Please help

[rk27]

Ok. I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a catholic anymore, but I’m trying to figure out why it’s so hard for me to believe in something I was taught from a very early age and even studied fervently for a while. I’m going to list a few of the problems I have with Catholicism and even religion in general. These are things that i truly have a problem with and am honestly trying to find an answer. It may seem that i am trying to start an argument or am just putting the Church down, but i TRULY am interested in the answers to these questions. If anyone has insight on any of these please share.

1. Why is Mass necessary? Now before I start getting bible passages, especially, “keep holy the Sabbath…” I’m questioning religion in general, not simply why I need to go to mass. If God created me with a sense of humor, the ability to do work, someone who’s generally not a very boring guy; why would he want or even make it necessary to sit for an hour in a church reciting monotonous prayers and terrible church music. In other words, why is sitting in mass better than taking an hour out of my Sunday to do something good for someone else (grant it i generally don’t, but for arguments sake).
2. Faith?? I’m a man of science. I’m in med school right now and, although I can be an idiot at times, I generally consider myself an intelligent person. I’ve seen, experienced and studied things that leave little doubt in my mind that there is SOMETHING out there, whether it be a God or just a "cosmic goodness”. BUT, if we’re talking about the God I learned about in grammar school, why is faith necessary? Why doesn’t God reveal himself like he supposedly did 2000 years ago and give proof to this religion. Now the problem is I’ve learned a lot about catholicism, and the more I learned the harder it was for me to believe in it’s teachings. There is a lot of arguments for why faith is necessary that make a lot of sense while you’re talking about it but not so much when you actually think on it. Would making His existence a known fact, rather than a possibility, really change the way things are. I understand the test of faith, the journey, or whatever you want to call it, but it honestly seems like a joke. In reality it seems like a sick test on His part. Kind of like a “now you see me now you don’t, but you have to believe in me anyway”. And as cliche as it is for me to say, has blindly believing in anything so fully really ever been a great idea? doubting thomas was given proof after the crucifixion. Why am I wrong to want my own proof?
3. Biggest thing for me: Why is Catholicism more “right” than other forms of christianity and religions. Jehovah witnesses. maybe. if i remember correctly. Which ever religion it is, there is a some book that was written by a man who claimed was inspired by the Holy Spirit. However, this faith is wrong because…isn’t that what 4 guys from the catholic church said as well (New Testament). So what’s that about?
4. This may be pushing the line for this website, but i’m honestly interested and wondering. Like i said i was Catholic, i still go to mass occasionally with my girlfriend, and i’m trying to find a reason to believe again. so, Jesus. The foundation of christianity, the son of God. Everything we know about the man comes from the teachings of the aforementioned 4 guys who were “inspired by the Holy Spirit”. I know that there are some other records of the existence of A Jesus, and other religions recognize him as at least a prophet, but what we are taught and believe comes from the gospels. Today, the Church uses science to prove/disprove miracles. There wasn’t a lot of science back then to prove/disprove anything. We accept stories like turning water into wine, and walking on water, but how easy would it be to make something like that up in a book (which was written years after the fact). A recent gospel at mass was about Jesus rubbing clay in a blind man’s eyes and causing him to see again. All i could find myself thinking was, “ok, is there any other proof of miracles like these happening that doesn’t come only from the bible?”
5. Why the secrecy?? I read something about the writings of the pope are locked up for 70ish years before anyone can look at them. The vatican archives: if there is something you’re looking for you have to request that exact volume if you can even get that, there is no browsing or entrance.
6. evolution. I don’t know what the official belief is now, but I can tell you with 100% certainty that it happened. I do believe in the clockmaker argument, that God designed us to evolve to this certain point (we’ll probably stay at this point for a while because due to technology there’s not a lot of natural selection occurring). evolution can and has already been proven on a small scale in a petri dish and hospital with bacteria. Bacteria evolve to become multi-drug resistant on the basis of natural selection. DNA is mutated, translocated, and transfused until a genome is reached that allows the bacteria to overcome the antibiotics given. This can happen in a manner of weeks, so you can imagine what can happen in a manner of millions of years. I bring this up to highlight how much the Catholic church changes it’s beliefs. at one point science was sorcery and the work of the devil. now, the Catholic church uses it in many settings. evolution was scientists trying to prove that God doesn’t exist (which it doesn’t), but if it hasn’t already, it will admit that this is what occurred soon in the future. If the Catholic church was the sole authority on our beliefs of Jesus and God 2000 years ago, what does that say about us now with all the changes made.

