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Author Topic:   Why Are Christians Afraid To Doubt?
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 1 of 300 (391651)
03-26-2007 5:03 PM


I was just talking with Jar in chat and we were discussing how i could tell Gods influence from any other....
I told him that I would have to think about it.
It then occurred to me that many Christians are afraid to question their faith and belief because it :
  • Exposes the human doubts and insecurities that most fundamentalists stuff rather than address.
  • We fear that we are blaspheming the Holy Spirit by questioning what we believe.
  • We are afraid to say that we don't know God as well as we thought.
    Topic Question: Discuss why Christians or anyone else should or should not doubt, and whether it is ever appropriate to take a stand rather than remaining ever questioning and uncommitted.
    Faith/Belief Please.

  • Replies to this message:
     Message 5 by purpledawn, posted 03-27-2007 8:59 AM Phat has replied
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     Message 31 by Rob, posted 03-29-2007 12:26 PM Phat has not replied
     Message 95 by StevieBoy, posted 03-30-2007 6:13 AM Phat has not replied
     Message 144 by ICANT, posted 03-31-2007 10:57 AM Phat has replied
     Message 164 by jar, posted 03-31-2007 10:33 PM Phat has not replied
     Message 169 by ICANT, posted 04-01-2007 1:07 AM Phat has not replied

    AdminSchraf
    Inactive Member


    Message 2 of 300 (391662)
    03-26-2007 6:02 PM


    Thread moved here from the Proposed New Topics forum.

    Replies to this message:
     Message 3 by Phat, posted 03-27-2007 4:32 AM AdminSchraf has not replied

    Phat
    Member
    Posts: 18262
    From: Denver,Colorado USA
    Joined: 12-30-2003
    Member Rating: 1.1


    Message 3 of 300 (391742)
    03-27-2007 4:32 AM
    Reply to: Message 2 by AdminSchraf
    03-26-2007 6:02 PM


    Look Befor You Leap
    Thanks, Schraf! Topic Question: Discuss why Christians or anyone else should or should not doubt, and whether it is ever appropriate to take a stand rather than remaining ever questioning and uncommitted. So what do you think, Nator? Why is it wrong to take the proverbial Leap Of Faith?

    This message is a reply to:
     Message 2 by AdminSchraf, posted 03-26-2007 6:02 PM AdminSchraf has not replied

    Replies to this message:
     Message 4 by Larni, posted 03-27-2007 5:03 AM Phat has replied

    Larni
    Member (Idle past 164 days)
    Posts: 4000
    From: Liverpool
    Joined: 09-16-2005


    Message 4 of 300 (391745)
    03-27-2007 5:03 AM
    Reply to: Message 3 by Phat
    03-27-2007 4:32 AM


    Re: Look Befor You Leap
    Taking a leap of faith is jumping to a conclusion. Doing this in any other situation can lead us to make unforced errors.
    In fact, I can only think of one instance where this is a good thing: an emergency situation.
    That is to say, if you jump to the conclusion that the squealing screach is the brakes of a car hurtling towards you and then you jump out of the way it's a good thing.
    You survive.
    If it is not a car heading towards you, you may look foolish but ultimately, no harm done.
    Making a leap of faith or jumping to conclusions is pointless unless you want to exist in a state where the ultimate outcome is believed to be true.
    But in this instance you are engaging in wishful thinking only.
    Thats what I contend faith in gods is: wishful thinking. As it's a pretty fagile stance, any doubt is a dangerous thing. Like a house of cards held up by wishful thinking it is very vulnerable to being demolished.

    This message is a reply to:
     Message 3 by Phat, posted 03-27-2007 4:32 AM Phat has replied

    Replies to this message:
     Message 19 by One_Charred_Wing, posted 03-28-2007 4:06 PM Larni has replied
     Message 103 by Phat, posted 03-30-2007 8:39 AM Larni has replied

    purpledawn
    Member (Idle past 3457 days)
    Posts: 4453
    From: Indiana
    Joined: 04-25-2004


    Message 5 of 300 (391755)
    03-27-2007 8:59 AM
    Reply to: Message 1 by Phat
    03-26-2007 5:03 PM


    Doubt What?
    Doubting that something is God's influence?
    Doubting what the Bible says?
    Doubting what people tell you the Bible says?
    I don't recall anything in the Bible stating we aren't allowed to question what others tell us about God or even questioning God.
    I feel that many Christians are afraid to doubt because (1) They've been told or taught that it is wrong to question God, the Bible, preachers, etc. or (2) Their faith is based on what they've been told and if they question that info and find it to be wrong they fear a void.
    It's kinda like finding out that one's parents are not always right. (If of course one ever thought their parents were always right.)
    If that is one's foundation, then it may get shaken if examined too closely. Many fear losing that foundation.

    Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?

