Conversion Ill Advised?

[GIMJ]

After much study, thought, and prayer, I feel that it may be time for me to become a Catholic. I was raised Mormon but realized the inadequacies of Mormonism several years ago. I eventually embraced Christ and have been trying to follow Jesus as best I can by myself, without any other believers or church to support me. I now feel that God may be calling me to the Catholic Church, but I have some uneasy feelings about the Church which I can narrow down to two major impediments:

**1. Anti-Catholic bias. **Yes, I still carry some of it with me. As time goes on, I realize that my anti-Catholicism has more to do with what I see as widespread confusion, heresy, or apostasy among individual Catholics, and less to do with any doctrinal or moral failings on the part of the Church itself. It seems that many Catholics are far too idolatrous, hobbyist, or superstitious in the way they approach their religion. The Church should supplement the believer’s faith and help him along his path toward Christ, no? I fear that my progress would be impeded by these problems which would distract me from focusing on my own needs.

2. Practical dilemma. Do Catholics even want people to convert to their religion, or is the Church some sort of elite club that only the privileged are born into? Of course I know what the answer is, but that’s all based on how you define the word is. In all seriousness, though, it seems that while Catholics are supposed to invite others into the Church they would rather not waste their efforts. I’ve been trying for some time to take the steps necessary to move toward baptism, but everywhere I go I seem to encounter apathy, or worse, suspicion. I’ve been to four parishes in my area multiple times, and in most cases I have simply been ignored. At other times I was interrogated for my motives, first by a parishioner and then by the priest, neither of whom were any help at all. Unless my experience is some sort of anomaly (and I now suspect it is not) Christ’s Bride is gonna have a lot of explaining to do come Judgement Day. I can picture it now: “I’m sorry I never knew you. You’ll have to take up your disagreements with Fathers Scott, Pat, George, and John.”

Has anyone here encountered these problems, and if so, how did you get around them? I guess I could keep mailing letters to the parish offices, but I’d really prefer to save on postage (I hate USPS anyway). I was thinking maybe I could run into the middle of a Mass and act demon-possessed? Admittedly, there’s a downside to that approach, but I can think of at least two advantages: 1) it would most assuredly get their attention and 2) it would also make a great object lesson for a homily on exorcisms.

 

[water]

After much study, thought, and prayer, I feel that it may be time for me to become a Catholic. I was raised Mormon but realized the inadequacies of Mormonism several years ago. I eventually embraced Christ and have been trying to follow Jesus as best I can by myself, without any other believers or church to support me. I now feel that God may be calling me to the Catholic Church, but I have some uneasy feelings about the Church which I can narrow down to two major impediments:

God bless you and I am happy to see that you are eager to become a Catholic.

**1. Anti-Catholic bias. **Yes, I still carry some of it with me. As time goes on, I realize that my anti-Catholicism has more to do with what I see as widespread confusion, heresy, or apostasy among individual Catholics, and less to do with any doctrinal or moral failings on the part of the Church itself. *It seems that many Catholics are far too idolatrous, hobbyist, or superstitious in the way they approach their religion. *The Church should supplement the believer’s faith and help him along his path toward Christ, no? I fear that my progress would be impeded by these problems which would distract me from focusing on my own needs.

Could you give an example of catholics being idolatrous, hobbyist, or superstitious. Someone will be able to explain to you further and may help you understand more.

The Church has always helped Catholics in their spiritual life in different programs through Bible study, sermons, retreat, media, pro-life activities, etc …

2. Practical dilemma. Do Catholics even want people to convert to their religion, or is the Church some sort of elite club that only the privileged are born into?

Of course, we do. On this discussion board alone, you will find many Catholics who converted from Mormons, JW, other Christians, etc…If not for the French missionary coming over to my country, my ancestors and I would not have become Catholics.

I’ve been to four parishes in my area multiple times, and in most cases I have simply been ignored. At other times I was interrogated for my motives, first by a parishioner and then by the priest, neither of whom were any help at all.

This is strange. If you come to any parish and talk about converting, they surely want to help you. You might think they are interrogating you, but that is not their purpose. Their purpose is to learn about you, your background religion and why you want to convert. There are some people out there who rush into converting and later they don’t even bother going to the Church.

Becoming a Catholic is a process and it does take time and your patience.

I guess I could keep mailing letters to the parish offices, but I’d really prefer to save on postage (I hate USPS anyway).

You can call the diocese and they will help you. I remember on this board, there is currently one member who wants to become Catholic and he did just that.

I was thinking maybe I could run into the middle of a Mass and act demon-possessed?

