do so because they believe what Jesus said.

God bless you Happy Christmas and I hope you find the answers you seek

You do realize that walking on water, a donkey talking, being swallowed by a giant fish, turning water to wine, and being born from somebody who did not have sex, requires faith?

None of those are scientifically possible or proven, so to believe that they actually happened, you would need faith. I’m not saying they didn’t happen, I’m saying you would need faith to THINK they did, because well, normally, its scientifically impossible for that to happen.

Ok, now that we have that aside, yes you are right that you can either trust what Jesus said, or trust one of the other thousands of religions out there.

I choose this one, for a lot of reasons. (personal you could say)

Why did you choose this one?

 

[Amir_the_Masihi]

If we “knew” then it wouldn’t be faith then, would it?

God giving the vast majority of us irrefutable proof of his existence (especially in this modern age where everything is recorded) would be akin to a teacher giving his students the answers to an exam before they finish it. We’re not supposed to “know”, that’s how God tests our faith.

Oh, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that life is then just some sort of game of cards where you hope you made the right decision. You do “know” if you’re following the right faith, but you will only know in a way which is 100% personal to you.

Take the Disciples for instance. While this is purely my opinion right now, I would say that some of them believed Jesus to be God in the flesh because of His miracles, others because of a simple feeling they felt within their hearts when they met Him, talked with Him and walked with Him.

Peace.

 

[BlueShadow123]

If we “knew” then it wouldn’t be faith then, would it?

God giving the vast majority of us irrefutable proof of his existence (especially in this modern age where everything is recorded) would be akin to a teacher giving his students the answers to an exam before they finish it. We’re not supposed to “know”, that’s how God tests our faith.

Oh, don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying that life is then just some sort of game of cards where you hope you made the right decision. You do “know” if you’re following the right faith, but you will only know in a way which is 100% personal to you.

Take the Disciples for instance. While this is purely my opinion right now, I would say that some of them believed Jesus to be God in the flesh because of His miracles, others because of a simple feeling they felt within their hearts when they met Him, talked with Him and walked with Him.

Peace.

Yes, and I choose to have faith in this religion, and I choose to believe it.

 

[shaky]

Yes, and I choose to have faith in this religion, and I choose to believe it.

‘‘Well Said’’

Have you Read ‘‘Didache’’ 70-120 AD. Teaching of the 12 Apostles. These early writings have broken down the walls of Protestantism for me.

 

[BlueShadow123]

‘‘Well Said’’

Have you Read ‘‘Didache’’ 70-120 AD. Teaching of the 12 Apostles. These early writings have broken down the walls of Protestantism for me.

Yeah I know about that too.

 

[ZAKI]

Out of the thousands of religions in the world, how do you know yours is right? I’m asking every individual that read this; how do you know you’re right on this?

Just a question.

you don’t. it’s a matter of faith and how you feel, but personally im not sure

 

[BlueShadow123]

you don’t. it’s a matter of faith and how you feel, but personally im not sure

Exactly. I would definitely know for sure it was true if God showed himself to me and told me this was the right religion, but then people would call me crazy and might tell me to go to counseling and that I ‘needed’ help.

However this has never happened, so I’m left with just feeling what is right for me. and I choose to believe this one.

 

[Amir_the_Masihi]

Yes, and I choose to have faith in this religion, and I choose to believe it.

Well, my friend, I agree with you 100%.

 

[tbcrawford]

You do realize that walking on water, a donkey talking, being swallowed by a giant fish, turning water to wine, and being born from somebody who did not have sex, requires faith?

None of those are scientifically possible or proven, so to believe that they actually happened, you would need faith. I’m not saying they didn’t happen, I’m saying you would need faith to THINK they did, because well, normally, its scientifically impossible for that to happen.

Ok, now that we have that aside, yes you are right that you can either trust what Jesus said, or trust one of the other thousands of religions out there.

I choose this one, for a lot of reasons. (personal you could say)

Why did you choose this one?

Hello BlueShadow sorry it has taken a while for me to get back been busy with family over Christmas.I hope you have been having a good Christmas.