    This message is a reply to:
     Message 1 by Phat, posted 03-26-2007 5:03 PM Phat has replied

    Replies to this message:
     Message 6 by Larni, posted 03-27-2007 10:20 AM purpledawn has not replied
     Message 8 by Phat, posted 03-27-2007 4:46 PM purpledawn has replied

    Larni
    Member (Idle past 164 days)
    Posts: 4000
    From: Liverpool
    Joined: 09-16-2005


    Message 6 of 300 (391761)
    03-27-2007 10:20 AM
    Reply to: Message 5 by purpledawn
    03-27-2007 8:59 AM


    Re: Doubt What?
    purpledawn writes:
    If that is one's foundation, then it may get shaken if examined too closely. Many fear losing that foundation.
    Yup.
    House of Cards.

    This message is a reply to:
     Message 5 by purpledawn, posted 03-27-2007 8:59 AM purpledawn has not replied

    Replies to this message:
     Message 7 by Phat, posted 03-27-2007 12:32 PM Larni has replied
     Message 22 by arachnophilia, posted 03-29-2007 12:44 AM Larni has not replied

    Phat
    Member
    Posts: 18262
    From: Denver,Colorado USA
    Joined: 12-30-2003
    Member Rating: 1.1


    Message 7 of 300 (391786)
    03-27-2007 12:32 PM
    Reply to: Message 6 by Larni
    03-27-2007 10:20 AM


    Human constructs
    I think it all depends whether one has faith in a personal God, be He a construct of the mind and heart or, as I believe, be He a very strong belief that exists outside as well as inside of us.
    Many people have faith only in what they have been taught.

    This message is a reply to:
     Message 6 by Larni, posted 03-27-2007 10:20 AM Larni has replied

    Replies to this message:
     Message 13 by Larni, posted 03-28-2007 3:29 AM Phat has replied

    Phat
    Member
    Posts: 18262
    From: Denver,Colorado USA
    Joined: 12-30-2003
    Member Rating: 1.1


    Message 8 of 300 (391832)
    03-27-2007 4:46 PM
    Reply to: Message 5 by purpledawn
    03-27-2007 8:59 AM


    Re: Doubt What?
    purpledawn writes:
    I don't recall anything in the Bible stating we aren't allowed to question what others tell us about God or even questioning God.
    When I first was saved in 1993, I was at a charismatic church. The Pastor used to tell us that it was demonic to question authority, since all authority originated from God.
    Now at EvC, some of my more liberal eclectic believing friends tell me to throw God away and not be afraid to question literally everything I have been taught.
    I guess I am still afraid to venture out on the ice that much.

    This message is a reply to:
     Message 5 by purpledawn, posted 03-27-2007 8:59 AM purpledawn has replied

    Replies to this message:
     Message 9 by ringo, posted 03-27-2007 5:00 PM Phat has not replied
     Message 10 by purpledawn, posted 03-27-2007 5:23 PM Phat has not replied
     Message 12 by riVeRraT, posted 03-27-2007 11:50 PM Phat has not replied
     Message 25 by nator, posted 03-29-2007 8:32 AM Phat has not replied

    ringo
    Member (Idle past 411 days)
    Posts: 20940
    From: frozen wasteland
    Joined: 03-23-2005


    Message 9 of 300 (391836)
    03-27-2007 5:00 PM
    Reply to: Message 8 by Phat
    03-27-2007 4:46 PM


    Re: Doubt What?
    Phat writes:
    I guess I am still afraid to venture out on the ice that much.
    I used to work at a hockey arena.
    When a group of school kids came in to skate, you could tell right away which of the boys played hockey - they were by far the best skaters. You could also tell that some of the girls had done figure skating. But most of the girls and some of the boys were fairly clumsy skaters.
    There was one big kid, probably about twelve years old, who would never venture away from the edge. He skated all the way around the rink with at least one hand holding on to the boards, taking very short steps.
    The littler, clumsier kids fell down a lot more - but they had a lot more fun too.

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    This message is a reply to:
     Message 8 by Phat, posted 03-27-2007 4:46 PM Phat has not replied

    Replies to this message:
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    purpledawn
    Member (Idle past 3457 days)
    Posts: 4453
    From: Indiana
    Joined: 04-25-2004


    Message 10 of 300 (391842)
    03-27-2007 5:23 PM
    Reply to: Message 8 by Phat
    03-27-2007 4:46 PM


    The Journey Takes Time
    quote:
    Now at EvC, some of my more liberal eclectic believing friends tell me to throw God away and not be afraid to question literally everything I have been taught.
    I think that is another reason some Christians are afraid. Either they feel that questioning means they have to "dump" God or they have people pushing them to "dump" God. They are being pushed forward before they are ready.
    A child doesn't jump to adulthood, they grow into it. Spiritual maturity is something that you should grow into. If you are a Christian, you don't have to "dump" God. Just start trying to understand the real God and understanding what Jesus was trying to teach. Look beyond the dogma and tradition.
    Everyone grows at their own pace, just don't be afraid to crossover into "adulthood" when it comes to your spirituality.

