when you doubt

Doubt is needed if society has to evolve.

Hi jr, The Bible was written by men and contains both good and bad. It is not the inspired word of God as church leaders love to have people think. As to the truth of many of the stories, it really doesn't matter. The Sermon on the mount which contains the golden rule speaks for itself, there is no better teaching in the world. The story of Lots daughters making him drunk and getting themselves pregnant by their father is not a good example for anyone. King David was God's chosen, yet he had many wives and it was not until he had another man killed that he might marry his widow, that God is said to have become angry with him. Jesus said that the kingdom of God is within us, yet people are always looking outside. Many churches make a lot of noise in their services yet we are told, "be still and know that I am God" and "in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength". Read the Bible with an open mind and you will know what is true and what isn't, never take it literally and remember the truth is within you. Blessings.

No1 I feel the opposite about questions. I feel it is healthy top have questions. And that the teachers of my religion should be able to answer my questions. and I don't mean saying believe this or else. I mean This is true because or no this isn't true because....I even will accept , I don't know as a answer. What I never have to question is the existence of G-d. I know many do and That is ok. It is good to wonder.

I do not Believe that there is a Supreme Being...I Know that there is a Supreme Being...There is a difference. As far as the Bible goes...The Torah or the TANACK is a story of a People and their struggle with rejection of Paganism and embracing of Monotheism. It tells of their Failures and Triumphs. It was an extremely male oriented society, which is how it was in most of the world. It was often a cruel society which is how the world was in those times. However, it was less cruel than most of the world at that time. It is slowly being proven with archaeological findings and writings.

The bible is partly a history of the Israelites with some imagination and exaggeration and quite a lot of invention. Clearly some of it was written to help and advise people but a lot of it is just to establish and maintain power over people. It is quite certain that "god" in the sense that any religion conceives the idea does not exist. Clearly some power or being created the universe and laid down the rules by which it all works but nobody has any idea who or what that is so apart from doing research into the way these things work there is not point in worrying about it.

Why do you wonder whether the Bible can be trusted? What questions bother you?

I used to wonder about whether God exists and managed for quite a while not believing but then I met 'Him', rather unexpectedly. The reality is rather different from the picture you get from reading the Bible (though that book is definitely about the same Person). People who think that the 'Word of God' means that every single story and statement in the Bible is literally, word-for-word 'true' are grossly misleading themselves and others.

being an Atheist about 22-3 years ago, i had one point in my life that i had big and i mean BIG doubts about God, about the bible, and about heaven. i do know it to myself and i do accept that there is a God, but i doubted the fact the he helps people. i once asked myself "if he is a God who helps people, why is he not helping me? why is it there are still people who haven't receive his help such as the poor beggars here and there?" but time came when i realized that God has a purpose on everything... :)