When Being Catholic Feels Complicated: Exploring Faith Through Honest Questions
It is an incredible gift to be given an intellect, an ability to interact with both the material and immaterial world around us. We can engage with ideas and ask honest questions about what these ideas mean for our lives.
God has given humanity the freedom to engage with revealed Truth and make a personal and conscious decision to accept or deny it. Every human being is on a journey towards this Truth. Whether faith has been passed on through generations, or through ideas that they have come across in the span of their lives, we all have faith in some form.
Who or what we put our faith in – and why – are some of life’s most vulnerable questions. Vulnerability does not always equal safety, so many shy away from these hard questions, sometimes abandoning faith altogether. As Christians, we are especially inundated with many mysterious realities that are not always easy to understand. And when we don’t understand everything, it’s only natural for us to ask questions or even doubt the validity of what our faith proclaims.
Let’s be honest – being Catholic can feel complicated sometimes. There are a lot of things in our faith that are not easy to understand. It’s also not always easy to admit that we are experiencing doubt, perhaps for fear of being shamed even by those who are close to us. Even though doubt is a natural part of the human experience, many of us either stop asking questions, or walk away from faith entirely.
What if, instead of turning away from the discomfort of doubt, we engage our honest questions and lean in with compassionate curiosity?
If you find yourself struggling with unbelief, or perhaps even wrestling with doubt as you try to grapple with the Truth, this series is for you.
Below are some curated pieces that we have found helpful for those with questions about faith.
Crash Course Catholicism Podcast:
This is a favourite – it includes short, bite-sized (30-minutes!) episodes that provide clear summaries of the Catholic faith and what the Church teaches. This is a great place to start. May we suggest the series on:
Wild Catholic Teaching:
Let’s face it: the Catholic Church has some pretty ‘out-there’ teachings, traditions, and stories – from venerating Saints’ relics (think: preserved body parts!), wild exorcisms, to praying for the dead. The honest question? How do I reconcile my faith when I feel uncomfortable with some traditions? Believe it or not, you’re not the only one with these questions!
Visitation Sessions Podcast – Keep Catholicism Weird: Saints, Relics, Martyrs and More
The Evidence and the Science of the Resurrection Lila Rose chats with Physicist Fr. Robert Spitzer, on her podcast.
“What Catholics Believe About Relics: Types, Miracles & Veneration Explained” - Augustine Institute
Stories of Doubting Thomases
It’s no wonder that Jesus meets Doubting Thomas’s question with an invitation to encounter Him. Here are a handful of stories of people who grappled with doubt.
Elizabeth asked herself, “What if this is true?” - Read more from her quest towards the truth.
From Protestant Pastor to Catholic Bible Scholar: The Jeff Cavins and Fr. Mike Schmitz Interview
From Our Team
Doubt is a natural part of all spiritual journeys. It is part of the gift of our God-given intellect and free will. Here’s what some of our writers have to say about doubt, including their own personal stories for how they addressed life’s difficult questions.
Can I Be Catholic and Have Doubts? - Read what Fr. Raffaele Salvino has to say about moving from doubt to belief.
Like many others, James grappled through doubt during the Covid-19 pandemic. Read his story - I Have Doubts About My Faith – What Do I Do Now?
In a follow-up article, James describes how experiencing doubt affected his personal relationships - Wrestling with God: The Emotional and Relational Side of Doubt
Read how Aline rediscovered her faith through literature and prayer - Seeds of Faith: A Journey from Doubt to Joy Through My Grandmothers' Prayers