Anyone close to converting to Catholicism?

[Hesychios]

Yes please give us your sources (a lot of what you said is unsubstantiated opinions)?

Do you deny what I have stated here? Would you like to give us your unsubstantiated opinion on the subject? Carlan already gave his.

Do you deny that the church was in a sorry state of corruption for decades before the Protestant movement erupted on the scene early in the sixteenth century? Do you deny that the church resisted the publics’ calls for reform?

Do you want me to start listing church corruption in the 14th and 15th centuries? I should think you would hope no one does.

For the time being you will have to accept my position as commentary (in the same way Carlan gave his commentary), which you are free to deny if you choose. I am flying to China Wednesday and I will have no time to respond to your request for at least a week.

Lucky for you. You will have a lot of time to put lipstick on this thing and make it smell sweet.

 

[josie_L]

Do you deny what I have stated here? Would you like to give us your unsubstantiated opinion on the subject? Carlan already gave his.

Do you deny that the church was in a sorry state of corruption for decades before the Protestant movement erupted on the scene early in the sixteenth century? Do you deny that the church resisted the publics’ calls for reform?

Do you want me to start listing church corruption in the 14th and 15th centuries? I should think you would hope no one does.

For the time being you will have to accept my position as commentary (in the same way Carlan gave his commentary), which you are free to deny if you choose. I am flying to China Wednesday and I will have no time to respond to your request for at least a week.

Lucky for you. You will have a lot of time to put lipstick on this thing and make it smell sweet.

Yes lucky for me I don’t have to deal with your unsubstantiated opinions for a whole week , now I repeat back up your claims with something more than rhetoric please (so I can understand where you’ve derived your information and how you’ve concluded what you did).

p.s. You might want to begin with the parts that I emboldened in your post, lots of unsubstantiated opinions there.

 

[tinap]

My RCIA class begins September 17th. I don’t know if I have any questions at this time though. I really love the church I have been going to Mass in though.

 

[Carlan]

My RCIA class begins September 17th. I don’t know if I have any questions at this time though. I really love the church I have been going to Mass in though.

Welcome Tinap, God bless you in your journey. the more you learn the more you will love, the Lord never stops teaching us. He loves us so much! Carlan

 

[DdMac679]

Just wondering if theres anyone that is interested in converting,… but doesnt know where to start, or still has questions that need to be answered? What are reasons you want to convert? Thanks!

I am, but I still have a long way to go. After a long vetting of many religions and mindsets from Atheism to Islamic I decided Christianity was more suited for me. Instead of trying to sort through 38,000 known denominations I went first to where it all started and saw that many Catholicism beliefs fit in with my own. I know there are some Church teachings I will probably never agree with but I am not going to let a few disagreements overpower my image of the Church as a whole.

 

[Carlan]

I am, but I still have a long way to go. After a long vetting of many religions and mindsets from Atheism to Islamic I decided Christianity was more suited for me. Instead of trying to sort through 38,000 known denominations I went first to where it all started and saw that many Catholicism beliefs fit in with my own. I know there are some Church teachings I will probably never agree with but I am not going to let a few disagreements overpower my image of the Church as a whole.

And God bless you also DdMac, I’m 83 years into this life and I’m still on the way, I’ve come to trust him completely to see me through to the end, and on to the everlasting ever after. See you and Tinap there:thumbsup: Carlan

c

 

[thomasjones3]

Conversion?

Yes there is an urgency!

And yes, you are drawn to Our Lord and His Church on Earth.

For those of you who believe in the “different paths to heaven…”

Sorry, there is only one Christ’s return, Our Lord has given us a church with priests and sacraments for the raising up of children for the day of Christ’s coming, all revelation has been accomplished and none other is needed until Christ’s return, etc.

Which of you for even a minute would deny Christ’s True Body and Blood?

Which of you would grieve Our Lord who has loved you and bore all you sins even into death and hell itself.

Why would you argue and tarry for even a moment?

