Former Catholics...

[Mirdath]

I think as teenagers we have so much going on. We are still maturing, even as young adults we have so much growing to do. It’s funny how you come to a point in your life, life changes, and suddenly you have a different outlook.

I still have a lot going on, and I’m not a teenager anymore Beyond childhood, age doesn’t have anything to do with spiritual growth (or, for that matter, decline).

Sometimes you have to overcome things of the past before you can open yourself up to Truth. And faith, I can’t say always comes easy. Some day are a struggle. Those are days I question and look for answers. Some days I read so much my head hurts.

Which things? I have overcome many of the difficulties that faced me in those years, and prevailed against many that came after. One of the things I overcame was blind playing-along at religion.

Is the point of this thread so you can tell us all that we just have to try Catholicism again and again until we acquire a taste for it? If so, don’t focus on why we left. Don’t tell us how we were too young to ‘get it’, or that we just weren’t looking hard enough. That won’t do anything, except perhaps tick us off.

If you want to make converts out of us, make us want to be Catholic. Show us how being Catholic will allow us to grow spiritually, how it will make the world a better place for there being more of that faith. Show us that Catholicism is a thing of value, something to be sought out.

Lead us by example, not by words. Words are cheap.

 

[kms123]

No, just taking a survey. Maybe knowing why people leave could help prevent others from falling off the ship!

You don’t have to participate. It is not mandatory to be here.

 

[AgnosTheist]

So your faith is simply that there is a being and it is divine and supreme.?

yes

Do you believe anything taught from any History books?

mostly, yeah.

 

[kms123]

Basically, you are instructing me to do exactly what I already did. I came here, discussed Catholicism with Catholics for two years. Listened to EWTN, etc. Do you consider CAF, Catholic.com and EWTN to be good sources of Catholic information?

I have a religion, so I don’t think I will continue to spend a great deal of time pursuing someone else’s. My questions have been answered to my satisfaction, I have been provided with excellent resources by kind people here.

Contrary to what many Catholics believe, some people DO know what Catholicism really teaches, and still do not believe it.

Also, did you find ANY catholic sources to be good? I could use some recommendations.

 

[kms123]

yes

mostly, yeah.

How do you decide which to believe and which not?

 

[why_me]

I completely understand how you feel about the old days. It was go to mass, do your chores. Memorize some prayers, commandments, sacraments. Basically obedience.

When I came “back” I ran into some of these “biased” catholics. After some time passed and I really started reading and trying to understand things in the Church I began to realize… these people were telling the Truth of the Church. They wanted people like me to have correct knowlege.

Now I accept the teachings with obedience and humility as Jesus taught. So now I am called conservative.

I still have some trouble. Now when you question you have many resources to help. The priests and nuns most often can help, internet catholic resources, spiritual guides-people specialize in this. It’s much better now.

I think that the good ol’ days lacked community. I only remember going to church, going to catcheism and going home. Nothing inbetween Sunday. There were no catholic youth clubs or retreats. There were no social events for teenagers. It was just a Sunday thing with a priest ‘mumbling’ some prayers with me kneeling and standing without knowing why.

Now of course, it is different. I belong to a great catholic community who have helped me immensely, especially the sisters of Mother Teresa. But back then, as a teenager I saw no catholic community…only boredom And so, it was not difficult to leave.

 

[kms123]

I think that the good ol’ days lacked community. I only remember going to church, going to catcheism and going home. Nothing inbetween Sunday. There were no catholic youth clubs or retreats. There were no social events for teenagers. It was just a Sunday thing with a priest ‘mumbling’ some prayers with me kneeling and standing without knowing why.

Now of course, it is different. I belong to a great catholic community who have helped me immensely, especially the sisters of Mother Teresa. But back then, as a teenager I saw no catholic community…only boredom And so, it was not difficult to leave.

So what prompted you to come back, without getting personal?

 

[AgnosTheist]

How do you decide which to believe and which not?

there are many qualifications.

