Can I be Catholic without believing in God?

[struthian]

I am terrified of going to hell, and if God exists as the Catholic Church describes him, I would not want to be separated from him. These fears are necessary and obvious from the teachings of the Church. But the “if” is a big one. Can an agnostic live as though God exists, though he is not sure, and be saved?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

In a sense, an agnostic in such conditions would be accepting Pascal’s Wager (see the links given here for more information on that). But belief in God should not be considered to be no more than eternal fire insurance. You should not say “I’ll believe in God so that I won’t go to hell.” What you should say is, “God, I believe in you and do not want to be eternally separated from you. Please reveal yourself to me more and more so that I might love you more and more.” If you can honestly say that in good conscience, you can be a Catholic.

Recommended reading:

Eternal Gamble by Jimmy Akin