Tom

 

[RuthErickson]

Hi, My name is Ruth. I am kind of between churches. I got hurt by my former church really bad. I have a cross-cultural marriage. My husband is from India. The church I was attending didn’t understand India and thought that they were all Hindus. My husband is from Kerala. I am close to converting. I have been doing a lot of research on the early church fathers. They seemed more Catholic than Protestant. I am also looking for a church that is international and doesn’t see the church as only western but also eastern too. I haven’t talked to my husband about this yet. I am kind of scared. He is an committed Assembles of God protestant. I don’t know how he will react or the rest of my family or his. I am afraid of how both of our families will react. My family will be dissapointed but my husbands family might reject me.

I have really liked this foram. It has help me to see how Catholis think and get some of my questions answered. Thank you for this forum.

 

[josie_L]

Hi, My name is Ruth. I am kind of between churches. I got hurt by my former church really bad. I have a cross-cultural marriage. My husband is from India. The church I was attending didn’t understand India and thought that they were all Hindus. My husband is from Kerala. I am close to converting. I have been doing a lot of research on the early church fathers. They seemed more Catholic than Protestant. I am also looking for a church that is international and doesn’t see the church as only western but also eastern too. I haven’t talked to my husband about this yet. I am kind of scared. He is an committed Assembles of God protestant. I don’t know how he will react or the rest of my family or his. I am afraid of how both of our families will react. My family will be dissapointed but my husbands family might reject me.

I have really liked this foram. It has help me to see how Catholis think and get some of my questions answered. Thank you for this forum.

If you are truly convinced of Catholicism then I would say you need to tell your husband? God bless and do not worry so much it is in God’s hands.

 

[Roy5]

RUTH

 Catholic or Protestant? I'm quite sure that God doesn't care. All of God's children are equally precious in his sight.

  Now, I'm a Protestant, but try to be objective. I think it is important that religion plays a positive role in families and not a divisive one. I have known a number of people who became Catholic or Protestant so that a family could have one faith. That sounds very sane to me. 

   On the other hand, if you're genuinely convinced that Catholicism is the one true faith, well - become Catholic. Personally, I don't believe in only one true faith. I believe that God honors people of all faiths who seek to love and serve him. I spent some time with a Hindu family in Puna whose children, incidentally, attended a Christian school (Church of North India - Protestant). If that family doesn't make it to heaven I can't believe anyone will. God, I'm sure, looks at our hearts and not our church affiliation.

   In at least one important way, Catholicism is closer to Hinduism. It doesn't have many gods, of course, but it has a panoply of saints - 10,000 is it? - at least one for every purpose and cause and vocation and need. Hinduism is similar in that respect. It also has many religious images, statues and such, which are rare among Protestants. There probably is a greater emphasis upon meditation in Catholicism, too, certainly within the religious orders and such, than among most Protestants. 

   Whatever you do, consider everything. Make sure you don't convert to play one of the games married folks sometimes play - some sort of defiance or revenge or whatever. My late and beloved wife was Catholic, educated in parochial schools. She made a comfortable Protestant, in part because she had had bad experiences with the nuns and with a certain priest. She also was enough of a freethinker to treasure the right to examine all sorts of spiritual alternatives without guilt or limitations. Like me she believed we were saved by God's amazing grace and not by our church ties, by our theology, or by the sacraments.

  God bless you and your family - and all God's children of every creed, color and country.

 

[Carlan]

Hi, My name is Ruth. I am kind of between churches. I got hurt by my former church really bad. I have a cross-cultural marriage. My husband is from India. The church I was attending didn’t understand India and thought that they were all Hindus. My husband is from Kerala. I am close to converting. I have been doing a lot of research on the early church fathers. They seemed more Catholic than Protestant. I am also looking for a church that is international and doesn’t see the church as only western but also eastern too. I haven’t talked to my husband about this yet. I am kind of scared. He is an committed Assembles of God protestant. I don’t know how he will react or the rest of my family or his. I am afraid of how both of our families will react. My family will be dissapointed but my husbands family might reject me.

I have really liked this foram. It has help me to see how Catholis think and get some of my questions answered. Thank you for this forum.

hello Ruth , I would like to wecome you and I was so pleased to read your post. and to know of your husbands ancestry. Our neighboring parish pastor’s family is Indian. He is helping out at our parish at the moment along with the responsibility of his own large parish. Such a shortage of priests in our area, we desperately need prayer for vocations.