 

[rk27]

1. Assuming Catholicism IS correct, can anyone give me a believable answer as to why women cannot be priests? other than the bible (which was written by HUMANS) says so.
2. papal infallibility. yes i know the tenements as to when this truly applies, but was he not infallible prior to 1870?? if so, i bring the arguments of the evil/bad/whatever you want to call them, popes.
3. masturbation = mortal sin, receiving the eucharist with sin = mortal sin, murdering = mortal sin…you’re going to have a hard time convincing me that these are truly equal in the eyes of God.
4. if God is all things good, and everything he makes good…how is the existence of satan possible? I was taught that humans are distinct from angels because of their free will. if lucifer did not have free will, how did he turn from God?
5. homosexuality. i lived with a gay man for a year who is still a good friend of mine. He’s not suppressing his homosexuality (aka has had boyfriends and what not) he was more faithful and an all around better man than me and most other people i know, but he’s going to hell because he doesn’t like women?

the main reason i ask these questions is because i’m having a hard time believing religion is necessary and is little more than a way to control and comfort the large amount of people on this earth. How is being a good caring person not good enough. I talk to God, i pray for strength, i thank Him when He gives me that strength. If i have a personal relationship with God, why do i need an organization to tell me how i should have a relationship with Him?

 

[JaredM]

Wow you sound an awful lot like me in terms of my own beliefs. If I were to suggest a denomination of Christianity for you to join I would suggest the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It seems to fit your beliefs.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelical_Lutheran_Church_in_America

 

[Windfish]

These are all huge questions. I can tell you that none of us here have received answers to such questions on mediums like message boards. Great as CAF is, any one of these questions are beyond the scope of a forum post. If you really are sincere, rk27, than I think you will have no problem hitting the books, tapping into the brilliance of Catholic thought and art. I think that is the best course for you to take, and we can all recommend some books and resources. Again, if you are serious, you will have to put in some effort, here. You up for that?

EDIT: And it sounds as if you received some really bad catechesis - your understanding of Papal Infallibility, for example, is a common misunderstanding. It does not extend to a pope’s every word and deed, but only to those formal decrees on faith and morals. Think of, for example, St. Peter’s decision in the Council of Jerusalem regarding circumcision.

 

[Trevor_Stamm]

1. Faith?? I’m a man of science… …Why am I wrong to want my own proof?

There it is

Setting aside your other concerns you doubt that God exists, correct?

Not to be offensive but it seems like a troll thread (lots of anti-catholic messages), if not I apologize but if so I’ll entertain it for a bit

 

[rk27]

I understand how true that is, and this is more of a conversation i should be having with my priest, but i can say that books have been no help, and a majority have complemented my belief’s now. the problem with my…problem, is that it can’t be answered with justification of and from the bible because the bible itself is what i’m questioning. There’s no logical way to explain why religion is necessary to a person like me (someone who refuses to believe in something without proof). I know a lot of the arguments and just don’t take stock in them. I’m in a a predicament that most people are unfamiliar with. i’m not an atheist trying to dispel the existence of all theology. I believe in a God just not everything I’ve been taught about that God. it’s hard for me to have faith in a religion when, really, the only argument for it is “you just got to have faith"

 

[rk27]

There it is

Setting aside your other concerns you doubt that God exists, correct?

Not to be offensive but it seems like a troll thread (lots of anti-catholic messages), if not I apologize but if so I’ll entertain it for a bit

No, i believe God exists…a God. I don’t know what a troll thread is, but like i said i’m not trying to just hate on the Catholic church. these are problems i’m having that are keeping me from fully believing in Catholicism. I was raised as a Catholic, i was a eucharistic minister for a time, and was in campus ministry in high school. Now, i can’t go to mass without finding something to question.

 

[StrawberryJam]

Wow you sound an awful lot like me in terms of my own beliefs. If I were to suggest a denomination of Christianity for you to join I would suggest the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. It seems to fit your beliefs.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evangelical_Lutheran_Church_in_America

Hey Jared,

Are you suggesting that the way to find a church is to find one that is in alignment with your beliefs as they stand now?
If you are suggesting that, could you give us a reason why that would be a valid way to choose?

 

[DavidFilmer]

Most of these questions would be better discussed in a dedicated thread. I’ll take a wack at the really short and easy ones.

1. Why the secrecy?? I read something about the writings of the pope are locked up for 70ish years before anyone can look at them. The vatican archives: if there is something you’re looking for you have to request that exact volume if you can even get that, there is no browsing or entrance.

