Exploring the Experience of a Crisis of Faith: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

For some, religion and spirituality play a crucial role in one's life, influencing their values, behaviors, and relationships. Research suggests that spirituality gives one a sense of purpose and identity, and can allow an individual to make meaning out of negative life events. A crisis of faith is a painful experience in a Christian's life when he or she begins to doubt his or her beliefs, causing grief and confusion for the individual, as well as a sense of disconnection from God. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experience of a crisis of faith and gain a deeper understanding to why one might remain committed to his or her faith, or choose to abandon it completely. Grounded theory methodology revealed that crises of faith were connected to a relationship with God. This relationship fluctuated based on the individual's acceptance of self and acceptance of God's love. The results indicated that a crisis of faith could lead to a deeper relationship with God as well as spiritual growth. Findings also supported God as an attachment figure, who Christians interact with differently depending on attachment style and past attachment injuries.