Father John, is a most wonderful priest , we all love him dearly. God bless you in your journey Ruth,Carlan

 

[The_Iambic_Pen]

I have a little more to add on this. I do feel close, actually; I really do. I often find myself sincerely *wanting *to be Catholic. What often troubles me are what I would call the “fringe details.” These are issues that are not always a matter of official belief, but are more a matter of culture. Perhaps it would be easiest to make a list:

1-Obsession (by some) with alleged Marian apparitions, to include heated debates about “third secrets” and other such details. I am also completely puzzled by people saying such things as, "I have a devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes, " or “I have a devotion to Our Lady of Guadeloupe,” etc. If all of these are Mary, why not just say Mary? If they are not, then this raises some troubling issues when it comes to apparitions.

2-Belief that certain prayers (usually to Mary) will always have a specific effect, such as releasing X number of souls from Purgatory, or that wearing certain articles (such as a scapular) will always have a specific effect on the soul.

3-The belief (which I have observed only rarely) that Mary’s mercy can overrule Christ’s sense of justice, which to me implies a belief that a creature can be more merciful than God, the very author of mercy. The talk of Mary as the co-mediatrix of all graces also troubles me, as it seems to imply that grace depends on her mercy, rather than solely on the mercy of Almighty God.

4-The almost gleeful insistence on the damnation of nearly everyone, by some in the more traditional community. This includes those who find the possibility of salvation for unbaptized infants to be absolutely horrifying.

5-The penalty of damnation assigned for the breaking of Church disciplines. For example, go to mass on this day or be damned, eat only these foods during these times or be damned.

6-The widespread lack of reverence in the liturgy, the lack of beauty in church architecture and decoration, the dissent by clergy and laity alike all make me fear that the Catholic Church is not what it once was. I wonder if these are signs of the true Church under attack, or if these are signs that Christ’s promise of protection applied to someone else (perhaps the Orthodox, who, in my admittedly limited experience, have maintained the beauty and reverence).

These are just a few things. I know people will likely say that none of these (except perhaps number 5) are the result of genuine Catholic teaching, and that I should judge the Church by what it truly teaches, not by the practices of the dissenters and the ignorant. It is just a little daunting to think of joining this culture, when there is another culture (Orthodoxy) that is much more attractive.

I should close by saying I am aware that these unusual fringe beliefs also exist in Orthodoxy and Protestantism. Orthodoxy has those who believe that using the Gregorian Calendar is heretical, or that it is a sin for men (or at least priests) to shave their beards. Protestantism has the rabid anti-Catholics, the modernists, the rigid “no drinking, no dancing, no smiling” sects, and more.

 

[Carlan]

I have a little more to add on this. I do feel close, actually; I really do. I often find myself sincerely *wanting *to be Catholic. What often troubles me are what I would call the “fringe details.” These are issues that are not always a matter of official belief, but are more a matter of culture. Perhaps it would be easiest to make a list:

1-Obsession (by some) with alleged Marian apparitions, to include heated debates about “third secrets” and other such details. I am also completely puzzled by people saying such things as, "I have a devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes, " or “I have a devotion to Our Lady of Guadeloupe,” etc. If all of these are Mary, why not just say Mary? If they are not, then this raises some troubling issues when it comes to apparitions.

2-Belief that certain prayers (usually to Mary) will always have a specific effect, such as releasing X number of souls from Purgatory, or that wearing certain articles (such as a scapular) will always have a specific effect on the soul.

3-The belief (which I have observed only rarely) that Mary’s mercy can overrule Christ’s sense of justice, which to me implies a belief that a creature can be more merciful than God, the very author of mercy. The talk of Mary as the co-mediatrix of all graces also troubles me, as it seems to imply that grace depends on her mercy, rather than solely on the mercy of Almighty God.

4-The almost gleeful insistence on the damnation of nearly everyone, by some in the more traditional community. This includes those who find the possibility of salvation for unbaptized infants to be absolutely horrifying.

