Former Catholics...

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Well, I fell in that othe category that did not send a letter. I even believed a different faith tradition. The priest did not recognize my marriage, which according to what you said - it should have been based on what you said. Because the Church recognized other faith marriages of those not Catholic. There is a problem. It’s incomplete. It seems that we are being told 2 things sometimes or somebody didn’t get the memo or update.

What happened to me went rather high, seeing the bishop never happened. It was not even required of me after I insisted that it must be required of me. I thought that to be true too. But then I went and spilled my guts for an hour. Left and came back a week and a half later. Cried like a baby and the same priest absolved me of my sins. I thought I’d have to wear a hair shirt or something like that. But it made no difference to me because I not only was already doing penance, my middle name is penance now. I still am trying to make restitution for my sins…even if I meant well by it. That’s why I’m on here. I actually help someone now and again, just by my story or by direction of how to do something or handle situations…Most prayer. I’m dedicated to offering up my own children for the Lord if he will call them…He’s already calling one of them… The other are just too young to tell, but after their baptisms we saw a major change in them. It was amazing. So my wife kind of offers up for what they did to me, proselytizing me…robbing God of anther priest I like to put it to pick at her. God gave me another vocation now. I’m living it out to the fullest of my ability, like I have from the beginning. I lost trust in those that betrayed me. That’s what really happened. I talked to my bishop on the air once and nothing was said of it. I don’t rant about it much anymore. The Holy Spirit is helping me through it.

BTW: Just because you send a letter in doesn’t mean they will accept it.
 
vocatio said:
Well, I fell in that othe category that did not send a letter. I even believed a different faith tradition. …God gave me another vocation now. I’m living it out to the fullest of my ability, like I have from the beginning. I lost trust in those that betrayed me. That’s what really happened. I talked to my bishop on the air once and nothing was said of it. I don’t rant about it much anymore. The Holy Spirit is helping me through it.

BTW: Just because you send a letter in doesn’t mean they will accept it.
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This is a very interesting and informative thread, people sharing some good honest stuff.

I, from my earliest, planned a life of service, felt called to it. I was in the process of discerning a vocation for sisterhood while in high school. I felt that my inability to believe the teachings of the church would not keep me from being a good nun, as I am deeply spiritual, devoted, and felt called. However, life stepped in…and not to be dramatic, but a life or death situation led me to marriage. I do not think it was a mistake, but I was puzzled as to how this worked into my calling to spiritual service.

I could not teach my children Catholicism as literal truth, so I began to practice what I believe, which effectively is apostate and I am excommunicated. However, the call remains, and I have been repeatedly, indeed consistently be given opportunities to serve others spiritually.

Many claim I live a lie, because they cannot believe that the divine would work in my life as it does. I do not argue. I was surprised myself, having been raised that if I ever left Catholicism I would be abandoned by the divine. Yet, it stands.

So, I appreciate and respect what you are doing by helping others and sharing and serving in the ways that are provided to you. The divine is bigger than any of us can conceive, and will do what it will do whether it satisfies human reason or not.

best to you,

cheddar
 
Just a little reminder.

“Heretics bring sentence upon themselves since they by their own choice withdraw from the Church, a withdrawal which, since they are aware of it, constitutes damnation. Between heresy and schism separates one from the Church on account of disagreement with the bishop.”
Jerome,Commentaries on the Epistle to Titus,3:10(A.D. 386),in JUR,II:194
 
wisdomseeker said:
Just a little reminder.

“Heretics bring sentence upon themselves since they by their own choice withdraw from the Church, a withdrawal which, since they are aware of it, constitutes damnation. Between heresy and schism separates one from the Church on account of disagreement with the bishop.”
Jerome,Commentaries on the Epistle to Titus,3:10(A.D. 386),in JUR,II:194
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FIrst, you must ask the question, “what is a heretic”. The term usually implies someone that knowingly goes against the truth. If you have been taught something oposit your intire life then do you really know the truth. Sometimes it takes a while for truth to set in or to be realized. An infant realization is just the beginning of a long journey. This reminds me of St. Augustine’s life, not to mention St. Francis. Three were quite a few famous Saints that live a worldly existence, but towards the end of their life found the truth that finally sunk into their spiritual psyche [figuratively speaking].