The Pope’s personal journal is held for 70 years. The Church wants to insure that each Pope is free to exercise his leadership without being in the shadow of his predecessor. Suppose JP2 had thought that it was a good time for an Ecumenical Council, and had decided to convoke one, but he got ill and died before he was able. If this was known, there would be pressure on Benedict16 to do this. But Benedict’s leadership should stand on its own.

1. evolution. I don’t know what the official belief is now

The Church has no teaching about evolution and anyone is free to believe that theory, provided we recognize that God is ultimately in control (it wasn’t an accident).

1. Assuming Catholicism IS correct, can anyone give me a believable answer as to why women cannot be priests?

Woman *can *be priests. It’s just that God has not given the Church the authority to ordain them.

receiving the Eucharist with sin = mortal sin

Actually, the problem is when you receive the Eucharist when you are *already *in a state of mortal sin. You are either in a state of Grace, or you or not. You can’t be “more or less” in a state of mortal sin. Reception with only venial sin is OK.

 

[Windfish]

I understand how true that is, and this is more of a conversation i should be having with my priest, but i can say that books have been no help, and a majority have complemented my belief’s now. the problem with my…problem, is that it can’t be answered with justification of and from the bible because the bible itself is what i’m questioning. There’s no logical way to explain why religion is necessary to a person like me (someone who refuses to believe in something without proof). I know a lot of the arguments and just don’t take stock in them. I’m in a a predicament that most people are unfamiliar with. i’m not an atheist trying to dispel the existence of all theology. I believe in a God just not everything I’ve been taught about that God. it’s hard for me to have faith in a religion when, really, the only argument for it is “you just got to have faith"

But who said that is the only argument? The only reason why I proposed you hit the books is precisely because that is absolutely false. That is certainly not Catholic. If you are willing, just let me know. I sent you a PM.

 

[Trevor_Stamm]

Apologies then, a troll thread is a deliberate action to start a fight without the intent of listening. Happens a lot here so it’s hard seeing sincere people and punks

Ok, I understand your at because I was exactly there last year. Before going down the road of understanding how we can see Christianity as the truth, you believe truth can be found right? If we affirm that God exists, shouldn’t we also affirm a reason for our creation? An end goal, finality, or purpose to existing.

 

[rk27]

Apologies then, a troll thread is a deliberate action to start a fight without the intent of listening. Happens a lot here so it’s hard seeing sincere people and punks

Ok, I understand your at because I was exactly there last year. Before going down the road of understanding how we can see Christianity as the truth, you believe truth can be found right? If we affirm that God exists, shouldn’t we also affirm a reason for our creation? An end goal, finality, or purpose to existing.

I agree completely. My question isn’t the existence of God, heaven, and hell, but of the purpose and necessity of religion (devoting yourself to one specific faith). A previous post mentioned a Lutheran faith may suit me better, and it did look more believable, but one thing i was taught and actually believe is that you can just pick a religion that suits your beliefs. you should believe in the teachings of a religion…which i don’t…not fully at least.

 

[Church_Militant]

Ok. I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a catholic anymore, but I’m trying to figure out why it’s so hard for me to believe in something I was taught from a very early age and even studied fervently for a while. I’m going to list a few of the problems I have with Catholicism and even religion in general. These are things that i truly have a problem with and am honestly trying to find an answer. It may seem that i am trying to start an argument or am just putting the Church down, but i TRULY am interested in the answers to these questions. If anyone has insight on any of these please share.

I think I can relate. See My Testimony.

1. Why is Mass necessary? Now before I start getting bible passages, especially, “keep holy the Sabbath…” I’m questioning religion in general, not simply why I need to go to mass. If God created me with a sense of humor, the ability to do work, someone who’s generally not a very boring guy; why would he want or even make it necessary to sit for an hour in a church reciting monotonous prayers and terrible church music. In other words, why is sitting in mass better than taking an hour out of my Sunday to do something good for someone else (grant it i generally don’t, but for arguments sake).

Monotonous prayers? C’mon, have you listened to what is actually being said? As for the music…there are times when you’re right, but not all that much.

Have you been to a weekday Mass? Try it, there very little music and the Mass is more personal and (for me at least) a lot more intense. Check it out.

Why go to church. Because wherever 2 or more are gathered in His name He promised to be there? And because there is nowhere else where one can participate in a miracle like the Eucharist. (The Eucharist IS Scriptural) That only happens at Mass.

