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Sailor_Kenshin
Guest
I get the feeling that no one wants to hear a genuine 'yes.
Wonder why.
Wonder why.
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simspt
Guest
No regrets!
The only thing I feel myself longing for at times is more time and depth spent on homilies where I attend church. This was magnified recently after attending two different parishes while on vacation where I found the liturgy of the word much more edifying. Therefore I can’t generalize but only limit my comment to my particular parish.
In Christ
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Bermanez
Guest
Please recondider. I did just that: converted, began to be dissuaded, began reading my Bible unaided by proper interpretation/influenced by anti-Catholic sources claiming to “really care for Catholics”, and fell away. After marrying a wonderful, loving Baptist girl lo and behold the Lord slowly (it was a tortuous, contention-filled, prayerful, hard time - and still is but to a lesser degree intermittently) over about a 20 year period drew me back the His Church. I finally made the commitment about 2 years ago, on the 38th anniversary of my reception into the Catholic Church; it’s the best thing I’ve done, and by God’s grace this time I’ll persever.
Bottom line: though I’ve learned a lot along the way as a “recovering Calvinist”, I often wish I’d remained faithful. Sure, there are ups and downs - always are - and if it were easy everyone would do it. But, to paraphrase John Henry Newman (please read his History of Doctrine!): ten thousand difficulties do not amount to one doubt. Press on! The answers are there to whatever difficulties you re having; and please don’t think I’m minimizing your heartfelt concerns - I’ve struggled thru the same. But there ARE coherent, Biblical solutions to whatever matters appear to have taken the bloom off the rose for you. But staying true to the Lord, His Church, and the Faith is well worth the effort; and, yes, sometimes distress - always the cost. But hang in there, Seton Girl! Hope I’m not too late, but will be praying for you.
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fhansen
Guest
I was raised Catholic but left the Church early on, becoming quite anti-Catholic in the process. I actually returned, 25 years or so later, during the height of the scandals. In order for me to return at all I had to be convinced of the Church’s position as Jesus’ true bride. Now I feel like the apostles in John 6:68, ‘Where else can we go? You have the words of eternal life’!
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WICatholic
Guest
Hi, Church Militant!SG, If you’ll PM me some of these things that you’ve found n the Bible that have changed your thinking, I 'd like to explore that with you. Meanwhile, take a look at My Testimony .
I went to read your testimony, and followed up on your link to the Catholic Home Study Service, but it did not go to Fr Lukefahr’s website. The link MAY have changed over the years, but I have used this one:
amm.org/chss/chss.asp
I tried to respond on your website, but it would not let me do so.
Not sure what it meant that I’d need to do in order TO post a comment. 
Forgive me for letting you know here.God bless!
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Edmundus1581
Guest
I would like to say that these stories of reversion after being raised in the Church and leaving it have given me hope for my children, who all left the Church in their teens, and now, nearly ten years later, still live with no apparent Catholicism at all. The haven’t joined other denominations, and, thankfully, haven’t married.
Thanks everyone - this has been an inspiring thread.
Thankyou also to those who went against the trend and told of leaving the Church and not returning. You have contributed respectfully and honestly. That’s what dialogue is for.
Thanks everyone - this has been an inspiring thread.
Thankyou also to those who went against the trend and told of leaving the Church and not returning. You have contributed respectfully and honestly. That’s what dialogue is for.
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Sailor_Kenshin
Guest
I haven’t left yet but feel am being pushed out.
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Church_Militant
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You don’t seem to have much to offer. Especially with the “anti-Marxist” going on in the profile, and comments like this one.
Some people want things their way and refuse submission to the church who has the 2,000 years of scholarship to guide us. If you feel an outsider, there is probably a reason for that. And if you’re mad because the church doesn’t do things just your way then perhaps you need to look at that and see who needs to change.
What has Marxism (or anti- Marxism") to do with the church anyway? Nationalism or Patriotism has very little to do with our faith and one should never confuse them. They may/should be informed by our faith, but never confused with being part of our faith.
Is it possible that you are actually pushing yourself out?
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fhansen
Guest
Keep reading the bible, but don’t neglect to read other Catholic literature as well-the Catechism, council documents, early church fathers, Augustine, St Teresa of Avila, apologetic works (such as Scott Hahn’s), etc. You probably haven’t even scratched the surface of what and why the church believes as she does. Ultimately scripture is one of the things that drove me back to the CC, after a 25 or so year hiatus. Because I came to realize that scripture alone can reveal almost nothing conclusively about the gospel, as was eventually made evident to me by arguing with other, equally sincere people, about it’s meaning. The Catholic Churches teachings IN NO WAY conflict with scripture.
