Confused, and I guess I am not a real Catholic..

[phoooiee]

Here is what I have discovered as a Catholic.

As Christ said, if there were only one commandment, it would be to love the Lord with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself.

There are also a lot of other commandments. These all really just boil down to a very complicated system that helps us to follow the first commandment.

Some people, correctly, feel that only the one overreaching commandment to “love” is important. However, if one tries to love perfectly, then they will quickly discover that this is not so simple.

Others remain so focused on the law (the other commandments) that they forget to love.

The Catholic faith teaches a balanced approach. The law may lead one to become more loving. The love (if practiced perfectly) leads one to follow the law instinctively. The two are one and the same.

If I had one piece of advice for you right now, it would be to avoid legalism. Avoid the legalism that says that the act of going to confession is what brings salvation (it’s not, it’s the grace that is gained through going to confession that brings salvation, and the sacrament is only there to help us). Also, avoid the legalism that says this is not necessary as a rule.

Don’t worry so much about what you should do according to others, but use the advice of others to challenge yourself.

Only focus on finding a more perfect love within yourself, with an absolute determination to challenge any preconceived notion that interferes with love’s action within you, and any fear that prevents love’s action within you. The more you do this, the more you will open yourself up to be able to listen to the Holy Spirit.

This will lead you to the law, and to the meaning behind it.

 

[ufamtobie]

I was raised in a Catholic/Christian household. To this day I accept Christ as my savior and my redeemer. Being on this forums I have seen a lot of things that I never encountered in my days. All this talk of the “one true church” and going over how we have to abide by all things in Canon Law and the Catechism to be Catholic.

That was never brought up to me. I even went to Catholic School for about 3 years when I was younger and it was never like this. My mother, priests, nuns, etc, they never really brought up a lot of what I have read on here. It kind of startles me. In reality, I guess I am not a Catholic then, because I don’t agree with certain doctrines. Maybe its ignorance. I am certainly not REJECTING it, and down right saying its wrong, but it just doesn’t click with me.

Laneo, Yes you are not a Catholic I am sad to say.

Like confession, I am almost 22 years old. I have been to confession maybe 3-4 times my whole life. In the Bible it claims that… For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). So If I am truly sorry for my sins and ask for forgiveness, it’s futile? I just go to hell if i don’t go to confession…?

Laneo, you being 22 years old and have been to confession 3-4 times in your life truly tells you, you really were never a Catholic from the beginning. True between there is only One mediator between God and man and His name is Jesus Christ, but Jesus Christ left His Church to guide us and that is the Church that you have left many years ago.

Laneo, Can you baptize yourself? When you fall in love and want to marry her do you just look up to the Sky and say to Jesus marry us and we be married? The answer to both questions is no you can not, you need a priest to be baptized you need a priest to get married and as for confession, yes, here to you need a priest to have your sins forgiven.

Laneo, have you not read John 20: 22-23 When he had said this, he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost. 23 Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained. Laneo, you see the above bolded scripture. Laneo, Jesus Christ left His Church in charge of us and it is the Church that has the Authority to for give us our sins or retain them.

Moreover, I understand the concept or mortal and venial sins, but it just doesn’t hit me. Let’s say I go to confession and right after I see a woman and have lustful thoughts, If I die, I just automatically go to Hell? I cant be going to confession every single day because in reality I probably commit mortal sins every day; At least in my thoughts. I lose my salvation in the blink of an eye? Christ only died for venial sins??? Okay…

Laneo, It does not hit you because the Devil/satan is not permitting it to do so, because he wants you to be exactly the way you are now and he is winning you over.

Also, the Apostles were sinners they weren’t perfect beings. When they were at the last supper, did they go to a priest and confess before receiving the body/blood of Christ? As I have read, we must confess mortal sins before receiving the Eucharist. I am sure the Apostles had a few of them under their belt. What about the good thief (Dismas) he accepted Christ right on the spot and was received in Heaven. He never went to confession. I know the CC says he was “baptized” with desire, but still he didn’t go to confession. Maybe I am just a bit crazy, I don’t know. What shall I do?

