How do you know if Catholicism is for you? And how do you face rejection?

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Insomanic

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Hi all,

I’m currently considering converting to Catholicism.

I was born Muslim but renounced Islam 5 years ago and became an Agnostic.

I’ve been through much challenges in life, difficult marriage, bankruptcy and more. I’ve attended church for the last 5 months with my girlfriend and it has been a wonderful journey for me. We attended church together until last month when she had to go back to her homeland (she’s from the Philippines and I’m from Singapore) and I attended church by myself.

I felt moved to convert not because of her but for the fact that I felt an utmost feeling of peacefulness when I attend Sunday mass.

I’ve taken the first step to get in touch with the parish and will be commencing my RCIA next week.

I’m just wondering, how would I be sure if Catholicism is for me. I had this thought that attending mass with my gf is like a door that has opened up for me and is an opportunity for me to be at peace with God and myself.

And how do other converts handle rejection? I have lost a few friends (Muslim ones) when I told them that I had renounced Islam. And it hurts really bad.

And also my mom who is a pious Muslim, she had asked me if I had become an Apostate, but I denied it as I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. And the thing is, if I eventually take the journey to become a Catholic, I don’t want to be a closet Catholic. Such is the dilemma that I’m in but I’m determine to take this path and be enlightened.

Hope I can get some constructive advices on this.

Thanks in advance and regards.
 
Insomanic said:
I’m just wondering, how would I be sure if Catholicism is for me. I had this thought that attending mass with my gf is like a door that has opened up for me and is an opportunity for me to be at peace with God and myself.
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Have you ever heard of the fruits of the Holy Spirit? They’re listed in Paul’s letter to the Galatians: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, generosity, gentleness, faithfulness, modesty, self-control, chastity.

I think that something that leads to an increase in these fruits may be a sign that it is from God. You mention peace a couple of times in your note. Perhaps that’s an indication that God is inviting you in this direction.
 
This is so wonderful! God has given you a great grace, and you are responding :heaven:

I think that what you said: like a door that has opened up for me and is an opportunity for me to be at peace with God and myself, is a perfect expression of having found the right place. You will be spending the next few months learning more about Catholicism and praying and God will let you know that the Catholic Church is the place for *everyone. *

Also, it is hard about those whom we love or like deciding to reject us because we have chosen God. When I first returned to the Church, I was afraid that my best friend would reject me–she was not happy about it and we argued theology quite a bit for a few weeks (I very badly since I was so new! I was baptized but not raised Catholic). Then a couple of years later, she converted!

I wasn’t sure how my family would take it either, especially my mother, since she had left the Church when I was a child. But they took it well. They think I’m weird, but they are used to that.

My husband threatened to divorce me, but I realized that God was more important to me, and that it was more important for me to follow Him than to reject Him for my husband. That was a scary time, but my husband didn’t divorce me after all.

I pray for all those in my family who are no longer Catholic or who have never been, and that helped during the time when my husband was reacting negatively. Christ said that these types of divisions would happen 😦 but to me, this is also an opportunity to pray for people and maybe help them out that way.

I know that for you this is a much bigger step than it was for me. No matter what happens, keep praying. Sometimes things look extremely bad from the material/world point of view, but a great good comes from it. When Christ was suffering His Passion, many of His followers saw this as a very bad thing, but out of His Passion came the possibility of each person’s salvation! And God will give us the grace to do everything He asks of us.
 
Insomanic said:
Hi all,

I’m currently considering converting to Catholicism.

I was born Muslim but renounced Islam 5 years ago and became an Agnostic.

I’ve been through much challenges in life, difficult marriage, bankruptcy and more. I’ve attended church for the last 5 months with my girlfriend and it has been a wonderful journey for me. We attended church together until last month when she had to go back to her homeland (she’s from the Philippines and I’m from Singapore) and I attended church by myself.

I felt moved to convert not because of her but for the fact that I felt an utmost feeling of peacefulness when I attend Sunday mass.

I’ve taken the first step to get in touch with the parish and will be commencing my RCIA next week.

I’m just wondering, how would I be sure if Catholicism is for me. I had this thought that attending mass with my gf is like a door that has opened up for me and is an opportunity for me to be at peace with God and myself.

And how do other converts handle rejection? I have lost a few friends (Muslim ones) when I told them that I had renounced Islam. And it hurts really bad.

And also my mom who is a pious Muslim, she had asked me if I had become an Apostate, but I denied it as I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. And the thing is, if I eventually take the journey to become a Catholic, I don’t want to be a closet Catholic. Such is the dilemma that I’m in but I’m determine to take this path and be enlightened.

Hope I can get some constructive advices on this.

Thanks in advance and regards.
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Hi.

Coming from a friend and family set that was generally agnostic at best and, thus, unconcerned about my religiosity, I haven’t too much to share except to remind you why you would consider Catholicism.

The great thing to remember is that you will still be aligned to God–and, as Islam teaches it (albeit with many tradition and scriptural and cultural issues) the same God known by the Christians and Jews. So you aren’t leaving your faith; you’re growing to a fuller understanding of it.

In my opinion, any faith that threatens or ridicules others for leaving that faith is not genuine. While we lament those Catholics who leave, we don’t condemn those who do. Condemnation is God’s job, not ours.

Perhaps what friends and family are more concerned about involves how others see themselves and their status as a *result *of your move to Catholicism and less on how they are genuinely concerned about *your *spiritual being.

In your journey, remember that Christ warned us that, in following the path He gives us, persecution is likely. But, rather than return the animosity of such ridicule, we concentrate more on God and His grace. Our reward is not earthly.

To be Christian *is *to be jihad, is “to struggle” by the classic definition of that word–long before Muhammad was born.

God bless you on your journey.
 
