2 disagreements so im not a real Catholic?

[benidict]

This is the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Thick book huh? I agree with everything in this book. With the exeption of 2 issues. Should I change my religious affiliation and leave the Church? One of the issues is moral, the other is socialogical. Your thoughts. Peace

 

[TrueLight]

This is the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Thick book huh? I agree with everything in this book. With the exeption of 2 issues. Should I change my religious affiliation and leave the Church? One of the issues is moral, the other is socialogical. Your thoughts. Peace

I’m interested in this answer as well, as I am learning so much about Catholicism.

There is one teaching that does not work for me and I don’t see that changing in the future.

Does that mean I shouldn’t convert?

edited to add: Actually make that two.

 

[JohnMPhilomena]

No - you should study the 2 issues and pray to understand why you are in error.

 

[benidict]

I’m interested in this answer as well, as I am learning so much about Catholicism.

There is one teaching that does not work for me and I don’t see that changing in the future.

Does that mean I shouldn’t convert?

edited to add: Actually make that two.

Exactly! Good question. These issues never came up in my conversion because they were never really an issue for me. I really paid them no mind until I came to the moral theology forums. It may be that all my defenses of Catholic doctrine have been in vain, on the non Catholic religions forums. Why? because I refuse to agree with two beliefs based on my own reasoning and conscience. I however cannot give up the 99.9999999 percent of the teachings I agree with. I will have really nowhere to go, if I do this. I believe the Catholic Church has all truth in terms of theology, in terms of doctrine. but there are 2 issues, I cannot in good conscience accept. Peace and prayers for you.

 

[estesbob]

This is the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Thick book huh? I agree with everything in this book. With the exeption of 2 issues. Should I change my religious affiliation and leave the Church? One of the issues is moral, the other is socialogical. Your thoughts. Peace

I disagree with the church teaching on prohibiting barrier methods of contraception and their view that the death penalty is acceptable in some cases. However I accept both of them and chalk up my disagreement as a shortcoming that hopefully someday I will be able to resolve. Please note that there is a difference between disagreement and rejection.

 

[2010_Convert]

In my opinion, it would depend on what your disagreements with the Church are. If they have anything to do with the sacraments, that would definitely be a problem. My advice is to find a catholic priest that you respect and make an appointment to discuss these concerns with him. My husband and I converted last year. He was actually a Southern Baptist pastor, so you can imagine that we had a lot of concerns. After talking them over with our priest, we now embrace all of the teachings of the Church and know them to be the truth. I will be praying for your journey. Don’t give up on the best thing that could happen in your life. We have never been happier. We still have a lot to learn, but it’s a lifelong process. It will not happen overnight. Be blessed!

 

[benidict]

I disagree with the church teaching on prohibiting barrier methods of contraception and their view that the death penalty is acceptable in some cases. However I accept both of them and chalk up my disagreement as a shortcoming that hopefully someday I will be able to resolve. Please note that there is a difference between disagreement and rejection.

I find this interesting, and will take this into serious account. I would say that both are serious disagreements, but not outright rejections. I understand where you are coming from on the contrception issue. Thankfully that is not mine. But reguardless of the issue. Are we allowed to have our own mind on Anything? Peace

 

[estesbob]

I find this interesting, and will take this into serious account. I would say that both are serious disagreements, but not outright rejections. I understand where you are coming from on the contrception issue. Thankfully that is not mine. But reguardless of the issue. Are we allowed to have our own mind on Anything? Peace

We are allowed to have our own mind on everything as long as it is not contrary to the teachings of the church. The way I resolved accepting something even though in my heart I disagreed with it was that if the church was wrong about, say contraception, how do I know they werenot also wrong about the divinity of Jesus and the resurrection? There are so so many things about our faith that I accept but don’t fully understand. That is why it is called faith I guess

 

[TrueLight]

We are allowed to have our own mind on everything as long as it is not contrary to the teachings of the church. The way I resolved accepting something even though in my heart I disagreed with it was that if the church was wrong about, say contraception, how do I know they werenot also wrong about the divinity of Jesus and the resurrection? There are so so many things about our faith that I accept but don’t fully understand. That is why it is called faith I guess

Hasn’t the church changed its teachings on certain things over the centuries?

I don’t have a reference but I thought I read this on the forums.

 

[benidict]

No - you should study the 2 issues and pray to understand why you are in error.

Thank you for your understanding??

 

[benidict]

Haven’t the church changed its teachings on certain things over the centuries?

I don’t have a reference but I thought I read this on the forums.

Apparently not. Which is why Vatican 2 is such a huge issue with the ultra conservatives. I understand their point. Up to a point.

 

[1ke]

This is the Catechism of the Catholic Church. Thick book huh? I agree with everything in this book. With the exeption of 2 issues. Should I change my religious affiliation and leave the Church? One of the issues is moral, the other is socialogical. Your thoughts. Peace

To paraphrase St Peter, to whom would you go? The Church is the bride of Christ and has the fullness of Truth.

When we disagree with a defined doctrine of the Church, we are in error not the Church. We can continue to study and learn so that we understand. We must assent to the teaching, and not transgress it. But, we may not always understand it fully or “agree” with it due to our lack of understanding.

