Losing your doubts

[Adamant]

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.

[HeyCameron]

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.

[Oscar-V3.0]

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

[Ben7]

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.

[Adamant]

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.

[West Coast Sheriff]

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.

[Oscar-V3.0]

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... :rolleyes:

[Adamant]

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.

[Stronk Serb]

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

[Oscar-V3.0]

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?

[Adamant]

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.

[West Coast Sheriff]

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

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

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.

[Adamant]

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?

[Adamant]

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.

[Adamant]

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.

[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.

[Spooky_Eli]

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:)

[Miss Equestrian]

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.

[Adamant]

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.

[Oscar-V3.0]

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?

[Miss Equestrian]

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.Some people think right away when I say I believe in the Wicca they think I am a witch and am Satanic and perform witchcraft. That is far from the truth. Wicca is a very spiritual belief system. If people don't assume just like with anything else they would realize that it is actually a very loving belief system.

[Adamant]

What do you believe in then?

Ok I know most people here can out argue me but I wil answer the question and hope people don't just want to shoot me down. Its ptobably easier for peopel who have been brought up in a religion but don't really know.
So I believe
1. There is some sort of God.
2. That Jesus existed and was a special/amazing person.
3. Not sure about stuff like the Virgin birth and miracles but if there is a God like the Bible says, maybe God could arrange that without any problems.
4. the Bible is an important book with loads of advice in it. Not sure how literally I am suposed to take everything and the church I have started going to says they believe its God's word and basically all true.
4. That going to church and trying to be good isn't what being a Christian is all about but is maybe something to aim at if you are a Christian.

Now the big bit.
I get the idea that being a Christian can be like being adopted into a new family. I have been adopted so can understand the idea but then I am supposed to give my life to Jesus so he's in charge and not me. Then I get forgiveness and love (yes please) and a life that could be tough ( not so good) and challenging e.g. forgive my dad (very very tough) and God's love and power living in me ( not so I can have superpowers) but to be what God wants me to be. That sounds great.

I don't like me very much so do like the idea of being made all new but been let down quite a lot so don't want to get this wrong .
Can I trust these people at church, trust God? Do I beleive enough. Thats what I am struggling with.

if you got to the end of this you probabvly deserve a medal:)
If you hgave any advice/suggestions fine but no insults please.

[Naters2000]

Yeah for sure. I'm Catholic and I wasn't too involved in the Church but recently I've really found the significance of my faith and I've been living it out.

[Oscar-V3.0]

@AdamAnt being a Christian is not about having a new family or having Jesus control your life. It's more about guide lines to follow so your life has a meaning and you do something good of it :)

[Natacha]

Not to start any discussion and I don't mean any disrespect, but I have no doubt atheism is the right thing for me

[Adamant]

@AdamAnt being a Christian is not about having a new family or having Jesus control your life. It's more about guide lines to follow so your life has a meaning and you do something good of it :)

I can go along with that in a way.
Maybe its a denominational thing and maybe its because I wasn't brought up in a faith but thats the sort of thing the church I go to says about being a Chtistian.
I also know that the new start thing sounds pretty good to me.

[Oscar-V3.0]

I can go along with that in a way.
Maybe its a denominational thing and maybe its because I wasn't brought up in a faith but thats the sort of thing the church I go to says about being a Chtistian.
I also know that the new start thing sounds pretty good to me.
New start?
Are you getting baptized?

[Adamant]

Not yet as thats a prettyy big step like joining up for real.

[Spooky_Eli]

Ok I know most people here can out argue me but I wil answer the question and hope people don't just want to shoot me down. Its ptobably easier for peopel who have been brought up in a religion but don't really know.
So I believe
1. There is some sort of God.
2. That Jesus existed and was a special/amazing person.
3. Not sure about stuff like the Virgin birth and miracles but if there is a God like the Bible says, maybe God could arrange that without any problems.
4. the Bible is an important book with loads of advice in it. Not sure how literally I am suposed to take everything and the church I have started going to says they believe its God's word and basically all true.
4. That going to church and trying to be good isn't what being a Christian is all about but is maybe something to aim at if you are a Christian.

Now the big bit.
I get the idea that being a Christian can be like being adopted into a new family. I have been adopted so can understand the idea but then I am supposed to give my life to Jesus so he's in charge and not me. Then I get forgiveness and love (yes please) and a life that could be tough ( not so good) and challenging e.g. forgive my dad (very very tough) and God's love and power living in me ( not so I can have superpowers) but to be what God wants me to be. That sounds great.

I don't like me very much so do like the idea of being made all new but been let down quite a lot so don't want to get this wrong .
Can I trust these people at church, trust God? Do I beleive enough. Thats what I am struggling with.

if you got to the end of this you probabvly deserve a medal:)
If you hgave any advice/suggestions fine but no insults please.

so the changing ur life thing is more about living by what the bible and jesus says, he doesn't litterally change anything, its not like flicking a switch, the forgivness is like flicking a swith tho, and Gods love is always there, even if u turn away from him

the thing is, everyone has a hard life, but as a believer you have God to help u through it.

Trust god? yes,, trust people? as much as u can any human person,

[Zika]

While I don't push the issue of religion one way or the other, I do think it's great that you've found something in your life where you'll be accepted and feel part of a group.
I know several people who've become religious in high school and they were largely drawn to a sense of belonging, support and a means of direction.

[Katie2003]

I find that my faith continues to grow as I get older, and I want to become even more involved. My church promotes fellowship with others in the congregation and provides social activities for teens to participate in that aren't based on religious beliefs.