1. Faith?? I’m a man of science. I’m in med school right now and, although I can be an idiot at times, I generally consider myself an intelligent person. I’ve seen, experienced and studied things that leave little doubt in my mind that there is SOMETHING out there, whether it be a God or just a "cosmic goodness”. BUT, if we’re talking about the God I learned about in grammar school, why is faith necessary? Why doesn’t God reveal himself like he supposedly did 2000 years ago and give proof to this religion.

Noticed a crucifix lately my friend? What more do you want? Have you read your New Testament lately? If not I think you should because you have somehow missed the connection to the Lord Jesus Christ. Read the Gospels…pick any one to begin with and notice what Christ says about faith and how it relates to a lot of the miracles He did. That some serious signs if you ask me.

Besides according to Hebrews 11:6] And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Now the problem is I’ve learned a lot about catholicism, and the more I learned the harder it was for me to believe in it’s teachings.

Then you’ve come to the right place.

There is a lot of arguments for why faith is necessary that make a lot of sense while you’re talking about it but not so much when you actually think on it. Would making His existence a known fact, rather than a possibility, really change the way things are. I understand the test of faith, the journey, or whatever you want to call it, but it honestly seems like a joke. In reality it seems like a sick test on His part. Kind of like a “now you see me now you don’t, but you have to believe in me anyway”. And as cliche as it is for me to say, has blindly believing in anything so fully really ever been a great idea? doubting thomas was given proof after the crucifixion. Why am I wrong to want my own proof?

St. Thomas is one of my favorite saints, but I can attest that Our Lord has indeed revealed Himself to me in a way that has changed my life. now…I suspect it’s your turn. You are clearly seeking, or all this wouldn’t bug you, right?
(Cont’d)

 

[Church_Militant]

St. Thomas is one of my favorite saints, but I can attest that Our Lord has indeed revealed Himself to me in a way that has changed my life. now…I suspect it’s your turn. You are clearly seeking, or all this wouldn’t bug you, right?

1. Biggest thing for me: Why is Catholicism more “right” than other forms of christianity and religions. Jehovah witnesses. maybe. if i remember correctly. Which ever religion it is, there is a some book that was written by a man who claimed was inspired by the Holy Spirit. However, this faith is wrong because…isn’t that what 4 guys from the catholic church said as well (New Testament). So what’s that about?

There are errors and heresies all over the place. They happen because either the devil inspires/deceives someone, or people concoct things for profit or esteem.

If you check, you’ll find that apart from the Orthodox all the other Christian faith communities are of modern origin. No more than 500 years old at best and many 100 years or less. Some departed from the Catholic faith, but most are spin offs of other modern post reformation groups, (I call them modern post reformation step children.)

One very good reason to be Catholic is because what we teach and practice today, particularly the Mass, can be traced right back to the New Testament and the early church. I just recently finished an article on my blog about this. It’s called, What Was Authentic Early Christian Worship Really Like? so take a look.

1. This may be pushing the line for this website, but i’m honestly interested and wondering. Like i said i was Catholic, i still go to mass occasionally with my girlfriend, and i’m trying to find a reason to believe again. so, Jesus. The foundation of christianity, the son of God. Everything we know about the man comes from the teachings of the aforementioned 4 guys who were “inspired by the Holy Spirit”. I know that there are some other records of the existence of A Jesus, and other religions recognize him as at least a prophet, but what we are taught and believe comes from the gospels.

Indeed…again I suggest you read the Gospels. It will be worth it. BTW I suggest you find and read Josephus. He writes of Christ as well. He was Jewish or Roman if I recall right.

Today, the Church uses science to prove/disprove miracles. There wasn’t a lot of science back then to prove/disprove anything. We accept stories like turning water into wine, and walking on water, but how easy would it be to make something like that up in a book (which was written years after the fact). A recent gospel at mass was about Jesus rubbing clay in a blind man’s eyes and causing him to see again. All i could find myself thinking was, “ok, is there any other proof of miracles like these happening that doesn’t come only from the bible?”

There have indeed been many miracles that you haven’t heard about. Mother Therese was canonized in part due to miracles that were done by her intercession and there was considerable press about it that should still be available online. There’s a lot going on that you may have missed. Take a look in the Spirituality forum and see what they are talking about. You may find it of interest.

1. Why the secrecy?? I read something about the writings of the pope are locked up for 70ish years before anyone can look at them. The vatican archives: if there is something you’re looking for you have to request that exact volume if you can even get that, there is no browsing or entrance.

