Attending RCIA classes without becoming Catholic

[greeny93]

Do some people go to RCIA without becoming Catholic at the end? Like, they still go to mass (or not), but they never convert to Catholicism? Also, when do RCIA classes start? Do you have to have sponsor?

Also, have you ever heard of a Catholic-atheist? Do you think they exist? I have talked to various people and some Catholics think that it is plausible. If you are unaware of what a Catholic-atheist is, it is basically a person who follows Catholic traditions (they would still be considered a Catholic because they go to mass, take communion, read the Bible, etc), but they are not spiritual (they reject god, do not pray, etc). Does that sound rational to you? They are also known as non-realistic Catholics. I am strongly considering it.

 

[thistle]

Do some people go to RCIA without becoming Catholic at the end? Like, they still go to mass (or not), but they never convert to Catholicism? Also, when do RCIA classes start? Do you have to have sponsor?

Also, have you ever heard of a Catholic-atheist? Do you think they exist? I have talked to various people and some Catholics think that it is plausible. If you are unaware of what a Catholic-atheist is, it is basically a person who follows Catholic traditions (they would still be considered a Catholic because they go to mass, take communion, read the Bible, etc), but they are not spiritual (they reject god, do not pray, etc). Does that sound rational to you? They are also known as non-realistic Catholics. I am strongly considering it.

The purpose of RCIA is to get to know about the Catholic Faith. It gives the individual the chance to explore our faith and decide if they want to take the final step. However, the program also gives the priest and those running it to look at you and decide if you are sincere and ready to become a Catholic. If they think you are not then you will not be baptised.

 

[FightingFat]

Also, have you ever heard of a Catholic-atheist? Do you think they exist? I have talked to various people and some Catholics think that it is plausible. If you are unaware of what a Catholic-atheist is, it is basically a person who follows Catholic traditions (they would still be considered a Catholic because they go to mass, take communion, read the Bible, etc), but they are not spiritual (they reject god, do not pray, etc). Does that sound rational to you? They are also known as non-realistic Catholics. I am strongly considering it.

Sounds hypocritical to me. If someone says “This is the Body of Christ” to you and you assent, but don’t believe it, your actions are hypocritical and sacrilegious!

 

[Catholic1954]

Do some people go to RCIA without becoming Catholic at the end? Like, they still go to mass (or not), but they never convert to Catholicism? Also, when do RCIA classes start? Do you have to have sponsor?

Also, have you ever heard of a Catholic-atheist? Do you think they exist? I have talked to various people and some Catholics think that it is plausible. If you are unaware of what a Catholic-atheist is, it is basically a person who follows Catholic traditions (they would still be considered a Catholic because they go to mass, take communion, read the Bible, etc), but they are not spiritual (they reject god, do not pray, etc). Does that sound rational to you? They are also known as non-realistic Catholics. I am strongly considering it.

You are more than welcome to attend RCIA and never convert to Catholicism. The purpose of RCIA is to teach people about the Catholic faith, and help them enter the Church, if they wish. RICA programs vary with different parishes. Some are year round and you can start anytime and some start in the fall and end about this time of year. It really depends on the resources of each parish you would have to call around and find a program that fits your needs. You don’t need a sponsor unless you decide you want to convert. I think “Catholic-atheist” is a contradiction of terms. To be a Catholic you must believe in God, an atheist has a problem with that. You can follow Catholic traditions, if you like, but you cannot receive the sacraments, unless you really believe that they come from God. To do otherwise is an insult to practising Catholics and a cop out on your part. Keep asking questions; faith does not come easily!

 

[The_Old_Medic]

Yes, you can attend RCIA without even wanting to become Catholic. Some spouses do this, so they will better understand what their spouse believes. Some people do this just to learn about the church. There is no requirement that anyone convert, but the opportunity is there for all.

By the way, a number of people take RCIA to learn more about their OWN Church. You would not believe the number of Catholics that do not know what their own Church teaches.

There are indeed people that were baptized in the Church, raised as Catholics and later become atheists. Just as there are people that were raised as atheists, and become Catholics.

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Do some people go to RCIA without becoming Catholic at the end? Like, they still go to mass (or not), but they never convert to Catholicism? Also, when do RCIA classes start? Do you have to have sponsor?

RCIA is a process and there is constant discernment about whether someone is ready to move from one stage to another. It may well be that one person is ready to move on while another is not. That doesn’t mean that the person who is not ready NOW will never be ready.

At the same time, people can quit RCIA if they find it’s not right for them. People who leave have all kinds of reasons.