1. If its not fantastic, then why not?. like the muslim history books say that Mohammad made date fruits dance. thats fantastic, unbelievable. but when their history books said that mohammad assassinated a nursing mother. its quite natural, so I believe it.
2. If its been agreed upon by different parties who had no common agendas. like the napoleonic accounts was agreed upon by the french, english, and americans. so i believe it.

etc.

 

[cheddarsox]

Also, did you find ANY catholic sources to be good? I could use some recommendations.

Here are some Catholic resources that were recently suggested to me. Some I have looked at, others not.

I hated Catholicism for Dummies and the Idiot’s guide, though many people recommend them. I just don’t like the format, and think they are NOT the way to study a religion of any type. But that could just be my personal preference.

Jimmy Aiken’s website is a good one.

I also found the Catholic Encyclopedia online useful. I felt like I could trust it to give a fair representation of what the Church teaches.

Catholicism is very hard to pin down in some ways, because there is SO much to study, and then Tradition and tradition, and lots of cultural things as well, and sometimes it can be hard to tell what is actually a teaching of the church and what is some random Catholic person’s interpretation. But over the past two years, I have had my questions/issues responded to with actual teachings of the church, not just opinions. So while I don’t claim to know and understand all of the Church’s teachings, I know that I do not believe several official one’s.
I liked listening to Father Corapi when my schedule allowed it.

The NAB
usccb.org/nab/bible/

The Douay-Rheims
drbo.org/

I use the CCC

usccb.org/catechism/text/entiretoc1.htm

The Baltimore Catechism

catholicity.com/baltimore-catechism/

A list of different Catechisms

catholicfamilycatalog.com…catechisms.htm

I listen to EWTN and use their website

ewtn.com/

Catholic Answers
catholic.com/

New Advent
newadvent.org/

Fish Eaters
fisheaters.com/

Scripture Catholic
scripturecatholic.com/

And I read alot of books like this
trinstore.com/ecom_2/item…inventoryid=88

Or these:
trinstore.com/ecom_2/brow…type=catbrowse

I listen to great teachers such as Archbishop Fulton Sheen
fultonsheen.com/

Scott Hahn
scotthahn.com/

Tim Staples
crossroadsinitiative.com/…m_Staples.html

Father John Corapi
fathercorapi.com/

cwo.com/~pentrack/catholi…pi/corapi.html

I use the Dictionary
dictionary.reference.com/

I pray the Rosary (offline too )
rosary.virtualave.net/

 

[kms123]

there are many qualifications.

1. If its not fantastic, then why not?. like the muslim history books say that Mohammad made date fruits dance. thats fantastic, unbelievable. but when their history books said that mohammad assassinated a nursing mother. its quite natural, so I believe it.
2. If its been agreed upon by different parties who had no common agendas. like the napoleonic accounts was agreed upon by the french, english, and americans. so i believe it.

etc.

ie.youtube.com/watch?v=6W9T-XQpb6Q

This was witnessed by 40 million people. Are you familiar with it?
It doesn’t seem natural but is well documented and by scientists.

I am really not trying to convert anyone. But, Maybe I will reinforce my own faith.

 

[kms123]

Here are some Catholic resources that were recently suggested to me. Some I have looked at, others not.

I hated Catholicism for Dummies and the Idiot’s guide, though many people recommend them. I just don’t like the format, and think they are NOT the way to study a religion of any type. But that could just be my personal preference.

Jimmy Aiken’s website is a good one.

I also found the Catholic Encyclopedia online useful. I felt like I could trust it to give a fair representation of what the Church teaches.

Catholicism is very hard to pin down in some ways, because there is SO much to study, and then Tradition and tradition, and lots of cultural things as well, and sometimes it can be hard to tell what is actually a teaching of the church and what is some random Catholic person’s interpretation. But over the past two years, I have had my questions/issues responded to with actual teachings of the church, not just opinions. So while I don’t claim to know and understand all of the Church’s teachings, I know that I do not believe several official one’s.
I liked listening to Father Corapi when my schedule allowed it.

