Can One convert to catholicism without agreeing on all beliefs

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FAB said:
The Idea of virginity is out of the norm, both in today’s culture and in the past.
It is an idea of purity and of a particularly special sacrifice on one’s part. An idea that prized and set apart.
It is hard in today’s world, were sex is treated with no more honor than animals in the woods to perhaps understand the concept.

The idea that Mary was a perpetual virgin places her on a higher standard. She was willing to sacrifice the common for the sacred. She is the pure vessel who gave herself completely to God, to do His will and not her own.
To think of her otherwise, denigrates the special place she has in our faith.

Peace,
FAB
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That’s true. Perpetual virginity is not the norm but a gift from God.

Jesus described how some make themselves eunuchs for the kingdom. The definition of eucuch isn’t a wooden literal meaning, it can mean metaphoracally (no anatomical alteration, see definition below)

Jesus said

Mt 19
"Not all men can accept this statement, but only those to whom it has been given.

[snip]
  1. and there are also eunuchs who made themselves eunuchs εὐνουχίζω eunouchizō**]**for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. He who is able to accept this, let him accept it."
Definition εὐνουχίζω eunouchizō**]**

1) to castrate, to neuter a man
2) metaph. to make one’s self a eunuch i.e. by abstaining (like a eunuch from marriage (sex)

Eunuch as one can see from the definition, can be regarded as a metaphor also, i.e. no physical alteration of the body takes place, but a disciplinary position (i.e. a vow) is taken to remain virgin. This last description would apply to the mother of God.

As Jesus said, this is only for those to whom it has been given to from God, and the one who is able to accept it let them accept it.
 
Hi all,

The problem alot of people like myself coming from( though not practicing) a protestant background is that we are taught from early on that Mary had children after Jesus, she really isnt talked about all that much. So coming into an environment where she is venerated is a difficult step. Like one of the posters above stated when you start to consider becoming catholic prior protestants( at least myself ) wrestle with the idea of placing Mary on a pedestal. But it is one of those things that reading apologetics actually helps with.
 
One has to accept every dogma(the three “extra-Biblical” ones are the Assumption of the Virgin, Her Immaculate Conception, and papal infallibility ex cathedra) in order to be Roman Catholic; otherwise, one would be in heresy. It is a little ironic, though, that a convert is expected to be devout, while many a “cradle-Catholic” are really Catholic in name only(i.e. non-practicing or attending just for social reasons or the like while agreeing with little or nothing that is being taught).
 
I think that the statement above says it all. To be a Catholic, means to believe Catholic teaching. If one does not believe the infallible teachings of the Popes on morals and dogmas of the faith, then one cannot be Catholic.

While I can’t empathize with your dilemna, I can tell you that Jesus said - “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through Me.” So the same is His Church. The way to salvation, the truth for all mankind, and the means for eternal life in heaven. Only through Jesus Christ and His One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church can we attain the salvation of our souls.

I wish you well in your search for the truth and will pray that the Holy Spirit will lead you to the Catholic Faith.

God Bless
 
I agree YT, after reading many of the posting across this forum I have found alot of different views so I do find it a bit ironic that one is expected to convert over with a very devout outlook. Oh well it is what it is. Strangley enough most of my concerns arent very great. I have no problem with transubstantiation ( hope thats right ) which is one major sticking area for alot of ex protestants. Like I stated before I am trying to read alopogetic books and for the most part the teachings of the church make sense when explained by someone that knows what they are talking about. Like I have said I am in the process of finding a lost faith so this is all a little exciting for me. I just need to find the “faith” switch in my head and turn it back on. Thanks for the replies so far.
 
kestrel36 said:
I have been wondering about something. I been reading various books on catholic beliefs and feel they have alot of good points on defending the various beliefs that separate catholicism from protestant ideas. I do disagree ( or at least am not convinced) with some of the beliefs catholics hold. One sticking point I am Having trouble with is what Karl Keating says is often one of the hardest to get over when you were brought up protestant. My question is can you become a catholic without agreeing on everything.
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The Dogmas of Mary, and of the intercession of the Saints ? Believe me, as an Atheist convert (yes we do exist) they truly are the hardest to comprehend

For Mary, i generally use the phrase (which St. Jerome first used) “Full of Grace” translated from the word in Greek “Kecharitomene”, this is a perfect passive particle meaning it is the past, but it is active, so it is the present and the future, so Mary was in a “State of Grace” permanently, she was full of God’s Grace, from the moment of her conception, untill her assumption (whether this was before, or after bodily death can be disputed, im not sure on the official Church teaching on the matter), obviously i have paraphrase Kecharitomene again, but im not a Greek Scholar 😉