Cheddarsox, you have an interesting story,but I know farto many people doing like you do. But from my perspective looking afar at you, It is more evident that you have been duped by another spirit. That should be what you discern now. Reject an evil spirit that leads you away from truth. There is one thing knowing the truth and rejecting it compared to not understanding or realizing it. Culpability may be low, however, you are going against the teadchings of the Church and there run great risk with your soul. Not raising your children to believe the truth is only setting them up of a major fall later on. It seems that if you have a problem believing in the teachings of the Church then maybe you don’t really know the true teachings of the Church. They’re not difficult to believe in my feable opinion. Once you understand how consistent and logical and long lasting from studying the ancient church fathers and the saints then you begin to realize that maybe it’s my own fauty thinking.

Real Presence in the Eucharist
Praying for the dead
Intercession of Saints
Immaculate Conception
Mother of God
Catholic
Baptism,
Confirmation
Confession

I mean which one of these do you have an issue with and why?

Don’t take this post the wrong way. I believe too like the many orthodox Catholic clergy that have graced my path in the fact that God is bigger than the sacraments. God works in mysterious ways. But we must not close our hearts and minds to learing. We must NOT assume we have it down pat just because we think we have the answers or doubt the teachings. We must try to understand.

In the biginning of my return to Catholicism, I set out to become Orthodox. Now that my wife realized the truth in the one holy catholic and apostolic church we both researched. I studied Orthodox more than Catholicism. I already knew what some of the teaching was there, but not as much as I thought I did. More importantly I didn’t even understand what I thought I knew. So believing in the real presence and the apostolic church I research Orthodox on the basis of what I rejected…praying to dead people…the Saints. Marian devotion. Rosary. Women at the altar, Immaculate Conception, Mother of God, celibate priesthood, and others. But these stood out the most. If you learn Orhtodoxy, you find similar if not same beliefs. They may have a different way to describe it, but it is very much the same in my opinion. I still study as much as I can. But I study Catholicism more than Orhtodoxy now. The more I study and ask questions the more I believe because it makes sense. Now I know the difference between Sacred Tradition and mans tradition. I was scrupulus about accepting the deuterocanonical texts. I didn’t trust anything for so long. Now it’s beginning to make so much more sense that it did before. A few miracles along my journey didn’t hurt either. Studying the ancient church fathers has inceased my faith dramatically.

Far to many people that call themselves Catholic do not even come close to knowing or especially understanding the teachings of the Church. That is the horrible truth of my discovery and one of the reasons I ran from and resisted Catholicism. I fear the worst for cradle Catholics than I do for non-Catholic Christians (Protestants) that have never learned Catholicism. However, I stick eveyone in the presence of God’s Divine Mercy and hope for the best.
 
vocatio said:
FIrst, you must ask the question, “what is a heretic”. The term usually implies someone that knowingly goes against the truth. If you have been taught something oposit your intire life then do you really know the truth. Sometimes it takes a while for truth to set in or to be realized. An infant realization is just the beginning of a long journey. This reminds me of St. Augustine’s life, not to mention St. Francis. Three were quite a few famous Saints that live a worldly existence, but towards the end of their life found the truth that finally sunk into their spiritual psyche [figuratively speaking].

Cheddarsox, you have an interesting story,but I know farto many people doing like you do. But from my perspective looking afar at you, It is more evident that you have been duped by another spirit. That should be what you discern now. Reject an evil spirit that leads you away from truth. There is one thing knowing the truth and rejecting it compared to not understanding or realizing it. Culpability may be low, however, you are going against the teadchings of the Church and there run great risk with your soul. Not raising your children to believe the truth is only setting them up of a major fall later on. It seems that if you have a problem believing in the teachings of the Church then maybe you don’t really know the true teachings of the Church. They’re not difficult to believe in my feable opinion. Once you understand how consistent and logical and long lasting from studying the ancient church fathers and the saints then you begin to realize that maybe it’s my own fauty thinking.

Real Presence in the Eucharist
Praying for the dead
Intercession of Saints
Immaculate Conception
Mother of God
Catholic
Baptism,
Confirmation
Confession

I mean which one of these do you have an issue with and why?

Don’t take this post the wrong way. I believe too like the many orthodox Catholic clergy that have graced my path in the fact that God is bigger than the sacraments. God works in mysterious ways. But we must not close our hearts and minds to learing. We must NOT assume we have it down pat just because we think we have the answers or doubt the teachings. We must try to understand.