Laneo, how do you know that the Apostles did not confess to one another about their sins before eating and drinking the Body and Blood of Christ, confession is personal! Don’t let the devil fool you regarding this. The problem with you is that you want to continue on sinning and when you do sin you just want to go straight to Jesus, but you are avoiding the Lords teachings that the Apostles and their successors are the ones that only have the authority to forgive or retain your sins.

Honestly, I know I am a sinner and accept Christ and plead for his forgiveness, but that’s not good enough I guess.

No it is not good enough, why? Again, just like you need to be baptized by a priest, get married by a priest, you also need to be confessed by a priest.

So I really don’t know where I stand? Am I going to Hell? I am sure lots of you think so.

Laneo, I don’t know if you are going to hell, but I tell you this, you sure are making your mother very sad and above all you are making the Lord sad, but there is someone happy with you, and I believe you know who it is.

Ufamtobie

 

[phoooiee]

no, he died that all may have a chance at salvation, but not all are saved. For that to happen you must believe in Christ and his holy church. In Galatians it clearly states that anyone who denounces the gospel of christ should be treated as an outcast. Now how do we know that is the roman catholic church. The reason is in the historical record. Only one church can trace its origin to Christ.

here is a quote from the actual Church document on the matter, entitled Dominus Iesus. It is very easy to find through the Vatican.

"Furthermore, the salvific action of Jesus Christ, with and through his Spirit, extends beyond the visible boundaries of the Church to all humanity. Speaking of the paschal mystery, in which Christ even now associates the believer to himself in a living manner in the Spirit and gives him the hope of resurrection, the Council states: “All this holds true not only for Christians but also for all men of good will in whose hearts grace is active invisibly. For since Christ died for all, and since all men are in fact called to one and the same destiny, which is divine, we must hold that the Holy Spirit offers to all the possibility of being made partners, in a way known to God, in the paschal mystery”

People outside the visible church who are men of goodwill can be saved, according to the Church, but it is Jesus Christ who does the saving.

I think it’s so important to be cautious about testimony on these forums when no Church source is cited.

 

[laneo]

Laneo, I don’t know if you are going to hell, but I tell you this, you sure are making your mother very sad and above all you are making the Lord sad, but there is someone happy with you, and I believe you know who it is.

Ufamtobie

Well, I know a lot of Catholics who don’t go to confession. I hardly see any at my parish go. It’s been like that in ever Catholic church I have been to. Nobody seems to care anymore. Not everyone is so devout. All I know is that even if I try to accept or understand everything the CC tells me, I will still probably fall short, due to my views on contraception and things like that. So looks like I am screwed.

 

[laneo]

Well, I know a lot of Catholics who don’t go to confession. I hardly see any at my parish go. It’s been like that in ever Catholic church I have been to. Nobody seems to care anymore. Not everyone is so devout. I am not saying that it makes it right though. All I know is that even if I try to accept or understand everything the CC tells me, I will still probably fall short, due to my views on contraception and things like that. So looks like I am screwed. Thanks for your advice. God bless all of you.

 

[laneo]

Sorry for that double post. Odd. Anyway. I will try my best, that’s all I can say. I can read and read, and maybe one day things will click. I was just looking for advice, that’s all.

Thanks

 

[crazzeto]

I guess, I don’t know. I am just confused.

On another note, I don’t deliberately sin after confession, but lets say if I see a woman on the street that may look attractive, sure I may think impure thoughts. That’s just natural at times. Furthermore, Dismas may have confessed, but it was directly to Christ, he was allowed, but I am not? I have to go to a priest or it’s just useless?

What your describing here is a vienial sin, that is a sin which does not destroy your connection to God. The word mortal comes from the Latin mortis or death, this term “mortal sin” comes directly from the scriptures:

1Jn 5:16 He that knoweth his brother to sin a sin which is not to death, let him ask: and life shall be given to him who sinneth not to death. There is a sin unto death. For that I say not that any man ask.
1Jn 5:17 All iniquity is sin. And there is a sin unto [mortis] death.

We know these sins by the 10 commandments, after all Christ told us that if we want eternal life then we should “keep the [10] commandments”.

Since you are so confused, I would exhort you to start undertaking a serious study of the Christian faith as expressed with the Catholic Church. Research it prayerfully, and start your study sessions with a prayer to God to show you what is true. Please don’t take the lazy way out and find some protestant church you “click with” more… The Christian faith isn’t about how this or that church suites me, it’s about how I can surrender my self to Jesus Christ.

