Becoming a "trial" Catholic

[MyNameIsChris]

Hey guys,

My question is pretty straight forward: Is it okay for me to become a “trial” or “temporary” Catholic? I have a fairly good understanding of the Catholic faith for someone who is not a part of it. I have a lot of respect for it, however, I do not necessarily believe and accept everything it teaches. For example, I think the 10 commandments are not a bad thing and are a good moral code, but I don’t abide by all, or even most of them. I am attracted to Catholicism because of the love, but pushed away because of the strict rules. Can I become Catholic for a while and see how I like it, and then change if I don’t? I’m a Unitarian Universalist-Religious Humanist at heart.

 

[Marie5890]

No, not really.

What you can do is go thru a discernment process to see if the Lord is calling you to become a Catholic. Contact the RCIA in the local parish in your area.

In RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) you will meet and discuss and discern whether or not being a Catholic is where you are called to.

If you continue down this path, then you will go thru the initiation rites (baptism if you haven’t already been validly baptized, confirmation and Eucharist. )

The Church is not a social club that you “check out” or a local sports fitness club that you have a trial membership too.

 

[cccw2009]

Hey guys,

My question is pretty straight forward: Is it okay for me to become a “trial” or “temporary” Catholic? I have a fairly good understanding of the Catholic faith for someone who is not a part of it. I have a lot of respect for it, however, I do not necessarily believe and accept everything it teaches. For example, I think the 10 commandments are not a bad thing and are a good moral code, but I don’t abide by all, or even most of them. I am attracted to Catholicism because of the love, but pushed away because of the strict rules. Can I become Catholic for a while and see how I like it, and then change if I don’t? I’m a Unitarian Universalist-Religious Humanist at heart.

You can go through RCIA, which in most churches should begin soon if it hasn’t already. In RCIA, the inquiry session is learning about the Church and it’s teachings. You can quit at anytime you like if it is not for you. But if you join the Church, you are still free to leave anytime you like.

I would strongly recommand that you read your Bible, I mean REALLY study it. Compare the Bible with the Church teachings. The truth should come through.

I am puzzled when you say that you believe in the ten commandments but you don’t abide by most of the commandments. Am I missing something here? The 10 commadments were given to us and we are to obey every single commandment, including the FOURTH commandment, Remember the SABBATH, keep it holy. God’s word NEVER changes.

Peace.

 

[Marie5890]

I am puzzled when you say that you believe in the ten commandments but you don’t abide by most of the commandments. Am I missing something here? The 10 commadments were given to us and we are to obey every single commandment, including the FOURTH commandment, Remember the SABBATH, keep it holy. God’s word NEVER changes.

Peace.

And it’s always appropriate to point out that they ARE commandments, not suggestions.

In our western culture we tend to think that somehow they are now less in importance than they were when they were first given.

 

[Contarini]

Hey guys,

My question is pretty straight forward: Is it okay for me to become a “trial” or “temporary” Catholic? I have a fairly good understanding of the Catholic faith for someone who is not a part of it. I have a lot of respect for it, however, I do not necessarily believe and accept everything it teaches. For example, I think the 10 commandments are not a bad thing and are a good moral code, but I don’t abide by all, or even most of them. I am attracted to Catholicism because of the love, but pushed away because of the strict rules. Can I become Catholic for a while and see how I like it, and then change if I don’t? I’m a Unitarian Universalist-Religious Humanist at heart.

You can practice all the non-sacramental aspects of Catholicism on a “trial basis,” but in order to be admitted to the sacraments of penance and Eucharist you need to be willing to commit. (A confession on my part: I have received both these sacraments without telling the priest I was not Catholic, but it’s not something I would do again–I don’t say this because I’m proud of it, though at the time I thought I had good reasons.)

Edwin

 

[puzzleannie]

Hey guys,

Can I become Catholic for a while and see how I like it, and then change if I don’t? I’m a Unitarian Universalist-Religious Humanist at heart.

why does that not surprise me.