In the biginning of my return to Catholicism, I set out to become Orthodox. Now that my wife realized the truth in the one holy catholic and apostolic church we both researched. I studied Orthodox more than Catholicism. I already knew what some of the teaching was there, but not as much as I thought I did. More importantly I didn’t even understand what I thought I knew. So believing in the real presence and the apostolic church I research Orthodox on the basis of what I rejected…praying to dead people…the Saints. Marian devotion. Rosary. Women at the altar, Immaculate Conception, Mother of God, celibate priesthood, and others. But these stood out the most. If you learn Orhtodoxy, you find similar if not same beliefs. They may have a different way to describe it, but it is very much the same in my opinion. I still study as much as I can. But I study Catholicism more than Orhtodoxy now. The more I study and ask questions the more I believe because it makes sense. Now I know the difference between Sacred Tradition and mans tradition. I was scrupulus about accepting the deuterocanonical texts. I didn’t trust anything for so long. Now it’s beginning to make so much more sense that it did before. A few miracles along my journey didn’t hurt either. Studying the ancient church fathers has inceased my faith dramatically.

Far to many people that call themselves Catholic do not even come close to knowing or especially understanding the teachings of the Church. That is the horrible truth of my discovery and one of the reasons I ran from and resisted Catholicism. I fear the worst for cradle Catholics than I do for non-Catholic Christians (Protestants) that have never learned Catholicism. However, I stick eveyone in the presence of God’s Divine Mercy and hope for the best.
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What is a heretics?

let is say we can classify those at that time as the same of today who also did not know and were taught different, still it was not an excuse back then. should it be an excuse today, since the Church still here, still preaching the Truth? and people continue to reject because they dont understand. is it lack of understand, ignorance or is it because they have no faith?

heretics will be until they repent and seek the Lord in truth.

i understand that what you saying is that they are not at fault bcause they were taught this way, should this be an excuse? probably not. i dont know. the fact is if the Church still here and her role is to gather all faithfull, and others reject her how can one be sure he is excused? i dont know.
 
wisdomseeker said:
What is a heretics?

let is say we can classify those at that time as the same of today who also did not know and were taught different, still it was not an excuse back then. should it be an excuse today, since the Church still here, still preaching the Truth? and people continue to reject because they dont understand. is it lack of understand, ignorance or is it because they have no faith?

heretics will be until they repent and seek the Lord in truth.

i understand that what you saying is that they are not at fault bcause they were taught this way, should this be an excuse? probably not. i dont know. the fact is if the Church still here and her role is to gather all faithfull, and others reject her how can one be sure he is excused? i dont know.
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Have you read my story? Or should I say the extra brief of a brief story?

Yes, you are right in saying that heresy is heresy. But I’ve been warned not to go around calling people heretics. My dad was very Traditional Catholic. Nobody outside of being Catholic had a rats ___ chance of making it to heaven. You should study the Churches teaching today on this. You act like the Church hasn’t realized anything since the first century. What about mental illness? Does this not play a part in salvation or culpability. Many of the ancient church fathers were fighting major heresy in their own time. In fact, ironically at least some of the heretics back then have written their own documents still in exsistance today. Further, adding to the irony, is the fact that many non-Catholics recite some of these heretics documents to support their beliefs and against Catholcism unaware that these ancient folks reject things like real presence, hypostatic union, etc.

You have corrected only my language, but not my intension of stating was I falably made a stab at to show… Well, lets put it this way. I was once told by a young girl in my youth “you can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.” I beleive these are wise words. Beating fallen away Catholics on the head accomplishes absolutely nothing except put your own soul on the line with God. You push people away from the truth when you speak the truth in anger. The scriptures teach us to teach the truth in love. Charity is at the root of true conversion in my opinion - not hate.

[Let me add, the writers from which you quote were leaders in the Church dealing with obvious heretics who were leaders. Don’t go around slinging names at people. My pastor and many priests I trust more than the so-called Traditional Priests are far more spiritually advanced. Franciscans, Dominicans, etc. I’ve spoken to numberous priests, even Orhtodox priests to evealuate what I should do.oops gotta go]
 
vocatio said:
Have you read my story? Or should I say the extra brief of a brief story?