5-The penalty of damnation assigned for the breaking of Church disciplines. For example, go to mass on this day or be damned, eat only these foods during these times or be damned.

6-The widespread lack of reverence in the liturgy, the lack of beauty in church architecture and decoration, the dissent by clergy and laity alike all make me fear that the Catholic Church is not what it once was. I wonder if these are signs of the true Church under attack, or if these are signs that Christ’s promise of protection applied to someone else (perhaps the Orthodox, who, in my admittedly limited experience, have maintained the beauty and reverence).

These are just a few things. I know people will likely say that none of these (except perhaps number 5) are the result of genuine Catholic teaching, and that I should judge the Church by what it truly teaches, not by the practices of the dissenters and the ignorant. It is just a little daunting to think of joining this culture, when there is another culture (Orthodoxy) that is much more attractive.

I should close by saying I am aware that these unusual fringe beliefs also exist in Orthodoxy and Protestantism. Orthodoxy has those who believe that using the Gregorian Calendar is heretical, or that it is a sin for men (or at least priests) to shave their beards. Protestantism has the rabid anti-Catholics, the modernists, the rigid “no drinking, no dancing, no smiling” sects, and more.

 

[Carlan]

I have a little more to add on this. I do feel close, actually; I really do. I often find myself sincerely *wanting *to be Catholic. What often troubles me are what I would call the “fringe details.” These are issues that are not always a matter of official belief, but are more a matter of culture. Perhaps it would be easiest to make a list:

1-Obsession (by some) with alleged Marian apparitions, to include heated debates about “third secrets” and other such details. I am also completely puzzled by people saying such things as, "I have a devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes, " or “I have a devotion to Our Lady of Guadeloupe,” etc. If all of these are Mary, why not just say Mary? If they are not, then this raises some troubling issues when it comes to apparitions.

2-Belief that certain prayers (usually to Mary) will always have a specific effect, such as releasing X number of souls from Purgatory, or that wearing certain articles (such as a scapular) will always have a specific effect on the soul.

3-The belief (which I have observed only rarely) that Mary’s mercy can overrule Christ’s sense of justice, which to me implies a belief that a creature can be more merciful than God, the very author of mercy. The talk of Mary as the co-mediatrix of all graces also troubles me, as it seems to imply that grace depends on her mercy, rather than solely on the mercy of Almighty God.

4-The almost gleeful insistence on the damnation of nearly everyone, by some in the more traditional community. This includes those who find the possibility of salvation for unbaptized infants to be absolutely horrifying.

5-The penalty of damnation assigned for the breaking of Church disciplines. For example, go to mass on this day or be damned, eat only these foods during these times or be damned.

6-The widespread lack of reverence in the liturgy, the lack of beauty in church architecture and decoration, the dissent by clergy and laity alike all make me fear that the Catholic Church is not what it once was. I wonder if these are signs of the true Church under attack, or if these are signs that Christ’s promise of protection applied to someone else (perhaps the Orthodox, who, in my admittedly limited experience, have maintained the beauty and reverence).

These are just a few things. I know people will likely say that none of these (except perhaps number 5) are the result of genuine Catholic teaching, and that I should judge the Church by what it truly teaches, not by the practices of the dissenters and the ignorant. It is just a little daunting to think of joining this culture, when there is another culture (Orthodoxy) that is much more attractive.

I should close by saying I am aware that these unusual fringe beliefs also exist in Orthodoxy and Protestantism. Orthodoxy has those who believe that using the Gregorian Calendar is heretical, or that it is a sin for men (or at least priests) to shave their beards. Protestantism has the rabid anti-Catholics, the modernists, the rigid “no drinking, no dancing, no smiling” sects, and more.

Hello ‘bic’, I understand that most have the same concerns as you, but it takes time to work through the traditions , the traditions with a little ‘t’ that is. Devotion to Mary can be a big hurdle for some but you wil come to love her as your heavenly mother , the more you get to know her the more you will understand and love her. Give yourself time, It is really a life long process the more your learn the more you love. Catholic spirituality can be as deep as you want it to be. God bless you in your journey I am bicpen. Carlan

I know i haven’t answered all your concerns specifically , do stay with this forum though, some one will come along soon ,they will address every thing you noted in a thorough way.

