Zerg
New member
I have had loosely connected thoughts about: maybe, as a young person I should leave the Catholic church, or I should have done so as a child, growing up with Protestant friends.
I used to be very superstitious, expecting ostensible punishment for sin, and praying repetitive prayers.
I have struggled with scruples for a few years now, to extreme levels, to the point of standing still for 30 seconds so as not to break anything. It makes me cry when I think of this. What a poison scruples is! I would deprive myself of secular entertainment even snacking for food (afraid of committing the sin of gluttony and became very thin). I would also be sensitive to challenges or insults that a normal person should be able to handle and improve themselves. Jesus doesn’t want us to be isolated.
Now, I think back of what a priest said about a man who had a nervous meltdown. “The man’s psychologist said go and help someone lesser than you.” That is good character.
Yes, its true. It might be too late to be popular, but one can find it very rewarding to build up a relationship with someone who is homeless for example.
I think that this forum has been my saving grace and a great place for understanding and healing. Scruples is NOT caused by this forum! Rather, it is caused by not being knowledgeable about the faith and fear of sin, in my case from a well meaning catechism teacher struggling with many minor sins and kind of scared me with describing the 7 deadly sins and the 10 commandments (sounds pathetic, but she is really a woman of steel and came from a Protestant background and fears the Old Testament). She said that she is Catholic for the confession of sins. (This thinking kind of moulded me, too).
What was unhealthy and really absurd is that I used to think that I was a kind of “martyr” in my depression and could help the souls in purgatory this way. (While I think it is great to pray for the souls in purgatory, I think that the suffering part is a bit extreme and conceited).
Thank you for listening to this monologue, now back to the question:
Is it healthy to be Catholic? I have found that the holy Eucharist has always been my energy and renewal in receiving Christ, but sometimes I doubt this: Isn’t adoration a bit insane? What help does praying do if we don’t act on it and live Christian lives? Is the Catholic church a church full of losers who don’t know their faith? I have even heard from an elderly relative with a son that became non-denominational, that I don’t believe that the Catholic Church is the only way to Heaven.
I was on the verge on considering leaving the Church, because it currently is too harsh, or I am too weak.
Protestants appear to be more emotionally intelligent and are very familiar with Scripture.
I read on the Appologist section that converting to Protestantism will only compound one’s problems.
You can help me with just this one question: How is it practical to be a Catholic in the MODERN world for a young person?
I used to be very superstitious, expecting ostensible punishment for sin, and praying repetitive prayers.
I have struggled with scruples for a few years now, to extreme levels, to the point of standing still for 30 seconds so as not to break anything. It makes me cry when I think of this. What a poison scruples is! I would deprive myself of secular entertainment even snacking for food (afraid of committing the sin of gluttony and became very thin). I would also be sensitive to challenges or insults that a normal person should be able to handle and improve themselves. Jesus doesn’t want us to be isolated.
Now, I think back of what a priest said about a man who had a nervous meltdown. “The man’s psychologist said go and help someone lesser than you.” That is good character.
Yes, its true. It might be too late to be popular, but one can find it very rewarding to build up a relationship with someone who is homeless for example.
I think that this forum has been my saving grace and a great place for understanding and healing. Scruples is NOT caused by this forum! Rather, it is caused by not being knowledgeable about the faith and fear of sin, in my case from a well meaning catechism teacher struggling with many minor sins and kind of scared me with describing the 7 deadly sins and the 10 commandments (sounds pathetic, but she is really a woman of steel and came from a Protestant background and fears the Old Testament). She said that she is Catholic for the confession of sins. (This thinking kind of moulded me, too).
What was unhealthy and really absurd is that I used to think that I was a kind of “martyr” in my depression and could help the souls in purgatory this way. (While I think it is great to pray for the souls in purgatory, I think that the suffering part is a bit extreme and conceited).
Thank you for listening to this monologue, now back to the question:
Is it healthy to be Catholic? I have found that the holy Eucharist has always been my energy and renewal in receiving Christ, but sometimes I doubt this: Isn’t adoration a bit insane? What help does praying do if we don’t act on it and live Christian lives? Is the Catholic church a church full of losers who don’t know their faith? I have even heard from an elderly relative with a son that became non-denominational, that I don’t believe that the Catholic Church is the only way to Heaven.
I was on the verge on considering leaving the Church, because it currently is too harsh, or I am too weak.
Protestants appear to be more emotionally intelligent and are very familiar with Scripture.
I read on the Appologist section that converting to Protestantism will only compound one’s problems.
You can help me with just this one question: How is it practical to be a Catholic in the MODERN world for a young person?
really we are all one church spread all over and broken,!it’s all one church but the Catholic Church was how it was when Jesus founded the church and other churches split from it over time. You can absolutely worship in other churches if you want, but should still attend mass weekly as a Catholic to be sustained by the real presence. God loves you how you are though. Nothing you can ever be or do can prevent that. Faith in Jesus is a journey that is meant to be enjoyed here on Earth as well as the way for you to get to heaven. Perhaps you could see a youth minister/ someone trained in counselling young Christians. Have you chatted to a priest or a trusted member of your church about how you’re feeling? Please know that you are loved and valued and in truth we are never good enough! Which is why we need Jesus.