Yes, you are right in saying that heresy is heresy. But I’ve been warned not to go around calling people heretics. My dad was very Traditional Catholic. Nobody outside of being Catholic had a rats ___ chance of making it to heaven. You should study the Churches teaching today on this. You act like the Church hasn’t realized anything since the first century. What about mental illness? Does this not play a part in salvation or culpability. Many of the ancient church fathers were fighting major heresy in their own time. In fact, ironically at least some of the heretics back then have written their own documents still in exsistance today. Further, adding to the irony, is the fact that many non-Catholics recite some of these heretics documents to support their beliefs and against Catholcism unaware that these ancient folks reject things like real presence, hypostatic union, etc.

You have corrected only my language, but not my intension of stating was I falably made a stab at to show… Well, lets put it this way. I was once told by a young girl in my youth “you can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar.” I beleive these are wise words. Beating fallen away Catholics on the head accomplishes absolutely nothing except put your own soul on the line with God. You push people away from the truth when you speak the truth in anger. The scriptures teach us to teach the truth in love. Charity is at the root of true conversion in my opinion - not hate.

[Let me add, the writers from which you quote were leaders in the Church dealing with obvious heretics who were leaders. Don’t go around slinging names at people. My pastor and many priests I trust more than the so-called Traditional Priests are far more spiritually advanced. Franciscans, Dominicans, etc. I’ve spoken to numberous priests, even Orhtodox priests to evealuate what I should do.oops gotta go]
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i understand what you are saying. my statements were not directly to anyone. i was just explaining something. that is all. of course if i am discussing religion with someone other than catholics i would not be calling no one name of any kind.

Peace
 
wisdomseeker said:
i understand what you are saying. my statements were not directly to anyone. i was just explaining something. that is all. of course if i am discussing religion with someone other than catholics i would not be calling no one name of any kind.

Peace
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That same behavior should be transferred to fallen away Catholics as well as Catholics in general. Name calling should never be used. Explain what the Church teaches and do your best to explain why and what you understand always qualifying your answers when questioned or up front. Unless you are a faithful Cathoilic with much education and mature spiritually we are feable fallable creatures. We do our best. Like me.
 
I can’t be bothered going through the formal process of defect from the Church. From a practical standpoint, it doesn’t really matter I think whether you informally or formally renounce your belief; if you no longer accept the main teachings and don’t go to church, you’ve renounced your faith for all intents and purposes.

“What is a heretics?”

A heretic in my understanding, is someone who persistently and wilfully refuses to accept some belief which must be held with ‘divine and Catholic faith’ after baptism. Heresy can only apply to the baptised Catholic, and also requires a free and deliberate refusal on the part of the alleged heretic to adhere to the required belief.

An apostate would be a better term for someone who renounces their religion. A person who joins another denomination is a schismatic.
 
vocatio said:
Cheddarsox, you have an interesting story,but I know farto many people doing like you do. But from my perspective looking afar at you, It is more evident that you have been duped by another spirit. That should be what you discern now. Reject an evil spirit that leads you away from truth. There is one thing knowing the truth and rejecting it compared to not understanding or realizing it. Culpability may be low, however, you are going against the teadchings of the Church and there run great risk with your soul. Not raising your children to believe the truth is only setting them up of a major fall later on. It seems that if you have a problem believing in the teachings of the Church then maybe you don’t really know the true teachings of the Church. They’re not difficult to believe in my feable opinion. Once you understand how consistent and logical and long lasting from studying the ancient church fathers and the saints then you begin to realize that maybe it’s my own fauty thinking.

Real Presence in the Eucharist
Praying for the dead
Intercession of Saints
Immaculate Conception
Mother of God
Catholic
Baptism,
Confirmation
Confession

I mean which one of these do you have an issue with and why?

Don’t take this post the wrong way. I believe too like the many orthodox Catholic clergy that have graced my path in the fact that God is bigger than the sacraments. God works in mysterious ways. But we must not close our hearts and minds to learing. We must NOT assume we have it down pat just because we think we have the answers or doubt the teachings. We must try to understand.