Ideally RCIA is a year-round process so someone could start at varying times during the year. Unfortunately, in many parishes RCIA is run on a school-year basis so everyone starts n August or September. (I don’t know what happens if a person decides in November that they are interested in RCIA. I guess they have to wait a year.)

You will be given a sponsor early in the process. That person will be one of your supports during RCIA.

 

[puzzleannie]

Do some people go to RCIA without becoming Catholic at the end? Like, they still go to mass (or not), but they never convert to Catholicism? Also, when do RCIA classes start? Do you have to have sponsor?

Also, have you ever heard of a Catholic-atheist? Do you think they exist? I have talked to various people and some Catholics think that it is plausible. If you are unaware of what a Catholic-atheist is, it is basically a person who follows Catholic traditions (they would still be considered a Catholic because they go to mass, take communion, read the Bible, etc), but they are not spiritual (they reject god, do not pray, etc). Does that sound rational to you? They are also known as non-realistic Catholics. I am strongly considering it.

yes in fact it is the norm for many of not most of those who begin the RCIA process to take time off, to leave and eventually go to another parish, to return to their own denomination, to stop for reasons like work, military service, school etc. To simply remain unconvinced and have found no reason to continue their journey at this time.

RCIA in our parish and most who are able to adhere to what the process should be is year round, people can join informal inquiry sessions at any time, then celebrate the rites that mark the beginning of formal teaching and preparation at 2 or 3 times a year, continuing until they are ready to join the Church. This is at Easter for the unbaptized, any time during the year for the baptized.

Catholic atheist is an oxymoron. Yes there are cultural or “habit” Catholics who adhere to outward rituals of the faith, having either never explored deeply or simply rejected the teachings. This almost always means they have rejected specific moral teachings which conflict with their own “lifestyle choices.”

There are also people who participate in RCIA simply to learn more about the faith, without necessarily intending to convert. For instance, they may be planning to marry a Catholic, or have Catholic friends and family and simply want to understand more.

A sponsor will be assigned for you during the process. If you choose to become baptized you can choose a Catholic godparent who meets the qualifications, or the pastor will assign one.

 

[nickybr38]

RCIA nearly talked me OUT of becoming Catholic.

That said, the first thing the Sister said before admitting me to RCIA was that I was NOT obligated to join the Church at the end of RCIA and some people came to RCIA for three years before deciding to join.

As to the Catholic-atheist… I hadn’t heard of it but I don’t doubt it exists. After all we also have Jewish-atheists (if that’s what you call it) and Protestant-atheists…

However, I think it sounds horribly hypocritical. The traditions and actions of the Church (especially Mass) are all geared towards worshipping God. Why participate if you don’t believe in that God? What’s the point? Taking the moral teachings and applying them to your life couldn’t hurt but the other aspects are all worship geared so I don’t understand why someone would want to do that? Perhaps you can explain?

 

[styrgwillidar]

Yes, there are folks who go through RCIA and never become Catholic.

Catholic-atheist? Are there folks who ‘pretend’ to be Catholic for some reason? Probably, lot of folks doing odd things. But it would be a grave matter to receive the sacraments without believing, deliberately rejecting God but receiving communion. Different than someone wanting or seeking to believe, many struggle off and on with faith.

2 Corinthians:
26 Whenever you eat this bread, then, and drink this cup, you are proclaiming the Lord’s death until he comes.

27 Therefore anyone who eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord unworthily is answerable for the body and blood of the Lord.

28 Everyone is to examine himself and only then eat of the bread or drink from the cup;

29 because a person who eats and drinks without recognising the body is eating and drinking his own condemnation.

 

[waterbrook]

I did Journey In Faith as it is called in my catholic parish 3 times but I didnt convert. I never felt I could say with total integrity that I believe ALL the church teaches to be true. A disappointment because I believ in the real presence.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

I did Journey In Faith as it is called in my catholic parish 3 times but I didnt convert. I never felt I could say with total integrity that I believe ALL the church teaches to be true. A disappointment because I believ in the real presence.

If you believe the Holy Spirit guides the church and you believe the church when it tells you that the ordained priest can say words over bread and wine that turns them into the body and blood of Jesus, it seems to me that you could believe anything else the church teaches even if you don’t agree with it or want to obey.

 

[Claire_from_DE]

Do some people go to RCIA without becoming Catholic at the end? Like, they still go to mass (or not), but they never convert to Catholicism? Also, when do RCIA classes start? Do you have to have sponsor?

Also, have you ever heard of a Catholic-atheist? Do you think they exist? I have talked to various people and some Catholics think that it is plausible. If you are unaware of what a Catholic-atheist is, it is basically a person who follows Catholic traditions (they would still be considered a Catholic because they go to mass, take communion, read the Bible, etc), but they are not spiritual (they reject god, do not pray, etc). Does that sound rational to you? They are also known as non-realistic Catholics. I am strongly considering it.

