Confused whether or not i should be Catholic?

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XD1993

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ok so i’m 19 and in college. i was raised a Hindu, but recently decided to become Christian. anyways, i chose Catholic b/c if i’m not mistaken, Catholics believe that non-Christians can also make it to heaven/purgatory (which is what i want to believe b/c my family is Hindu, but good people who are honestly trying to find God, so i believe God will save them) and didn’t want to choose a protestant group on campus b/c i know many believe you either believe in Jesus and go to heaven, or don’t and end up in hell. so i started RCIA a two weeks ago, and went to mass as well. the RCIA class is mostly people who want to be confirmed (i may be the only non-Christian i think), plus i started late, so i feel a bit behind. what I think i didn’t like about mass was that it seems to strict (like you have to stand up/kneel at certain times, have prayers memorized which i don’t know at all, and everyone’s too quiet etc.)

anyways there is this other methodist church nearby, which seems really Christmasy, 7th heaven style etc…it seems easier to go thorugh (like no RCIA, just sit and listen, no paperwork, no memorizing stuff etc). i actually agree with a lot of Catholic stuff that most protestants disagree (like saints, Mary, purgatory etc) but it just seems easier for me and more relaxed.

my question is, should i continue with RCIA and hope it gets better for me, or just start going to another church like the Methodist one? I like Catholic beliefs a lot, it’s just the style of worship, and all the sacraments like confirmation/baptism requires paperwork and is too officelike structure if u know what i mean.

btw i mean no disrespect to anyone, just saying what i think. sorry if i got something wrong. thanks
 
I think you might want to learn more about what the Methodist Church teaches about non
Christians and overall before you choose that route because it seems to be simpler at this time.

It seems to me your heart is learning towards Catholicism. It Is a lot to learn but
I would consider sticking with RCIA and see how it goes. It’s a treasure to be Catholic and we have an open heart about salvation, not saying someone non Christian is for sure in hell
like some denominations teach. You don’t profess Jesus you are not saved period.
We offer the Word of God at every Mass, the ability to receive Jesus Body blood soul and divinity in the Eucharist and sacraments like confession, Holy Matrimony etc
that other denominations don’t embrace. (You can’t Commune of course until you are Catholic)

The Prayers will come easy as time goes on like everything practice helps.
I hope you will consider coming Home to the Catholic Church,
Feel free to ask any questions here you’d like that might help you.
Best wishes on your journey.

Peace in Christ,
Mary
 
If you feel drawn to the Catholic Church, be patient with the process of RCIA.

If you feel drawn to some other faith, then seek God with an open heart, soul & mind.

God bless you in your journey of faith.

Peace be with you.
 
I hope that you will continue your RCIA and become a Roman Catholic, hopefully even inspiring your other family members to do so as well.
 
It sounds like you are seeking the truth. As a Catholic, I believe that the fullness of truth is found in the Catholic Church. Some of your thoughts and feelings about attending Mass, stem from not understanding everything that is going on. Everything that takes place in the Mass occurs for a reason and it is very biblically founded. I would recommend reading some books on what the Mass is, and that explains what the different postures, vestments, prayers, etc. represent. Scott Hahn The Lamb’s Supper perhaps ,
I would suggest continuing with RCIA. There really is so much to learn about the faith. Its a lifelong learning process in growing spiritually.
God loves you!
 
Thx for the answers everyone. Yes I am greatly attracted to the Catholic Church, due to its unity and the fact that its the oldest church. It’s just that at times i feel so tense and pressured to do all the stuff right. Anyways I have some questions about rcia. What exactly happens at the end? Also what is a sponsor? They said about getting one, but I don’t even know anyone catholic, plus I’m at a university parish. Plus I’m a really shy person so doing all these things officially makes it really awkward. Like my parents don’t even know that I’m converting etc, and like at another church there would be nothing official like baptism, confirmation and all. Again, thx. I will continue with rcia and see how it goes.
 