In the biginning of my return to Catholicism, I set out to become Orthodox. Now that my wife realized the truth in the one holy catholic and apostolic church we both researched. I studied Orthodox more than Catholicism. I already knew what some of the teaching was there, but not as much as I thought I did. More importantly I didn’t even understand what I thought I knew. So believing in the real presence and the apostolic church I research Orthodox on the basis of what I rejected…praying to dead people…the Saints. Marian devotion. Rosary. Women at the altar, Immaculate Conception, Mother of God, celibate priesthood, and others. But these stood out the most. If you learn Orhtodoxy, you find similar if not same beliefs. They may have a different way to describe it, but it is very much the same in my opinion. I still study as much as I can. But I study Catholicism more than Orhtodoxy now. The more I study and ask questions the more I believe because it makes sense. Now I know the difference between Sacred Tradition and mans tradition. I was scrupulus about accepting the deuterocanonical texts. I didn’t trust anything for so long. Now it’s beginning to make so much more sense that it did before. A few miracles along my journey didn’t hurt either. Studying the ancient church fathers has inceased my faith dramatically.

Far to many people that call themselves Catholic do not even come close to knowing or especially understanding the teachings of the Church. That is the horrible truth of my discovery and one of the reasons I ran from and resisted Catholicism. I fear the worst for cradle Catholics than I do for non-Catholic Christians (Protestants) that have never learned Catholicism. However, I stick eveyone in the presence of God’s Divine Mercy and hope for the best.
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I do not want to derail this thread into “why cheddar stopped practicing Catholicism”. It is not that I don’t know the teachings. I was fascinated by the detail and care the church takes in creating such. I’ve read a good bit of the early fathers, lots about saints and tons of theology. I don’t think my personal case is due to lack of catechesis.

Like every faith journey, mine is complex and individual. I never blame or fault Catholicism, never have. You will see that I say I do not believe, not that the church is wrong or false, nor that she should alter her teachings.

If you want to discuss this further with me, PM me!
 
cheddarsox said:
I do not want to derail this thread into “why cheddar stopped practicing Catholicism”. It is not that I don’t know the teachings. I was fascinated by the detail and care the church takes in creating such. I’ve read a good bit of the early fathers, lots about saints and tons of theology. I don’t think my personal case is due to lack of catechesis.

Like every faith journey, mine is complex and individual. I never blame or fault Catholicism, never have. You will see that I say I do not believe, not that the church is wrong or false, nor that she should alter her teachings.

If you want to discuss this further with me, PM me!
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I’ve been in your quagmire before. I have come to realize through grace from God that that you beliefs are a “chase after wind”. I’ve wasted many years wondering about the truth, and truth does not always reveal itself by knowledge, but by graces given to us by God. As we empty out ourselves [pride, agendas, predisposition to sin, etc.] we make room for God. During that time we empty out we make room for Him or for the evil one depending on whether we are truly discerning truth or a way to justify our mortal sins…doubting God would fall under that category. So if you see my point you will see that PMing you would only render argument in something I won’t waste my time on. Good luck. But I know far too many people that fall into your category. Many of them are no longer following the faith or even Christianity for that matter.

I made my religious point and so did you from your perspective. I’ve found peace in God through His son Jesus Christ who passed on the Church through a direct linage we know as apostolic succession. Papal Primacy is the least and ultimately Papal Authority is what I now accept in full. Everything else has fallacy built into it and renders uncountable divisons. God have mercy on my sould if I am wrong. But I don’t think so now. But I always discern the truth so if God want’s me to be Orhtodox, then so be it. But it changes very very little in MHO. I pray you find the truth, even if you believe you already possess it. But respect my perspective of not believing that your collectin of experiences and knowledge have lead you toward God but rather away from his embracing arms.
 
vocatio said:
I’ve been in your quagmire before. I have come to realize through grace from God that that you beliefs are a “chase after wind”. I’ve wasted many years wondering about the truth, and truth does not always reveal itself by knowledge, but by graces given to us by God. As we empty out ourselves [pride, agendas, predisposition to sin, etc.] we make room for God. During that time we empty out we make room for Him or for the evil one depending on whether we are truly discerning truth or a way to justify our mortal sins…doubting God would fall under that category. So if you see my point you will see that PMing you would only render argument in something I won’t waste my time on. Good luck. But I know far too many people that fall into your category. Many of them are no longer following the faith or even Christianity for that matter.