 

[Tantum_ergo]

Well, I know a lot of Catholics who don’t go to confession. I hardly see any at my parish go. It’s been like that in ever Catholic church I have been to. Nobody seems to care anymore. Not everyone is so devout. All I know is that even if I try to accept or understand everything the CC tells me, I will still probably fall short, due to my views on contraception and things like that. So looks like I am screwed.

OK, here’s the “Mom” in me:

So ‘a lot of people don’t go to confession?" So what? A lot of people do something wrong, therefore that makes it right for you to do something wrong as well? The arguments about "other people do’ or ‘other people don’t’ are childish attempts to get your way. And your hopeless "I can’t do it all so I won’t even try’ is childish as well.

I’m sure that you have some talents. While you might have started out, say, playing baseball with a certain ‘edge’ in that you were a naturally ‘good’ pitcher or hitter, you couldn’t advance if you didn’t practice. And I’m sure that plenty of times when you practiced you got tired, or thought it was too hard, and that you’d NEVER be able to do it. But you kept on because it was important to you and you succeeded.

So why would the practice of your FAITH be any different from any other endeavor in which you try to do something well?

 

[Gabriel_of_12]

I guess, I don’t know. I am just confused.

On another note, I don’t deliberately sin after confession, but lets say if I see a woman on the street that may look attractive, sure I may think impure thoughts. That’s just natural at times. Furthermore, Dismas may have confessed, but it was directly to Christ, he was allowed, but I am not? I have to go to a priest or it’s just useless?

Don’t distant yourself from any misunderstandings of our Catholic faith, keep seeking the Kingdom of which you are already a part of. Don’t confuse the salvation of Grace for the welcomed unbeliever outside the kingdom of God, with those already baptised into the kingdom of God who are working out their salvation with fear and trembling.

A key note to your Lustful sin that we are prone too from concupiscence is that a mortal sin is made when you deliberately and willfully act upon your temptation. Venial sin which you can confess directly to God, is when we are tempted, and repent of the fiery darts from the evil one and do not fall into the temptation by acting upon our venial sins which can lead to death. This is the fight Paul speaks of against the powers and principalities that come against us.

The good thief on the cross next to Jesus was given a baptism of blood, he paid for his crimes and jusitified from the secular powers who can kill the flesh, but when he professed Jesus as His Lord, Jesus paid the price for him to enter into the kingdom of God in heaven, who can save his soul and his body in the resurrection.

So it is with water baptism, when Grace upon Grace removes every stain of sin from the soul, when one can enter before God spotless. Now once Graced with the Holy Spirit through water baptism, this new person in Christ begins the working out ones salvation with fear and trembling. Don’t confuse those coming into the kingdom of God with those baptised into the kingdom of God where the ministery of reconcillation is at work.

As an earlier poster posted, it might do you some good to review your Catholicism from an RCIA program in your parish. Now that you share more interest in knowing what is already believed and practiced these past 2000 years since the resurrection.

Peace be with you

 

[laneo]

Well, I also have a problem with Scrupulosity. I have had so many Obsessive thoughts in the past I was on the verge of insanity. Seriously. There were certain times in my life OCD would really bring me problems. I didn’t want to leave my house due to the fear of disease/AIDS. It came into play with religion when I was younger as well. I was walking to CCD class and this creeping blasphemous thoughts came into my head. They wouldn’t leave. Needless to say, it wasn’t too pleasant. I hate it. I am just concerned with being condemned and I don’t want to rot in hell. Just being honest. I am just trying to come to terms with all this doctrine and thoughts keeping invading me saying “well if you don’t agree with this you are going to Hell”. If you think I am crazy, well, that’s fine. I just feel terrible. Anyway, I am going to head back to work.

Thanks

 

[Aleii]

When Catholics say the Catholic Church doesn’t say who is going to hell, they merely mean She doesn’t spell out the names. She might not spell out the names but here are some folks going to hell according to the Catholic Church…

CCC 846 Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it.

So as one example, if John Doe at one time believed all things Catholic but later had a change in beliefs and joined a non Catholic church, and remained in such a state the remainder of his life, and died unrepentant of joining another church, it’s seems toast and ashes for Mr Doe according to the CC.

