Did I make a mistake becoming Catholic

[Steveabrous]

The mortal sin portion is tough to agree with for me. It was not covered at all in RCIA. I just find it hard to believe that some child rapist would face the same punishment as a 16 year old who watched a porn movie. If the rapist confessed he would be saved but if the kid was ashamed he would end up in hell?

Maybe I’m cynical but missing mass once is a mortal sin? Same class of sin as murder? Am I not missing something here? I have read the explanation why missing one mass is a mortal sin here. Third commandment says keep that sabbath holy I believe? To equate that to missing a mass being a mortal sin is a stretch to me. Christ was a Jew, I thought the sabbath was on Sat. for Jews? What about Matthew 18:20? I like mass but I don’t agree with encouraging attendance with fear.

I am going to miss it in a few months. I am going to be in the middle of no where on a hike in fishing trip. Seeing the sun rise over a lake with a couple of friends is keeping the sabbath holy to me. Being in nature is being surrounded by the holy spirit to me! If I pray that day like I always do I have still committed a mortal sin? If I die on a 20 mile hike back to the car I will go to hell for missing one mass? I thought I could go before the trip but that would not cover the mass for Sunday I guess.

When I hear missing mass is a sin my mind thinks they want butts on the benches for bucks in the baskets. I can’t help it. I just think that is a dated way to scare people into giving money to the church. Many people think they can go to mass and then do manual labor the rest of the day. Is that keeping the sabbath holy?
Perhaps I am just confused. To be honest some of the answers I have seen on this forum made me more confused/scared of the church. I thought there was only one sin that was not forgivable? The bible never mentions what sins are mortal, right? It’s scary having to rush to confession or be damned!

Hey man, I am a convert to Catholicism from The Presbyterian church. I converted 21 years ago. But I became really Catholic about 3 years ago (untill then I did not believe all the Church taught. Like you). Let the Lord guide you. You are not going to be able to accept everything all at once. I would say go to confession b4 going to mass and countinue to take communion. But talk to a priest about it.

I ,too, Used to think that everything had to come form the bible.
But here are a few things to ponder. You are right the bible does not say what are mortal sins and what aren’t. But it does say there are sins that carry the penalty of death and those who don’t. So how are you supposed to know which ones are which?
Jesus didn’t write a book. He started a Church. The church wrote and compiled the book. They know it’s true meaning. And according to 2 Thes 2:15 not everything is in the bible. Where are you going to find all the teachings of the Apostles if not the Catholic church.

 

[Thinker55]

I was concerned it was a sin to profess faith without knowing all the churches teachings. I guess it’s not easy to know them all and this is a journey, not an overnight thing for some of us.

Thanks to all.

 

[Thinker55]

Welcome! Before addressing specific issues (which has already been done to a point in the thread), what I think is most important is that you properly conceptualize the Church (since you’re wondering if you made the right decision). You wonder if you have made an actually informed decision… you did. “Informed decision” doesn’t mean that you had to know absolutely everything. Most converts (myself included) don’t realize that you’re not allowed to believe that St. Christopher had the head of a dog. I thought that was really funny until I saw a Coptic icon with a dog-headed St. Christopher. And then in an archaeology magazine they misidentified St. Christopher as Anubis in a Coptic fresco of the saints and tried to claim that early Christians worshiped Anubis (first, the dog-headed god is Wepwawet, not Anubis, who had the head of a jackal, which is a different animal from a dog, and second, it was not an Egyptian god at all but St. Christopher). The point is, there is such a large amount of knowable things that you almost surely won’t know them when the point comes to sign on the dotted line. That’s fine. But you did sign up. You’re a Catholic now.

Which leads me to the main point: you have essentially joined a military organization. Your tour of duty is the rest of your life and there is no leave. You can go AWOL but the fact is that you have joined. It is called “The Church Militant” for a reason! There’s a war on. The commander in chief is Christ the King and His XO is the Pope. The various prelates (bishops, archbishops, cardinals, etc.) are like the general officers. As one of the troops, you will come to regard some of them as wise and even heroic. Others you will come to regard in a way that I cannot put on this forum without being banned. You get the idea. Priests are like the junior officers. You’re one of the grunts.