Those archives have been open for some time now. Take a look at the Vatican website.
(Cont’d)
%between%

 

[fermat]

Isn’t this a bit problematic? Truth is objective. God wants us to believe and worship Him in a certain way. Jesus gave us this way and we are not meant to cherry pick the ideas we like and discard the ideas we don’t like.

rk27, you have valid questions, for which there are answers.

The only question I’ll try to address is the apparent conflict between faith and science. God is the author of both. Faith cannot be in conflict with science and science cannot be in conflict with faith. The issue that most scientist have is they think that faith sweeps the hard questions under the rug. In truth, science does the same thing. We have many theories, some of which are very solid, but we can never be 100% absolutely sure about anything. You take so many things in your life on faith that you don’t even think about it. You have faith that your school will be open tomorrow, you have faith that you will have a job after school, you have faith that you car will start. You probably could not tell me exactly how your car works, but you still trust it to get you where you are going.

Will you reject your car because you don’t know exactly how it works? You are on the right path. Challenge, question, test. This is the only way that you will grow. But don’t reject your faith just because the answers are not right in front of you or do not fit your preconceptions. There are people who send decades struggling with just one of your points. With luck, you will be able to as well.

 

[rk27]

"Read the Gospels…pick any one to begin with and notice what Christ says about faith and how it relates to a lot of the miracles He did. That some serious signs if you ask me.”

church militant, thank you for taking the time and effort to try to help. So, please don’t think i’m being hostile when i say this. i get these arguments a lot about reading the gospels and old testament, but one of my main questions is why/how am i supposed to believe in the bible more than any other religious book. it was written by humans. our faith says that the Holy Spirit worked through these humans, but how is that any different than any other religious book?

 

[rk27]

rk27, you have valid questions, for which there are answers.

The only question I’ll try to address is the apparent conflict between faith and science. God is the author of both. Faith cannot be in conflict with science and science cannot be in conflict with faith. The issue that most scientist have is they think that faith sweeps the hard questions under the rug. In truth, science does the same thing. We have many theories, some of which are very solid, but we can never be 100% absolutely sure about anything. You take so many things in your life on faith that you don’t even think about it. You have faith that your school will be open tomorrow, you have faith that you will have a job after school, you have faith that you car will start. You probably could not tell me exactly how your car works, but you still trust it to get you where you are going.

Will you reject your car because you don’t know exactly how it works? You are on the right path. Challenge, question, test. This is the only way that you will grow. But don’t reject your faith just because the answers are not right in front of you or do not fit your preconceptions. There are people who send decades struggling with just one of your points. With luck, you will be able to as well.

Thats actually a bad example for me because i’ve rebuilt a lot of old cars, and do know exactly how it works, but i understand you’re meaning. and the only thing i can say about science is that the more you learn the harder it is to believe that there isn’t a God or some form of a “cosmic organizer” (i just kind of laughed a little bit at that explanation for something other than God). but the problem with your argument (at least with what i see as a problem) is that having faith in something because someone else can prove/understand/show you how it works is a lot different than having faith in something because someone else has faith in it. and then there’s a distinction between hope and faith. I don’t exactly have faith that’ll i’ll have a job after school, but i hope i will. i don’t have faith that Jesus will return tomorrow, but i hope he doesn’t (at least until i finish figuring out all these questions )

 

[Trevor_Stamm]

I agree completely. My question isn’t the existence of God, heaven, and hell, but of the purpose and necessity of religion (devoting yourself to one specific faith). A previous post mentioned a Lutheran faith may suit me better, and it did look more believable, but one thing i was taught and actually believe is that you can just pick a religion that suits your beliefs. you should believe in the teachings of a religion…which i don’t…not fully at least.

I’m going to guess you meant to say “can’t”, right?

If so, then yes. You don’t go around the buffet table for belief, you assent to what has been given.

But to your concern of “necessity of religion”, well if we know God exists and truth can be found, then we can dispel with the notion of relativism. “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace”, as stated by St. Paul in his letters to the Corinthians. God gave a definable and singular interpretation of truth, not forty thousand different interpretations of it or private interpretation of it. So who is the interrupter of truth then? If this is the direction then, do you believe there’s merit in other religions besides Christianity or do you believe Christianity is the truth?