The NAB
usccb.org/nab/bible/

The Douay-Rheims
drbo.org/

I use the CCC

usccb.org/catechism/text/entiretoc1.htm

The Baltimore Catechism

catholicity.com/baltimore-catechism/

A list of different Catechisms

catholicfamilycatalog.com…catechisms.htm

I listen to EWTN and use their website

ewtn.com/

Catholic Answers
catholic.com/

New Advent
newadvent.org/

Fish Eaters
fisheaters.com/

Scripture Catholic
scripturecatholic.com/

And I read alot of books like this
trinstore.com/ecom_2/item…inventoryid=88

Or these:
trinstore.com/ecom_2/brow…type=catbrowse

I listen to great teachers such as Archbishop Fulton Sheen
fultonsheen.com/

Scott Hahn
scotthahn.com/

Tim Staples
crossroadsinitiative.com/…m_Staples.html

Father John Corapi
fathercorapi.com/

cwo.com/~pentrack/catholi…pi/corapi.html

I use the Dictionary
dictionary.reference.com/

I pray the Rosary (offline too )
rosary.virtualave.net/

You went to a lot of trouble. Thank you so much!

 

[qui_est_ce]

I left when I was in my early twenties because I did not believe some of the teachings and practices of the church.

I came here a couple of years ago to take another look and still find I do not believe a number of the teachings and practices. But it was good to re examine the faith of my youth and settle these things in my hear, mind and soul.

Which teachings and practices to you find untenable? Is it Christianity in general or Catholocism in particular?

 

[cheddarsox]

Which teachings and practices to you find untenable? Is it Christianity in general or Catholocism in particular?

I’ve spent a great deal of time, thought and energy looking into these things, so forgive me if I am not able to reopen them again, here, with you, now.

I have more issues particularly with Catholicism than with Christianity in general, but then I know more about Catholicism than I do other forms of Christianity. So I am not singling Catholicism out, it is just where I come from, and what I know.

After leaving the Catholic church, I did spend a number of years in Protestant and non denominational Christian churches, and while there is much I respect, honor, love and believe in Christianity, and Catholicism, I do not find myself able to count myself among that number, as I do have some serious differences with some doctrinal beliefs. I don’t think it would be honest or fair of me to “pose” as Christian, and call myself Christian, and then misrepresent the that faith.

I am, however, a true blue pantheist!

 

[qui_est_ce]

I’ve spent a great deal of time, thought and energy looking into these things, so forgive me if I am not able to reopen them again, here, with you, now.

Sorry, you responded to this thread…

 

[cheddarsox]

Sorry, you responded to this thread…

yes I did. And I answered the OP’s original questions…so I guess I’m done here. I didn’t intend, by responding, to be reviewing Cheddar vs. Catholicism,LOL, if that was the intent of the thread, I’m sorry.

I thought it was sort of a “poll”

 

[kms123]

Why did you leave the Church? I am curious because I often hear of people that have a bad experience occur in the Church OR in their personal lives then they either get much closer to the Church or they turn away.

What is your story?

Thanks to all who responded.

This has nothing to do with original thread…I wanted to read catholic view of superstition. I keep getting emails that are supersitious in nature. I came across this is article talks about catholic superstition, faith and reason…enjoy!

catholic.com/thisrock/2005/0505sbs.asp

 

[qui_est_ce]

yes I did. And I answered the OP’s original questions…so I guess I’m done here. I didn’t intend, by responding, to be reviewing Cheddar vs. Catholicism,LOL, if that was the intent of the thread, I’m sorry.

I thought it was sort of a “poll”

I’m sorry you took my request as reviewing Cheddar vs Catholicism. I merely wanted to know WHICH teachings, Catholic Christian or Protestant Christian, you had trouble with, which I have not found anywhere on this thread. Now you are making assumptions about my intentions and the intentions of the thread.

