Lots of questioning

[ChickenSoup]

Just in a time of my life when I'm sort of crossing a threshold. I'm just doing a lot of thinking lately about different things, and questioning some of what I believe in. It's sort of where you hit that wall and realize that some things you've only believed in because you always have believed in them, and you're forced to admit that "I don't know" has to be an acceptable answer to some questions

I am still quite firmly a Christian, but I feel that I am the paint slowly peeling away from the established wall of doctrine. Or... something Anyway, it's um, it's frustrating sometimes because I don't have many people IRL to talk to about this stuff that would hold beliefs similar to mine, either religiously or politically. The people I want to talk to about science, I can't really talk to about religion, and I can't talk to my church friends about science.
"Hey man, Cosmos is coming back, with Neil Freakin De Grasse Tyson."
"Sweet. 'Course, it's probably all evolution-based."
"Haha... yeah... those scientists. Grrr, right? >_> <_<"

And there's other things, not just the grand story of human origin. General doctrinal stuff, I guess. It's hard to discuss things like the necessity of purity with other Christians, even here--especially when dissenting opinions get a topic locked, cough cough--so many times I am on my own and left to my thoughts to mull it over.


ANYWAY:

TL;DR life experiences and college have me questioning tenets of my faith and the doctrines I believe in, and some of it's bumming me out because if some of these things aren't true it's all an unnecessary handicap in life and love KTHXBAI

[ccgr]

Questioning is normal and it's totally a good thing to research and determine where you stand so that faith that you have is yours and not passed down to you. Praying for wisdom and discernment.

[JOJ650s]

Questioning is normal and it's totally a good thing to research and determine where you stand so that faith that you have is yours and not passed down to you. Praying for wisdom and discernment.

Ditto,
I will also be praying that God helps you find just the right person in real life to talk to, and or vice-versa.

[ArchAngel]

While I'm always here to gush about science with you, sorry I'm not longer able to talk to some of the more challenging questions of Christianity. My answers would be rather predictable, but I can offer some empathy. It's not easy, but some roads need to be tread alone. It's a lonely business questioning your beliefs, but to be a ring bearer is to be alone.

[brandon1984]

Well, my friend, the threshold feels a little unsteady. It certainly feels more comfortable to go with the grain by submitting to the authority of tradition. I can tell you out of college I became very skeptical, stopped going to church, and slowly lost all my religion. It took months, perhaps even a year. One night I was hanging out with one of my medical-school-buddies skate boarding near the beach. He had read all the neoatheism material and brought up an argument. I gave him a response. But, I could see that the rabbit hole goes deeper. I dove in head first. All the while I had accepted the evidence for deep time, Big Bang, evolution. So doctrine of the Fall and Original Sin were completely flushed down the toilet (even to this day) and doubted that anyone could possibly understand the ancient rhetoric coming out of the New Testament. Soon enough I became agnostic and this trend lasted for about 4 years.

Sorry, I digress about myself, when the important thing is what you are going through. I consider you my online brother and you can always ask me anything. I think the route of questioning without constraint -- freethinking -- is a wonderful thing. It may lead you to faith or it may lead you to atheism, but I think it's virtuous to seek the truth no matter what the consequence. I do not believe God will not fault us for being intellectually honest.

Soon I hope to post a "Why I'm a Christian" thread on debate subforum. . . it may interest you. Anyway, may God grant you knowledge, wisdom, and maturity.

EDIT: sorry about such an egocentric and cynical post , I'm glad God has retained your faith and hope the best for your endeavors, spiritually and intellectually

[seancruz]

I think for most of us (especially in college), we will have plenty of doubt periods, where we have to stop and really think about just what we are believing, preaching, and living. I, for one, constantly question things, and it has led me to realize that I really know so little, and there is little in my control. We eventually must come to a point where we must make a choice: am I going to live for Christ, or am I going to live after the world's standard?

I know that God has given me the faith to be humble before him, and to ask for wisdom and knowledge and truth. Christianity is in the business of ultimate truth: Jesus Christ. But so much of what we call Christianity in this world, has diluted itself with all manners of lies or half-truths. We live in a world that lives in a muck of powerful delusions, and it's tough to discern what's true and what's not.

Thankfully, the Lord has given us his Word as the standard of truth. If you truly tell God how you feel, and that you need questions and doubts to be answered, he will answer.

Just what exactly are you questioning, though?