People think you could be mentally ill or drunk but not demon-possessed.

God bless.

 

[Jeanette_L]

I was thinking maybe I could run into the middle of a Mass and act demon-possessed? Admittedly, there’s a downside to that approach, but I can think of at least two advantages: 1) it would most assuredly get their attention and 2) it would also make a great object lesson for a homily on exorcisms.

Unfortunately, by the way you describe these people above, they’d probably just send you to a psychiatric hospital instead!

It is completely appalling that you have run into the roadblocks you have, and it makes me feel very fortunate that my experience in converting last year was wonderful, I found a parish that is bringing them in left and right, God bless them! I wish your experience was rare, but I have seen on these forums that others have unfortunately experienced similar circumstances as you have when trying to convert.

Have you gone up the ladder a bit, maybe to the Bishop in your area and expressed your feelings about finding nothing but apathy towards your earnest intentions at conversion?

How about the Coming Home Network? Have you heard of them? They have a website and their entire ministry is in helping people find their way through what can be a maze, when they are contemplating conversion.

chnetwork.org/ewtn.htm

God bless you as you continue in your efforts! Don’t give up, it’s what the enemy of your soul wants! And don’t get distracted by the lives of the people you see in the Church, stay focused on what you know Christ himself wants of you! Remember, He is the One who will divide the wheat from the chaff on the threshing floor, just make sure you are the wheat and you are on the threshing floor!

 

[Maria1212]

Hello,

I am sorry you had such unpleasant experiences when visiting Catholic Churches. Sometimes, Catholics are not as warm and welcoming as we should be to guests and newcomers. The Catholic Church is made up of sinners who are not always perfect.

I encourage you to keep on trying until you find the right Catholic Church. I highly recommend visiting a Jesuit or Franciscian Church. (Some on this Forum feel Jesuits and Franciscians are “too liberal” but I have not found that to be the case at all).

I also recommend making an individual appointment with a priest, to discuss your concerns, and to find out about joining RCIA or a similiar program so you can investigate things and learn more. I also recommend starting to read the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Sadly, the reason you may be treated with suspicion, is because sometimes people “pretend” to be interested, so they can try to convert others to their faith. I have had this done to me. But we Catholics love and welcome converts, and "reverts alike.

I will keep you in my prayers. I am confident that the more you read, especially about early Church history and the writings of the early Christian writers, your journey will lead you to the Catholic Church.

Sincerely,
Maria 1212

 

[mahoneyt]

I’m always trying to turn people to Christ, Not always the catholic church, I start with Christ then we move on to the more complicated matters. Lets just say its just a longer process for someone to become catholic.

 

[3boyzmom]

I converted to the Catholic faith about fifteen years ago. I was raised fundamentalist, in the Baptist church.

I’m so sorry to hear that you’re having the experiences you are, of feeling ignored or unwanted by the church! If that is the case, believe me when I say that what you are running into is attitudes of individuals, and not of the church itself. The church is a warm and welcoming place for anyone.

The process of joining does take time; unlike the church I grew up in you can’t just say “I want to be a member” and poof you’re a member- you are welcome to attend anytime, but joining is a process. There is a lot to learn about the church itself, its beliefs, and why they are as they are. They want to be sure that you understand the path that you have undertaken.

The church is full of sinners, as is any other church, because we are all sinners. If you run into hypocrasy, etc, that is sad but try to forgive the person and just know that the best thing you can do is let Jesus shine through you for them. If you run into idolatry- well, same thing goes- but I’d suspect that sometimes this is the misguided focus of persons who do not understand what it is that their church teaches them. Then again, some people find great comfort in visual representations and sometimes it is easy to mistake this for idolatry in someone else. Please be assured that the church does not worship statues, etc. These are only visual reminders.

If you have any other parishes available to you, I’d ask you to continue to look and inquire until you find one that makes you feel welcome. Could it be that persons you are talking with feel defensive or challenged when you’re talking with them? I’d just simply start by asking any church when their next RCIA class starts. This is the best venue to learn all about the church, and have an opportunity to ask questions and discuss concerns.

God bless you!

 

[uther]

Sadly, the reason you may be treated with suspicion, is because sometimes people “pretend” to be interested, so they can try to convert others to their faith. I have had this done to me. But we Catholics love and welcome converts, and "reverts alike.

Fascinating Maria. That’s one tactic I hadn’t heard of but I’ll keep an eye out for it. I’d love to meet someone who would try that in our church. That would be an interesting challenge.

GIMJ,
I, too, am sorry for your bad experiences. Much as it may seem so, that is not universal, as other posters here will attest.

