A Question for Ex-Roman Catholics

[LegoGE1947]

Holy smokes! That sounds traumatic! Thanks be to God you are out of there! Bless you, buddy!

Also thanks be to God not all Protestant churches are like this even pentacostal ones. But now that I have had a taste of Catholicism those other groups are just not the same to me. I especially appreciated the “Scrutinies” that happened during the closing weeks of RCIA when the priest called me and all the other candidates and catachumens to the altar and quietly prayed over us and it was nothing weird or crazy but after he had laid hands on me and prayed his prayer over me I felt actually CLEANSED rather than embarrassed.

 

[LegoGE1947]

Holy smokes! That sounds traumatic! Thanks be to God you are out of there! Bless you, buddy!

I don’t know if the quote from Benedict XVI at the bottom of your post about the false freedom of moral relativism is from you or if someone at CAF added it but it is really an awesome quote! Benedict is not as “in the public” as John Paul II was but I still like him as much as John Paul. They both strike me a true men of God and very scholarly people.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I don’t know if the quote from Benedict XVI at the bottom of your post about the false freedom of moral relativism is from you or if someone at CAF added it but it is really an awesome quote! Benedict is not as “in the public” as John Paul II was but I still like him as much as John Paul. They both strike me a true men of God and very scholarly people.

Hi Lego,

The quote is totally from Benedict, nothing from me! Here’s the actual full quote (I couldn’t fit the whole thing on my signature! lol):

On June 6, 2005, he told educators:

“Today, a particularly insidious obstacle to the task of education is the massive presence in our society and culture of that relativism which, recognizing nothing as definitive, leaves as the ultimate criterion only the self with its desires. And under the semblance of freedom it becomes a prison for each one, for it separates people from one another, locking each person into his or her own ‘ego’”

 

[LegoGE1947]

Hi Lego,

The quote is totally from Benedict, nothing from me! Here’s the actual full quote (I couldn’t fit the whole thing on my signature! lol):

On June 6, 2005, he told educators:

“Today, a particularly insidious obstacle to the task of education is the massive presence in our society and culture of that relativism which, recognizing nothing as definitive, leaves as the ultimate criterion only the self with its desires. And under the semblance of freedom it becomes a prison for each one, for it separates people from one another, locking each person into his or her own ‘ego’”

In my city (Rockford, IL) it seems more and more places of business are locking up so you have to “buzz” at the door to get in! I went to a pizza restaurant a few days ago and they have installed the security locks on the doors so you have to buzz to be admitted to the restaurant. Now the Catholic church I attend has announced that effective August 3, for the safety of its staff and facilities the church office will be locked at all times and you will have to buzz to get admittance to the church office. Has it gotten this bad that the whole world has to be locked up like Ft. Knox? Or am I so old school that I long for the days when you could go just about anywhere and feel safe about it?

 

[rev_kevin]

I just felt very sad reading your post about why you left. I don’t want to debate you about your reasons because they are what they are. I just wanted to point out that the Church was right to deny your cousin being a Godparent because he wasn’t a practicing Catholic. That is part of the whole purpose of Godparents: to help raise their Godchildren in the Catholic faith - if he isn’t practicing, how would he do that? I absolutely believe you that he is a wonderful person, but that’s not the criteria for Godparent.

Edit: I guess I should also mention that since I don’t know all of the factors in the Church’s decision, there must have been more to it, because I believe you can have one non-Catholic Godparent as long as there is one practicing Catholic Godparent. I suppose it would depend on your cousin’s particular situation - if he was Catholic, but not practicing/fallen away etc. or just not Catholic.

And you probably should have found another parish to attend if they “forced” you to put all children in a cry room. I have never heard of that before - cry rooms are available for parents if needed, but obviously you are right - children are and should be welcome in church.

Your listed reasons for leaving aside, I’m curious about your view of the Eucharist, Jesus’ presence at Mass and your views of that part of the Catholic faith vs. what you experience in your current church.

May God bless you and your family.

 

[rev_kevin]

I just felt very sad reading your post about why you left. I don’t want to debate you about your reasons because they are what they are. I just wanted to point out that the Church was right to deny your cousin being a Godparent because he wasn’t a practicing Catholic. That is part of the whole purpose of Godparents: to help raise their Godchildren in the Catholic faith - if he isn’t practicing, how would he do that? I absolutely believe you that he is a wonderful person, but that’s not the criteria for Godparent.

