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Jimmy_B
Guest
Have any of your opinions changed?
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Bill_Pick
Guest
What are you reading that you do not agree with,Chapter and verse,Please
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cheese_sdc
Guest
I no longer believed in the Divinity of Jesus.
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UniversalistGuy
Guest
Which version of the Bible were you reading and did it have footnotes and explanations?
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Auburn88
Guest
KJV and, no.
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SteveVH
Guest
Araninski, it seems to me that you are equating the behavior of certain people (who, by the way, are violating Church teaching if they leave right after communion) with the truth and teachings of the Church.
I am trying to think of any part of the Mass in which we give thanks to Mary, even once. We pray that we will join her and the other saints in heaven, but that’s pretty much it.
Unfortunately, there are no guarantees that a particular parish will always get the best priest. Also, unfortunately, you can be guaranteed that you will have parishoners who just don’t seem like they care at all and have no desire to learn about their faith.
Yet, the truth of the Catholic Church remains. The real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist remains, even if there is a lack of respect by some. The power of all the sacraments remain. For what are you searching? A good sermon? A friendlier crowd? No Church possesses what the Catholic Church possesses. I would just urge you to take a second look. Find a different parish if that is a problem.
I will pray for you tonight.
God bless.
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Bill_Pick
Guest
Auburn88 Do you remember I ask for you to send the chapter and verse that you do not believe of the CC
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Auburn88
Guest
Do you remember when I explained to you that, because of your rudeness and ad hominem attacks, that I would no longer respond to you?
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guanophore
Guest
This is exactly what happened to me! I was seeking some authentic Christian living which I did not see modeled in the Catholics around me, but I did see in the Baptists. So I went over there, did the “born again” and the rebaptism and learned how to read the Bible for the first time. I also thought that what the Catholic Church believed was not compatible.
I was such a dummy!
Imagine my shock when I came to learn that the Bible is a Catholic book, and the way the Baptists interpret it emerged through the teachings of men, not of God, that took place 1500 years after the NT was written.
Were you pretending in the first place? I was. I had a form of godliness, without the power thereof.
I think this is a very accurate observation. I think that the vast majority of people who call themselves Catholic are really Protestants, and don’t realize it. They think they can be Catholic while denying the Teachings of the Church, but this is not the case. They are nominal (in name only) “Catholics”.
These are some common objections. It is not unusual at all to get hung up on externals and misunderstandings. Unfortunately, few people take the time to actually explore and understand that which seems discordant.
I think this is a common misunderstanding also. And again, most people don’t make an effort to understand how one can piously explore their questions and doubts about faith. Rather than embracing faith, and seeking understanding, they fall away because they don’t understand. This is one of the elements that now stands out to me in the Gospels, how the Apostles embraced the faith, though there were a lot of things they did not understand.
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Auburn88
Guest
Oh, OK. I never understood how people can believe they can be born again and then just all of a sudden not be born again, when the Bible says that it’s not just a fad we try for a little while, but the death of our old nature and our receiving a whole new nature upon regeneration of the Holy Spirit.
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guanophore
Guest
Apparently not quite enough “topics”! Seems like maybe they left out the fourth commandment?Thank you for the questions, to all who asked.
Well, I attended Catholic mass for close to one year… We discussed a lot of topics, really.
One thing about me is that I am actually a fairly strong supporter of a woman’s right to choose abortion.
This is such a common perspective in our present culture of death. I used to believe this myself. Somehow in the back of my mind, I always knew that life began at the moment of conception, but I still harbored the idea that it was ok to take a human life for my own convenience, or that of a sexual partner that did not want to have a child.
It took a long time for me to work through this, but it helped to get some perspective when I applied the principles of my decision to a child of 2 years, a disabled person, and elderly people. Finally I was wrapped in the web of Life, and realized that abortion is a violation of the sixth commandment.
I had fallen into the heresy of thinking that what was in the womb was the “byproducts of pregnancy” (a phrase used by Planned Parenthood). Many people who support abortion do not consider the “byproducts” to be a human life. They can’t because if they really did, they would have to face the truth that murder had been committed.
Could you imagine how the world might have been different if Jesus’ mother, or Elisabeth did not believe the “byproducts” in their womb was a life?
This is true, and a very astute observation. The Church cannot change her position because she is duty bound to preserve the Teachings of Jesus, that cannot Change. He taught that the “byproducts” amounted to a person, and that taking that life is committing murder.
It is much more honest for a person to admit that they are “not a good fit for this church”.
I am curious about this. On what basis would you not allow marriage in this case?
This is also a common misconception. It is as if people think that a person is more likely to keep a sacred vow in marriage than they are to keep a sacred vow in holy orders. If a person is going to break their vows, it does not matter what they are, or who they are with.
The other misconception is that having a heterosexual outlet will somehow reduce or eliminate pedophilia. On the contrary, pedophiles tend to be attracted to women who already have children that they can make into victims.
It also denies the purity of the celibate state lived by Jesus Himself, and implies that, since Jesus did not take a wife and have children, that parents cannot “relate” to him.
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guanophore
Guest
Yes. Jesus and the Apostles were clear that there would be wolves among the sheep.
This is also a very astute observation. It is the cultural heritage of Americans to deeply value rebellion against authority. Our country was founded on this principle, and it makes it very hard for Americans to be submissive and obedient. I see much more denial and resistance of authority in America than anywhere else in the world.
This is also true, and has resulted in many death sentences for faithful Catholics. However, putting God before country does not hinder patriotism, but authenticates it. The founders of this country put God before patriotism too, and none of them were Catholic.
I don’t think so. It seems clear from your post that there are a great many Catholic foundations that you have not been taught.