Again, you’ll come to regard your fellow Catholics the way a soldier would regard his comrades. Some are heroes and others are cowards. Some will remind you of Delta Force, others will remind you of Gomer Pyle. They’re all your comrades, even though some will flee in the face of the enemy or betray the cause for the most paltry reasons.

Part of being in such a hierarchy during a time of war (against Satan, the Enemy) is that it is important to follow orders. You cannot be ordered to do something morally evil (it doesn’t really count as an evil at that point), but you can be ordered to do something you personally disagree with (and feel is unwise, disastrous, stupid, illogical, etc.). Your job is to obediently carry out your orders. That is what you have agreed to do.

Now, I’m speaking spiritually because the Church is not going to order you to go dig a ditch… though you may find yourself digging ditches because of your commitments. You have made a spiritual commitment to live according to the will of Jesus Christ, your King. That is not to be taken lightly. Fortunately, the Church will (spiritually) feed you, heal you, and help you find the resources to carry out your mission.

Don’t doubt for a moment, however, that you have taken an oath to the death. Rather, take strength from it. ¡Viva la muerte! ¡Viva Cristo Rey!

Thanks for the kind words. Reminds me of a story that may or may not involve me while in the Ft. Benning GA area. A comrade (not me) was stupid and in jail after being on leave. Orders were given to leave him in jail (DUI). After two weeks some broke rank and got him out. The church might not give orders to dig ditches but CO’s give orders to do all kinds of unpleasant things haha! I’m more of a Ranger type than a Delta guy!

 

[LilyM]

I was concerned it was a sin to profess faith without knowing all the churches teachings. I guess it’s not easy to know them all and this is a journey, not an overnight thing for some of us.

Thanks to all.

Children profess the faith. A child cannot even pretend to know all there is to know about the faith, or anywhere near. But that child, and you and I, are all expected alike to adopt the motto of St Anselm - ‘faith seeking understanding’. Faith comes before understanding, for us as for that child.

Even St Augustine, one of the great thinkers of all time, said ‘Understanding is the reward of faith. Seek not therefore to understand that you may believe, but to believe that you may understand.’

This is because many of the tenets of our faith - the Eucharist, the Incarnation, the Trinity and the like - ultimately defy the attempts of human reason to fully comprehend them. And it is only right that this is so, for what a pitiful excuse for a deity He would be if He were smaller and simpler than the minds of His creatures!

 

[TuftedPaper85]

I think it’s important as a person to believe everything your religion teaches while also questioning it in order to understand it better. How truly

As a Catholic, I’ve had a lot of questions regarding Church teaching but everytime I delve into it it makes sense. Whenever I hear someone say that they disagree with the Church on something, almost always the fundamental reason why they disagree is because the teaching is difficult to follow (especially for me). The Church simply asks that people hold themselves to a high moral standard and that if they don’t that they go confess their sins to a priest.

Anyways, I’m going to try and address some of your concerns that wrote about:

Maybe I’m cynical but missing mass once is a mortal sin?

The thing with mass is that God himself came down to establish it for us. He didn’t need to but He chose to do it anyway to show us how much He loves us. Mass is a gift and just like any other gift we can make a choice to accept it or not. However, keep in mind that refusal to accept the gift is very hurtful to the gift-giver (in this case, God). Just like you would feel really hurt if you gave a gift to a close friend and they were either ungrateful, God too gets hurt when we refuse to accept His gift.

I just find it hard to believe that some child rapist would face the same punishment as a 16 year old who watched a porn movie. If the rapist confessed he would be saved but if the kid was ashamed he would end up in hell?