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pkrjenkins
Guest
I so appreciate all the responses to this thread. You’ve answered with kindness, love, graciousness and honesty. I also appreciate your suggestions, not only for me but for others who have posted here.
The RCIA class that I"m in right now is actually my second. I did not feel ready to be reconciled to the Church at the end of last year’s class for a couple of reasons that I won’t go in to here, and after talking to my priest he suggested that I wait. It was a wise decision. The RCIA class I’m in right now it wonderful! There are several students (as opposed to last year when I eventually became the only student left), and the conversations we have are interesting. I’ve learned SO MUCH MORE this year than I learned last year, and I feel much more confident in my decision to reconcile to the Church.
When I have thought about not becoming Catholic my first thought has been “Where will I go? Who has the truth?” It reminds me of the apostles when Jesus asked them if they would leave Him too, and they answered, “to whom will we go? You have the words of truth.”
I would like to learn more from those of you who are thinking of leaving, but only if you feel comfortable sharing. And I do appreciate your posts as well. Deciding to become Catholic has been very hard for me at times, as there are no other Catholics in my family or my husband’s family, except my brother-in-law.
Again, thank you all very much and I hope you and others will continue to post. May God continue to bless you all abundantly with grace and peace and the hope of the life to come.
Pam
The RCIA class that I"m in right now is actually my second. I did not feel ready to be reconciled to the Church at the end of last year’s class for a couple of reasons that I won’t go in to here, and after talking to my priest he suggested that I wait. It was a wise decision. The RCIA class I’m in right now it wonderful! There are several students (as opposed to last year when I eventually became the only student left), and the conversations we have are interesting. I’ve learned SO MUCH MORE this year than I learned last year, and I feel much more confident in my decision to reconcile to the Church.
When I have thought about not becoming Catholic my first thought has been “Where will I go? Who has the truth?” It reminds me of the apostles when Jesus asked them if they would leave Him too, and they answered, “to whom will we go? You have the words of truth.”
I would like to learn more from those of you who are thinking of leaving, but only if you feel comfortable sharing. And I do appreciate your posts as well. Deciding to become Catholic has been very hard for me at times, as there are no other Catholics in my family or my husband’s family, except my brother-in-law.
Again, thank you all very much and I hope you and others will continue to post. May God continue to bless you all abundantly with grace and peace and the hope of the life to come.
Pam
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Sailor_Kenshin
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And comments like yours are one reason.You don’t seem to have much to offer. Especially with the “anti-Marxist” going on in the profile, and comments like this one.
Some people want things their way and refuse submission to the church who has the 2,000 years of scholarship to guide us. If you feel an outsider, there is probably a reason for that. And if you’re mad because the church doesn’t do things just your way then perhaps you need to look at that and see who needs to change.
What has Marxism (or anti- Marxism") to do with the church anyway? Nationalism or Patriotism has very little to do with our faith and one should never confuse them. They may/should be informed by our faith, but never confused with being part of our faith.
Is it possible that you are actually pushing yourself out?
I think there can be intellectually rigorous and honest discussion both for and against Catholicism. But I don’t see any.
Instead, all I see is the DaVinci Load/Jack Chick nonsense, a la ‘Look at the Pope’s hat! This proves he’s an evil pagan!’
Or I see multitudes of people who leave Catholicism because they want to fornicate and then abort the results.
None of my particular concerns are ever addressed, leaving me nowhere… See ya.
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Sometimes
Guest
Being a Catholic is no picnic at times, but I’d never regret it. It has given me such happiness, and has helped me time and time again.
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Kal2012
Guest
Once the Truth about some of these things, like Communion, Mary, the Saints, is revealed, I really just don’t see how anyone could be content to go back into the darkness and pretend that you don’t know?
I really can’t imagine wanting to go to a Protestant church these days.
I miss the fellowship in some of the churches I attended, but I really have no desire to ‘church-shop’ like protestants do. None whatsoever.
And I’m really not sure what Protestants are protesting these days - especially since a lot of them are protesting against other Protestant denominations and the Catholics. After a certain point, where does the authority of the Church come from because the Protestant churches aren’t the one that was given to Peter by Jesus, himself.