 

[josie_L]

I have a little more to add on this. I do feel close, actually; I really do. I often find myself sincerely *wanting *to be Catholic. What often troubles me are what I would call the “fringe details.” These are issues that are not always a matter of official belief, but are more a matter of culture. Perhaps it would be easiest to make a list:

**These are just a few things. I know people will likely say that none of these (except perhaps number 5) are the result of genuine Catholic teaching, and that I should judge the Church by what it truly teaches, not by the practices of the dissenters and the ignorant. ** It is just a little daunting to think of joining this culture, when there is another culture (Orthodoxy) that is much more attractive.

I should close by saying I am aware that these unusual fringe beliefs also exist in Orthodoxy and Protestantism. Orthodoxy has those who believe that using the Gregorian Calendar is heretical, or that it is a sin for men (or at least priests) to shave their beards. Protestantism has the rabid anti-Catholics, the modernists, the rigid “no drinking, no
dancing, no smiling” sects, and more.

Actually, number 5 is not a genuine Catholic teaching either, furthermore, there is always the option of becoming a Catholic of an eastern rite, and we do still have the tridentine mass as well. You must compare doctrinal differences between the Orthodox and Catholic Church to see whether we or they are wrong? Things like the papacy, immaculate conception, purgatory, rebaptism (I believe that some Orthodox rebaptize people regardless if the baptism was done in the trinitarian form), contraceptives, remarriage have to be evaluated? Which to you fits the “one, holy, catholic and apostolic” description best? I know some find the development of doctrine of the CC as against apostolic tradition but I beg to differ, even during the first millenium of the Church Universal we see such doctrines pertaining to the trinity, christology and baptism as being further defined due to heresies and the like thus we can ascertain that certain doctrines will continue to develop even more depending on crisis of faith or societal events (reformation, industrial revolution, communism) we encounter throughout time.

p.s. I believe that when Jesus said that the paraclete would lead the apostles and their successors to all truth he meant throughout time during any crisis of faith in order that we keep ourselves error free when we encounter (modern) issues of social justice and the like.

 

[Carlan]

Actually, number 5 is not a genuine Catholic teaching either, furthermore, there is always the option of becoming a Catholic of an eastern rite, and we do still have the tridentine mass as well. You must compare doctrinal differences between the Orthodox and Catholic Church to see whether we or they are wrong? Things like the papacy, immaculate conception, purgatory, rebaptism (I believe that some Orthodox rebaptize people regardless if the baptism was done in the trinitarian form), contraceptives, remarriage have to be evaluated? Which to you fits the “one, holy, catholic and apostolic” description best? I know some find the development of doctrine of the CC as against apostolic tradition but I beg to differ, even during the first millenium of the Church Universal we see such doctrines pertaining to the trinity, christology and baptism as being further defined due to heresies and the like thus we can ascertain that certain doctrines will continue to develop even more depending on crisis of faith or societal events (reformation, industrial revolution, communism) we encounter throughout time.

p.s. I believe that when Jesus said that the paraclete would lead the apostles and their successors to all truth he meant throughout time during any crisis of faith in order that we keep ourselves error free when we encounter (modern) issues of social justice and the like.

Thank you Josie, I was trusting you would come along, you are very good! Carlan

 

[josie_L]

Thank you Josie, I was trusting you would come along, you are very good! Carlan

Thank you Carlan.

 

[thomasjones3]

Dear Iambic Pen,

I know there are many others who are most willing and qualified to respond to your concerns. I can tell you that as you are drawn to His Church you will start the path as an infant needing the pure milk but not yet able to stand and walk on steady legs. You will learn and grow and mature in His Grace. You are correct, many of your questions deal with fringe. There are many that are distracted by fringe. There should be no fault finding for they are on the path just as you are. We build up and not tear down.

Mary by other names? Lourdes or Guadalupe? First remember that there is only one Mary, Mother of Our Lord Jesus. In all the regions of the world they know Mary but also refer to her in local terms. On the Day of Pentecost the Disciples heard and spoke in many tongues. The ethnicity was different but made no difference. So it is with Mary.