If John Doe no longer holds Catholic beliefs, then he no longer “knows” that the ‘Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ’, so how would CCC 846 still apply?

 

[crazzeto]

Well, I also have a problem with Scrupulosity. I have had so many Obsessive thoughts in the past I was on the verge of insanity. Seriously. There were certain times in my life OCD would really bring me problems. I didn’t want to leave my house due to the fear of disease/AIDS. It came into play with religion when I was younger as well. I was walking to CCD class and this creeping blasphemous thoughts came into my head. They wouldn’t leave. Needless to say, it wasn’t too pleasant. I hate it. I am just concerned with being condemned and I don’t want to rot in hell. Just being honest. I am just trying to come to terms with all this doctrine and thoughts keeping invading me saying “well if you don’t agree with this you are going to Hell”. If you think I am crazy, well, that’s fine. I just feel terrible. Anyway, I am going to head back to work.

Thanks

This would be the enemy trying to push you from the true faith. I would suggest spending time in adoration, reading scripture and studying the catechism. If it would attempt to become louder, so that you aboslutly can’t concentrate then I suggest praying this:

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do Thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host -
by the Divine Power of God -
cast into hell, satan and all the evil spirits,
who roam throughout the world seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.

 

[jmcrae]

Well, I know a lot of Catholics who don’t go to confession. I hardly see any at my parish go. It’s been like that in ever Catholic church I have been to. Nobody seems to care anymore. Not everyone is so devout.

Not everyone is going to Heaven. This isn’t elementary school, where you can “make” the teacher give everyone in the class a passing grade, by everyone deliberately doing as badly as the worst kid in the class. The teacher can’t afford to fail the whole class, so instead, everyone - including the worst kid - gets to move up to the next level.

I think a lot of people think that that’s how God works - that if everyone skips Mass all the time, then God will have to take that off the list of requirements, in order to get a certain minimum number of people to go to Heaven.

That’s not actually how it works. If everyone on the whole planet skips Mass, then everyone on the whole planet will go to Hell. God isn’t going to say, “OH, okay, I guess that one’s just too hard for you to do, so we’ll remove it from the list.”

All I know is that even if I try to accept or understand everything the CC tells me, I will still probably fall short, due to my views on contraception and things like that. So looks like I am screwed.

Of course, you could always just decide to believe what the Church teaches, too. You aren’t “stuck” believing false things about contraception for the rest of your life - you can learn the truth, and figure out how to follow it. That choice is always open to you.

 

[justamoose89]

Laneo, I have good news!

You are considered Catholic if you have been baptized by the Catholic Church! You just seem to have some misunderstandings about the teachings of the Church. This seems to have come about through no fault of your own, if this is how you were brought up. Being older though, it is your responsibility to find out more.

If you really are being scrupulous about your salvation (which in my opinion is better than being apathetic) then by all means do some research! Talk to a priest! Go to RCIA!

By your replies it seems to me that you already have your mind made up, and you just created this thread to confirm your fears. But please please don’t close this door! The Catholic Church is wonderful!

Just an FYI, the Church does not teach that you will go to hell if you aren’t Catholic. If you are a person who doesn’t know that the Catholic Church is Christ’s Church, or if you don’t know anything about Jesus (perhaps because of how you grew up), then you are not held accountable! But once Jesus begins to tug at your heart and you are presented with the truth, then you are held accountable.

The Catholic Church has the full Truth, and the people on this forum just want to make sure you experience the full Truth.

I’ll pray for you

 

[justamoose89]

Don’t feel bad, i am going to hell also and i don’t believe that Jesus would do this to people that love others and do good things. I am here to see if joining the church will make a difference or not.I just got off a forum where i was almost put to death, i was talked about so bad that i deleted all my friends that are catholic also. And all that i was studying, reading etc.Scared me, but i did do it, because i am discusted with hearing that if your not catholic you will not go to heaven. I have alot of friends that are not catholic also and they are not going to hell, Jesus never said that we had to be catholic to go to heaven. We are all a church of Christ because we believe, and were baptized, and recieved the holy spirit and the promises of Christ and yes through his blood covering we are made pure before God, because he see’s Jesus there and not our sins but you need to ask him to forgive you anyways, and not do them any more, if you do unless you intentionaly murder, God is very faithful to forgive you and cleanse you from all unrightousness.