Why would you want to be considered a Catholic, a follower of Jesus, the only begotten Son of God, if you don’t believe in God? Wouldn’t that be living a lie? Why would you want to go to Mass, take communion, and read the bible if you don’t believe that doing these things puts you in contact with the creator of the universe?

No, that doesn’t sound rational to me. However, I think it’s a good idea to go to RCIA to see what Catholics really believe and the reasons behind the traditions. And then, who knows…

 

[TrueLight]

Ideally RCIA is a year-round process so someone could start at varying times during the year. Unfortunately, in many parishes RCIA is run on a school-year basis so everyone starts n August or September. (I don’t know what happens if a person decides in November that they are interested in RCIA. I guess they have to wait a year.)
.

I decided this March I wanted to convert but came at the tail end of RCIA. I did “audit” three classes, but I have t wait till September to start.

 

[Lovesa]

Hi. Just thought I’d pitch in that I was actually close friends with a “Catholic atheist” for some time and would like to assure you that they are quite real. He went through all the motions of Catholicism–mass, obeying the 10 commandments and all other laws, going to confession, receiving the Eucharist, etc.–all the while not believing in God. His logic was that, while God did not exist, behaving as though he did made him feel good and was enriching emotionally, so he pretended to believe for the psychological benefits.

Also, I find it interesting that one can attend RCIA without an explicit intent to become Catholic. If I can ask a brief question, how does one get into an RCIA class? Does one ask the priest of a church, and, if one does, will he know what one means by RCIA? Is that a universal term?

 

[Catholic1954]

Hi. Just thought I’d pitch in that I was actually close friends with a “Catholic atheist” for some time and would like to assure you that they are quite real. He went through all the motions of Catholicism–mass, obeying the 10 commandments and all other laws, going to confession, receiving the Eucharist, etc.–all the while not believing in God. His logic was that, while God did not exist, behaving as though he did made him feel good and was enriching emotionally, so he pretended to believe for the psychological benefits.

Also, I find it interesting that one can attend RCIA without an explicit intent to become Catholic. If I can ask a brief question, how does one get into an RCIA class? Does one ask the priest of a church, and, if one does, will he know what one means by RCIA? Is that a universal term?

Almost every Catholic parish has an RCIA program (if they don’t, they will have information on where you can go) All you have to do is call the office and ask when you can attend the next class. Some parishes are big enough and can operate all year and some are smaller and will break for Summer and ask you to wait until September. You can go anywhere, since the classes usually meet in the evening, some people like to go to a church that is near their work and save a commute or you can go to a parish that a friend belongs to and ask them to go with you. RCIA stands for Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (children have their own program) and every priest and parish secretary will immediate know what you mean. Check it out!

 

[josephback]

Do some people go to RCIA without becoming Catholic at the end? Like, they still go to mass (or not), but they never convert to Catholicism? Also, when do RCIA classes start? Do you have to have sponsor?

Also, have you ever heard of a Catholic-atheist? Do you think they exist? I have talked to various people and some Catholics think that it is plausible. If you are unaware of what a Catholic-atheist is, it is basically a person who follows Catholic traditions (they would still be considered a Catholic because they go to mass, take communion, read the Bible, etc), but they are not spiritual (they reject god, do not pray, etc). Does that sound rational to you? They are also known as non-realistic Catholics. I am strongly considering it.

Communion is a serious thing. You shouldn’t take it if you’re not truly devout. It will hurt you.

 

[Lovesa]

Almost every Catholic parish has an RCIA program (if they don’t, they will have information on where you can go) All you have to do is call the office and ask when you can attend the next class. Some parishes are big enough and can operate all year and some are smaller and will break for Summer and ask you to wait until September. You can go anywhere, since the classes usually meet in the evening, some people like to go to a church that is near their work and save a commute or you can go to a parish that a friend belongs to and ask them to go with you. RCIA stands for Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (children have their own program) and every priest and parish secretary will immediate know what you mean. Check it out!

Hi; thanks a lot for the info. I’ve been thinking about converting for a while, but I’m not sure so I wanted to get into an RCIA without being 100% obligated to follow through. However, what do you mean by the office? Would that be the number be on the parish’s website? I guess I’m a little nervous to call because

1. I’d have to use my cell phone someplace outside or when my parents aren’t home, because they’d outright ban me from going if they found out.
2. I’d worry I was annoying the man in the office. Not rational, but the worry is there.

Anywho, just to make sure, if I just call and ask “When is the next RCIA class?” they’ll know what I mean for sure? Will do, then, and again, thanks.