    "Peshat is what I say and derash is what you say." --Nehama Leibowitz

    This message is a reply to:
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    riVeRraT
    Member (Idle past 415 days)
    Posts: 5788
    From: NY USA
    Joined: 05-09-2004


    Message 11 of 300 (391909)
    03-27-2007 11:47 PM
    Reply to: Message 1 by Phat
    03-26-2007 5:03 PM


    Topic Question: Discuss why Christians or anyone else should or should not doubt, and whether it is ever appropriate to take a stand rather than remaining ever questioning and uncommitted.
    Not doubting to me, would be unbilical.
    I am sure you can think of many instances in the bible, where man doubted God, and where man even gets angry at God. There are examples of people losing there faith as well. The disciples seemed to lose their faith at almost every corner, when they were with Jesus, yet when Jesus dies, there faith grew.
    It's all about the walk, the growth, when it comes to God for me. Doubt is good, because it leads to questions. However we must seek God for the answers. God will reveal stuff to us, if we spend quality time with God, and build a relationship with Him.
    People talk about Born again. What is it to be born? Your a child, a child in the Lord, and there is much to learn.
    I get pissed-off sometimes, because between the lies of the non-believers, and the lies of the "believers" what chance to we have of knowing the truth, and getting to have that personal relationship with God, and experience His love for us. How do we understand God's love when there is so much bad in this world? There's many reasons to doubt, but doubt comes from a lack of understanding.
    People will forever put God in a box.
    God is the Father. He's our Daddy. I think He wants us to doubt, but I also believe He wants us to seek Him for the answers, not some child molesting Priest, or some non-believer who has out for the Priest.
    After all, we can do that, thanks to Jesus. The temple is us now.

    This message is a reply to:
     Message 1 by Phat, posted 03-26-2007 5:03 PM Phat has not replied

    riVeRraT
    Member (Idle past 415 days)
    Posts: 5788
    From: NY USA
    Joined: 05-09-2004


    Message 12 of 300 (391911)
    03-27-2007 11:50 PM
    Reply to: Message 8 by Phat
    03-27-2007 4:46 PM


    Re: Doubt What?
    The Pastor used to tell us that it was demonic to question authority, since all authority originated from God.
    Hitler was a man in authority, should we not question him?
    The settlers who killed over 100 million native Indians were in authority, should we not question them?
    Go straight to the man.

    This message is a reply to:
     Message 8 by Phat, posted 03-27-2007 4:46 PM Phat has not replied

    Larni
    Member (Idle past 164 days)
    Posts: 4000
    From: Liverpool
    Joined: 09-16-2005


    Message 13 of 300 (391930)
    03-28-2007 3:29 AM
    Reply to: Message 7 by Phat
    03-27-2007 12:32 PM


    Re: Human constructs
    Phat writes:
    Many people have faith only in what they have been taught.
    That's the only thing we can have faith in, what we have been taught; whether it is from being taught something by others, the environment or our internal environment.
    So we all only have faith in what we are taught: we put our spin on it through interpretation, but even that is learnt.
    We have having what we kmow challenged. That's why in science doubt )(error) is such a fundemental factor.

    This message is a reply to:
     Message 7 by Phat, posted 03-27-2007 12:32 PM Phat has replied

    Replies to this message:
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    Phat
    Member
    Posts: 18262
    From: Denver,Colorado USA
    Joined: 12-30-2003
    Member Rating: 1.1


    Message 14 of 300 (391969)
    03-28-2007 10:16 AM
    Reply to: Message 13 by Larni
    03-28-2007 3:29 AM


    Re: Human constructs
    But might not my faith be greater than my understanding? Why should I reserve the right to be the final arbitrator? Why can't I surrender this right in a Leap Of Faith....be it well founded or no?

    This message is a reply to:
     Message 13 by Larni, posted 03-28-2007 3:29 AM Larni has not replied

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     Message 15 by ringo, posted 03-28-2007 11:49 AM Phat has not replied
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    ringo
    Member (Idle past 411 days)
    Posts: 20940
    From: frozen wasteland
    Joined: 03-23-2005


    Message 15 of 300 (391980)
    03-28-2007 11:49 AM
    Reply to: Message 14 by Phat
    03-28-2007 10:16 AM


    Re: Human constructs
    Phat writes:
    Why should I reserve the right to be the final arbitrator?
    How do you choose a "final arbiter"? Aren't you the final arbiter of who the final arbiter is?

    Help scientific research in your spare time. No cost. No obligation.
    Join the World Community Grid with Team EvC

    This message is a reply to:
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