Differently believing catholic

[anilorak13ska]

Cradle catholic here. Been on spiritual journey off and on most of my life. After spending time researching and worshipping with various christian and non christian faiths, realized no one church will ever satisfy my spiritual longing, and I might as well stay within catholicism, where at least everything is familiar and has the potential to soothe my soul now and again and challenge me to better imitate Jesus.

However I am wondering if I can authentically worship within a catholic context when I dont believe the very basic tenents of the faith. For instance, I feel disingenuous when praying the creed during mass, and I wonder if Im committing idolatry when genuflecting in front of, and receiving, the Eucharist.

Im not looking for apologetics here. Im hoping there are others on here who identify as catholic but who dont believe in the details of the faith.

I believe in one supreme loving creator God. I believe Jesus showed us the best way to please God through his teachings and example, and thus God exulted him.

I dont believe God is a trinity. I dont believe in original sin. I dont believe in the need for a blood sacrifice to reconcile us with God.

That said, I am uncomfortable with worshipping outside catholicism (at least as the only or main opportunity to worship), so joining a Unitarian Universalist church or the Society of Friends (Quakers) will not solve my problem.

I anticipate that there are some folks on here who will tell me that I cant have my cake and eat it too, though I hope such unhelpful comments would be kept to a minimum.

I know there are plenty of secular, cultural, nonbelieving catholics who nonetheless attend mass regularly and even receive the Eucharist, but I consider myself a believer (in God and a relationship with God), and I simply want some insight from others who believe differently yet still identify as catholic.

 

[marty1818]

Just to clarify, you don’t believe Jesus is God?

 

[MichaelHowling]

Friend, you should not be receiving the Eucharist right now. You don’t believe in some of the very basics of the faith.

My advice to you:
Well, why don’t you worship as a protestant who is visiting the catholic faith in a sense (not trying to be offensive…but I can’t think of a better way to put it). You could still be very involved with the parish you’re at., still practice different catholic prayers and devotionals, attend mass (but not receive communion) etc etc.

God Bless!

If you need any help apologetically, I’m here for ya!

 

[Pablopedro]

However I am wondering if I can authentically worship within a catholic context when I dont believe the very basic tenents of the faith. For instance, I feel disingenuous when praying the creed during mass, and I wonder if Im committing idolatry when genuflecting in front of, and receiving, the Eucharist.

I anticipate that there are some folks on here who will tell me that I cant have my cake and eat it too, though I hope such unhelpful comments would be kept to a minimum.

I know there are plenty of secular, cultural, nonbelieving catholics who nonetheless attend mass regularly and even receive the Eucharist, but I consider myself a believer (in God and a relationship with God), and I simply want some insight from others who believe differently yet still identify as catholic.

I would take time to strongly consider those disingenuous feelings.

Nobody who has genuine compassion for you is going to advise you to keep receiving the Eucharist and pretending. You can still attend Mass, just don’t recieve the Eucharist, and don’t participate in prayers, songs, or creeds you do not believe. Especially when interacting with God, Honesty is the best policy.

 

[robertkchacon]

Dear Brother, if you were baptized Catholic , you are always a Catholic. But your rejections of the faith, means that you have separated yourself from the faith and definitely should not take Communion.

I know you say you have studied different faiths. But you could not have truly studied the Early Fathers and come to the conclusions you have. The Early Church taught the Trinity, the Sacraments, the Real Presence. How can you come down on the side of those who have invented a new theology only relatively recently? Its not logical. “To know history is to cease to be Protestant” as St.John Henry Newman stated, and I would add to know the Church Fathers is to be Catholic.

As a baptized Catholic, I would suggest humble yourself a bit, consider that 2000 years of Church wisdom could actually be true instead of your own understanding. Pray for understanding, keep reading the Early Church Fathers to understand what the Church taught from the beginning, and pray for Holy Spirit to truly know Christ, but until you accept the Real Presence in the Eucharist , you should refrain from receiving Communion.

 

[laircy]

As a baptized Catholic, I would suggest humble yourself a bit, consider that 2000 years of Church wisdom could actually be true instead of your own understanding. Pray for understanding, keep reading the Early Church Fathers to understand what the Church taught from the beginning, and pray for Holy Spirit to truly know Christ, but until you accept the Real Presence in the Eucharist , you should refrain from receiving Communion.

Agreed.

We should always put our desire for Truth above our desire to “be right.”

 

[tawny]

Dear Brother, if you were baptized Catholic , you are always a Catholic. But your rejections of the faith, means that you have separated yourself from the faith and definitely should not take Communion.