I made my religious point and so did you from your perspective. I’ve found peace in God through His son Jesus Christ who passed on the Church through a direct linage we know as apostolic succession. Papal Primacy is the least and ultimately Papal Authority is what I now accept in full. Everything else has fallacy built into it and renders uncountable divisons. God have mercy on my sould if I am wrong. But I don’t think so now. But I always discern the truth so if God want’s me to be Orhtodox, then so be it. But it changes very very little in MHO. I pray you find the truth, even if you believe you already possess it. But respect my perspective of not believing that your collectin of experiences and knowledge have lead you toward God but rather away from his embracing arms.
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I am not interested in argument either, which is why I said if you wanted to discuss it further, to PM me.

How lovely for you, that you always discern the truth.

I do not think I have said or done anything here that shows a disrespect for your beliefs, nor is it my intent to. May your journey continue to be blessed.
 
cheddarsox said:
I am not interested in argument either, which is why I said if you wanted to discuss it further, to PM me.

How lovely for you, that you always discern the truth.

I do not think I have said or done anything here that shows a disrespect for your beliefs, nor is it my intent to. May your journey continue to be blessed.
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No harm done. Just making myself a little clear and moving on.
 
Two things come to mind when I think of “TRUTH”.

First, Jesus befor Pontius Pilate
“what is truth” he said.

Secon, Jack Nicols saying “You can’t handle the truth” on the movie “A Few Good Men”.

Both strike me as really the same.
Jesus is the Truth. So if we listen to “Ignorance of scripture is ignorance of Christ.” I’m sure you know who said this, then we see that learning scripture is important, but it is not the sum of all thing. Sacred Tradition underscore Sacred Scripture for lack of better words right this minute. The problem with them is that we need an interpreter that knows or understands them both. The Majesterium is the pilot for this task, not individuals or groups of people claiming to know better or have more insight. This was important in bringing me home and cleaned up all the loose end for me. Thus, coming to understand this was pivotal for my conversion. I can relax again. But now my son is entering a simlar stage. Even though I try to lead him to understand things, his less trained mind causes him doubt…doubt about the existence of God. Skeptical about believing people. In my journey, coming across different people with different beliefs, it dawned on me that someone who fears God is more trustworthy than someone who doesn’t…especially those that make up stuff. There is no way to really know the hearts of man. So I have little trust in anyone that isn’t fearful of God, because they have an understanding that bad choices bear eternal consequences.

Just thinking again.
 
I was a cradle Catholic, and kind of fell away a few years ago. I didn’t do anything formal at that time, and thought that I might find my way back around. During that time, though, I got married (a marriage that wouldn’t be sanctioned by the RCC without an annulment that’s not likely to be possible) and started attending the Episcopal Church.
Last year, I decided to think about either returning to the RCC or formally joining the Episcopal Church. I did a lot of reading, praying, and that’s why I joined this site.
I decided to get received into the Episcopal Church a few months ago, but I haven’t written a letter to the RCC.
 
vocatio said:
Two things come to mind when I think of “TRUTH”…
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I think of this:

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant—
Success in Cirrcuit lies
Too bright for our infirm Delight
The Truth’s superb surprise
As Lightening to the Children eased
With explanation kind
The Truth must dazzle gradually
Or every man be blind–

Emily Dickinson
 
i don’t think it’s necessary to send a letter to the RCC.
i mean what for? it’s not like they follow you up to go back to RCC.

i mean, your faith is between you and God,
and not you and the RCC. the opinion of the Church does not matter, it’s what God thinks that matters most when it comes to your faith.

when I became Protestant (ie born-again baby Christian)
i still attended RCC, but later i find it strange/weird and
somewhat conflicting to be attending two churches at the same time. and so what I only did is PRAY.

yes, I asked God for permission - not the RCC nor the Protestant Church, not the Priest nor the Preacher. No one told me to
stop attending Mass, i just did, when the time came.
God is not in a hurry to take you out of it,
God only wants you to see the Truth, and then you will
know what you need to do and decide on as you grow spiritually.

I was bothered for awhile, and asked God so many questions when I finally stopped attending.

I asked God if I was a Catholic
(yes, you belong to the universal church)

I ask God if I was a Jehovah’s Witness
(yes, you will be my witness to the world)

I asked God if I was an Iglesia Ni Cristo
(yes, you are a member of the true church of Christ)

I asked God if I am a Baptist
(yes, because you have been immersed in water)

and then I realized, it doesn’t matter what label I wear,
I am a Christian, all others just using God’s Names but are somehow not really true churches.