Edit: I guess I should also mention that since I don’t know all of the factors in the Church’s decision, there must have been more to it, because I believe you can have one non-Catholic Godparent as long as there is one practicing Catholic Godparent. I suppose it would depend on your cousin’s particular situation - if he was Catholic, but not practicing/fallen away etc. or just not Catholic.

And you probably should have found another parish to attend if they “forced” you to put all children in a cry room. I have never heard of that before - cry rooms are available for parents if needed, but obviously you are right - children are and should be welcome in church.

Your listed reasons for leaving aside, I’m curious about your view of the Eucharist, Jesus’ presence at Mass and your views of that part of the Catholic faith vs. what you experience in your current church.

May God bless you and your family.

 

[rev_kevin]

I just felt very sad reading your post about why you left. I don’t want to debate you about your reasons because they are what they are. I just wanted to point out that the Church was right to deny your cousin being a Godparent because he wasn’t a practicing Catholic. That is part of the whole purpose of Godparents: to help raise their Godchildren in the Catholic faith - if he isn’t practicing, how would he do that? I absolutely believe you that he is a wonderful person, but that’s not the criteria for Godparent.

Edit: I guess I should also mention that since I don’t know all of the factors in the Church’s decision, there must have been more to it, because I believe you can have one non-Catholic Godparent as long as there is one practicing Catholic Godparent. I suppose it would depend on your cousin’s particular situation - if he was Catholic, but not practicing/fallen away etc. or just not Catholic.

And you probably should have found another parish to attend if they “forced” you to put all children in a cry room. I have never heard of that before - cry rooms are available for parents if needed, but obviously you are right - children are and should be welcome in church.

Your listed reasons for leaving aside, I’m curious about your view of the Eucharist, Jesus’ presence at Mass and your views of that part of the Catholic faith vs. what you experience in your current church.

May God bless you and your family.

I understand there are rules but that don’t mean I agree with them but I do respect them.
My cousin was a Catholic all his life, went 8 years of Catholic school, went to church every day for 8 years while going to school then went every sunday until his adult hood.
He was denied for the reason stated just because he wasn’t a member of a church. He is still Catholic just the same. I still believe the parent knows better who can raise their child
not a priest or a orginization. In my opion it takes your freedom of religion away from the parent because they tell you who and how you should raise your child and what religion. I believe this is wrong. It also takes away the rights of the parent to their child were the church is telling you how to raise your child. He has since passed away of cancer and my son was devistated. He was only 55.

My views on the Eucharist- we call it the Lords suppper. We celebrate it quartly. Not every sunday. I believe if you celebrate every sunday it becomes routine, just a part of the everyweek service. It starts to loose its meaning, it starts to loose what is special about it.
Our pastor hands 12 deacons a plate with a bread like cracker in a cup, they hand the plate to the congregation and take the cup, after that the pastor says about the same thing the priest says then we eat the bread. We also hove wine or grape juice same way in serving and all. I like it quartly because it has more meaning than everyday. Thats my opion.

My wife and I were asked to be Godparents by a friend of ours, my wife was accepted by not me because I’m a ordained minister. They say I abondaned the Catholic faith, I don’t believe I did, I left the church and started worshiping God in a different way. God is Go no matter what religion. There is not Catholic God , no Baptist God, no Prodistent God, no Non-Dom. God. there is Just God. If you as the God parent raise the child to believe in God that should be enough becaues God or Jesus didn’t say raise them in this religion, just raise them as a christian and to trust and believe Jesus died for our sins and that he is the way the truth and the light he who believes in me shall not parish but have eternal life, don’t say anything about a certain religion. To me its forced religion and I don’t believe in that. Thats my opion.

As far as the cry room that was back in the 60s and 70s so I’m sure things have changed.

As far as religion as a whole, I don’t have a problem with any religion or how you worship God as long as you don’t harm or injure or do anything worse i your worship I have no problem at all. I respect all religions but disagree with some of their ways. I was a alter boy for many years, went to Catholic school for 8 years, almost became a priest, went to seminary school for 1 year. So I understand the religion but disagree with parts of it.

I hope you don’t look down on me for my beliefs just like I don’t look down on you for yours. All of my family are Catholic and my brother is a knights of columbus. We all believe in one God, the trinity. Well there you have it.