The intercession of Saints is an easy one though, the Saints are not dead, they are alive in heaven, so asking one of them to pray for you, is just like asking your Brother or Sister on earth to pray for you 🙂
 
A person should not convert without accepting the Church’s teachings. I wouldn’t expect them to understand and be comfortable with everything- but they should at least recognize that the Catholic Church truly is the Church founded by Christ. They should recognize that Jesus promised that the gates of hell would not prevail against the Church, and trust that He’ll keep His promise (and preserve it from error). If they believe those things, but struggle with what the Church teaches on certain things (the Immaculate Conception, for example), they should be comfortable humbly accepting that their understanding is much more likely to be flawed than the Church’s understanding.

I suggest developing a devotion to the Eucharist. When you come to believe in the Eucharist and recognize Jesus in the Eucharist as the center of your life, everything else seems so minor.
 
kestrel36 said:
I have been wondering about something. I been reading various books on catholic beliefs and feel they have alot of good points on defending the various beliefs that separate catholicism from protestant ideas. I do disagree ( or at least am not convinced) with some of the beliefs catholics hold. One sticking point I am Having trouble with is what Karl Keating says is often one of the hardest to get over when you were brought up protestant. My question is can you become a catholic without agreeing on everything.
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Hey Kestrel,

When I decided that I had to become Catholic I, too, went through the same difficulties.
But having decided that the Catholic Church was the Church established by our Lord Jesus and that She had the authority to teach His truth my objections almost melted away.

I simply accepted the fact that the Church didn’t teach error and therefore I could basically accept all Church teachings – by faith if my intellect didn’t help me.

I hope you’re home soon! 🙂
 
Many souls have wrestled with these Marian Dogmas. I believe it was the Council of Constantinopole that defined this dogma and this act was needed to counter the doubts.

Have you ever noticed the beautiful Eastern Rite icons of Our Lady? Many of them will have three stars on her. They are on each shoulder and on the forehead of her mantle. This is to signify her virginity before, during, and after the birth of Christ.

I also recommend Fr. Garrigou-Lagrange’s book on The Mother of Our Saviour and also St. Louis Marie de Montfort’s True Devotion to Mary and the Secret of Mary.

In addition in the Vatican Two Document Lumen Gentium there is a wonderful section on Our Lady and the encyclical by Ven. John Paul II on the Mother of the Redeemer may also be helpful.

I read voraciously upon my reconversion. I have quite the library now!

I predict you will fall in live with Our Lady as you have never dreamed. And see that Our Lady does one thing now until the end of time—she leads souls to her Divine Son.
 
kestrel36 said:
I have been wondering about something. I been reading various books on catholic beliefs and feel they have alot of good points on defending the various beliefs that separate catholicism from protestant ideas. I do disagree ( or at least am not convinced) with some of the beliefs catholics hold. One sticking point I am Having trouble with is what Karl Keating says is often one of the hardest to get over when you were brought up protestant. My question is can you become a catholic without agreeing on everything.
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Short answer, yes. Long answer, yes.

There are no requirements for membership.

The Church has actively recruited un-repentant Protestants since 1970.
 
kestrel36 said:
I will try to find " the worlds first love" hopefully it sells on kindle as that is how I get most books where im at.
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“The World’s First Love” is an open source book that can be downloaded for Kindle here. 🙂

~sarah
 
kestrel36 said:
I agree YT, after reading many of the posting across this forum I have found alot of different views so I do find it a bit ironic that one is expected to convert over with a very devout outlook. Oh well it is what it is. Strangley enough most of my concerns arent very great. I have no problem with transubstantiation ( hope thats right ) which is one major sticking area for alot of ex protestants. Like I stated before I am trying to read alopogetic books and for the most part the teachings of the church make sense when explained by someone that knows what they are talking about. Like I have said I am in the process of finding a lost faith so this is all a little exciting for me. I just need to find the “faith” switch in my head and turn it back on. Thanks for the replies so far.
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All right.
 
Hi all,

Skeptic I like your point about the “full of grace” translation. I htink alot of times the confusion we see is a result of reading translations. It good to see someone find their faith. I am struggling to believe and I figure if I can start attending church then maybe something will be rekindled. Anyhow that is my plan. Thanks everyone for the replies I really didnt expect so many :). Sarah I did find the book on kindle as well as several others. I bought one written by Pope Benedict called I believe “Church Fathers”. I actually have several that Im in the process of going through.
 
Putting my 2 cents in, I’d put in Christ’s hands that what you don’t understand. Just give to the Lord and cooperate with the graces of the tenants of faith you do agree in.
 
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