BTW, I never called myself Protestant because I never protested anyway. I simply used “born-again”.
And I never really knew my denomination until I met other Protestants who asked me what I was and that was the only
time I learned that I’m a Pentecostal (because I was baptized by the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues and enjoy pentecostal kind of worship)
 
jewelz said:
i don’t think it’s necessary to send a letter to the RCC.
i mean what for? it’s not like they follow you up to go back to RCC.

i mean, your faith is between you and God,
and not you and the RCC. the opinion of the Church does not matter, it’s what God thinks that matters most when it comes to your faith.

when I became Protestant (ie born-again baby Christian)
i still attended RCC, but later i find it strange/weird and
somewhat conflicting to be attending two churches at the same time. and so what I only did is PRAY.

yes, I asked God for permission - not the RCC nor the Protestant Church, not the Priest nor the Preacher. No one told me to
stop attending Mass, i just did, when the time came.
God is not in a hurry to take you out of it,
God only wants you to see the Truth, and then you will
know what you need to do and decide on as you grow spiritually.

I was bothered for awhile, and asked God so many questions when I finally stopped attending.

I asked God if I was a Catholic
(yes, you belong to the universal church)

I ask God if I was a Jehovah’s Witness
(yes, you will be my witness to the world)

I asked God if I was an Iglesia Ni Cristo
(yes, you are a member of the true church of Christ)

I asked God if I am a Baptist
(yes, because you have been immersed in water)

and then I realized, it doesn’t matter what label I wear,
I am a Christian, all others just using God’s Names but are somehow not really true churches.

BTW, I never called myself Protestant because I never protested anyway. I simply used “born-again”.
And I never really knew my denomination until I met other Protestants who asked me what I was and that was the only
time I learned that I’m a Pentecostal (because I was baptized by the Holy Spirit and speak in tongues and enjoy pentecostal kind of worship)
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My friend, not to offend you, but you are without a doubt severly confused.
By your own admission you protested…you seem to have “redefined” all the terms to suit your own desires…THUS you have created church number 30,000 plus 1. You or someone else has failed to teach you the truth. Read the early church fathers. I understand what you are saying and probabaly why. But I learned the hard way that you can run but you can never hide from God.
 
vocatio said:
My friend, not to offend you, but you are without a doubt severly confused.
By your own admission you protested…you seem to have “redefined” all the terms to suit your own desires…THUS you have created church number 30,000 plus 1. You or someone else has failed to teach you the truth. Read the early church fathers. I understand what you are saying and probabaly why. But I learned the hard way that you can run but you can never hide from God.
Click to expand...
You stare and stare at the obvious, but you can’t see the forest for the trees.

You are looking only on the surface of things, the outward physical appearance of the church, the building and its people in it, the religion and its followers,
that is how you understand a church, a label (Catholic, Protestant, etc) that people call themselves to be.

You see the many trees, the many denominations, and consider them divided.
Yet you cannot see that the forest, all the local churches that form the one Bride of Christ, all trees united by that saving faith in Christ.
Those trees that He redeemed as his own, and not because those trees beared fruit,
but He made them even more fruitful.

If you are confident that you belong to Christ,
you should consider again that I belong to Christ just as much as you.

If you think you are the only ones who belong to Christ, then think again. We also belong to Christ. No church or denomintaion has a claim on Christ, it is Christ who claims His church.

If you’re looking for a clear example of someone on Christ’s side, why do you so quickly cut me out? Believe me, I am quite sure of my standing with Christ.

It is not about you belonging to the Catholic Church.
Or I belonging to a protestant church,
God does not belong to any Church.
It is the Church who belongs to God.

Everyone who belongs to Christ, already belongs to His Church.
But not everyone who is a church member belongs to Christ,
remember there are many hypocrites and wolves and false teachers/prophets inside the church among true believers.
Only God knows them, for only God knows what really is in their hearts regardless of their outside religious behavior.

God finds His people, even those who ran away from the RCC because of her corruption, even in remote places where there are no church buildings. God calls people unto Himself, not into a church. God’s presence is no longer on top of a mountain where people worship in ancient days, His presence is not limited in a “holy” church building, His presence resides in His true followers, His holy priesthood of believers
— wherever they may be God is also there with them.
 
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