Well, yeah but that’s assuming that those are the only mortal sins each person committed. The problem with uncoffessed sins are that they are like a wildfire and it keeps spreading until you try and put it out. It’s unlikely that the 16 year watched porn once, never went to confession, but still never watched porn again. Mortal sins are considered mortal because they cut you off from God’s grace and without God’s grace you lose strength which is necessary for resisting temptation.

That seems to be the way sin works. Since I started attending church I have been a much happier person. I am not quick to anger like I was in the past and I am seeing life in a new manner. I have found my way back to Christ.

This is the key here. You’re on the right path but the devil is trying to throw doubt and confusion into your mind so you stray. Here’s a link I think you should check it out. It’s about discernment of spirits as taught by St. Ignatius of Loyola. I ran into it a few months ago and just knowing about it and making small steps to incorporate its thinking into my life has made me a much a better person and has kept me from giving into temptation to commit mortal sins on several occasions.

I hope I helped you in some way. God bless and good luck.

ignatianspirituality.com/making-good-decisions/discernment-of-spirits/

 

[LilyM]

Last I read God judged who ended up where after death. You can THINK you know, but you don’t (and neither do I). Are you claiming hell has different levels of punishment?

Did you mean to say we can trust them? Or we can trust them?

I’m not talking about individuals ending up in heaven or hell. I’m talking about a general rule that anyone who dies in unrepentant mortal sin will go to Hell. Which is exactly what Christ teaches through the Church, so it is hardly my own bright idea.

And another general proposition, also taught by Christ through the Church, that missing Mass without good reason is grave matter - which is only one of the three requirements for an act to be a mortal sin. Remembering that Hell would require not inly the meeting of all three of those requirements but also final impenitence.

So what I am doing is nothing like taking on God’s role of judging. It does not involve the reading of individual hearts and souls to determine whether they meet ALL the conditions and additionally die impenitent.

 

[kimg901]

With all due respect, there is a serious contradiction in that statement.

I know how it sounds but when did Jesus ever talk about contraception use? I know we should multiply but I would rather have my older children be safe from disease (anything can happen) if they are not going to listen to God or their parents.

 

[MariaG]

First, welcome!!

Next, ask for prayers from you new church family. You are under spiritual attack. Nothing would make Satin more happy than pulling you away from the Church, damaging a new marriage and the future children.

Next, it you believe that Jesus came to make a Church, if you believe it will stand against the gates of hell, know that the Church teaches truth. I have been known to say that I do not agree with everything the Church teaches. But that doesn’t mean the Church is not right. And I pray that the Lord will someday reveal to me it’s truth.

You don’t have to know everything at once. Nor agree with everything as you learn. Just be willing to admit the Church is right. And ask the Lord to help conform your conscience to His will.

God bless

 

[cantordei]

I hope you read this before making sudden decisions. Being Catholic is a commitment to being open to the Holy Spirit. You can be assured of your Holy Saturday commitment but realize that , in the words of St Therese of Lisieux, " God reveals Himself to all souls…but only gradually…so I took great care not to anticipate Him". Take a deep breath and slow down. It takes a lifetime to understand all of the mystery of our Faith. Hold fast to that which inspires you and be patient on the rest. God didn’t bring you this far to abandon you. The humility is that often we don’t understand every thing all at once, but in time we grow in love and understanding. In a world that demands answers, we Catholics often don’t have answers and are called to trust. Feels pretty vulnerable. Psalm 121 helps

 

[hamandcheese]

I was in the army in Alaska so I have been on plenty of hikes and seen more then one sunset in the middle of nowhere. Real men don’t go fishing when they should be in Church!

 

[MariaG]

I was in the army in Alaska so I have been on plenty of hikes and seen more then one sunset in the middle of nowhere. Real men don’t go fishing when they should be in Church!

Some people actually have to plan vacations over the weekend. And those of us who do not live next door to wilderness, or have Saturday and Sunday to do a backpacking trip, are allowed to do so without committing mortal sin nor being made to feel guilty for choosing to enjoy the world God made during the only time we have available.