I mean, some will say that that Protestants are the true extension after the church became corrupted or some such thing, but the Catholic Church still exists. It didn’t disappear once the Protestants broke away. And the argument doesn’t make much sense when the point of Protestantism was to protest the Catholic Church - not be a part of it or an extension of it.
So, either Protestantism is true or it’s not.
If is true, then why are you still attending the Catholic Church?
Why are you going through the RCIA process if there isn’t a part of you that hasn’t been convinced that Catholicism is the really the Truth?
I don’t know why these things are true, but that’s different than asking ‘is it true’?
I understand it’s a huge step and it’s not to be taken lightly - at all. I waited a couple of years to check out the Catholic Church because I viewed it as a huge deal and that it had the potential to end up turning my back on my family’s protestant heritage. Now, I’m kind of kicking myself because I waited and came up with a ton of excuses not to do this work sooner.
Still, I can’t imagine teaching my son Catholicism and not sharing his faith and not being able to share in Holy Communion with him/my husband/other believers. I’m just not going to teach my son to believe something that I don’t believe myself. That just seems wrong and dishonest.
I’m RCIA too. I totally understand wanting to be sure.
Jo
I really can’t imagine wanting to go to a Protestant church these days.
I miss the fellowship in some of the churches I attended, but I really have no desire to ‘church-shop’ like protestants do. None whatsoever.
And I’m really not sure what Protestants are protesting these days - especially since a lot of them are protesting against other Protestant denominations and the Catholics. After a certain point, where does the authority of the Church come from because the Protestant churches aren’t the one that was given to Peter by Jesus, himself.
I mean, some will say that that Protestants are the true extension after the church became corrupted or some such thing, but the Catholic Church still exists. It didn’t disappear once the Protestants broke away. And the argument doesn’t make much sense when the point of Protestantism was to protest the Catholic Church - not be a part of it or an extension of it.
So, either Protestantism is true or it’s not.
If is true, then why are you still attending the Catholic Church?
Why are you going through the RCIA process if there isn’t a part of you that hasn’t been convinced that Catholicism is the really the Truth?
I don’t know why these things are true, but that’s different than asking ‘is it true’?
I understand it’s a huge step and it’s not to be taken lightly - at all. I waited a couple of years to check out the Catholic Church because I viewed it as a huge deal and that it had the potential to end up turning my back on my family’s protestant heritage. Now, I’m kind of kicking myself because I waited and came up with a ton of excuses not to do this work sooner.
Still, I can’t imagine teaching my son Catholicism and not sharing his faith and not being able to share in Holy Communion with him/my husband/other believers. I’m just not going to teach my son to believe something that I don’t believe myself. That just seems wrong and dishonest.
I’m RCIA too. I totally understand wanting to be sure.
Jo
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Church_Militant
Guest
Yeah… and yours are better? I’d have to disagree.
Then I don’t think you’re looking very hard. Besides…this is an apologetics forum, not theology and they are different things that sometimes overlap. I don’t know what you mean by “intellectually rigorous and honest discussion” and I doubt anyone else here will either because it’s such a nebulous and subjective statement.
I suggest that if you want more then bring more to the discussion than snide remarks and one liner criticisms like these.
And this is our fault on CAF or the fault of the Catholic Church?
That’s called unrealistic expectations, and again…you’re remarks lend nothing to the discussion. It’s like you expect an online forum to solve all the world’s problems (or yours?) and that’s not how the real world works.I haven’t seen a single thread of yours where you have sought to discuss and of these “particular concerns” of yours. Do you expect people to read your mind? Furthermore, how does any of that justify your remarks here in this thread? Don’t you have a priest and pastor? Why haven’t you made an appointment with him, because that’s the right way to get answers that you seem to need?
Moreover, you posted here in apologetics, where the whole concept is to explain and defend the faith. You won’t (and shouldn’t) find much in the way of other topics here because the average Catholic comes in contact with “the DaVinci Load/Jack Chick nonsense, a la ‘Look at the Pope’s hat! This proves he’s an evil pagan!’” stuff and for the average guy, they don’t know what to think of that or how to respond, so it comes up here where they seek help. If that bends you outta shape, that’s not anyone’s fault here. so it’s not right for you to project that onto CAF.:takethat:
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iloveangels
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tqualey
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Hi, Sailor K,
In reading over your posts, my impression is that you are quick to take offense and have offered nothing of substance to this thread. It would seem that presening your reasons for feeling ‘pushed out’ would be a good discussion for the OP to listen to and evaluate what it is you are almost saying.