I know you say you have studied different faiths. But you could not have truly studied the Early Fathers and come to the conclusions you have. The Early Church taught the Trinity, the Sacraments, the Real Presence. How can you come down on the side of those who have invented a new theology only relatively recently? Its not logical. “To know history is to cease to be Protestant” as St.John Henry Newman stated, and I would add to know the Church Fathers is to be Catholic.

As a baptized Catholic, I would suggest humble yourself a bit, consider that 2000 years of Church wisdom could actually be true instead of your own understanding. Pray for understanding, keep reading the Early Church Fathers to understand what the Church taught from the beginning, and pray for Holy Spirit to truly know Christ, but until you accept the Real Presence in the Eucharist , you should refrain from receiving Communion.

Well stated.

 

[Jon_S_1]

Cradle catholic here. Been on spiritual journey off and on most of my life. After spending time researching and worshipping with various christian and non christian faiths, realized no one church will ever satisfy my spiritual longing, and I might as well stay within catholicism, where at least everything is familiar and has the potential to soothe my soul now and again and challenge me to better imitate Jesus.

However I am wondering if I can authentically worship within a catholic context when I dont believe the very basic tenents of the faith. For instance, I feel disingenuous when praying the creed during mass, and I wonder if Im committing idolatry when genuflecting in front of, and receiving, the Eucharist.

Im not looking for apologetics here. Im hoping there are others on here who identify as catholic but who dont believe in the details of the faith.

I believe in one supreme loving creator God. I believe Jesus showed us the best way to please God through his teachings and example, and thus God exulted him.

I dont believe God is a trinity. I dont believe in original sin. I dont believe in the need for a blood sacrifice to reconcile us with God.

That said, I am uncomfortable with worshipping outside catholicism (at least as the only or main opportunity to worship), so joining a Unitarian Universalist church or the Society of Friends (Quakers) will not solve my problem.

I anticipate that there are some folks on here who will tell me that I cant have my cake and eat it too, though I hope such unhelpful comments would be kept to a minimum.

I know there are plenty of secular, cultural, nonbelieving catholics who nonetheless attend mass regularly and even receive the Eucharist, but I consider myself a believer (in God and a relationship with God), and I simply want some insight from others who believe differently yet still identify as catholic.

Anyone is welcome to come to the Catholic Church.

I don’t believe it would be right for you to say you are Catholic and expose teachings that do not give true witness to the Catholic Faith. Basically, if you don’t believe in the Catholic Faith, then don’t go around giving the false impression to those around you that since you are “catholic” the catholic church believes as you do.

Nor do I think you should take communion. Besides the fact that you don’t believe in the Eucharist, it would be a lie to say “I am in communion on doctrine with everyone here and the church” which is the statement you make when taking communion.

So other than that, I would highly encourage you to keep coming and learning and growing as best you can. You should consider some faith formation classes, or at least self study. Maybe start with Fr Barron’s free youtube videos and his Catholicism series. I think if you dug in a little and learned some more, with openness you could grow in your understanding and comfort.

God Bless you

 

[Jozefo]

This posting is in solidarity with you. There are others with similar questions, and as long as they’re honest questions, well, no harm no foul, imo.

 

[ccmcmg]

Cradle catholic here. Been on spiritual journey off and on most of my life. After spending time researching and worshipping with various christian and non christian faiths, realized no one church will ever satisfy my spiritual longing, and I might as well stay within catholicism, where at least everything is familiar and has the potential to soothe my soul now and again and challenge me to better imitate Jesus.

However I am wondering if I can authentically worship within a catholic context when I dont believe the very basic tenents of the faith. For instance, I feel disingenuous when** praying the creed** during mass, and I wonder if Im committing **idolatry when genuflecting in front of, and receiving, the Eucharist.
**
Im not looking for apologetics here. Im hoping there are others on here who identify as catholic but who dont believe in the details of the faith.

I believe in one supreme loving creator God. I believe Jesus showed us the best way to please God through his teachings and example, and thus God exulted him.

**I dont believe God is a trinity. I dont believe in original sin. I dont believe in the need for a blood sacrifice to reconcile us with God.
**
That said, I am uncomfortable with worshipping outside catholicism (at least as the only or main opportunity to worship), so joining a Unitarian Universalist church or the Society of Friends (Quakers) will not solve my problem.

I anticipate that there are some folks on here who will tell me that I cant have my cake and eat it too, though I hope such unhelpful comments would be kept to a minimum.

I know there are plenty of secular, cultural, nonbelieving catholics who nonetheless attend mass regularly and even receive the Eucharist, but I consider myself a believer (in God and a relationship with God), and I simply want some insight from others who believe differently yet still identify as catholic.