Beliefs specific to particular areas… Canon Law attempts to keep everyone on the same page, so to speak. The practice of the Catholic Faith becomes fluid in some matters. Some of these practices are not articles of faith or contrary to the Faith handed down from even Christ Himself. In these cases beautiful expressions are permitted and possible.

No one or thing is more powerful than Our Lord Jesus. Not even Mary. The Church often embraces an attitude that Mary, like earthly mothers, plead, cajole, persuade, etc. For a true reflection of Christ and His Mother look to the Wedding at Cana or even the day of crucifiction.

Gleeful damnation…Hmmm…Think we should be in the business of sharing Love that Jesus gives us freely and not so much exactly who and when some go to hell? Put your money and time on Love. Read the 91st Psalm and study the life and writings of St. Francis.

Penalty of Damnation? Yes, there is surely a Heaven and hell. But always know that the penalty has been paid! Christ has taken upon Himself and carried all your sins into hell even before you committed them, even before you were born. He left His priests and His Church for us. The Church needs to foster good order and discipline. It must not become as Pharisees by multiplying one rule upon another. It is not an easy line and God’s Servant has a tremendous responsibility.

Try to find a loving parish to grow in.

Lack of Liturgy, etc.? Parishes usually reflect its people. Some are charismatic, some are traditional, some are urban, some are simple and rural, and some are ethnic. You will be drawn to the parish Christ wants you to serve and embrace.

Bless you on your journey. You are exactly where Our Lord wants you to be.

Tom

 

[Carlan]

(‘quote’ Iambic)

The talk of Mary as the co-mediatrix of all graces also troubles me, as it seems to imply that grace depends on her mercy, rather than solely on the mercy of Almighty God.(End Quote)

Hello I AmBic, I hope this on #3 helps. Carlan:thumbsup:

“We have but one Mediator…Christ Jesus”-*states the Council-"The maternal duty of Mary toward men in no way obscures or diminishes this unique mediation of Christ but rather

shows its power…in no way does it impede the immediate union of the faithful with Christ: rather it fosters it"(cfLG60) How could it ever be thought that Mary, who was so deeply

dedicated to the cause of her Son and united with him in one single aim, could be an obstacle in the relationship of the faithful with her Jesus? It is she who has given the world

its only Redeemer and Mediator, who in her role as Mother opens to all men the way to her Son and introduces them to knowledge and love. It is she who , "when she is being

preached and venerated …summons the faithful to her Son and his service, and to love for the Father".This all comes about through the positive will of God, who willed to give the

world its Redeemer by means of Mary. " When the time has fully come, God sent forth his Son born of a woman" -we read in St, Paul(Gal4:4 Since she is so closely linked to

the Savior, Mary fulfils her function as mediatrix in the highest degree, but always in a way subordinate to him, “All the saving influences of the Blessed Virgin on men”-defines

the Council-“flow forth…from the superabundance of the merits of Christ, rest on his mediation, depend entirely on it, and draw all their power from it” (LG60) This in no way

prevents Mary’s mediation from being real and most precious… We may and should resort to her with full confidence without any fear of confiding too much in her whom Jesus

himself gave us as mother. The Liturgy likewise urges us to address ourselves to God through the powerful intercession of Mary: "O God…grant that we may be helped in

coming to you by the intercession of her whom we believe to be the Mother of God"(RM Mass BVM#4)

• Vatican Council11 :angel1::heaven:

 

[PJM]

=NoWings;5538984]I would seriously entertain the idea were it not for A) At least one teaching that I’ll never be able to square myself with, and B) Another teaching that would probably prove problematic as well. I don’t really believe in so-called “cafeteria Catholicism”. If you’re going to do it, do it all the way or not at all.

Kudos to those that can.

***Dear friend in Christ,

As the CC is the only place one can find the singular truth on all matters of Faith and Morals, would you care to bring your “A and B” issues to discussion?

If its Catholic doctrine or dogma, it’s reason ought to be supportable.

Love and prayers,

Pat***