Not everything is a doctrine, so it’s hard to know without specifics whether or not you must give assent.

Also, if you have been baptized Catholic or received into full communion you cannot call yourself anything but Catholic-- you will always be Catholic. It’s an ontological reality.

 

[estesbob]

Haven’t the church changed its teachings on certain things over the centuries?

I don’t have a reference but I thought I read this on the forums.

The Church has never changed a teaching on faith and morals. The church has never changed a doctrine. The truth is they can’t.

 

[benidict]

To paraphrase St Peter, to whom would you go? The Church is the bride of Christ and has the fullness of Truth.

When we disagree with a defined doctrine of the Church, we are in error not the Church. We can continue to study and learn so that we understand. We must assent to the teaching, and not transgress it. But, we may not always understand it fully or “agree” with it due to our lack of understanding.

Not everything is a doctrine, so it’s hard to know without specifics whether or not you must give assent.

Also, if you have been baptized Catholic or received into full communion you cannot call yourself anything but Catholic-- you will always be Catholic. It’s an ontological reality.

I agree that I can never call myself anything but Catholic. But would you associate with your family if they questioned your loyalty to them, based on 2 disagreements? This could get pretty uncomfortable, wouldnt you agree? I may have to throw myself on the mercy of Jesus at the end of it all. Im willing to spend time in purgatory, for my objections, If in fact I am in error. Both “errors” if thats what they are, are made with the intent to preserve Life.

 

[estesbob]

Apparently not. Which is why Vatican 2 is such a huge issue with the ultra conservatives. I understand their point.

Vatican II is a huge issue with those who don’t understand it. The problems arose with all the abuses carried out by people claiming to be acting in the spirit of Vatican II. Whenever you hear someone invoke the spirit of Vatican II you can immediately know two things:

1. They have never read the documents from Vatican II
2. What they’re suggesting is contrary to the teachings of the church

 

[estesbob]

I agree that I can never call myself anything but Catholic. But would you associate with your family if they questioned your loyalty to them, based on 2 disagreements? This could get pretty uncomfortable, wouldnt you agree? I may have to throw myself on the mercy of Jesus at the end of it all. Im willing to spend time in purgatory, for my objections, If in fact I am in error. Both “errors” if thats what they are, are in preservation of Life.

My family and I disagree so vehemently on political issues and on some issues of faith that my mother has invoked a rule that we never discuss faith and politics at family gatherings. I would suggest that perhaps a similar ban would be helpful in your case.

 

[benidict]

benidict;7718118:

Apparently not. Which is why Vatican 2 is such a huge issue with the ultra conservatives. I understand their point. Tquote]

Vatican II is a huge issue with those who don’t understand it. The problems arose with all the abuses carried out by people claiming to be acting in the spirit of Vatican II. Whenever you hear someone invoke the spirit of Vatican II you can immediately know two things:

1. They have never read the documents from Vatican II
2. What they’re suggesting is contrary to the teachings of the church

I simply use this as an example. I will not even pretend to know the ins and outs of the whole debate. What I have heard of it, makes my head hurt, and I have resolved in the interest of unity to stay out of it.

 

[Padraig1972]

My advice is this: study the two issues, then go talk to a priest (parish priest or a priest you find comfortable with), discuss the issues that bothers you and use some time to think and reflect this through.

I did this myself and spent four months thinking before deciding to convert. Today, i fully understand and support the things i had issues with. It was a wise move i think.

So to all candidates of RCIA classes:

1. Take time, study, read, pray and be happy.
2. Talk to a priest if you got issues.
3. Attend mass (i recommend 2x a week as a minimum).
4. and most of all: trust the Lord. Not a bit, but totally.

It will help and you will also learn a whole lot from it.
I wish both of you the best of luck.

God bless.

 

[TrueLight]

My advice is this: study the two issues, then go talk to a priest (parish priest or a priest you find comfortable with), discuss the issues that bothers you and use some time to think and reflect this through.

I did this myself and spent four months thinking before deciding to convert. Today, i fully understand and support the things i had issues with. It was a wise move i think.

So to all candidates of RCIA classes:

1. Take time, study, read, pray and be happy.
2. Talk to a priest if you got issues.
3. Attend mass (i recommend 2x a week as a minimum).
4. and most of all: trust the Lord. Not a bit, but totally.

It will help and you will also learn a whole lot from it.
I wish both of you the best of luck.

God bless.

Thank you.

I am doing 1, 3 and 4.

I haven’t spoken to a priest yet, but that will come.

As for number 4, I do trust the Lord totally. In my mind, that is not necessarily equivalent to the church’s teaching necessarily.

 

[Padraig1972]

Thank you.

I am doing 1, 3 and 4.

I haven’t spoken to a priest yet, but that will come.

As for number 4, I do trust the Lord totally. In my mind, that is not necessarily equivalent to the church’s teaching necessarily.

Regarding no 4. that was i thought last year too, but the priest made me see things a bit clearer and different. Everything in the cathecism comes directly from the Lord himself.

It really doesn`t matter if it revised or written from a 100 to 1000 year after the events, the words are still His and we must follow them as thè law.