Why did I ‘choose’ this one? Rather though I was led to the Catholic Church.My heart and mind were softened to be led by the Holy Spirit to the truth.I spent a good deal of my life questioning everything,not just accepting things at face value.I was raised a cradle catholic but like most teenagers questioned things.When my first child died I questioned things even further.I investigated other religions.I stopped praying.I lost faith and hope.Gradually I was led by the Holy Spirit to come back to the true Church as started by Jesus Himself.Many 'things’have happened to me and I realise now these things were God calling me home to His church.

“Scepticism is the beginning of Faith.” (Oscar Wilde)

I had faith but faith needs to be nurtured.

What is Faith
Faith is a “spiritual substance” on the inside of you that can either grow or wane

If you don’t continue to seek after knowledge about God, your faith will stagnate - it will stop growing
This is why the Bible says that your faith will grow by hearing the Word of God. In other words, your faith will grow as you continue to increase your knowledge base about the Lord, especially through the study of Scripture.

When you are hearing the Word of God - you are increasing your knowledge levels about God, and that is what will cause the Holy Spirit to raise your faith.

“Now faith is the SUBSTANCE of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)
Greek definition of ‘substance’ ’ (hypostasis’)

“A setting under or support (foundation), assurance, confidence, confident expectation, an assured impression and a mental realizing.”

“… God has dealt to each one a MEASURE OF FAITH.” (Romans 12:3)

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
Definition of Faith
“The assurance of things hoped for, a belief or confident attitude toward God, conviction, trust, belief, reliance, and a trustworthiness towards God.”

An analogy is…plant a seed(of faith),water it,feed it nourish it with sunlight and watch it grow and blossom.If you don’t feed it it will wither and die.
Every time i receive Holy Communion I pray immediately afterward for His Body and Blood
to feed and nourish my soul and my faith.

I realised I needed to pray about things.I began to pray and now have gradually built up to a very enjoyable prayerlife over the past few years.I chat to God throughout my day.

 

[tbcrawford]

Eventually it comes down to… read and learn as much as possible but you need to pray also.

“You will indeed listen, but never understand, and will indeed look, but never perceive. For this people’s heart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearing, and they have shut their eyes; so that they might not look with their eyes, and listen with their ears, and understand with their heart and turn - and I would heal them.” Matthew 13.14

PRAYER OF AFFIRMATION

I am loved by God; I am made by God; I am forgiven by God; I am accepted by God unconditionally; I am a child of God; I am sustained by God; I am important to God; I am used by God; I am enabled by God; I am destined for God. Amen.

PRAYER FOR FAITH
Lord, I believe: I wish to believe in Thee. Lord, let my faith be full and unreserved, and let it penetrate my thought, my way of judging Divine things and human things. Lord, let my faith be joyful and give peace and gladness to my spirit, and dispose it for prayer with God and conversation with men, so that the inner bliss of its fortunate possession may shine forth in sacred and secular conversation. Lord, let my faith be humble and not presume to be based on the experience of my thought and of my feeling; but let it surrender to the testimony of the Holy Spirit, and not have any better guarantee than in docility to Tradition and to the authority of the magisterium of the Holy Church.
Amen.

 

[tbcrawford]

Faith is to believe what we do not see; and the reward of this faith is to see what we believe.

• Saint Aurelius Augustine (Augustine of Hippo)

If you are going to limit your belief only to what you can detect with your senses, you are excluding a great deal of reality. The universe contains more than you can discover on your own.
If you depend only on what your eyes can see and nothing else, you are prone to error as well. Your eyes may tell you the sun rises and sets, but your reason (and your human faith in what astronomers, mathematicians, and physicists tell us) makes your realize the truth–the Earth moves around the sun.
There are many things, including spiritual things, that exist whether you have seen them or not. A person who declines to accept their existence is not working on the basis of sound reason, but on “blind faith,” and someone who insists nothing exists beyond what his senses can detect–particularly someone who rejects out of hand the supernatural–might be called out of sync with reality.
I recommend you read Frank Sheed’s best book, Theology and Sanity. Despite the title, Theology and Sanity has nothing to do with psychiatry. Sheed said a man who rejects the supernatural is like a physician who rejects bacteria. You begin to think he isn’t all there. A physician who says bacteria aren’t real operates from prejudice, not science, and someone who says the supernatural isn’t real operates the same way

Ever wondered how Christians have come to believe in Heaven, Hell, Angels and the Devil through scripture? Ever doubted that you could come to a rational belief of those concepts using logic, through combining philosophy and theology? Rejoice becuase Mr. Sheed reconciles both of those for you, beautifully and clearly.

