As a Catholic I was taught that Faith is a supernatural gift of God. Unfortunately I lost that faith over the years as I studied theology and learnt more and more about the gross assumptions and errors in what I was taught. I also became painfully aware of the wicked abuses practiced by many of those Christians in authority. The abuse of me personally by nuns and monks was pretty mild compared with that suffered by others and I do not think that it has influenced my logical thought processes on the subject of religion. It has however removed the rose coloured spectacles.
For many years I have continued my studies in the hope of finding God again and this kind of forum may be of help to me. A problem that I (and many others) need to overcome is the downright unpleasant attitude of some of the posters - be they atheist, Christian or other. As soon as a doubt or a difference of opinion is expressed someone immediately starts issuing insults and spouting doctrine be that Christian doctrine or atheist doctrine etc. Christians and atheists seem to be just as bad as one another in that regard and no one ever seems to recognise that their fundamental beliefs are so different that the arguments presented are often quite meaningless to the other side.
The arguers are often incredibly ignorant about their own faith such as the true origins of the bible and the influence of other religions on Christianity. Sadly, very few Christians seem willing to admit (or perhaps they really do not know) that Christianity has been responsible for more slaughter than any other religion. I will list them if you wish but for starters, just consider the Crusades, the Cathars, the witches (still going on) and the Inquisition. Instead of feeling apologetic for their forefathers sins, most Christians try to portray their religion and love and peace on earth to all men; which sadly it is not and never has been.
A major stumbling block with these forums (fora?) seems to be atheists teasing Christians for posting on atheist forums and visa versa. Each side dont seem to understand why the other has visited their territory. To me, the answer to that is obvious .. religion is just about the most important subject that we human beings have ever discussed. It has had more influence on our history that anything else and it is still a major factor in world peace or lack of it. Christians understanding atheists or muslins etc. (and visa versa) is therefore an incredibly important thing but sadly I see little effort being made. Instead, we see people digging in for the old trench warfare and not being able or willing to follow a rational line of debate. Interestingly, Muslims generally seem to know a lot about Christianity but few Christians seem to know anything genuine about Islam.
I have come here to see if my faith can be resurrected. That is unlikely to be an overnight conversion but maybe someone can point me in the right direction. I am pretty familiar with the bible so, before anyone quotes it to me, I would firstly like to know why they think that it is a reliable document and why they MAY think it is the word of God despite the influence of Constantine etc and why certain apparently equally valid texts were considered gnostic. Why, for example was, the gospel according to St Peter rejected? I can understand them rejecting the gospel according to Mary Magdalene and the, gospel according to Judas but why St Peter?
Sorry this has turned into a ramble but it may help you understand better who I am.
Nevalti
For many years I have continued my studies in the hope of finding God again and this kind of forum may be of help to me. A problem that I (and many others) need to overcome is the downright unpleasant attitude of some of the posters - be they atheist, Christian or other. As soon as a doubt or a difference of opinion is expressed someone immediately starts issuing insults and spouting doctrine be that Christian doctrine or atheist doctrine etc. Christians and atheists seem to be just as bad as one another in that regard and no one ever seems to recognise that their fundamental beliefs are so different that the arguments presented are often quite meaningless to the other side.
The arguers are often incredibly ignorant about their own faith such as the true origins of the bible and the influence of other religions on Christianity. Sadly, very few Christians seem willing to admit (or perhaps they really do not know) that Christianity has been responsible for more slaughter than any other religion. I will list them if you wish but for starters, just consider the Crusades, the Cathars, the witches (still going on) and the Inquisition. Instead of feeling apologetic for their forefathers sins, most Christians try to portray their religion and love and peace on earth to all men; which sadly it is not and never has been.
A major stumbling block with these forums (fora?) seems to be atheists teasing Christians for posting on atheist forums and visa versa. Each side dont seem to understand why the other has visited their territory. To me, the answer to that is obvious .. religion is just about the most important subject that we human beings have ever discussed. It has had more influence on our history that anything else and it is still a major factor in world peace or lack of it. Christians understanding atheists or muslins etc. (and visa versa) is therefore an incredibly important thing but sadly I see little effort being made. Instead, we see people digging in for the old trench warfare and not being able or willing to follow a rational line of debate. Interestingly, Muslims generally seem to know a lot about Christianity but few Christians seem to know anything genuine about Islam.
I have come here to see if my faith can be resurrected. That is unlikely to be an overnight conversion but maybe someone can point me in the right direction. I am pretty familiar with the bible so, before anyone quotes it to me, I would firstly like to know why they think that it is a reliable document and why they MAY think it is the word of God despite the influence of Constantine etc and why certain apparently equally valid texts were considered gnostic. Why, for example was, the gospel according to St Peter rejected? I can understand them rejecting the gospel according to Mary Magdalene and the, gospel according to Judas but why St Peter?
Sorry this has turned into a ramble but it may help you understand better who I am.
Nevalti
