I apologize ahead of time for the length of this post.
Hello. I’m a born-again, Non denominational Christian, who needs some answers.
I have been fascinated with the Catholic church for most of my life, even going so far as to go into the local church as a teen to light a candle. I was raised in the Charismatic church, and my mother is a staunch believer in ever word they say. Right down to the, “you shouldn’t be poor or sick, unless you have no faith.” thing. My mom had married a Roman Catholic who cheated on her, and divorced her, so she’s never had a good view of them… Church was Never a big thing in my family, until my mom.
Lately I’ve been noticing a tremendous lack of respect for God in our church. It’s gotten so severe, that a woman my mom loves to watch on TV said we needed to “demand” that God answer our prayers because he “promised, so he owes us” (My now fifteen year old son pointed out that it was a VERY wrong thing to say!) Whereas I’m firm in the belief that everything is according to Gods will. Another point is our church allowing these two women to “take over” the place to present gifts, or prophesy, the whole nine yards. It’s internally frustrating to watch.
I read the bible every day, and cannot get enough of it! I know what it says, and have my own views. Come to find out many of the views are shared by the Catholic Church!
-I don’t believe women should be priests, or pastors.
-I don’t believe you should be rich.
-I believe we have to help the poor. (I actually saw one pastor preaching AGAINST the poor, calling them lazy! NEVER looked at him again)
-I believe you can lose your salvation if you follow the path of righteousness.
-There are others, I just can’t remember right now. XD
I always have this unsettled feeling in church. I sense an almost…chaotic way about it. There are no base rules to it all. I also have this unending sneaking suspicion that not everyone in there is genuine… I Know this is wrong of me, and have been trying to get rid of it.
My major problem is my very hard headed, elderly mother. She would have a heart attack if she knew of my fascination with Catholicism. I don’t know what to do. She lives on the same property as me, and wants me to take her to church. I feel so sad there….
I have the same concerns as any born-again would. The whole Mary thing, and the statues… But I read a very in-depth explanation at
Catholicbridge.com , and I started crying, because I think that I actually understand it! The thinking around the statues, and attitude toward them is very sophisticated! I think I’m even…slowly… understanding the thinking behind Mary! I need to read Luke again. Reading a woman’s testimony about her conversion had me crying also, because it’s the SAME thing as what I was thinking about the whole thing! The fear of the Catholics…
I need some insight! I want to know why I spend all of my time looking up nuns and monks, and their daily lives. I need to have a few insights… I’m praying HARD! I’m looking to the Bible, and prayer, because God and his word is the only one I truly trust. But I would like to have your views.
I thank you for reading my very long story!