 

[rev_kevin]

In the matter of confessing your sins to a priest, the priest is acting in the person of Christ,and priests are under a priestly seal that they aren’t to tell what goes on in the confessional or they face strict penalties. In the matter of separating children from the main church, most protestant churches I’ve ever seen do just that! They have children’s church mainly to teach the kids their particular brand of the faith but also to give the kids some activity so they aren’t disturbing the adults. I’ve also seen Protestant churches where if you don’t give so much money to their church, you won’t be sending your kids to their schools. They also treat you like some sort of second class citizen if you are not giving a big pile of money to their church projects or “tithing” This “open, free” worship is not all it is cracked up to be either. In my Catholic church the priest laughs with you and talks to you like you are a person and makes you feel welcome. After Mass we have a time of having coffee and donuts in the fellowship hall where we can talk and fellowship with other parishoners. I am a former protestant so I don’t feel as tho I am missing a thing except the spiritual gymnastics of trying to make God’s word say something it doesn’t and coming away from services confused and bewildered. But then I have never considered church an “entertainment” feature. If I want a play or skit I can watch TV or go to a play or movie. The protestant assemblies I have been part of seem to be doctrinally a mile wide and 1/2 inch deep. So all things considered I am glad to no longer be a protestant.

As far as confession. Thats between me and God and no one eles, not even a priest. I understand he can be punished if he breaks the cofidensiality because as a minister my self I have the same. The money, my church don’t discuss it, our pastors feelings and i concure with him is of you start keeping track on who much who gives you as a human will start to show favoritism to the ones who give more. See some have more than others and can give more andsome can’t. Just like the lady that gave her last little bit of money to the church, she was critized for it but Jesus said she has given more than those who gave a certain amount because they could affore it, she gave the last of what she had, so who gave more?

It beautiful when you see children on the stage singing a song in hand laungage or acting out the Lords supper to get a visual prospective and the emotional feeling when you see it or just to get the point across because some times seeing something visually has more of a impact and a greater meaning than words.

As far as being confused or bewildered I feel that your pastor didn’t get his message across or he just wasn’t good at preaching. See I feel no meaning or sadifaction when its the same thing over and over again week after week. It becomes routine and mundane. I can tell you how itis in the Cahtolic church because its so routine it has,at least for me no meaning. The only thing different is th ereading of the Gospel and the 5 min speach the priest gives, the rest is all the same. Sorry but its not for me. I like the freedom and openess of my church. I call it, with no offence to you or your religion, the sit, stand and kneel church. In my church if you want to clap while singing you can, before services start we fellowship, talk and laugh with eachother. Not just kneel or sit there quietly or wisper you don’t do that at your friends house and God’s house is not different.
You asked I gave you my answer. I hope your not offended but that was my experance in the Catholic church since I was old enough to remember and it wasn’t pleasent for me. I felt locked in .

 

[Jay53]

I understand there are rules but that don’t mean I agree with them but I do respect them.
My cousin was a Catholic all his life, went 8 years of Catholic school, went to church every day for 8 years while going to school then went every sunday until his adult hood.
He was denied for the reason stated just because he wasn’t a member of a church. He is still Catholic just the same. I still believe the parent knows better who can raise their child
not a priest or a orginization. In my opion it takes your freedom of religion away from the parent because they tell you who and how you should raise your child and what religion. I believe this is wrong. It also takes away the rights of the parent to their child were the church is telling you how to raise your child. He has since passed away of cancer and my son was devistated. He was only 55.

I am very sorry for your loss. :console:

My views on the Eucharist- we call it the Lords suppper. We celebrate it quartly. Not every sunday. I believe if you celebrate every sunday it becomes routine, just a part of the everyweek service. It starts to loose its meaning, it starts to loose what is special about it.
Our pastor hands 12 deacons a plate with a bread like cracker in a cup, they hand the plate to the congregation and take the cup, after that the pastor says about the same thing the priest says then we eat the bread. We also hove wine or grape juice same way in serving and all. I like it quartly because it has more meaning than everyday. Thats my opion.

I respect your opinion. It definitely has not become “routine” for me to receive Jesus every Sunday (and some weekdays). I am infinitely grateful for the opportunity to do so.

