Questions and Doubts

[CDWolfe]

I have not posted here in a long time. Much has changed in my life in the past year.

I grew up as a Christian in a Southern Baptist church, and like many people, that is because I went where my parents went. However, I now identify more easily with deism. I have so many questions and doubts. I study history as a hobby and ancient history really strikes an interest within me.

It is hard to let go of "Jesus as the messiah" because it was ingrained in my brain as a child. I feel like I am committing blasphemy to even think such a thought. But the more that I study and learn about ancient cultures, the more I question the Bible and how to interpret the stories.

One thing is for certain...I do not believe in Satan as the devil and arch enemy of God. I agree with Judaism on this point. He is a servant of God performing a specific task. Christianity has distorted his existence. Nor do I believe in demons. Every passage that I can find about Jesus exorcising a demon was actually a disease or affliction being cured. Ancient man did not understand it, so it must be supernatural, right? :no:

So I am left not really fitting in anywhere. That is not necessarily a bad thing, but living in the southeastern USA it can be tough. As stated, I do believe in God. However, I see Him more as the creator who put everything in motion, designed the laws of nature, and everything happens per those laws. We have free will and make our own choices. Beyond that...I start having doubts and asking questions.

 

[arthra]

Good to read your post CDWolfe...

I pretty much as a Baha'i agree with most of what you've indicated.. We Baha'is do not accept Satan as a supernatural being at war with God...but rather as symboolizing the lower nature of man... While there can be miraclesd we feel they are not adequate as proof today ... The Bible we feel should be understood in spiritual terms and allegorically rather than literally.. word for word.

Where I would maybe add something to your position is a belief that God does reveals truth through His Messengers and Prophets over the ages and that for the benefit of humanity and to advance our ethical and spiritual lives...

 

[anotherglenda]

... I do believe in God. However, I see Him more as the creator who put everything in motion, designed the laws of nature, and everything happens per those laws. We have free will and make our own choices. Beyond that...I start having doubts and asking questions.

You sure have the basics right
Yes God created everything .... but He created it 'good' ... and yes we have free will and used it to mess up 'good' so must now restore it ... so beyond the basics our purpose is to turn away from being part of the problem to become part of the solution ... turn away from old faults like selfishness or apathy etc and improve to be the best we can be as beneficial human beings using our free will to do good while we are granted life.
blessings

 

[Sleeppy]

Keep asking questions, and checking your conclusions.. That's all you can do.

 

[Shuttlecraft]

..It is hard to let go of "Jesus as the messiah" because it was ingrained in my brain as a child..

Well his credentials were pretty good..
Jesus said-
"The scriptures testify about me..Moses wrote about me....All things about me in the law of Moses,the Prophets and the Psalms,must be fulfilled" (John 5:46, Luke 24:44)

And his miracles were seen by the 5 million population of Israel plus the Roman garrison for 3 long years, that's a lot of eyewitnesses-
"..even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father" (John 10:38)