XD1993 said:
ok so i’m 19 and in college. i was raised a Hindu, but recently decided to become Christian. anyways, i chose Catholic b/c if i’m not mistaken, Catholics believe that non-Christians can also make it to heaven/purgatory (which is what i want to believe b/c my family is Hindu, but good people who are honestly trying to find God, so i believe God will save them) and didn’t want to choose a protestant group on campus b/c i know many believe you either believe in Jesus and go to heaven, or don’t and end up in hell. so i started RCIA a two weeks ago, and went to mass as well. the RCIA class is mostly people who want to be confirmed (i may be the only non-Christian i think), plus i started late, so i feel a bit behind. what I think i didn’t like about mass was that it seems to strict (like you have to stand up/kneel at certain times, have prayers memorized which i don’t know at all, and everyone’s too quiet etc.)

anyways there is this other methodist church nearby, which seems really Christmasy, 7th heaven style etc…it seems easier to go thorugh (like no RCIA, just sit and listen, no paperwork, no memorizing stuff etc). i actually agree with a lot of Catholic stuff that most protestants disagree (like saints, Mary, purgatory etc) but it just seems easier for me and more relaxed.

my question is, should i continue with RCIA and hope it gets better for me, or just start going to another church like the Methodist one? I like Catholic beliefs a lot, it’s just the style of worship, and all the sacraments like confirmation/baptism requires paperwork and is too officelike structure if u know what i mean.

btw i mean no disrespect to anyone, just saying what i think. sorry if i got something wrong. thanks
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Nothing good comes easy.
 
XD1993 said:
Thx for the answers everyone. Yes I am greatly attracted to the Catholic Church, due to its unity and the fact that its the oldest church. It’s just that at times i feel so tense and pressured to do all the stuff right. Anyways I have some questions about rcia. What exactly happens at the end? Also what is a sponsor? They said about getting one, but I don’t even know anyone catholic, plus I’m at a university parish. Plus I’m a really shy person so doing all these things officially makes it really awkward. Like my parents don’t even know that I’m converting etc, and like at another church there would be nothing official like baptism, confirmation and all. Again, thx. I will continue with rcia and see how it goes.
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They can assign you a sponsor. It’s someone to help you through.

At the end you will be baptized and receive confirmation and first communion at the Easter Vigil. As a catechumens you will also go through scrutinies where you examine your conscience and the parish prays for you.

You can watch Easter vigil masses on YouTube from last year to get a better idea.
 
Speak with your RCIA teacher about obtaining a Sponsor, who will help you one-on-one, and can perhaps accompany you to Masses and explain some things to you. I know a small amount about Hinduism, and it’s also very complicated, with a lot of rituals at the temples and the morning prayers at home by the mother of the family, and pilgrimages to the Ganges. The Catholic Church is much less complex than Hinduism, without the multiple gods and spirits. I know that in its essentials, Hinduism has one Supreme Being, but all the others are aspects of this but sure have a lot of rituals. Plus, who would want to go through this life a thousand times??? Once is certainly enough for me! Stick with the RCIA, it will start to make sense in a few weeks, and the more you learn, the more comfortable you will be. Ask Blessed Teresa of Calcutta to help you! I think you are on the right path with RCIA, and as you get farther along in the course, you will begin to understand more. I may be off with some of the things I learned about the Hindu faith, but these are what were explained to me by someone from India. Don’t mean anything offensive by them, please! I’m glad you are attracted to the Catholic faith, & yes, it is the original Christian Church, starting with Peter, who walked with Jesus and knew Mary His Mother personally.
 
The simplest thing to say is that Mass isn’t for us, it is all for God. So it shouldn’t matter if Mass is boring or feels strict. It is the way it is because it is reverent. It should be you humbling yourself before the Almighty God and worshiping him in communion with those around you. The kneeling, sitting, and standing are to be respectful and reverent to the particular part of the Mass.
 
That is an excellent answer! Wish I’d thought of it, but it certainly reminded me of a lot of things. True, the Mass is a worship of God and a prayer to God, but it is also to comfort us, and to help bring us closer to Him. I find a lot of comfort in the ritual of Mass, and parts of it, especially the Eucharist and the Responsorial Psalm move me to tears at times.
 
XD1993 said:
ok so i’m 19 and in college. i was raised a Hindu, but recently decided to become Christian. anyways, i chose Catholic b/c if i’m not mistaken, Catholics believe that non-Christians can also make it to heaven/purgatory (which is what i want to believe b/c my family is Hindu, but good people who are honestly trying to find God, so i believe God will save them) and didn’t want to choose a protestant group on campus b/c i know many believe you either believe in Jesus and go to heaven, or don’t and end up in hell.
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Some Protestants believe this; others don’t.