To borrow a line from Chief Dan George in The Outlaw Josey Wales, “Endeavor to persevere!”

Seriously, you will find a good priest, who is willing to talk. Try making an appointment with the pastor ahead of time, before you come to mass. Sometimes the mass is not the best time to be looking for someone to help you out, because the focus of the mass is on Christ.

I wish you well on your journey.

 

[GIMJ]

I was finally able to meet some good people and am in the RCIA program now. The people at the meeting this week were very nice and very helpful. They really know their stuff, unlike a lot of other Catholics I know.

The ones who don’t study their beliefs very well are the ones who misunderstand the purpose of the Church. I’ve run into a lot of Catholics that pray to Mary but not Jesus, for example, or to particular saints about certain problems but never God. There are a lot of Catholics who think they are saved by their own merits, who worship statues, etc. I know anti-Catholics claim that all Catholics do those things, and that Catholic apologists claim that no Catholics do that, but the reality is somewhere in between.

 

[Jeanette_L]

I was finally able to meet some good people and am in the RCIA program now. The people at the meeting this week were very nice and very helpful. They really know their stuff, unlike a lot of other Catholics I know.

The ones who don’t study their beliefs very well are the ones who misunderstand the purpose of the Church. I’ve run into a lot of Catholics that pray to Mary but not Jesus, for example, or to particular saints about certain problems but never God. There are a lot of Catholics who think they are saved by their own merits, who worship statues, etc. I know anti-Catholics claim that all Catholics do those things, and that Catholic apologists claim that no Catholics do that, but the reality is somewhere in between.

And just remember, that this same reality exists in every form of Christianity - everywhere you could possibly find it. Maybe the specifics are different, but the lack of spiritual understanding or maturity or maybe even the lack of true conversion exists everywhere you go.

People tend to know the language of their particular Christian upbringing, or their Christianity of choice, and can therefore pass or fit in as being genuine disciples, but it doesn’t mean they have a real clue about what Christ is calling them to as a Christian, and some just don’t want to.

Rejoice that you have heard His call, all the way home. :getholy:

 

[system]

I was finally able to meet some good people and am in the RCIA program now. The people at the meeting this week were very nice and very helpful. They really know their stuff, unlike a lot of other Catholics I know.

The ones who don’t study their beliefs very well are the ones who misunderstand the purpose of the Church. I’ve run into a lot of Catholics that pray to Mary but not Jesus, for example, or to particular saints about certain problems but never God. There are a lot of Catholics who think they are saved by their own merits, who worship statues, etc. I know anti-Catholics claim that all Catholics do those things, and that Catholic apologists claim that no Catholics do that, but the reality is somewhere in between.

Glad you found some folks to get you started. And I like your sense of humor GIMJ!

Be careful not to judge us Catholics too harshly. Some of us:
a) were born into it and never knew how good we had it, so we never tried too hard.
b) some of went to Catholic schools in the late 60’s and into the '70’s, where the chatechism was dropped, damaged or ignored.
c)all my life I’ve prayed to God (and tried to understand the trinity) but it’s only been the last year or two that I’ve even considered the saints. I don’t pray TO them, I ask that they pray FOR ME. You know, like lobbyists
I think that is more in line with the official Catholic teaching.
Good luck!

 

[Veritas41]

I’m sorry to hear of the discouraging experiences you’ve had with Catholics. I’m a convert from evangelical Protestantism and have been Catholic for nine years now. Like you, I’m disturbed by the Catholics I’ve met who don’t know their faith or who openly dissent from what the Church teaches. Honestly, that was one of my biggest stumbling blocks in becoming Catholic --nothing in the teaching of the Church, just the Catholics I observed. To be fair, I have met many who are very fine Christians and are faithful in adhering to Church teaching, but in my experience they have been in a small minority. But I remember that in the Old Testament, there was usually only a small minority of Israelites who remained faithful to God, and the fact that most went astray didn’t negate the fact they were still God’s chosen people. Also, when I read the New Testament letters, I see that there have always been problems in the Church among believers even when the apostles were still alive. I wouldn’t expect it to be any different today --some times seem better than others, but there are always problems of some sort in the Church. I keep my eyes on Jesus and all the blessings I have as a Catholic, the fullness of grace and truth in Jesus Christ, especially the Holy Eucharist. God is teaching me charity and patience in what I’ve encountered among my fellow Catholics, and I’m asking Him to show me how I can serve Him and help His Church. The Church needs people like you who are convinced of the truth and can help lead others to the truth. Be obedient to His leading and calling