No you cannot become Catholic and then leave if you don’t like it. That is apostasy, a grave mortal sin, and moreover you would be separating yourself from Christ’s grace in the sacraments which is the worse thing that can happen to a Catholic on this earth, worse than bodily death.

You can not be an occasional Catholic anymore than Christ could put is own cross down. To be a Catholic is to take up your cross daily and follow Christ, not just during the work week, when you are “up to it” or when you feel like it.

What you can most certainly do is join and RCIA group and begin to study the Faith, including those teaching which you reject because you have not been properly taught about them, do not understand their basis and roots, and do not accept because you do not know.

When you are baptized or confirmed you make a profession of faith, and until you can do this in good conscience do not assume the burden or claim the rights of being Catholic.

Welcome home, you would not ask if you were not already knocking on the door.

 

[eegardner]

For example, I think the 10 commandments are not a bad thing and are a good moral code, but I don’t abide by all, or even most of them.

The 10 Commandments are REQUIRED for ALL faithful Christians and Jewish. That is why they are called the Law of Moses. They are not an ala carte menu. They come as a set and must be accepted and followed 100%. No exceptions.

 

[babylonsfalling]

Hey guys,

My question is pretty straight forward: Is it okay for me to become a “trial” or “temporary” Catholic? I have a fairly good understanding of the Catholic faith for someone who is not a part of it. I have a lot of respect for it, however, I do not necessarily believe and accept everything it teaches. For example, I think the 10 commandments are not a bad thing and are a good moral code, but I don’t abide by all, or even most of them. I am attracted to Catholicism because of the love, but pushed away because of the strict rules. Can I become Catholic for a while and see how I like it, and then change if I don’t? I’m a Unitarian Universalist-Religious Humanist at heart.

What do you believe about Jesus Christ?
Is He the Son of God?
Did He walk out of His own tomb 3 days after being tortured to death?
Did He raise people from the dead and perform other supernatural miracles?

RCIA would be your best option, depending on what you think of Christ.

As far as just going to a Catholic Church, you could go anytime you wish and just kind of sit through the service, you aren’t supposed to be partaking of Communion though.

I was an ex Catholic, calling myself non denominational and wanting to attend Church a second time each week. The schedule of my non-denom church didn’t work for that though and neither did any other local churches except a Catholic Church so I did something akin to what you’re talking about. I went to the Catholic Church but not REALLY as a Catholic, just as someone who wanted an extra church service each week.

Before long I blew off the non denom church and returned fully to the Catholic Church, so it’s feasible that once you start going, you might get drawn in more fully.

 

[Joe_5859]

As others have said, RCIA would probably be the way for you to go. Contact your local parish for info on that.

Just as with marriage, or even becoming a priest, becoming Catholic is not something you simply give a trial run with no obligation to buy. It requires a lasting commitment. That’s the nature of conversion.

Nonetheless, as engagement precedes marriage and seminary precedes ordination to the priesthood, RCIA is your prep time before making the final commitment. It is a commitment that should not be lightly made.

God bless you in your discernment.

 

[SteveVH]

Hey guys,

I’m a Unitarian Universalist-Religious Humanist at heart.

Then you cannot also be a Catholic at heart. The Catholic Church teaches the faith handed down to it by the Apostles and, as others have said, you cannot pick and choose those things that suit you and leave the rest behind. That happens to be my pet peeve with the Unitarian Universalists; whatever one believes is just fine. Truth is not relative.

 

[TimothyH]

You can practice all the non-sacramental aspects of Catholicism on a “trial basis,” but in order to be admitted to the sacraments of penance and Eucharist you need to be willing to commit. (A confession on my part: I have received both these sacraments without telling the priest I was not Catholic, but it’s not something I would do again–I don’t say this because I’m proud of it, though at the time I thought I had good reasons.)

Edwin

This is a quite good response Edwin, regarding admission to the sacraments.

One can go to the Mass, experience Catholic faith and spirituality but no, to truly be admitted to the Church, to be able to say that you are part of the one, holy, universal and apostolic Church, and to be admitted to the sacraments as Edwin stated, one has to be baptized.