MarieaGrace I am sorry to hear that people on this forum have told you that you are going to hell. It is not any of our place to say who goes to hell. Please don’t hold this against your Catholic brothers and sisters in Christ. Like I told laneo, the people on this forum just want you to experience the fullness of Truth, which the Catholic Church has. The Catechism does NOT say you MUST be a baptized Catholic to go to heaven. Some of the most incredible men and women of God that I know are protestant. They were brought up that way, or converted from a life of sin.

So if why be Catholic? Because it is the Church that Jesus founded on Earth.

The Church has the fullness of Truth, and I don’t know about you, but I want to be where the Truth is.

Praying for you!

 

[Califman831]

I just have a misconception of what church means then. To me, anyone who is baptized and truly believes in Christ as their savior is part of his church…Christianity. Kind of what MarieaGrace was saying. Oh well. I am wrong.

No you are not that far off from the truth. you are just missing pieces of the puzzle. Being baptized and loving Christ are core beliefs of the catholic church. The pieces you are missing are apostolic succession and the correct and complete presentation of the Christian Faith. As others have stated only the Catholic church possesses them. Please read the Catechism of Trent and a good book on church history.

 

[CMatt25]

If John Doe no longer holds Catholic beliefs, then he no longer “knows” that the ‘Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ’, so how would CCC 846 still apply?

As I read it because he did know at one time but did not remain. There was no concensus however among Catholics here on this when I tried to get a definitve answer once before. Some said condemned . Some said no. So I gave up trying to find the one answer.

 

[chaldobyzantine]

People on this forum seem very unshakable and stubborn about their beliefs and automatically say things like “you’ll go to hell if you have an abortion even if you were raped by your family member and it endangers your life!” People this stubborn, no matter what their beliefs in religion or politics, seem brainwashed. These people never think “I could be wrong…” or the church can be wrong…

As Christians, we should be more accepting of other people and stop quoting encyclicals old men have said in a chair in Rome. Our belief in Purgatory means that all are able to witness in Christ and be healed from a state of sin in the afterlife. I don’t think God sends people to hell for premarital sex or missing church a few Sundays. I also think that good people are saved through Jesus Christ, so it could be possible for Buddhist monks to go to heaven after going to Purgatory.

Unless you think you are really an evil person, and you sin without feeling guilt or being sorry, I wouldn’t worry about it. Catholics have made too many doctrines anyways, just follow the commandments.

BTW you can have a personal confession to God you know… you don’t need to go see a priest if you aren’t confused or don’t need any guidance lectures.

 

[crazzeto]

People on this forum seem very unshakable and stubborn about their beliefs and automatically say things like “you’ll go to hell if you have an abortion even if you were raped by your family member and it endangers your life!” People this stubborn, no matter what their beliefs in religion or politics, seem brainwashed. These people never think “I could be wrong…” or the church can be wrong…

As Christians, we should be more accepting of other people and stop quoting encyclicals old men have said in a chair in Rome. Our belief in Purgatory means that all are able to witness in Christ and be healed from a state of sin in the afterlife. I don’t think God sends people to hell for premarital sex or missing church a few Sundays. I also think that good people are saved through Jesus Christ, so it could be possible for Buddhist monks to go to heaven after going to Purgatory.

Unless you think you are really an evil person, and you sin without feeling guilt or being sorry, I wouldn’t worry about it. Catholics have made too many doctrines anyways, just follow the commandments.

BTW you can have a personal confession to God you know… you don’t need to go see a priest if you aren’t confused or don’t need any guidance lectures.

This is a rather bold post, considering you have no idea where “people like this” come from… Have you considered that some of us asked all the questions you point out, but didn’t stop there they actually looked for the answers? Have you considered that there are even those among us here, now very staunch as you point out, who have them selves percured abortions (I’m not one in any way, but I do know of some)?

It seems to me like this posting has been formulated with out really thinking things through enough.

 

[CMatt25]

You are considered Catholic if you have been baptized by the Catholic Church!

And I rest my case to ID Catholic! :clapping: :yup: :tiphat: THANK YOU! :dancing: :extrahappy: And I trust those who have said I am not will now refrain from doing so.