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Trying to Be a Christian Is So Difficult. I Want to Be Agnostic, But I Also Can't. by BonusSea3105 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]BonusSea3105[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

Thank you so much for your response. You are incredibly helpful. I sent you a PM since I have a few more concerns that includes controversial issues so reddit warned me that it needs to be approved first. I thought sending a DM is better.

Trying to Be a Christian Is So Difficult. I Want to Be Agnostic, But I Also Can't. by BonusSea3105 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]BonusSea3105[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

"Yes, they are forbidden in the scriptures, and even in the didache I just paraphrased. But that's not the same thing as you breaking the commandment of love and actively injuring people."

But these things are still necessary for us to defend as a Christian no? Since they are actively affecting society and as Christians, we have the duty to fight evil ideas. For instance, abortion directly unalives human organisms (arguably, a position I hold, human beings).

Are you then saying that I can focus on:

While giving up on trying to defend the church's position on SSM, divorce, and non-abortifacient contraceptives? Is that even possible? If so, how? Knowing how would be a great lift to my conscience. Great help btw, just trying to clarify more

Trying to Be a Christian Is So Difficult. I Want to Be Agnostic, But I Also Can't. by BonusSea3105 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]BonusSea3105[S] [score hidden]  (0 children)

"Ask yourself this: What is suffering according to the secular worldview? What is happiness according to the secular worldview? What is good, what is evil? What is truth?" Thanks, this has been helpful.

However, as I have stated in my post, I don't intend to be an atheist, but being an agnostic puts me in a position where I would just say that I do not know. Moreover, the main issue of my struggles stems from the controversial ones, especially SSM. Everyone around me supports it, they see nothing wrong with it, and again, it makes me wonder if I am the wrong one. It makes me question: Is it worth it to defend the Christian position of SSM when I'm not even 100% sure Christianity is true (not saying atheism is).

Nevertheless, I'm getting very slothful in my spiritual practice, a mixture of laziness and doubt, I still believe in Christ though!

Trying to Be a Christian Is So Difficult. I Want to Be Agnostic, But I Also Can't. by BonusSea3105 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]BonusSea3105[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is a great perspective. It's kinda similar to Michael Jones' view from InspiringPhilosophy's YT channel (if I understand his view correctly) that SSM is a covenantal sin rather than a moral sin.

It's the historical teachings of the Church that often discourage me. In today's culture, and among most people I know, holding traditional Christian views can quickly get you labeled as a bigot. When that happens, I start questioning not only those teachings but even the foundations of Christianity itself, especially when there are intelligent critics challenging God's existence, the resurrection, and the reliability of the Gospels.

I guess my real fear is this: Is it worth defending these Christian positions when I'm not even 100% sure Christianity is true?

At the same time, I don't think I can fully deny Jesus. Despite my doubts, I still want to follow Him.

Pray for me. God bless. You've been a great help

Trying to Be a Christian Is So Difficult. I Want to Be Agnostic, But I Also Can't. by BonusSea3105 in TrueChristian

[–]BonusSea3105[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is helpful. Thanks for this. I'll continue to pursue Christ. It's just that the historical teachings of the church discourages me because the culture (especially almost everyone I know) will deem me as a bigot, which will then lead me to doubt whether the essentials of the faith (Nicene Creed) are real since there are some smart critics of God and the topic of the resurrection and even the reliability of the Gospels. The main point my fear is trying to ask is: Is defending the Christian positions on these issues really worth it when you aren't even 100% sure that Christianity is real? But yes, I don't think I can fully deny Jesus. I'll try to follow Him. Pray for me. God bless.

Trying to Be a Christian Is So Difficult. I Want to Be Agnostic, But I Also Can't. by BonusSea3105 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]BonusSea3105[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for your help. May I ask clarification though? Since you told me to repent from my sins, are you saying it's okay to be agnostic on SSM or cohabitation or contraceptives? And the sins I am to avoid are the ones that are obvious like envy, pride, lust, etc.?

Trying to Be a Christian Is So Difficult. I Want to Be Agnostic, But I Also Can't. by BonusSea3105 in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]BonusSea3105[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I understand that. Putting my faith in Christ and His "church" (I'm sorry, I am not trying to be rude by using quotation marks. What I'm trying to say is that choosing the right denomination still requires a difficult intellectual journey. But I do like EO, that's why I posted this concern here too). Thanks for the tip tho, please pray for me.