I dont’ think so. All of your disagreements you posted here are theological. They represent significant departures from the faith of the Apostles.
Thank you for sharing your experiences and perspective. YOu have made a very poignant reply to the thread topic.
Yes, the differences are presently irreconcilable. God bless you for your honesty, and may you continue to study and search to better understand the postiion of the Church, which contains and preserves the Apostolic Faith.
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Yellow_Belle
Guest
I’m a revert, too.
Why did I leave? Too many reasons to list here but not one of them had anything to do with doubt or lack of understanding of Church teaching or dogma. Nor did I leave to follow some kind of materialistic lifestyle. In fact, there are times when I think that I was probably a better Catholic when I was away than I can manage now
Why did I leave? Too many reasons to list here but not one of them had anything to do with doubt or lack of understanding of Church teaching or dogma. Nor did I leave to follow some kind of materialistic lifestyle. In fact, there are times when I think that I was probably a better Catholic when I was away than I can manage now
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guanophore
Guest
I hope you will explain some more about this. It is very curious.I’m a revert, too.
Why did I leave? Too many reasons to list here but not one of them had anything to do with doubt or lack of understanding of Church teaching or dogma. Nor did I leave to follow some kind of materialistic lifestyle. In fact, there are times when I think that I was probably a better Catholic when I was away than I can manage now
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Yellow_Belle
Guest
Do you have several days?
Seriously, though, I don’t want to hijack the thread and turn it into a reverts’ stories one: the OP’s title seems to indicate that he/she is looking primarily for responses from those whose status is currently ‘former’ rather than those who left and have now returned.
However, if you have questions, I’d be happy to answer them in a PM.
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schaick
Guest
Quote:
Originally Posted by schaick
extravagance of the Catholic Church -gold, robes, statues, etc,
Quote:
Originally Posted by schaick
infallibility of Pope.
Quote:
Originally Posted by schaick
Hated that you were not allowed to question anything and named a heretic if you did,
Originally Posted by schaick
extravagance of the Catholic Church -gold, robes, statues, etc,
The oil was directly used for Jesus’ comfort and refreshing of HIS earthly body. The gold, robes, statues are not.
Quote:
Originally Posted by schaick
infallibility of Pope.
Many believe that more then the Pope can be infallible when indwelled with the Holy Spirit.
Quote:
Originally Posted by schaick
Hated that you were not allowed to question anything and named a heretic if you did,
It was the questioning that was punished the severest by the nuns.
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UniversalistGuy
Guest
Thanks for answering my question.
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Mijoy2
Guest
I understand the sentiment behind this post. What I have trouble understanding is just how you can be sure (reasonably sure) you are in the “right” place. When I listen to many a preacher on either radio or television I almost immediately get turned off. I can’t help but question by what authority do they teach and preach.
There are so many of them saying so many different things. A 45 minute sermon is really a 45 minute speech prepared and practiced during the week. It is but one man’s opinion spoken to many. If it were stated to be so, then it would mean more to me but it is professed as “Truth” with a capital T.
Just listening to two minutes of the weekend variety television evangelists and I thank God for His One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. We are to worship, not to be entertained by men in suits. I adore the reverence of the Church. Not all parishes practice this reverence but that is the fault of men, not the Church.
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gtrenewed
Guest
This appears to be one of those “trap” posts. The OP asked for explanations and for charity; so why mock and attack. You should be trying to understand instead of attacking. If former RC’s are here and willing to dialogue, why not keep it positive and give food for thought rather than abuse.
I joined this forum in 2004 when I happened across it and found charismatics being attacked. The anti-charismatic sentiment I have experienced is one of the latest reasons for leaving the RCC.
I have found that the fruit of some of the RCC doctrine dilutes the spiritual work of salvation that Jesus accomplished. It is focused on works to receive redemption instead of works flowing from redemption.
For example, purgatory as a place to cleanse you before entering heaven. From a carnal perspective this makes sense but it denies the cleansing Blood of Jesus. It shows a lack of understanding of the Eucharist. We only have a right to heaven because we are covered by Jesus and what He did and not by our own efforts or the efforts of others. We enter by the Blood, Hebrews 10:19, and in the spirit and not in or by the flesh. The flesh will be made new at the coming of Jesus.
For by grace you are saved through faith and not of yourself it is the gift of God. Mary did not need to be born without sin for she received forgiveness of sins by the grace of God through faith as the angel pronounced God’s word over her and she responded. There is evidence of being taken into heaven bodily in Scripture so it is possible for Mary to be assumed bodily into heaven. But to have the doctrines and worship that is there goes beyond Scripture.
There is more but I have to go for now.
I joined this forum in 2004 when I happened across it and found charismatics being attacked. The anti-charismatic sentiment I have experienced is one of the latest reasons for leaving the RCC.
I have found that the fruit of some of the RCC doctrine dilutes the spiritual work of salvation that Jesus accomplished. It is focused on works to receive redemption instead of works flowing from redemption.
For example, purgatory as a place to cleanse you before entering heaven. From a carnal perspective this makes sense but it denies the cleansing Blood of Jesus. It shows a lack of understanding of the Eucharist. We only have a right to heaven because we are covered by Jesus and what He did and not by our own efforts or the efforts of others. We enter by the Blood, Hebrews 10:19, and in the spirit and not in or by the flesh. The flesh will be made new at the coming of Jesus.
For by grace you are saved through faith and not of yourself it is the gift of God. Mary did not need to be born without sin for she received forgiveness of sins by the grace of God through faith as the angel pronounced God’s word over her and she responded. There is evidence of being taken into heaven bodily in Scripture so it is possible for Mary to be assumed bodily into heaven. But to have the doctrines and worship that is there goes beyond Scripture.
There is more but I have to go for now.
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