Butchering Catholicism?

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FireFromHeaven

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I am a practicing catholic who recently (about a minute ago) joined this forum. I have become interested in religous study and apologetics over the past year. It truly feels like the Lord called me to find truth. I am wondering if I am defiling catholicism with too many add ons. I Try to follow the Buddhist four noble truths and the Eightfold Path. I agree that one should be sincere as it is taught in Shinto and that nature is a way to see God(I do not believe in kami). I also believe that Muhhamed was onto something and, though he missed alot of important stuff such as nonviolence, that he taught a useful moral code. Are these beliefs contrary to Catholicism? Answers apreciated.
 
Don’t know what the four noble truths are. what are they?
What is the eightfold path?
Muhhamed didn’t give the world any useful moral code that didn’t already exist in christianity.In fact the christian moral code is much higher and gives dignity to all humans.
Unlike Muhhamed’s which devalued others.

Welcome to the forums:)
 
Hi Fire,

I am not familiar with the teachings you allude to, but you probably would reap more benefit from reading and studying the Bible, which has more depth and truth than any other doctrine. Then you would be in a better position to see the positive aspects of those other doctrines.

You would also benefit from having the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which contains a summary of Catholic beliefs and is approved by the Pope. You can find it online at scborromeo.org/ccc.htm but it would be a good decision to buy it.
 
I find Christianity (in particular Catholosism) more than sufficient in providing a way of life. Living and acting solely in Love in accordance with the teachings of the Church is complicated enough as it is, i cant imagine a few other moral codes thrown in.
 
FireFromHeaven said:
I am a practicing catholic who recently (about a minute ago) joined this forum. I have become interested in religous study and apologetics over the past year. It truly feels like the Lord called me to find truth. I am wondering if I am defiling catholicism with too many add ons. I Try to follow the Buddhist four noble truths and the Eightfold Path. I agree that one should be sincere as it is taught in Shinto and that nature is a way to see God(I do not believe in kami). I also believe that Muhhamed was onto something and, though he missed alot of important stuff such as nonviolence, that he taught a useful moral code. Are these beliefs contrary to Catholicism? Answers apreciated.
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To ask, seek, and knock- to look for truth-is always the right thing to do and something that pleases God immensely. As Augustine said, “All truth is God’s truth.” To seek it is to acknowledge that we don’t already possess it-the first necessity in finding it!

Speaking for myself, I sought truth in a variety of places, and all those places contained it to one degree or another. But little by little I let go of everything except Christianity as I found there the truth in it’s most exhautive form, in a Person who knew it and lived it and taught it as no other had. I just had to come recognize it-Him-as I was able. Having said that, I still might read a sutra once in a great while, and find something of value there 🙂
 
Which ones do you reccomend I drop? Which should I keep? Which are compatible with Catholicism?
 
FireFromHeaven said:
Which ones do you reccomend I drop? Which should I keep? Which are compatible with Catholicism?
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I am not sure, i have very little knowledge of any of these, though there is probably some overlap with Catholic/Christian morals. I would focus on learning what the Church teaches, its morals especially in how we are to live our lives, everyday conduct. Reading the lives of the Saints is also an excellent idea, or works written by the Saints.

I recently read a small booklet written by Saint Alphonis called Uniformity with God’s Will, luckily for us it is in the Public Domain 😃 EWTN has a version of it here link

I would highly recommend it, its very short but packed with some awesome stuff and really simplifies the spiritual life to the core component of Loving God and doing his Will in everyday life.
 
FireFromHeaven said:
Which ones do you reccomend I drop? Which should I keep? Which are compatible with Catholicism?
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Everyone has to find that out for themselves. The Church teaches we must be true to our own consciences. Faith without the freedom to believe as we will is no faith at all-and of no real value or benefit. I went on a journey that, as I said before, led me increasingly to Christianity, to my own surprise BTW, and the from there on to Catholicism, which may’ve surprised me even more! But it didn’t happen overnight. Keep seeking and God will continue to lead you into truth-which means, in my experience, we end up Catholic! And Catholicism is certainly unafraid of truth wherever it can be found. Anyway, faith and hope already exist in that search for truth:
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Heb 11:6
 
The reference to Shinto is that it teaches sincerity rather then a definite moral code such as the ten commandments. They say even if a religion has a large set of moral rules only sincere people will actually follow them. The buddhist parts teach that to avoid suffering we must live ethical and unnattached lives. Muhammad’s morals are similar to Christianity with less of a focus on human life which is a major flaw. I am finishing asterisks on the basics of six world religions and will begin to read their sacred writings starting with the bible. I will take your advice on the saints though.
 
I am sorry I am typing this on my phone. Asterisks is actually a series.
 