In an age where philosophy, academia, and society hold religious belief as subrational, Frank Sheed shines as a beacon for those who desire to begin the grave and joyous journey of reconciling faith with reason. His explainations of Catholic theology and the metaphysical realities it upholds prove to be some of the clearest of our time. His explaination of how those realities are translated into practical application,(morality), prove equally lucid. His embarkation into the mystery of the Holy Trinity leaves one with much to meditate upon. This book is for anyone seeking to understand their Catholic faith

 

[tbcrawford]

There are quite a few people who have drifted away from the Church, and from many other churches as well. This may be mostly due to the fact that when we grow up, we realize that we believe certain things just because we were told they were true by people we trust, and not because we ever thought about them at all. This makes us uneasy, and we start looking in other places for beliefs that we can call our own.

But there is, after all, one and only one Truth; and being a child of God, you have the ability to recognize it. Life is generally long, and a good person will learn more about herself and more about God every day. This is all very human and very natural. Since God knows absolutely everything (a difficult enough concept on its own), He knows that this will happen, and gives us the grace to find our way back. All you have to do is to accept that grace.

Prayer shows our trust and faith in God. He does not need our prayers, but we do. They are a source of grace. So in His infinite love for us, God wants us to receive this grace that we can only get by a voluntary act of will, a free choice to make the effort to show our belief in God through prayer. Frequent prayer will strengthen our faith and trust and lead us to heaven, and that is God’s goal.

Religion, after all, is not about a set of rules to follow, or splitting doctrinal hairs. It is about experiencing God’s love. We have to deeply believe that He loves us as selflessly as a parent, as passionately as a lover. It may be that the whole of humankind can become one family and live together in peace and affection. This is the story that Christ told us; this is the vision and faith that keeps us Catholic

The Church emphasizes that God is infinitely merciful and compassionate and fair, and gives everyone who has ever lived enough grace to reach heaven, whether or not they ever heard of Christ’s sacrifice before God offers them this knowledge (in His infinite goodness) in the last timeless instant of their lives.

When children (especially boys) have gone astray, perhaps getting into trouble with the police or dropping out of school, our fathers take a rather hard line. “The no-good bum, throw him out of the house and let him see what the real world is like for awhile!” Mom always takes the kid’s side. “Oh, he’s a good boy. You’ll see. He will find his way; don’t be so hard on him. He just needs more love.”

The Church is like our mum. She sees only the good in us. She is always eager to take us back, and show how much she loves us, no matter what we have done. We can always go home to Holy Mother Church and know that only complete forgiveness and unconditional love await us.

First, while Christ was teaching on earth, He established a Church with St. Peter as the founding head. He gave this Church absolute authority not specifically over the Bible, which had not yet been written or even thought of, but over all things and all matters spiritual. The Bible says this, in no uncertain terms, in Matthew 16: 17-20.

Then, the Apostles and Disciples of Christ started spreading His Church by going out all over the known world preaching. This was all oral teaching, as was the practice of the day. What they knew of Christ and His teaching were passed word of mouth from person to person.

 

[tbcrawford]

We realise that every believer has been given a measure of faith by God. (Romans 12:3). We just have to use and develop what God has given. We must put it into action.

Develop a life of praise and worship. Praise drives the powers of darkness away and brings the throne of God into your circumstances. Praising God is an act of faith and helps your faith to grow. It is commanded (Hebrews 13:15). Worship is admiring God through the Spirit. If you can perceive who is God, His power, faithfulness and love your trust and faith in Him will grow.

Spend as much time as you can with people of faith. The spirit of faith on them will touch your life also (Proverbs 13:20).

“The essence of perfection is to embrace the will of God in all things, prosperous or adverse. In prosperity, even sinners find it easy to unite themselves to the divine will; but it takes saints to unite themselves to God’s will when things go wrong and are painful to self-love. Our conduct in such instances is the measure of our love of God.”

St Alphonsus de Liguori