My wife and I were asked to be Godparents by a friend of ours, my wife was accepted by not me because I’m a ordained minister. They say I abondaned the Catholic faith, I don’t believe I did, I left the church and started worshiping God in a different way. God is Go no matter what religion. There is not Catholic God , no Baptist God, no Prodistent God, no Non-Dom. God. there is Just God. If you as the God parent raise the child to believe in God that should be enough becaues God or Jesus didn’t say raise them in this religion, just raise them as a christian and to trust and believe Jesus died for our sins and that he is the way the truth and the light he who believes in me shall not parish but have eternal life, don’t say anything about a certain religion. To me its forced religion and I don’t believe in that. Thats my opion.

I understand your point, but Godparents in the Catholic Church have a specific role which is to teach and guide their Godchild in the Catholic faith. If one doesn’t agree with certain tenets of that faith then they cannot serve as a Godparent - they would be teaching the child things opposed to that faith.

As far as the cry room that was back in the 60s and 70s so I’m sure things have changed.

As far as religion as a whole, I don’t have a problem with any religion or how you worship God as long as you don’t harm or injure or do anything worse i your worship I have no problem at all. I respect all religions but disagree with some of their ways. I was a alter boy for many years, went to Catholic school for 8 years, almost became a priest, went to seminary school for 1 year. So I understand the religion but disagree with parts of it.

I hope you don’t look down on me for my beliefs just like I don’t look down on you for yours. All of my family are Catholic and my brother is a knights of columbus. We all believe in one God, the trinity. Well there you have it.

I absolutely would never look down on you for your beliefs. I believe with all my heart that the Catholic Church has the fullness of Truth and that it is the Church founded, guided and protected by Jesus. At the same time, in this day and age, I am just happy if everyone practices some religion or has some moral compass to guide them. I know a few protestant ministers who are very good men and women and one can witness God working through them in their ministry - so I definitely don’t judge others for their faith. As you said, as long as someone’s religion doesn’t injure or harm others under the guise of religion or God, then I have no problem with him/her. God will lead everyone as He wills.

May God bless you.

 

[Harpazo]

Glory to Jesus Christ!

I generally shy away from these threads, because I have seen them at times become “mission territory.”

I figure I’d post here anyway. I converted to Catholicism from Methodism when I was 17 because I knew that Protestantism could not offer a deeper faith than what I was seeking. They were the “johnny-come-lately” in the history of Christianity.

We were not briefed on completely everything in RCIA on the faith, so I found other resources, such as EWTN to get my catechesis, such as Original Sin, Papal Infallibility, the early Church, Immaculate Conception, etc. Before I converted, I did not give much attention at all to the claims of the Orthodox. All I thought of them was that they were ethnic groupings of schismatic pseudo-Catholics. No one person in the Catholic Church taught me that per se, but that was the impression I got gradually over time before I entered RCIA.

As I studied more of the early Church, it put me in a very difficult situation. By this time, I was attending a Maronite church and was very interested in Eastern Christianity. But, I knew that I could not reconcile certain Eastern Christian beliefs and approaches to theology and spirituality that were integral to the faith of the early Church, at least in the East. I started looking into the claims of the Orthodox on a much more serious level. It was then that I came to understand that the Orthodox Church upheld the faith of the Apostles. They did not add to it, they did not subtract from it. There was no “development of doctrine” and they never underwent a Reformation. They did not have a Pope. In fact, that was a major issue for me in deciding to convert. I thought that it would only make sense for an institution to have an earthly head, but the Church is not a human institution.

I also understood better how the early Church operated and the Orthodox Church resembles that in almost every possible way. They maintained the same faith, shared in the same Eucharist and have complete unbroken Apostolic Succession.

I do not view my time in the Catholic Church as a waste of time at all. In fact, I have found that it was a very great experience. It helped me to develop my faith deeper and to seek after God by denying myself. I still love all my Catholic brethren without exception and am grateful for them.

In Christ,
Andrew

 

[rev_kevin]

I am very sorry for your loss. :console:

I respect your opinion. It definitely has not become “routine” for me to receive Jesus every Sunday (and some weekdays). I am infinitely grateful for the opportunity to do so.

I understand your point, but Godparents in the Catholic Church have a specific role which is to teach and guide their Godchild in the Catholic faith. If one doesn’t agree with certain tenets of that faith then they cannot serve as a Godparent - they would be teaching the child things opposed to that faith.