 

[Classicist]

Thinker55, you doubt your decision awfully quickly. The Easter Vigil wasn’t even a week ago!

I don’t mean to be harsh, but you are not allowed to disagree with the Church as to sin. This is the most foundational and important thing in the world. You are called to be holy & perfect by the Lord Jesus, in His Body. If you truly believe Rome’s The Church (and all that comes with that), then to deny her most basic teachings is to deny Christ. You became a man in communion with the Papacy, which claims to hold the keys in all things. Accept the Authority or reject it; but do not make the Church’s teachings on individual sins to be the cause of breaking unity. Make it a real reason.

After all this, try to rest in the fact that our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ is risen for the dead for at least the next 40 days until you start doubting the new life you have professed. This is the time of joy. Have faith in God, that He is able to do what He has promised.

 

[jmcrae]

I know how it sounds but when did Jesus ever talk about contraception use? I

What Jesus (God) did to Onan when he attempted to use a form of contraception should be lesson enough - but in case it wasn’t, we find in the Didache (The Teachings) that all forms of contraception are forbidden, as are all forms of abortion, and all killing of newborn children, and all exposures of children or abandonment of children. The Didache is understood to be a work of the Apostles that precedes the writing of Scripture. It was a book of teachings that was compiled for the use of Catechumens in certain districts. It was not included in the Bible because it contains some instructions that pertained only to a certain time and place - but the instructions regarding contraception, abortion, and the treatment of children continue to be universal Church teachings that originate with the Deposit of Faith that comes to us from Christ through the Apostles.

Since Christ did, in fact, concern Himself with children, it stands to reason that these were the explicit teachings that He gave privately to the Apostles, which they then disseminated to the Church.

 

[jmcrae]

I know how it sounds but when did Jesus ever talk about contraception use? I know we should multiply but I would rather have my older children be safe from disease (anything can happen) if they are not going to listen to God or their parents.

There is no form of contraception that will keep your children safe from disease - the only thing contraception promises is a reduced likelihood of pregnancy. Also, how does one “listen to parents” if the parents are contradicting themselves?

I had a niece get pregnant out of wedlock - her parents (my sister and her husband) were shocked - just shocked - because they had not only given her safety chat after safety chat telling her about abstinence, but they had even given her condoms for Christmas …

 

[WingsOfEagles]

There is no form of contraception that will keep your children safe from disease - the only thing contraception promises is a reduced likelihood of pregnancy. Also, how does one “listen to parents” if the parents are contradicting themselves?

I had a niece get pregnant out of wedlock - her parents (my sister and her husband) were shocked - just shocked - because they had not only given her safety chat after safety chat telling her about abstinence, but they had even given her condoms for Christmas …

Actually condoms are proven to reduce the chance of STDs, right or wrong…

 

[Thinker55]

Thinker55, you doubt your decision awfully quickly. The Easter Vigil wasn’t even a week ago!

I don’t mean to be harsh, but you are not allowed to disagree with the Church as to sin. This is the most foundational and important thing in the world. You are called to be holy & perfect by the Lord Jesus, in His Body. If you truly believe Rome’s The Church (and all that comes with that), then to deny her most basic teachings is to deny Christ. You became a man in communion with the Papacy, which claims to hold the keys in all things. Accept the Authority or reject it; but do not make the Church’s teachings on individual sins to be the cause of breaking unity. Make it a real reason.

After all this, try to rest in the fact that our Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ is risen for the dead for at least the next 40 days until you start doubting the new life you have professed. This is the time of joy. Have faith in God, that He is able to do what He has promised.

I doubt it because I made a profession of faith on the spot without knowing what I professed! That is important to me. I don’t say something without meaning it.I was basically told to repeat after the Fr. I was not taught most of the important (to me) teachings of the church at RCIA. I feel blindsided and I’m not happy about it. I think many Catholics do not know or care about the teachings. I take a profession seriously. Maybe more should.One would think different types sin would be covered a bit at RCIA. The sins are just one of the many things I’m unsure of about the Church. I could list them but people would most likely just say “Have faith in all the Church says and does”. Is it bad to ask questions and think? I read the Bible and pray. I try my best to live by the golden rule. I know I am a sinner and try my best to stop. I just have a hard time believing everything the Church says after I did some research and learned some of the history.