Methodists generally do not, though Methodists cover a very wide range of theological opinion.
so i started RCIA a two weeks ago, and went to mass as well. the RCIA class is mostly people who want to be confirmed (i may be the only non-Christian i think), plus i started late, so i feel a bit behind. what I think i didn’t like about mass was that it seems to strict (like you have to stand up/kneel at certain times, have prayers memorized which i don’t know at all, and everyone’s too quiet etc.)
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There are certainly things about Catholic liturgy that bug me too. I’ve dithered for eighteen years about Catholicism, in part because I love the liturgy of the Episcopal Church (to which I currently belong) and often find Catholicism in practice to be lifeless and bureaucratic.

But at the end of the day, it’s about truth, not convenience. Do you discern truth and beauty in the Catholic Church, behind all the annoying stuff? If you do, you daren’t turn away from it, or you will harm your capacity to know and love truth and beauty.

Edwin
 
I think it would help if you consider these things:
  1. No one is ever judging you. The only one that judges is God.
  2. Every Catholic is in the same boat as you: we all want the truth and fullness in Christ. A great thing about Catholicism is that it is open to ideas and debate. That’s part of why I’m a happy practicing Catholic.
  3. You should feel glad about the “paper trail”, if there really is one. We teachings are delicately worded, practices are systematized, and records are preserved so that there is as little ambiguity as possible and we can really be one, holy , Catholic apostolic church.
  4. Mass is exciting, fun, enriching, and the greatest testament to our faith. This is Christianity in a nutshell. No other faith can possibly bring you closer to Jesus Christ Himself. Every Mass is an emotional roller coaster and an intellectual stimulation for me at least. I go every day, sometimes multiple times every day.
  5. The more challenging something is, the greater reward you get out of it. You shouldn’t seek to live a certain way because its easy. This is the eternal fare of your soul you’re talking about. You should go to the greatest extent possible to save it. Catholicism demands more from us because its rewards are greater than any other faith.
 
XD1993 said:
What exactly happens at the end?
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You are fully Catholic and in full communion with the Catholic Church at the end of RCIA.👍
Also what is a sponsor? They said about getting one, but I don’t even know anyone catholic, plus I’m at a university parish.
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A sponsor is a Catholic in good standing, that is able to assist you with faith questions and help you learn the traditions and practices. They stand with you during rites of reception into the Church and represent the parish that is receiving you. If you don’t have one, ask your priest or program director and they can help you get one. Mine was assigned, and he has been very supportive even long after RCIA was finished.

Glad to hear that you’re sticking with it.🙂
 
The Catholic Church is 2000 years old and there is so much beauty and richness that can only be found when you understand Her beauty. It is the Church of history, the first Christians, the Church that Jesus founded. We celebrate Mass as a way to worship God the way that He commanded. Please do not allow your nervousness and the unfamiliarity to hinder you from exploring the truth and beauty of the Church.

There are Catholic missals available on apps, internet, bookstores that you can use to familiarize yourself to the prayers that are said during Mass. You can read along at first. Over time, the prayers will then be committed to memory.

Please pray to ask God what direction he wants you to take.
I’ll be praying for you too.
 
Contarini said:
Some Protestants believe this; others don’t.

Methodists generally do not, though Methodists cover a very wide range of theological opinion.

There are certainly things about Catholic liturgy that bug me too. I’ve dithered for eighteen years about Catholicism, in part because I love the liturgy of the Episcopal Church (to which I currently belong) and often find Catholicism in practice to be lifeless and bureaucratic.

But at the end of the day, it’s about truth, not convenience. Do you discern truth and beauty in the Catholic Church, behind all the annoying stuff? If you do, you daren’t turn away from it, or you will harm your capacity to know and love truth and beauty.

Edwin
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You need to find a Catholic Parish that uses the Anglican Form for the Liturgy!!!
 
Jon_S said:
You need to find a Catholic Parish that uses the Anglican Form for the Liturgy!!!
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It’s deeper than forms, though the Anglican language is more beautiful. It has something to do with clericalism, I think.

Edwin
 
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