I absolutely would never look down on you for your beliefs. I believe with all my heart that the Catholic Church has the fullness of Truth and that it is the Church founded, guided and protected by Jesus. At the same time, in this day and age, I am just happy if everyone practices some religion or has some moral compass to guide them. I know a few protestant ministers who are very good men and women and one can witness God working through them in their ministry - so I definitely don’t judge others for their faith. As you said, as long as someone’s religion doesn’t injure or harm others under the guise of religion or God, then I have no problem with him/her. God will lead everyone as He wills.

May God bless you.

Thank you, you are one of the nicest and non-judgmental person I have encouontered on this sight. You are strong in your religion and beliefs as I am in mine. Its nice to talk to someone who won’t belittle someone for what they believe. Like I said I was raised Cahtolic but it just isn’t for me. Thank you for your respect, it really means a lot to me.
God bless and my love
Rev Kevin

 

[Dale_M]

I’m just curious. What made you lose your faith that the Catholic Church is guided by the Holy Spirit?

I really don’t know. Last August I was sitting at the computer, typing away about some subject which had nothing to do with religion. Then, out of the blue, the thought struck me, much like a potato had been thrown at me, that I no longer believed in the Catholic Church.

I tried my old stand-by argument, that God wouldn’t send his Son to Earth and then not try to safeguard his message. It is the argument which lead me to the Catholic Church 30 years ago, but it no longer convinced me.

I’m still praying for God’s guidance as to where he wants me, but I have no faith in the interpretations given to the Bible and traditions built up by the various Christian communities.

 

[ProLifeMom]

I really don’t know. Last August I was sitting at the computer, typing away about some subject which had nothing to do with religion. Then, out of the blue, the thought struck me, much like a potato had been thrown at me, that I no longer believed in the Catholic Church.

I tried my old stand-by argument, that God wouldn’t send his Son to Earth and then not try to safeguard his message. It is the argument which lead me to the Catholic Church 30 years ago, but it no longer convinced me.

I’m still praying for God’s guidance as to where he wants me, but I have no faith in the interpretations given to the Bible and traditions built up by the various Christian communities.

Do you think that maybe the Devil threw that potato at you?

 

[hippyprincess]

Though I was raised staunchly Catholic, don’t belong to the Roman Catholic faith for several reasons;

1. I do not agree with the moral values and dogma of the Christian faith.
2. There is no sufficient evidence for the existence of a deity, especially the one described in the Bible.The Bible is too full of contradictions, inconsistency, and fantasy to be considered factual, in my eyes. The evidence for the big bang is overwhelming, and is a more plausible explanation.

 

[area52]

What began for me the loss of faith in pentacostal teachings was being a member of a church where when I felt I was losing my grip on reality and needed to seek out professional help this pastor had me up in front of a Sunday morning congregation and began to go through an exorcism! Had me running around the worship area like some nut screaming at the devil all because I dared to ask him if he knew any Christian therapists in our area. Later I found that I am bi-polar and desparately needed to get some help and get on some medication to get my damaged emotions under some semblance of control. By the way this church or sect or whatever it was usually preached the same health and wealth “gospel” as so many TV preachers are into!

Jesus gave warning about those false prophets- Mat 7:15 "Beware of false prophets who come disguised as harmless sheep, but are really wolves that will tear you apart.
Jesus further say that we can tell who the false prophets are- Mat 7:16 You can detect them by the way they act, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit. You don’t pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles.

Don’t worry about those TV evangelist preaching health and wealth. On judgement day, they will be dealt with… Mat 7:22 On judgment day many will tell me, Lord, Lord, we prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.' Mat 7:23 But I will reply, I never knew you. Go away; the things you did were unauthorized.’

What is important is that **you believed **that Jesus is the only way to God (not important what I believed or what Roman Church believed or what Pope say to believed). When the time come, you will be the only one that will be judge by Jesus. The Pope or Roman Church can not speak for you. Jesus say enter by the narrow gate- Mat 7:13 "You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose the easy way. Mat 7:14 But the gateway to life is small, and the road is narrow, and only a few ever find it. The only way to eternal life is Jesus. As He said - Jhn 14:6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.

God bless…

 

[GodIsGracious]

Cradle Catholic here!

I was baptised as a baby and had First Reconciliation and First Communion. I was about 11 years old in CCD for confirmation and I was asking some really tough questions. None of my teachers could answer them. I was actually quite astute and intelligent for my age and would ask very mature question.

Couldn’t do it. My mother was SO ANGRY with me. She’d literally tell me, “Just shut up and do it.”