You mention the Papacy and holding the keys to all things. How can one explain some of the terrible Popes of the past? Things like that confuse me. At Vatican 1 they just determined papal infallibility so that means all previous popes were not infallible? Is that an excuse for the man who was pope 3 times?

If a person is required to agree 100% with everything the Church says this might not be for me. I’m going to talk with my priest and seek his guidance. Thank you all for your guidance. I’m not trying to be difficult, I’m just confused.

 

[Thinker55]

Some of you are speaking about birth control. This is another thing that can be confusing! The church says natural family planning is ok (I think)? I have read this is because there is still a chance of pregnancy. I thought birth control pills were not 100% effective also? What is the difference? Neither is 100% effective, one is allowed and one is not?

Didn’t Pope Benedict also allow condoms for certain people? Saying it was they can be morally justified?

 

[estesbob]

Hello all,
I became Catholic at this years Easter vigil. My future wife has been fantastic. and encouraged (not forced) me to join the church. I have always been Christian but lost my way in high school and college. I developed a drinking (and occasional drug) problem. I also fornicated with women. Sadly I was living the way most in college seem to live in these troubled times. The more bad I did the easier it became to continue! Sin truly is a slippery slope! That seems to be the way sin works. Since I started attending church I have been a much happier person. I am not quick to anger like I was in the past and I am seeing life in a new manner. I have found my way back to Christ. I enjoy going to mass and I like my parish very much. RCIA was a great experience but I did not learn much about some important topics.

Here is my dilemma. During the Easter vigil I repeated after the priest that “I believe and profess all that the holy Catholic Church believes,teaches and proclaims to be revealed by God”. I said this without knowing some of the Churches views on certain issues. After stumbling on this forum I can say I do not believe everything the Church says (on certain mortal sin for example).

I’m not one to fall in and not question some orders so to speak (unless it’s in the Bible) Some of what I read in the Bible and the churches interpenetration don’t add up to me. If I do not believe with all my heart some things in the Catechism should I stop receiving the Eucharist? I am going to make an appt. to talk to my priest about my concerns. I will continue to attend mass but will not receive the Eucharist if needed. When I make a commitment I follow through. I was not informed enough to make the profession of faith. I should have done more research I suppose. My question is if I disagree with some things should I look somewhere else to worship Christ?

Thanks for your time!

Edit:
If this is in the wrong section my apologies. I’m new here!

No! You stay, obey and seek to understand. I am a cradle catholic and have some problems with some of the teachings of the church-but I accept them, pray about them and try and determine where I am wrong about my view on these issues.

 

[Thinker55]

No! You stay, obey and seek to understand. I am a cradle catholic and have some problems with some of the teachings of the church-but I accept them, pray about them and try and determine where I am wrong about my view on these issues.

Thanks for the reply. I was concerned I was sinning by professing faith without being 100% sure on everything. All of this is making my head hurt!

Perhaps I am expecting to much to soon. I need to give it time.

 

[estesbob]

Thanks for the reply. I was concerned I was sinning by professing faith without being 100% sure on everything. All of this is making my head hurt!

Perhaps I am expecting to much to soon. I need to give it time.

Im 60 years old and go to mass 4 or 5 times a week. The Church, along with my family, is the center of my life. But i do doubt some of their teachings. That is not wrong-its human.The key is to accept , and not let the doubts push you away.

You are expecting too much. Concentrate on the things you agree with-concentrate on the joy of being able to hold our Lord and savior in your hands and following his instructions to eat his body and drink his blood. Concentrate on the joy of being able to worship toghter with you future wife. To be able to share the joy of belonging to the Church founded by jesus Christ himself!

BTW-WELCOME!!!