When I was in the 3rd grade, my dad started forcing me to go to church and youth group, so now when I have to put down a religion on an application or a survey I put Roman Catholic. But is that really what I am?
I hate going to church and hearing about the bible and whatnot. Sometimes I really don't believe there is a God. I'm really undecided about my religion to be honest. I feel that just because I'm catholic doesnt mean I have to go to church every sunday or pray every night, because god is supposed to be with me every day, so why would I have to go to a church to speak with him? To me there are more important things to do then take 2 hours of my day to get all dressed up and attend mass, I can pray to god when I have more time.
I know religion is a huge issue, and I'm not against religion, I'm just unsure. I mean...how do we know that the bible isn't some made up myth and all these stories are lies, we could be worshiping something that wasn't really as great as we think, it might all be some story that some ancient human made up and everyone just went along with it.
I'm not ready to believe in something that I am so unsure of.
I think it is excellent that you are questioning your faith rather than following it blindly. It is important that you research all of these questions you have posed about the validity of Catholicism/Christianity. Perhaps talk to your priest, your Director of Religious Education, what have you. Obviously to reject the Bible is to reject the writings of dozens of authors, not simply some guy who decided to write it all down one day. But that's something you have to ask yourself - are all of the Biblical authors deluded? As to why one should go to church, personally I attend to receive the Eucharist. Outside of the Catholic church, you're right - you can pray to God anywhere you like. As a Protestant I often wondered, like you are, why we made ourselves get up and go to church every Sunday. If you believe Jesus' actual body resides in Catholic communion, that's all the reason you need. Again, though, you have to ask yourself if that's something truly worth believing.
I recommend C. S. Lewis' book Mere Christianity for your basic questions, and Catholic.com for more specific church-related ones.
I appreciate your comment! You've given me alot of information to think about and I'm sure it will all help me get on the right path, so thank you very much!
I was once in the same boat as you. Recently, I was forced to attend a catholic church camp, I actually wrote a blog about it called Jesus Camp. It's hard to explain, but I know that there is a God. How could all this Earth and people just happen by chance? In fact, most of the bible stories are just made up, they have a moral to go along with the story. That's it. However, God does exist. God may always be with you, but you still need to go to mass. Imagine if you decided body language was enough and you never talked to anyone, part of your communicating with everyone would be lost. The same is true when you do not go to mass, part of your communication is lost with God. And the book Mere Christianity is a great book! :)
Many people who question their religion (or the one their parents gave them) are under the impression that they have to have a religion. But in reality you don't have to choose a religion, you can make your own (just like all religions start out). You can believe nothing. Sometimes it is simply impossible to match your religion with your own personal beliefs. In that case, I say always go with your own beliefs.
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It Changes
I Dance Naked Around A Tree At Midnight
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The law cannot change one's heart.
But how do I just say no dad I'm not going to church because its not what i believe, i know it would get him upset.
You just say exactly what you just wrote. Even if he gets really upset at least he'll know how you really feel. Eventually, he'll come around. Although I'm not sure just how religious he is exactly.
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It Changes
I Dance Naked Around A Tree At Midnight
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The law cannot change one's heart.
Thank You!
Thank You!
Thank You!
You're Welcome
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It Changes
I Dance Naked Around A Tree At Midnight
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The Opposite of Equality is Equality
The Catholic Church is not the Lord Church .For one Look at all the sexual abuse the Priest have done to so many children. and what did the Pope do concerning this cover it up. Do you know that before the Pope Benedict became pope that he was in charge of the Priest that molested children For 30 years and all he did was move the Priest to another church How Evil .If this were the true church of God this would of never happened in the first place for the lord would nor permit such thing to happen to his children. Especially in his church, God is a loving God that cares for all of his children and those that abuse children have much to answer after they leave this world for there Judgment shell be dreadful. In the Lord words they will wish that they were not born. Amen
what you need to do is find the truth. look for what YOU believe in. not what other people make you believe.
opps duplicate comments....