Seriously, I, too have known some folks who have left the Catholic Church - and even though this is a very linited sample size … each one of them had problems with the Church’s teaching on some sexual topic - fornication heading the list.
Hey! Maybe you’d consider changing from an anti-Marxist to a Purity Champion - someone that advances the Chruch’s teaching on how we are all called to purity in either the single or married state. That would probably be a good use of the time you have left before being ‘pushed out’, eh?
God bless
In reading over your posts, my impression is that you are quick to take offense and have offered nothing of substance to this thread. It would seem that presening your reasons for feeling ‘pushed out’ would be a good discussion for the OP to listen to and evaluate what it is you are almost saying.
Seriously, I, too have known some folks who have left the Catholic Church - and even though this is a very linited sample size … each one of them had problems with the Church’s teaching on some sexual topic - fornication heading the list.
Hey! Maybe you’d consider changing from an anti-Marxist to a Purity Champion - someone that advances the Chruch’s teaching on how we are all called to purity in either the single or married state. That would probably be a good use of the time you have left before being ‘pushed out’, eh?
God bless
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tqualey
Guest
Hi, Iloveangels,
Maybe this is just a limited view… but, I have found ‘obnoxious types’ in a lot of areas having nothing to do with CAF! Sometime that are obnoxious because they have experiences different from mine… and sometimes they are obnoxious because they think no one else’s experiences are of any value. Either way - just letting it go - does not further the need for honest dialogue.
Now, honestly is great - it certainly beats dishonesty hands down!
But, people can be both honest and wrong at the same time on the same topic. And, by this I mean that while honesty is important, it is not sufficient to make the necessary movement from being in error towards moving to the Truth. People can be honestly wrong and stubborn - these items do not cancell out each other, either.
So, in addition to Chruch Militant having a really nice display at the bottom of his post … I think his content is both honest and accurate. It is Sailor K who needs to stop with the vague accusations and to clearly state his case so that others can read it and offer their comments - and quite honestly, offer light instead of heat.
God bless
Maybe this is just a limited view… but, I have found ‘obnoxious types’ in a lot of areas having nothing to do with CAF!
Sometime that are obnoxious because they have experiences different from mine… and sometimes they are obnoxious because they think no one else’s experiences are of any value. Either way - just letting it go - does not further the need for honest dialogue.Now, honestly is great - it certainly beats dishonesty hands down!
But, people can be both honest and wrong at the same time on the same topic. And, by this I mean that while honesty is important, it is not sufficient to make the necessary movement from being in error towards moving to the Truth. People can be honestly wrong and stubborn - these items do not cancell out each other, either.So, in addition to Chruch Militant having a really nice display at the bottom of his post … I think his content is both honest and accurate. It is Sailor K who needs to stop with the vague accusations and to clearly state his case so that others can read it and offer their comments - and quite honestly, offer light instead of heat.
God bless
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iloveangels
Guest
Enough lambasting, already. Please.
The reasons people leave the Church have been studied in some detail. You can find information on this here:
pewforum.org/uploadedFiles/Topics/Religious_Affiliation/faithinflux_3.pdf
Pew Reports has a whole section on people who change from one church to the other, and you can find out a lot.
Sex is NOT the #1 answer why people leave the Church. “Just drifting away” is, followed by “stopped believing teachings,” followed by “spiritual needs not being met.” Many people find that the Catholic Church doesn’t offer much community or teaching to its members. There’s a lot of isolation and strife. I’m a convert and all that is true. It’s definitely one of the things to consider when coming into the Church. I’ve learned to live with it. Not everyone will or can. It’s a challenge. I’m glad I became Catholic many years ago, but it’s not 100% fun and games. For sure.
ON the other hand, it’s the only place you can receive the Catholic Eucharist, and that’s been the #1 factor in keeping me Catholic.
K
klm120861
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iloveangels;10114254 said:
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Redeye
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My Mother was Lutheran and then converted to Catholcism when she married my Dad. She then converted back to being a Lutheran after my Dad passed away several years ago.
My Mother says Lutherans are more friendly, charitable and less judgemental. I agree with her.
My Mother says Lutherans are more friendly, charitable and less judgemental. I agree with her.
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