How often do people lose their faith in God after a traumatic experience?

Use this forum to discuss the September 2022 Book of the Month "When No One Else Believed" by Ron Tripodo
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Gavice Victoria
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Re: How often do people lose their faith in God after a traumatic experience?

Post by Gavice Victoria »

Victoria Ukamaka wrote: 05 Sep 2022, 08:11 If you have gone through similar experiences, you would know that it is hard to keep believing in God even when everything happening seems to be showing that God does not care about you. Holding on to God's words, believing that he knows exactly what is going on, and that all things works for our good is not easy.
Exactly my point. It is not easy at all. A lot of people fall out of faith during and after traumatic events. Even when you know God's promises, it is hard to stand by it.
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Gavice Victoria
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Post by Gavice Victoria »

Jelly_J wrote: 04 Sep 2022, 23:13 It is not easy to lose a loved one. When it happens, people concerned might react in different ways to it. Some may blame God and decide to not care anymore, or some may accept the loss and enhance their faith.
These are basically two types of christians. The first group will blame God for every misfortune they encounter. The second group will accept their predicaments in good faith, knowing that God will always make things right.
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Post by Juan Roy »

Missing Person wrote: 02 Sep 2022, 15:30 I've seen a lot of discussion about how inspiring Tripodo's faith in God was. I've also seen many stories of Christians holding onto their faith after losing a loved one. In fact, I've seen so many of these stories of Christians holding onto their faith after a traumatic experience that I've come to the conclusion that the majority of Christians hold onto their no matter how much pain and suffering they experience, and that suffering is not the principle reason why most Christians lose their faith in God.

If my hypothesis is correct and the majority of Christians still have faith in God after losing their loved ones or going through some traumatic experience, then what exactly is so inspiring about Ron Tripodo's experience? Why were so many OBC readers impressed with Tripodo's faith? As an atheist, I find it difficult to understand some readers admiration for Tripodi's faith.

If the majority of Christians lost their faith in God after a traumatic experience then I would understand how inspiring Tripodo's faith would seem. But this is not the case. I've seen trailers for Christian movies talk about Christians becoming atheists after losing a loved one. For example, in the movie Let There Be Light, Dr. Sol Harkens lost his son to cancer and then became an atheist. The movie is about how Harkens regains his faith. If Harken's experience is a common one, then that would mean Tripodo's faith was a very impressive feat, if not that would mean that, at least in my eyes, his faith was a not meaningful factor in the heartbreaking ordeal he had to endure.
From my experience, a good number of people lose their faith in God after a traumatic experience. To be honest, I do not blame them. I would lose my faith too. I cannot imagine the pain these people went through and they hoped on God and he still did not show up for them. The. Again, god is mysterious and his ways cannot be comprehended at all.
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Post by Monica Bindiu »

I think that people lose faith in God very often after a traumatic experience. This probably happens because most of the people are under the impression that believing in God is enough to keep them away from poverty, health issues, accidents or natural disasters. They are under the impression that they are protected from everything by simply believing in God, which I think is foolish. I'm not an atheist but I believe that our own actions and decisions plus a bit of luck and destiny, influence our lives the most. If we take a moment to analyze what is going wrong in our lives, we will realize that the cause is a decision or an action we made or took in the past and that we shouldn't blame a spiritual entity instead. I believe that God gives us the necessary tools to have a great life but it is on us to use them properly. I think that a lot of people find it easier to blame someone who can't actually reply back (such as God) instead of owning up to their mistakes.
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Post by Jenifer Payton »

As a Christian I think it's important to note that Ron's faith isn't the sole reason that religious readers are praising it. Personally, I feel like it's mostly because of the fact that most religions praise faith and perseverance in faith. Specifically, being Christian, I look at it as even though a lot of religious people retain their faith during difficult times because they look at their faith a sort of 'validation' or 'hope' that their dead loved one, or whoever experienced the tragedy/pain, will be looked after and has a chance to be at peace.

Another huge thing that I think makes a difference is that most religions encourage their people to bask in the triumphs of the members in their community. When our fellow religious members succeed or have a positive outlook on a negative event, we applaud them and use that experience as a lesson in our own lives. I believe that readers reading this book are able to use this outlook to really appreciate and admire Ron's faith.
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Post by Bunmi27 »

Actually most christians lose their faith initially when tragic events like death of loved ones, accidents, terrible illness etc. occurs. We're humans and we can be controlled by our emotions at times. But with time, they tend to come back to God and rebuild their faith after a period of grief, although this is not applicable to everyone. Few people are still able to stand strong and hold on to their faith after tragic occurrences. This is why Tripodo's faith is being admired.
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Post by Crabby69 »

I understand your points. I want to say that many believer of God has their faith wanes away after traumatic condition, and the author's unwavering faith and steadfastness could said to be thought provoking. such he deserve to to applaud
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Post by Nnamah »

I think people lose their faith at the slightest challenge, and this is the opposite of what it should be. Faith can only be tested in the presence of challenge.
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Post by Stevenmusk »

A lot of people who believe in God believe that he is all knowing and all doing, which means he is in charge of everything that happens including death. When they lose a loved one they have no one else to question but God. Because they pray for protection and guidance and expect him to protect them from death but these perspectives are those of a few people.
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Post by Phooko Tebogo PC »

It is about how much you believe in God and accepting life as it is. I am also one among the few who believe everything happens for a reason and despite any turns life may drive me towards, I believe I will still have Faith in him. I admire Ron's Faith in God despite all the things he encountered.
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Post by Paully_ »

Just like Tripodo's case, one's faith is not based on God to the extent that things will be rosy. There's no rosy Christianity. The object of faith is a journey like marriage vows, but this time with God. We believe in God because we have had encounter with, not because of the absence of storms in our lives. So if anything happens in our faith journey, it doesn't affect us.
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Post by Chiamaka Ogadimma »

Kelsey Roy wrote: 04 Sep 2022, 18:46 I think that perhaps the reason you’ve seen many stories about people maintaining faith after a loss is uncommon, and when it’s experience, it’s documented. Speaking from personal experience: my husband was raised Catholic. He lost his dad while in college to cancer, a quick passing after a hopeful diagnosis. My husband felt betrayed. How could a loving, merciful God take his dad from him? My husband lost his faith. Now, my husband has since started rekindling his faith, but that initial reaction of betrayal is still deep inside. I think this may be the more common feeling after loss. So, in my opinion, Tripodo’s complete TRUST in God amazes me. Not only did he continue to just call himself a Christian, he wholeheartedly believed in his God to deliver a miracle.
I understand the way your husband felt. I have also felt betrayed by God at times, but I still hold on to my faith because without God where or who will I turn to. God actually surprises me most of the time.
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Post by Mercy Udeokeke »

It takes the grace of God and a true believer to have faith in God when faced with trying times. I’m one of those Christians who occasionally backside when faced with a challenge. I get consumed by problems that I forget God’s word in his scriptures about any burden we are carrying. We are human and most times fall prey to the weakness of the flesh. That's why Tripodo’s faith in God is admirable.
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Post by jomana_3 »

I believe some people may lose faith in God as they can't comprehend how God could allow such trauma to happen. However, I believe that having faith is what helps people push through adversities.
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Post by Fredrick Felix Mnjala Maneno »

A traumatic experience can and will test anyone to their limits most times. Losing a loved one is right up there. Should one lose faith in God or should this bring them closer to Him so that they can have solace. It's a no-brainer when the one thing or person you depend on to keep you from hurt seems to fail you, so it might be logical to see some lose faith and at times denounce their faith.
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