In the rite of Baptism, you will be asked to voluntarily recite the Niceen creed and give ascent to all it states. The creed is as follows:

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into Hell. On the third day, He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence shall He come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

You will also be asked the following:

Do you believe in the Holy Ghost, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life everlasting?

You cannot be admitted unless you respond, “I do believe.” Unless you give assent of the will to what you are asked in Baptism, no, you really can’t be Catholic. You can get an idea of what happens during the rite of baptism at fisheaters.com/baptism2.html.

Of course you can lie but that doesn’t really do anyone any good.

-Tim-

 

[SteveVH]

This is a quite good response Edwin, regarding admission to the sacraments.

One can go to the Mass, experience Catholic faith and spirituality but no, to truly be admitted to the Church, to be able to say that you are part of the one, holy, universal and apostolic Church, and to be admitted to the sacraments as Edwin stated, one has to be baptized.

In the rite of Baptism, you will be asked to voluntarily recite the Niceen creed and give ascent to all it states. The creed is as follows:

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary; suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into Hell. On the third day, He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence shall He come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Actually, what you have quoted is not the Nicene creed, but rather the Apostles creed. No big deal, they both express the Catholic faith. By the way, the translation of the Nicene creed has been changed (to make it closer to the Latin) and the Church in English speaking countries will be reciting it beginning this November.

 

[fred_conty]

Hey guys,

My question is pretty straight forward: Is it okay for me to become a “trial” or “temporary” Catholic? I have a fairly good understanding of the Catholic faith for someone who is not a part of it. I have a lot of respect for it, however, I do not necessarily believe and accept everything it teaches. For example, I think the 10 commandments are not a bad thing and are a good moral code, but I don’t abide by all, or even most of them. I am attracted to Catholicism because of the love, but pushed away because of the strict rules. Can I become Catholic for a while and see how I like it, and then change if I don’t? I’m a Unitarian Universalist-Religious Humanist at heart.

I am glad for you that have found real attraction to the faith Jesus told his apostles to
tell the whole world about. That is a start.

He told us a story about the sower who went out to sow some seed(faith). Some seed fell
on the path, some on rocky ground, some among the thistles, and some on good ground.

The seed is God’s word of his kingdom, the faith.
Path means the devil stold the seed because the heart received it without understanding.
(ignorance, misunderstanding, listening to father of lies)
Rock means the seed is received with joy, but dosen’t last because of some problem or temptation it dosen’t take root. (attachment to sin)
Thistles means the cares (bills) and riches (too busy) chokes and kills the growing seed.
Good ground means the seed is received and grows, producing good in various amounts depending on the ground(heart).

 

[Jim_Dandy]

You can practice all the non-sacramental aspects of Catholicism on a “trial basis,” but in order to be admitted to the sacraments of penance and Eucharist you need to be willing to commit. (A confession on my part: I have received both these sacraments without telling the priest I was not Catholic, but it’s not something I would do again–I don’t say this because I’m proud of it, though at the time I thought I had good reasons.)

Edwin

You committed sacrilege because “you thought you had good reasons”? You deliberately, knowingly, violated the laws of the Church. This shows your contempt and utter disrespect for the Church and for her members. You made a mockery of her sacraments.

Jim Dandy

 

[SteveVH]

You committed sacrilege because “you thought you had good reasons”? You deliberately, knowingly, violated the laws of the Church. This shows your contempt and utter disrespect for the Church and for her members. You made a mockery of her sacraments.

Jim Dandy

Although he did say it was not something he would do again and that he was not proud of it. Sounds to me like he saw the error of his ways.

 

[Angela77]

I’d give it a go.

Maybe you’ll discover that you do like almost everything about Catholicism.

 

[eegardner]

RCIA is a great option. However, he must change his attitude about the 10 Commandments. As long as he, in his words, does not “abide by all, or even most of them”, he can not become Catholic. If he can go through RCIA and have a change of heart about them, there is a possibility, but only if he decides to abide by all 10.