My intentions of being here are learning and discussion, not one way remarks and prejudgements.

 

[cheddarsox]

I’m sorry you took my request as reviewing Cheddar vs Catholicism. I merely wanted to know WHICH teachings, Catholic Christian or Protestant Christian, you had trouble with, which I have not found anywhere on this thread. Now you are making assumptions about my intentions and the intentions of the thread.

My intentions of being here are learning and discussion, not one way remarks and prejudgements.

Christine,

I do not question your goodwill. I am simply stating that I am not interested in providing that list at this time. If that was the intent of the thread, then I misunderstood, and perhaps should not have joined the discussion.

Whenever I provide the list of issues that caused me to leave, someone (not necessarily you) wants to reopen the debate with me, right then and there. Due to some serious issues going on in my life at this time, I do not have the time or interest to rehash all of that now.

I am sorry if it came across that I was making assumptions about your intent. It was not in any way personal, nor have your posts been unkind. I merely know from experience that the minute I post anything that I am in disagreement with the Church on, people will begin to argue with me, and I just cannot get involved in such a debate right now.

Not having the time to finish such a discussion, I would rather not begin it.

cheddar

 

[ruzz]

About age 35 when I decided to figure this thing out called Christianity.

Went back to my parish and got bored of rituals and didn’t find Christ in my heart. Opened my bible and couldn’t figure out where these rituals came from. Learned about Christ and what He is about. Saw men in costumes telling me what to do. I didn’t see Christ acting like these men. The mass felt more like a ritual (stand up, sit down, kneel, walk up and take the wafer). It was so boring and lifeless. I wasn’t drawn to it at all. There was no happiness, only silence and somberness. Men of God didn’t act happy to be men of God.

Eventually (quite by accident) ended up in non-denom church. I didn’t know there were different kinds of churches, I though they were all the same. WOW! People were on fire for the Lord and actually walked the walk. They spoke of joy and what Christ had done in their lives.
The more I read scripture and the source of Catholic Traditions the more I ran away from that denomination. The more I read the NT, the more the RCC didn’t resemble what Christ and the Apostles were teaching. Infant baptism, Mary, Works, none of it made sense.

I found Christ in God’s Word not a building or a wafer. Sorry. That’s my story.

No, I didn’t have a bad experience with the RCC. It just didn’t lead me to seek Christ.

 

[qui_est_ce]

I am sorry if it came across that I was making assumptions about your intent. It was not in any way personal, nor have your posts been unkind. I merely know from experience that the minute I post anything that I am in disagreement with the Church on, people will begin to argue with me, and I just cannot get involved in such a debate right now.
cheddar

You are right, people will immediately post quotes, links, etc. to refute your assertions. I think that is the purpose, to get a good discussion going and clear the facts. They will be directed to you as replies to each individual assertion you make.

But I think the intent is really to begin a discussion to help Catholics better understand the objections to their dogmas, so that THEY (Catholics) can research and learn more about their faith. They will also be better prepared to defend the CC when evangelizers come to their doors. This is my objective for being here. (although I have dogged Agnos, but he asks for it).

Having said that, I really and truly believe that not all Catholics will ever understand or be able to defend the faith with theological reasoning. There are simple people with a simple faith, and follow the teachings of the CC without fully understanding them. They just believe. And these people’s simple faith has been a powerful witness to me about BEING instead of talking and doing, which I like to do. I’m talking about the likes of little old ladies and men who go to daily mass and pray their rosaries.

There is a reason you are coming to this Forum. Keep coming, reading, learning, listening.

I inadvertently clicked on a link in another thread on this forum which directed me to an anit-Catholic forum. I couldn’t help reading two or three posts, they made me so MAD. I was mad at myself for even reading them, so I know how you must feel when you feel you are the target of personal attacks. There are some here who are arrogant, but most just want the anti-Catholic arguments to come out so they can learn.

God’s peace in your turmoil, and thank you for taking the time to reply.