FireFromHeaven said:
I am sorry I am typing this on my phone. Asterisks is actually a series.
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When you consider the Christian commandments, also consider these words of Jer, held to be a major prophesy of the New Covenant:

33“This is the covenant I will make with the people of Israel
after that time,” declares the Lord.
“I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
34*No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest,”
declares the Lord.
“For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.” Jer 31:33-34

In these words God is telling us that He’s both the authentic source of and way to authentic ethics and righteousness for man.
 
i don’t understand why you think you might be “defiling Catholicism”? nothing you mentioned seems to be nonsense or to run counter to Catholic teaching

in seeking truth, it can be helpful to read about other faiths because it puts our own in perspective, but one finds more than enough in the Bible, Cathecisms, and various religious commentaries/books

good luck in your search
 
FireFromHeaven said:
Which ones do you reccomend I drop? Which should I keep? Which are compatible with Catholicism?
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The central core of our faith is Agape Love…See Mt 22:36-40, John 13:34-35 and 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 and 1 John 4:48 for passages that illustrate the absolute centrality of Love in our faith.

Based on this, I suggest that you review these other things for how they stack up to “Agape” Love - that is, Love that is self sacrificing…giving all to and for others…and most importantly…giving all to God.

Like others, I am not familiar with the particular teachings that you mention, but if you are drawn toward the more mystical aspects, I suggest that you look into the very strong “mystical” aspect of Catholicism. These are most strongly embodied by saints and, Doctors of the Church, such as St.s Teresa of Avila, John of the Cross, Catherine of Sienna and others.
The book in my signature is a wonderful distillation of the mysticism of these wonderful saints and I believe you will find much in it that will help you.

Peace
James
 
FireFromHeaven said:
Which ones do you reccomend I drop? Which should I keep? Which are compatible with Catholicism?
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I am not familiar with any of those that you mentioned. But I would recommend a change of direction…from those to reading the lives of the saints…there are tremendous examples out there.

Here is a recommended start: St. Francis of Assissi…and this book: The Perfect Joy of St. Francis.
 
FireFromHeaven said:
The

The buddhist parts teach that to avoid suffering we must live ethical and unnattached lives.

. I will take your advice on the saints though.
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I would say this is against what the CC teaches.

acatholiclife.blogspot.com/2006/08/catechism-on-suffering-by-st-john.html

There are two ways of suffering – to suffer with love, and to suffer without love. The saints suffered everything with joy, patience, and perseverance, because they loved. As for us, we suffer with anger, vexation, and weariness, because we do not love. If we loved God, we should love crosses, we should wish for them, we should take pleasure in them. . . . We should be happy to be able to suffer for the love of Him who lovingly suffered for us. Of what do we complain? Alas! the poor infidels, who have not the happiness of knowing God and His infinite loveliness, have the same crosses that we have; but they have not the same consolations. You say it is hard? No, it is easy, it is consoling, it is sweet; it is happiness. Only we must love while we suffer, and suffer while we love.
 
FireFromHeaven said:
The reference to Shinto is that it teaches sincerity rather then a definite moral code such as the ten commandments. They say even if a religion has a large set of moral rules only sincere people will actually follow them.
Click to expand...
There is some truth in this. Yet sincerity will only take one so far. One can be sincere - and be sincerely wrong. So while sincerity is certainly necessary, a definite moral code is also requited.
The buddhist parts teach that to avoid suffering we must live ethical and unnattached lives
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.
Can’t say I particularly agree with this. There have been great Saints who suffered terribly. Our Blessed Lady - the Mother of our savior, certainly lived an ethical life and “unattached” except to be attached to God - Her Son…Yet she too suffered terribly.
Muhammad’s morals are similar to Christianity with less of a focus on human life which is a major flaw.
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Mohammed had contact with Christians as well as with Jews. It is not surprising that his system has similarities to ours…yet as you say - it is flawed…Not the least of which by denying the Divinity of Christ.
I am finishing asterisks on the basics of six world religions and will begin to read their sacred writings starting with the bible. I will take your advice on the saints though.
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My suggestion is that you get a bit more grounded in Catholicism before you get too deeply into these others. That way you will be better able to discern more easily what is or is not useful in them.

Peace
James
 
FireFromHeaven said:
I am a practicing catholic who recently (about a minute ago) joined this forum. I have become interested in religous study and apologetics over the past year. It truly feels like the Lord called me to find truth. I am wondering if I am defiling catholicism with too many add ons. I Try to follow the Buddhist four noble truths and the Eightfold Path. I agree that one should be sincere as it is taught in Shinto and that nature is a way to see God(I do not believe in kami). I also believe that Muhhamed was onto something and, though he missed alot of important stuff such as nonviolence, that he taught a useful moral code. Are these beliefs contrary to Catholicism? Answers apreciated.
Click to expand...
you seem to be practicing everything else but Catholicism.
 
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