 

[Church_Militant]

1. evolution. I don’t know what the official belief is now, but I can tell you with 100% certainty that it happened. evolution can and has already been proven on a small scale in a petri dish and hospital with bacteria. Bacteria evolve to become multi-drug resistant on the basis of natural selection. DNA is mutated, translocated, and transfused until a genome is reached that allows the bacteria to overcome the antibiotics given. This can happen in a manner of weeks, so you can imagine what can happen in a manner of millions of years. I bring this up to highlight how much the Catholic church changes it’s beliefs. at one point science was sorcery and the work of the devil. now, the Catholic church uses it in many settings. evolution was scientists trying to prove that God doesn’t exist (which it doesn’t), but if it hasn’t already, it will admit that this is what occurred soon in the future. If the Catholic church was the sole authority on our beliefs of Jesus and God 2000 years ago, what does that say about us now with all the changes made.

You don’t seem to know what the church teaches on this, so let me suggest a very good book that you should read.

Chance or Purpose? Creation, Evolution and a Rational Faith Cardinal Christoph Schoenborn (Author)

1. Assuming Catholicism IS correct, can anyone give me a believable answer as to why women cannot be priests? other than the bible (which was written by HUMANS) says so.

Sure…it’s simple. Do you see any women apostles? Judaism had no priestesses, but a lot of the pagans did. Who do you think we need to follow?

The Bible may have been written by humans, but they were inspired by God’s Holy Spirit. Personally, I’m thankful that Christ did what He did with regular old sinners. It means that there is all the more hope for one like me. (Look up St. Peter’s response to Jesus in Luke 5:8)

1. papal infallibility. yes i know the tenements as to when this truly applies, but was he not infallible prior to 1870?? if so, i bring the arguments of the evil/bad/whatever you want to call them, popes.

Not true. The only reason the church defines a doctrine is when the need to do so arises and so it was in 1870 that this doctrine that was held all along was defined in response to questions or attacks.

With regard to the handful of bad popes…Papal Infallibility and not the difference between infallibility and impeccability.

1. masturbation = mortal sin, receiving the eucharist with sin = mortal sin, murdering = mortal sin…

Here you display a lack of Biblical knowledge. Everything you name is a violation of one of the 10 commandments. Moreover, you clearly lack knowledge of what the church actually teaches, because venial sins are handled with a sincere Act of Contrition and during the penitential rite at the beginning of Mass. Confession is primarily for mortal sins and the church defines what it takes to commit mortal sin.

If one is without mortal sin then the Eucharist is actually efficacious in the forgiveness of all sin. You really need a catechism my friend, or at least one of the new Compendiums to the Catechism.

1. if God is all things good, and everything he makes good…how is the existence of satan possible? I was taught that humans are distinct from angels because of their free will. if lucifer did not have free will, how did he turn from God?

Then you were taught wrong. Angels too have free will. Look in Revelation 12. “There was war in heaven…” You need to read the New Testament, okay?

1. homosexuality. i lived with a gay man for a year who is still a good friend of mine. He’s not suppressing his homosexuality (aka has had boyfriends and what not) he was more faithful and an all around better man than me and most other people i know, but he’s going to hell because he doesn’t like women?

Homosexuality

See Genesis 18 and then tell me if it’s still okay. Regardless of what Lady Gaga says, and some people have tried to assert, no one is born that way. It’s all about choices.

the main reason i ask these questions is because i’m having a hard time believing religion is necessary and is little more than a way to control and comfort the large amount of people on this earth. How is being a good caring person not good enough. I talk to God, i pray for strength, i thank Him when He gives me that strength. If i have a personal relationship with God, why do i need an organization to tell me how i should have a relationship with Him?

That’s actually pretty simple. If Christ founded a church that he promised to be with all the way to the end of time, (and he did. See Matthew 28:19-20) then it’s clear that He intended it to be here and function as His guides until He returns. That’s what its been doing for 2,000 years and we’re still at it.

I’m really glad you came along and asked all this. Welcome to CAF!

 

[StrawberryJam]

Thats actually a bad example for me because i’ve rebuilt a lot of old cars, and do know exactly how it works, but i understand you’re meaning. and the only thing i can say about science is that the more you learn the harder it is to believe that there isn’t a God or some form of a “cosmic organizer” (i just kind of laughed a little bit at that explanation for something other than God). but the problem with your argument (at least with what i see as a problem) is that having faith in something because someone else can prove/understand/show you how it works is a lot different than having faith in something because someone else has faith in it. and then there’s a distinction between hope and faith. I don’t exactly have faith that’ll i’ll have a job after school, but i hope i will. i don’t have faith that Jesus will return tomorrow, but i hope he doesn’t (at least until i finish figuring out all these questions )

What? Give me the statistics for your claim that it is harder to believe there isn’t a God of some form (when you learn more about science?)

WHAT?