Posted by Snoozin on January 10, 2005, at 12:49:06
In reply to Re: Nikki » Snoozin, posted by MKB on January 10, 2005, at 12:24:07
> I hope you don't mind if I comment even though your post was not addressed to me.
<<Totally fine. :-)>>I feel that I am very objective, yet my faith is strong.
<<I didn't mean to imply that objective/scientific-minded people have weaker faith in God.In fact, the idea that there is a *God gene* or a more evolved/higher functioning part of the brain that permits/helps people to believe in God fits in with my concept of God and creation. I think the world as we know it is so complex, we cannot possibly understand everything there is to know about God and the universe. So if He wanted to impose some physical difference on people to enhance faith, that sounds reasonable and possible to me.
I tend to think of faith the way I do intelligence. Some people are naturally smart, but others, who aren't as smart, can achieve just as much intellectually if they work really hard at it. I think in the faith category, I would have to be one who worked really hard at it. Unfortunately, my great struggles with depression have made me question my faith much more in the past 10 years, when I feel it should have *helped* me through depression.
>>being satisfied that your scriptures are reliable.
<<I am not satisfied that my scriptures are reliable. Wish I were.>> Another factor is an attitude of heart, where we approach God humbly, as a child willing to be taught.
<<Tried that. Often. For years. Honestly, I want to have a very strong faith in God. I just haven't gotten there yet.>>Speak to him and ask him to reveal himself to you. He will.
<<I've asked. I've asked why I have suffered such aching depression. Is it a punishment for something I've done? I haven't been *that* bad in life. Is it to teach me a lesson? If so, I haven't learned it. I don't know what I'm supposed to learn.I'm not being sarcastic or facetious. I genuinely want to believe in God fully and I try to live my life as a good person. I just don't know how to do it.
poster:Snoozin
thread:439694
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faith/20041120/msgs/440129.html