This posting is in solidarity with you. There are others with similar questions, and as long as they’re honest questions, well, no harm no foul, imo.

Part of being Catholic is professing the Faith. In your shoes, I could not in good conscience call myself a Catholic, especially with the major differences you have (Eucharist, Trinity, idolatry, etc). Perhaps with some Catechism classes, even RCIA, you could better understand some of the basic tenets of faith. Many of us (myself included) did not receive the best formation classes as youth, and have struggled throughout the years. Even those with great catechism have struggled at times.

I think that perhaps the reason you haven’t found a ‘home’ among non-Catholicism is that deep down, you know that Catholicism is true.

I mean my answer in helpfulness and love, as many of the others do as well. To continue to receive the Eucharist and profess the prayers you don’t believe in, and/or any other sacraments, is at the very least, dishonest to yourself (and cause greater interior issues) and at the most, a slap in the face to God and the Church. Please continue to attend Mass, but as others have said, do not identify to yourself or others as Catholic until you have accepted the Faith. That is more than just being baptized or being raised Catholic. I would say it would be bearing false witness to say you are a Catholic, to hold yourself to be a Catholic, in the situation you are currently in.

Again, please look for the opportunity to learn more about the whys and hows of Catholicism. You said that no churches have satisfied your spiritual longing. I believe that the Catholic Church can do that, once explored deeper.

What is it about the Faith that thus far has drawn and kept you ‘in’? I think it might be more than the comfort.

God bless you.

 

[Jozefo]

@ccmcmg

You seem like a nice person, and your comments appeared to be directed at the top poster. Why did you quote me?

 

[anilorak13ska]

Thank you all for your non judgmental feedback. I also started thinking after posting that I should refrain from receiving the Eucharist right now.

I should clarify that if I were to believe in Christianity, I would absolutely believe the RCC is the church to belong to. Reading Rome Sweet Home by the Hahns and watching The Journey Home on EWTN convinced me of that. But right now, the early church fathers are sort of besides the point, as I’m having difficulty even accepting that what was written about and attributed to Jesus is accurate. Frankly, if longevity of a faith speaks to its truthfulness, then Judaism would trump Catholicism. In fact I have looked into Judaism as an option.

If I shouldn’t identify myself as Catholic, what should I identify as? I read What Makes Us Catholic (sorry author escapes me) and the layers of Catholic identity, besides the creed and its associated practices, resonates with me. I have no problem specifying that my personal beliefs are not a reflection of the faith of the church if anyone were to be concerned about that.

Jozefo, thanks for reassuring me that I’m not alone.in how I feel.
Marty, that is correct.

 

[ccmcmg]

Thank you all for your non judgmental feedback. I also started thinking after posting that I should refrain from receiving the Eucharist right now.

I should clarify that if I were to believe in Christianity, I would absolutely believe the RCC is the church to belong to. Reading Rome Sweet Home by the Hahns and watching The Journey Home on EWTN convinced me of that. But right now, the early church fathers are sort of besides the point, as I’m having difficulty even accepting that what was written about and attributed to Jesus is accurate. Frankly, if longevity of a faith speaks to its truthfulness, then Judaism would trump Catholicism. In fact I have looked into Judaism as an option.

If I shouldn’t identify myself as Catholic, what should I identify as? I read What Makes Us Catholic (sorry author escapes me) and the layers of Catholic identity, besides the creed and its associated practices, resonates with me. I have no problem specifying that my personal beliefs are not a reflection of the faith of the church if anyone were to be concerned about that.

Jozefo, thanks for reassuring me that I’m not alone.in how I feel.
Marty, that is correct.

I would say then, that your first step is to determine if you believe in Christianity. There are historical accounts, along with biblical, to my understanding, of the life of Christ, and all points to Him being God. Either He is a fraud, or He is who He says He is. Either He was a liar, or He is God. I believe in Jesus Christ, as our Savior, as the Son of God, as part of the most Holy Trinity.

The early Church fathers aren’t beside the point; they are the building blocks of the Church, including the Apostles appointed by Christ.

By saying you are a Catholic, that is proclaiming belief in many things, including Jesus Christ our Savior. That is implied and understood by the majority of the world. You cannot have Catholicism without Christ, Jesus our Savior. By saying you’re a Catholic but one who disagrees with the most important tenets of Catholicism is disingenuous for you, God, the Church and fellow Catholics.

I pray that you will find your way in Catholicism, and accept it as your Faith. I truly believe that is what God wants for you. It might be a different, or even difficult, path, at least at first, but I assure you, it will be worth it.