 

[Contarini]

Although he did say it was not something he would do again and that he was not proud of it. Sounds to me like he saw the error of his ways.

Yes, the difference between myself and Mr. Dandy is not over whether I ought to have done what I did, but over the gravity of my offense. With regard to confession in particular, I would not now do this, but that’s partly because I’ve become accustomed to going longer without confession, which may not be a good thing. My reasons for seeking out a Catholic priest just before Easter were precisely the reasons that have motivated many Catholics to do the same thing.

As for the Eucharist, I was explicitly invited to receive communion in a Catholic church in Germany. One can argue that it is not my job to police the frontiers of the Catholic Church. However, probably even on Anglican grounds I shouldn’t have done it unless I had reason to think the local bishop was OK with it.

I really don’t want to debate this any further. For what it’s worth, I received these sacraments because I believe about them what the Catholic Church believes.

Edwin

 

[puzzleannie]

You committed sacrilege because “you thought you had good reasons”? You deliberately, knowingly, violated the laws of the Church. This shows your contempt and utter disrespect for the Church and for her members. You made a mockery of her sacraments.

Jim Dandy

the sin of sacrilege can only be committed by someone who has full knowledge, intention and free will to do such a thing. He says he did not know at the time, he was not Catholic and so not bound by Church laws at that time. we have to be very careful about telling an individual “you did such and such a sin” because, not being the priest in confession, we do not have that knowledge. Nor is he required to justify his actions here.

 

[PJM]

=MyNameIsChris;8303856]Hey guys,

My question is pretty straight forward: Is it okay for me to become a “trial” or “temporary” Catholic? I have a fairly good understanding of the Catholic faith for someone who is not a part of it. I have a lot of respect for it, however, I do not necessarily believe and accept everything it teaches. For example, I think the 10 commandments are not a bad thing and are a good moral code, but I don’t abide by all, or even most of them. I am attracted to Catholicism because of the love, but pushed away because of the strict rules. Can I become Catholic for a while and see how I like it, and then change if I don’t? I’m a Unitarian Universalist-Religious Humanist at heart.

… No, it’s not possible and here is why

**Rev.3:16 **“So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.”

Christ; salvation is the single most important thing in our short lives on earth. One only gave the "key’s to heaven to Saint Peter and through him to Christ Cathgolic Church’
**Mt. 16:18-19 **“And I[Jesus] tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the powers of death shall not prevail against it. I [Jesus] give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

The MOST SHOCKING and confounding thing about all of the man made religions today [thee CC is the ONLY religion founded/ started and approved bu God] NOT one time and in NOT One place does God EVER permit belief in more than One God; More than ONE set of "faith beliefs’ or ONE and ONLY One Church…Not One word in the entire Bible permits other faiths and ones own beliefs as being sufficient to gain salvation.

Because of our 2,000 year old Faith, founded on the the Apostles as Christ as the necessary Cornerstone, we have many teachings that MUST be accepted and adhered too. Certainly the commandments are but one of them… **Mt. 19:17 **"And he [JESUS] said to him, “… If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” THIS MEANS if you wnat to gain Heaven pay the price of admission which IN PART is obedince to ALL of the Commandments.

No one can enter the Catholic Church without FIRST having been taught our beliefs and WHY it is we believe them. Jesus instituted SEVEN Sacraments… Four of them the are part if acceptance into Our Lords Own Church. Baptism, Confession, Eucharist and Confirmation…This last one: “Confirmation” causes a Personal Covenant relationship with you and God. In order to make this commitment One MUST know beforehand what it is that God and God’s own Church are asking and EXPECTING from th one being Confirmed.

This preparation is called RCIA = Rites of Christian Iniation for Adults as is mandatory.

Salvation is NEVER possible ON OUR TERMS [though amny assume it is or might be and are 100% wrong!].

We will be most happy to answer any and all questions you may have.

Remember Chris; the RULES that MUST be Obeyed are God’s RULES:thumbsup:

May God Bless YOU Christ and grant you the courrage, humility and GRACE to answer His call; HIS WAY

Love and prayers,
Pat