Losing your doubts

Everybody seems to say they lose their faith as they get older. I just wondered if it ever worked the other way and people got stronger in their faith or joined a religion for the first time.
Got any experience of that?

We have fairly new neighbours and my mum gets on well with them. They go to church a lot.They seem nice and my mum has been invited to go along sometime and she says she might. She has half suggested i go with her.
I have never been to church and don't really know anyone my age who does so just wondered if people do actally change that way as they get older.

That's what my mom did; she was raised without religion and became a Catholic in her 30s. Her distant relatives were Catholic, so it is in the family, but she never identified as one until then. Yes, some people question the religion they were raised with and so lose that faith when they do, but others may come to a better understanding of it or have a desire to be part of a religious community or have a coherent belief about what happens after death as they age.

Some people have their beliefs figured out from an early age and that's it, it never changes in a significant way, nothing happens that leads them to change it. For others I think it's more of a process; it's something that you formulate throughout your life and your experiences shape it. And sometimes that means going in the direction of gaining faith rather than losing it.

I am catholic, i haven't lost faith, but i dont agree with everything the church says

I'm sure it can happen both ways for sure. At least I've heard of people who were previously atheist to become believers later in life.

Personally though I don't buy into any of that, but maybe that's just because of the experiences I've had till recently in my life where I would just question any good God could've let that happen. But to each his own I guess.

I know wherr you are comkng from Ben. I kind of agree.
Sorry things have bern tough for you. Things have been getting better for me over the last few years thouh. It would be nice to think there was some sort of extra help available though.

I was raised Catholic, fell in love with my religion, took it a little too far and then left it.
I know realize it is still important to me and that God is an important factor in my life.
I would probably consider converting to judism if i was lucky enough to marry a pretty jewish girl.

Originally Posted by West Coast Sheriff

I would probably consider converting to judism if i was lucky enough to marry a pretty jewish girl.

So as soon as you see a pretty girl, you would believe in something else

I guess this isn't really beliefs or faith...

I guess this thread proves not many teens sre religious.
No big suprise there.
My mum went to church this morning and said it was Ok but i think it was mainly just to be friendly with the neighbours rather any real beliefs.

I was raised Orthodox Christian, had a time when I completely lost faith, only to return to it some time ago.

Originally Posted by Adamant

My mum went to church this morning and said it was Ok but i think it was mainly just to be friendly with the neighbours rather any real beliefs.

Have you asked her?

Originally Posted by Oscar2005

Have you asked her?

Not directly but I have never heard her tal about religious stuff either recently or earlier..apart from sometimes saying I must havew a guardian angel somewhere but I don't think she measnt thatv seriously.

Originally Posted by Oscar2005

So as soon as you see a pretty girl, you would believe in something else

I guess this isn't really beliefs or faith...

I am fascinated with the jewish religion but would not go through the process of conversion alone.
I can see how my original statement can easily be misread.
I think the jewsh faith offers a deep and personal spiritual relationship with God.
The traditions are also fascinating and beautiful.

My catholic faith also has a rich tradition and offers a strong relationship with God. It works for me since I practice my faith independetly.

Originally Posted by West Coast Sheriff

I am fascinated with the jewish religion but would not go through the process of conversion alone.
I can see how my original statement can easily be misread.
I think the jewsh faith offers a deep and personal spiritual relationship with God.
The traditions are also fascinating and beautiful.

My catholic faith also has a rich tradition and offers a strong relationship with God. It works for me since I practice my faith independetly.

Ok. I see what you are saying. Its not so much losing your doubts as transferring your beliefs?

My mum is going to church again this Sunday. She suggested I went with her. I won't but have said I will go sometime maybe atChristmas. I don't really know what to expect as I have never been before.

I know its just me in this thread at the moment but an update.
I went to church on Sunday for the first time in my life.
I didn't know what to expect but it was OK. There were about a hundred there and I was a bit suprised that they weren't all old. They had drums and guitars and an electric organ rather than just old fashioned hymns.
I can't pretend that I really listed to the sermon or became religious but it was Ok. Won't rush back but might go back some day.
don't know whether I am losing any doubts but my neighbours kind of gert me thinking. They are always nice and kind and they go to this church. I know you don't need to be religious to be nice ( my parents are great and not religious) but maybe I can learn something from them.

Anoither update.
I have started going to church almost regularly.
There is just something nice about it. I am made to feel welcome and there are nice people there. it makes me 'feel good' when i go but I don't know how much I need to "believe" before I kind of call my self any sort of Christian.
Not at that point yet.

Originally Posted by Adamant

Anoither update.
I have started going to church almost regularly.
There is just something nice about it. I am made to feel welcome and there are nice people there. it makes me 'feel good' when i go but I don't know how much I need to "believe" before I kind of call my self any sort of Christian.
Not at that point yet.

That's great dude

My dads parents(My Grandparents) are Catholic and he was raised that way. My moms parents(My other Grandparents) are Buddhists and my mom was raised that way. Both my parents ever followed the religions as adults and I was not raised at all with any religion. I classify myself as my spiritual and follow more the Pagan Religions such as Wicca. That doesn't mean I am a witch. Like I said I am a very spiritual sort of person who gets a lot of positive energy from many sources around me.

Interesting. Do peopel understand you saying wicca or do they get freaked out or think its weird or evil. I don't btw so not being rude.

Originally Posted by Adamant

I don't know how much I need to "believe" before I kind of call my self any sort of Christian.
Not at that point yet.

What do you believe in then?