Faith

Not sure about this Luckygirl, no way do I have all the answers and accepted many years ago I never would , I question often why things happen, I question - what would Jesus want me to do/say, but I am certain God loves me.

I think that sounds a bit like what this lady was saying Annie.

Oh, so I am not as confused as I thought Luckygirl . I often think of a great aunt who when I asked questions replied - there is only one who can answer that and he isn't answerable to anyone . Now I have reached her age I suspect what she really meant was - I don't know , because I would keep asking questions and it was her way of shutting me up

I cant see anything wrong at all with having faith and asking questions. Who is going to disagree with that?

Depends on the questions... I was told that doubt was 'a sin'..

The disciple Thomas was not told he had sinned when he wanted evidence.

www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+20:24-29

Who said doubt was a sin?

It didn't do Thomas much good, did it? It was the Congregationalist minister, actually. I suppose doubting is the opposite of 'having faith'.

Do you mean doubt as in when someone is not yet a Christian.

Or doubt when someone already is?

Thomas is still a disciple so he hasnt done too badly!

For anyone who is interested in religion, for or against, I recommend reading The Sunflower by Simon Weisenthal.
It's about a moral dilemma during the Holocaust, followed by comments from people of different faiths, and no faith.
One comment, relative to this thread, is that during the Holocaust "God has gone on vacation."

I have just dwnloaded this onto my kindle - thanks for the recommendation Tricia - it follows on from another thread where there was some disagreement about the nature of evil and whether a person can be intrinsically evil - which I do not believe.

Years ago I read several of Simon Weisenthal's books. In one he was recounting the execution of several concentration camp inmates for theft, as as example to the others. I can't remember if this was a conversation he had or one he overheard.

One of the condemned was not more than a boy and as he was 'dancing at the end of the rope' as Weisenthal's book described it, another inmate asked 'where is your God now' and the reply he was given was 'he's there, on the end of that rope'.

Many years ago on television Malcolm Muggerige who was a well known Chrsitian was was asked by a very supercilious interviewer why he believed in God and Jesus Christ.
" Oh but I don't believe he said" cue amazed expression on interviewers face
After a pause Malcolm said " I don't believe I know"
I think that sums up very simply what true Christians try to say, you don't have to prove your faith to anyone you just know that Jesus Christ exists because you have met him

Met him? When? How? I don't think that's a convincing argument.

I don't think God loves me, I know God loves me

You can feel the presence of someone even if you can't see them. i have had personal experiences spiritually which I am not necessarily willing to discuss on a public forum but they were very real to me the most amazing happening after the death of my son . As I said I know what I believe and I don't have to prove a faith to other people it's mine!

... and as I have said before, Aristotle just KNEW that women had fewer teeth than men - he didn't need to check.

Muggeridge was something of a hypocrite, I think. A 'serial groper' according to his niece.