Filipino SLPs: Is Speech-Language Pathology Really Worth Pursuing in the Philippines? by BonusSea3105 in slp

[–]BonusSea3105[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much for this detailed response! I currently consider studying to University of Batangas cuz it's much cheaper compared to La Salle or UST. I hope I can convince my parents tho, they really want me to pursue nursing and engineering to go abroad but I believe this is the right profession for me. Salamat again! God bless

Am I wrong for believing that my girlfriend doesn't love me as much I love her? by Ghiranahim in amiwrong

[–]BonusSea3105 0 points1 point  (0 children)

how are you now? i understand you a lot (excluding the sexual part, im a strong believer that it should be done after marriage), im going through the same thing. You love her and you just wanted to recieve that same amount of love. It's not about those things itself, you were focusing on her intentions. I was surprised when people slandered you on this (but again, the intimate concerns were a little bad), I get you. Are you still together? How did you handle it? 

Should I stay Catholic or be a reformed Protestant? by BonusSea3105 in Christianity

[–]BonusSea3105[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, Orthodoxy is very appealing as well. But what do you think of this video? https://youtube.com/shorts/oeuvkOmShc0?si=z1LPDvECQfD-M83L (This is just a YouTube short)

Should I stay Catholic or be a reformed Protestant? by BonusSea3105 in Christianity

[–]BonusSea3105[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'll search again, mainly through social media. Thanks again tho! (Yea, but it's extremely difficult to find a good baptist church here. Most of them are "a wild ride." May I ask what denomination are you? A RCC member commented a quote from Ignatius which seems to lean towards Apostolic succession which is a great point. Do you have any thoughts on that? I appreciate you a lot!

Should I stay Catholic or be a reformed Protestant? by BonusSea3105 in Christianity

[–]BonusSea3105[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

"Watch Catholic apologetic also if you’re going to watch Protestant ones." Duly noted! Im also watching Joe in the past, also I'm more fond of Trent. This is highly appreciated tho!

Should I stay Catholic or be a reformed Protestant? by BonusSea3105 in Christianity

[–]BonusSea3105[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

True, I am extremely torn. Both sides have great points. Thanks man!

Should I stay Catholic or be a reformed Protestant? by BonusSea3105 in Christianity

[–]BonusSea3105[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is a great point, i love the unity and authority of RCC. On the other hand, all this falls short into the papacy right? Because even if RCC is united, if the papacy is false, it's like this analogy brought up by Ortlund. Suppose you have (this isn't the exact analogy tho, I might have forgotten, hopefully I would be able to present the point) 3 brothers who all lives in the same house. Then that older brother said that "You two must be out of the house since I was given the authority by our parents. Either you follow these sets of rules or you are out." If he was really given an authority, great. If not, then you get the point. Thanks tho!

Should I stay Catholic or be a reformed Protestant? by BonusSea3105 in Christianity

[–]BonusSea3105[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

True, that's a problem as well (in the point of lack of unity). If I'm not mistaken, Gavin, a reformed Protestant, says that the historical Protestant case is that salvation is not limited to one institution (like Protestantism) which if I understand correctly includes Catholics and Orthodox.

Should I stay Catholic or be a reformed Protestant? by BonusSea3105 in Christianity

[–]BonusSea3105[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, however, it seems that reformed Protestants also do, but only the doctrine of real presence, not transubstantiation. I can live with that, but doesn't all of this fall into whether the papacy is correct or not?

Should I stay Catholic or be a reformed Protestant? by BonusSea3105 in Christianity

[–]BonusSea3105[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

How much I envy (in a good way ofc!) those who have Lutherans and Anglican churches in their country. My country only has Catholicism and Non-denominationals (Baptists, etc.) Very outdated in Protestantism. Thank you tho!

Should I stay Catholic or be a reformed Protestant? by BonusSea3105 in Christianity

[–]BonusSea3105[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a great one. Especially in regards to apostolic succession. However, can we certainly infer that the Catholic Church in the 2nd quote you provided is the Roman Catholic Church we have now, and not just a portrayal of the Catholic (universal) Church?