Tried to confirm again in my early 20’s. Again, my questions could not be answered. (Gosh, I don’t even remember my questions now!) Again, family told me to “Just do it and get it over with.” Finally I got tired of the pressure and said, “Look. I believe. I can say the profession of faith. I know the Catholic church is the one True Church, and I respect it so much I won’t ‘just do it’ just so I could ‘get it over with.’” My mother was angry for years.

There were also other things I didn’t agree with that the church taught. Further,my whole life I pretty much felt I was condemned to hell anyway so why bother? If I’m going to hell for simply existing (this was not Church teaching, but from my mother) why not just live it up anyway? Have fun while here? Also, the Catholic church does not teach once saved always saved. It does teach you can lose your salvation. So I always felt like I was on some perilous edge. This amongst other things I did not believe or agree with.

So. I left. I did it up. Boy did I.

However, in the last 20 years I did want to come back. I wanted to have communion, but since I was always made to feel like I was not worthy, why bother to even try? I’d go to confession and pretty much sin just by stepping out of the confessional. eesh! I’d make attempts and attend Mass periodically, receive communion, then I’d fail, I’d sin again or whatever and so I gave up.

Anyway, in the last 14 years or so I’d call up my local parish and told them that I was Catholic. All I needed was confirmation.What would I need to do? I was constantly told I needed R.C.I.A. ( I have since learned that was not true.) I tried to sit in an R.C.I.A. class but I could not bear to sit there and have those who WEREN’T Catholic completely question things such as Mary and her perpetual virginity, etc.

I figured, well, if the Catholic Church doesn’t want me, why bother? Now, I NEVER joined any other christian church. They seemed fake to me. Especially when I already not just believed but knew that the Catholic church was the one True Church, and if I wasn’t going to the True Church, why would I go to some other man made church? Wouldn’t and couldn’t do it.

I did, however, get into new age stuff and some occult. I wanted to learn Tarot cards. But I got bored with them - there was too much to learn. I’d think to myself if I didn’t want tolearn about the Catholic church why take so much time to learn Tarot cards? (And there are ALOT.) Even new age stuff didn’t appeal to me.

I won’t go into personal revelations - one I had 5 years ago. But I know I was being called by the Holy Spirit. I did not, however, come back to the Catholic Church. I did read this forum as a lurker. But always, there were things that I’d read and think, “Forget that. That’s B.S.”

This past Christmas I saw a miracle from the Holy Eucharist. I was not the only one to see this miracle. And the miracle was not on me but my beau that I am seeing. (If you’re interested, PM me and I’ll give you the details. I’ve mentioned it on these forums before so I won’t go into it again.) We both had also had neck surgeries (different reasons) last fall.

Because of that miracle I started seriously thinking about the Catholic Church again. I wanted communion more than anything. I went to confession and recieved communion again after several years. That was it, I was hooked.

Also, another small miracle. When I was in confession I had found out (this is why confession is a GOOD THING) that the parish I attend has special classes for Catholics who only need confirmation! :dancing: It was a 4 class meeting and it was the adult confirmation for those who are already Catholic who, for whatever reason, were never confirmed.

This Pentecost I was FINALLY confirmed in the Catholic church. :extrahappy:

I never doubted the Catholic Church. It was through self will and what I wanted that led to my disobedience. I firmly believe that is the reason most Catholics leave. They simply do not want to be obedient. That’s fine. They have their own salvation to work out. I have reconciled with the Catholic Church. My questions I had have been answered. I still don’t agree with some teachings of the church (not dogma, and I can definitely say the Profession of faith without hesitation or question) but I am putting my trust into the Holy Spirit that He is teaching me and guiding me through the Catholic Church so I am obedient to her.

It was the Holy Eucharist - the body and blood, soul and divinity - of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, that brought me back, and He is why I will stay.

So. Uhm. That’s why I left. AND came back.

 

[area52]

Hi! I have a question:

What made you decide to leave the Roman Catholic Church? Feel free to elaborate your answers.

Thank you very much!

I can only say growing up, my parents, who are devout Roman Catholics (also having brought up Catholic by their parents), without questioned, brought me and my brothers and sisters to practice what they knew. As I became an adult…

"It’s like this: When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I grew up, I put away childish things…"1Cor13:11

Years went by (some 48 yrs) and at the right time, I put away ‘childish’ understanding of Roman Church. I started to search RC belief and practices. I compared the teaching of RC with the truth from the Bible. I likened myself to the Bereans (Act17:11) who search the Scriptures if what Apostles Paul saying is true as what the RC says or claims. I read Bible commentaries from anointed preachers- John Wesley, Mathew Henry, CH Spurgeon, John McArthur, Dr. Woodrow Kroll, just to name a few, comparing their understanding and interpretation of verses with my understanding as I read the Bible. Also reading the writing of popes (vatican.va/phome_en.htm) and the church history. Read some writing of RC apologist Ludwig Ott…

As I say… “at the right time”… my eyes were opened. The Light removed the darkness that blinded me which keep hidden the Jesus of the Bible. I will not list the errors of RC’s understanding because you can also do the re-search yourself and most of my brotherly saints sharing in this forum.

I can only give the glory to the Holy Spirit whom Jesus said will reveal Him to those who seeks Him. And I give all my worship and praise to Jesus, my Lord and Savior, who is the only way to God the Father.

May the Holy Spirit reveal Him to all who seeks Him diligently…

God bless…

http://www.ewordtoday.com/comments/mh/

 

[seeker57]

Interesting topic.

I was brought up Catholic and Nazarene. Catholic by my mother and Nazarene by my paternal grandmother.

So, I had a taste of both worlds, so to speak.

Why did I eventually leave the Catholic Church? Mainly because I don’t fit there.

If memory serves, there are seven sacraments which people can receive in the Catholic Church. I am ineligible to receive three of them.

I was baptized, was confirmed, did go to confession and did receive communion.

Then I went through living hell because, as an adolescent, I realized I was gay. That was some 40 years ago, and it wasn’t pretty. I felt like my entire world had collapsed. I was a very faithful, a very devoted Catholic. Knowing the church’s teachings on the subject, I felt worse than soiled.

I felt so horrible about it, I tried to commit suicide.

Failing that, and continuing to believe there was no hope for me, I engaged in extremely self-destructive behavior for the next decade or so.

Finally, after being diagnosed HIV positive, I started to put my life back together again. I attempted to return to the Catholic Church, but that didn’t last long.

I was attending Mass conducted by a priest for our Dignity chapter in Los Angeles. This was in the early-to-mid 1980s. Then, the church said Dignity was a no-no, so no more Mass for us.

I had had enough. I wasn’t going to let the church make me suicidal again.

No, I didn’t become protestant. Most of those denominations are just as bad as the Catholic Church was when it came to gay people.

For many years, I didn’t go anywhere. Then I was invited to the Unitarian Fellowship here.

I felt at home as soon as I walked in the door. I have been attending ever since.

Regarding the sacraments I cannot receive, I cannot marry (gay). I cannot be ordained or take holy orders (gay).

I cannot receive communion, but not because I have left the church or haven’t a clear conscience. I am gluten intolerant and cannot have wheat products. It is a simple matter of protecting my health.

Please don’t take this as an overt condemnation of Catholicism or Christianity. They have their merits, they are just not for me.

Cheers

 

[Returning_Home]

This is seeker57:

I’m not going to clog up the thread by quoting your entire message, so here’s my response.

I have a problem with the extreme right-wingers that beat on the subject of homosexuality constantly, as if they themselves aren’t sinners. That just makes me wonder what they’re thinking because we’re all sinners and God sees it the way it is: sin is sin and we’re all guilty. My sins just happen to be different from yours but we both need a savior the same way.

I hope you find the answers you’re looking for.

 

[Carlan]

This is seeker57:

I’m not going to clog up the thread by quoting your entire message, so here’s my response.

I have a problem with the extreme right-wingers that beat on the subject of homosexuality constantly, as if they themselves aren’t sinners. That just makes me wonder what they’re thinking because we’re all sinners and God sees it the way it is: sin is sin and we’re all guilty. My sins just happen to be different from yours but we both need a savior the same way.

I hope you find the answers you’re looking for.

Thanks Returning Home!
It seems to me that a great many of the Catholics who turn away,(those who have been thoroughly catechized anyway), leave because of the serious sins they involve themselves in. Plainly speaking, those activities that happen below the belt. Not only homosexuality, but adultery, multiple marriage, cohabitation, the so called moral relativity idea and the explosion of it in the 1960’s. Dear God, enlighten us! Carlan