For me it’s quite an intellectual pursuit. I think *most *people can look around and figure out that there is a God and He created everything that exists. We can reason out that God exists.

But, beyond that we rely on revelation from God himself to know more about him. Without revelation we cannot know God, who He is, why he created us, what he expects of us.

As you look at competing religious systems, you start to exclude a lot of them for their illogical nature. Obviously the ancients attempted to explain all that is by giving the pantheon of gods human characteristics but “more.” The Greek, Roman, Norse, and other gods were like us but with super powers to explain rain, thunder, earthquakes, etc. The Hindu pantheon echoes this.

But of course, God isn’t just like us only bigger or with super powers. He is totally other. He created all that exists and his nature is to exist-- he is not contingent on anything.

If you start to narrow in on the revelations concerning one God, then you find only a few competing religions. Judaism, Christianity, Islam.

Having studied some on Islam, what I see is an irrational God. The God of Islam is almost like Zeus in the Greek pantheon-- unpredictable, vengeful, etc. The tales of Mohammed can clearly be traced to what he knew of Judaism, the Arian Christian heresy, and the pagan religions of the Arabian penninsula.

Christianity, and Catholicism in particular, are logical and consistent. The revelation of God is complete in the person of Christ.

I really recommend the book Theology for Beginners by Frank Sheed.

To me, God is logical, and Catholicism is the logical end of the quest for who God is.

HTH.
 
Thanks to all for your kind words of encouragement.

I admit this journey will be difficult for me especially when from where I come from, it is unheard of when a Muslim converts to another religion. And especially when all of my family members are Muslims.

I’ve had an argument with a close friend who told me that I will go straight to Hell for my treachery on Islam. And while it saddens me to no end, I’m bracing myself for more as I take this journey.

The dilemma will come if my mom ever finds out. I love her for her sacrifices in giving birth to me and raising me up. I’m at loss to how I’m ever going to make her understand the reasoning for my decision. I’m torn in that sense but i’ll pray for guidance and hopefully I’ll be accepted. I’m ready for the fallout and condemnation of others especially my family members who’ll brand me as ungrateful and traitor.

At the end of the day, I’ll answer my life to God and to Him only.

As much as I’m prepared to face the difficulties, I do wonder how other converts, especially former Muslims, handle this situation. Will be glad to hear any good advices. Thanks and regards.
 
Insomanic said:
Hi all,

I’m currently considering converting to Catholicism.

I was born Muslim but renounced Islam 5 years ago and became an Agnostic.

I’ve been through much challenges in life, difficult marriage, bankruptcy and more. I’ve attended church for the last 5 months with my girlfriend and it has been a wonderful journey for me. We attended church together until last month when she had to go back to her homeland (she’s from the Philippines and I’m from Singapore) and I attended church by myself.

I felt moved to convert not because of her but for the fact that I felt an utmost feeling of peacefulness when I attend Sunday mass.

I’ve taken the first step to get in touch with the parish and will be commencing my RCIA next week.

I’m just wondering, how would I be sure if Catholicism is for me. I had this thought that attending mass with my gf is like a door that has opened up for me and is an opportunity for me to be at peace with God and myself.

And how do other converts handle rejection? I have lost a few friends (Muslim ones) when I told them that I had renounced Islam. And it hurts really bad.

And also my mom who is a pious Muslim, she had asked me if I had become an Apostate, but I denied it as I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. And the thing is, if I eventually take the journey to become a Catholic, I don’t want to be a closet Catholic. Such is the dilemma that I’m in but I’m determine to take this path and be enlightened.

Hope I can get some constructive advices on this.

Thanks in advance and regards.
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Try to use rejection in your favor. Learn why others are against you, and then learn about why the Church teaches as it does.
 
My heart goes out to you. Thank God for your courage and love of Him. Looks like you are going to have to pray very hard for your loved ones. Perhaps look into Marian devotion as a possible entry way of dialogue with your Muslim family, since they most likely will have a veneration for Mary. I’ve read an excellent article about Mary as the greatest hope for the conversion of Muslim people and her apparition at Fatima being a possible light for them. I tried to look for that article but cannot find it.

I think the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist is the essence of the Catholic Church, which cannot be found anywhere else. That has turned out to be the most important factor for me, not only for conversion, but also for my personal sanctification. The Real Presence is where we can meet the real God face to face on this earth. Nothing could be more important or more efficacious than that.
 
Insomanic,

I have many Catholic friends who converted to Islam and have heard of Catholics converting to Islam (at least where I live), but I have never really seen it happening the other way around - a Muslim converting to Catholicism.

I’m interesting in knowing what exactly made you renounce Islam or made you ‘disillusioned’ with it. It’s always good to have a new insight into a religion which I myself chose (I converted to Islam a while back). Maybe you can tell me things I didn’t know or show me Islam from a new perspective? 🙂
 
Hi!!

I don’t know if there is any one answer for you. I think first and foremost, you have to feel it in your heart. It has to feel like the right fit. I know every single time I walk into my parish, I know that it feels like a second home.

Next, I would pray. God responds to all of us in a different way. Recently, I had something extrordinary happen to me. I was facing some personal struggles and was really questioning my place/role in the church. I asked God for his guidance.

A few days later my friend asked me if I wanted to take a course on spirital gifts. I agreed, halfway through the course we were asked to take a quiz to see what our spirital gifts were. My top gift came back as “Mercy” I was like…NO WAY! I am the most judgmental person I know…there is no way that is my gift. So I prayed. I asked for God to give me guidance, a sign…anything that I could feel in my heart! The next class, the teacher out of the 90 women that were there, selected me to speak to the group of the subject of??? You guessed it…Mercy. NOw there was no way she could have known that was my gift. The only person I had told was my friend. So, I kind of laughed and said, “Ok God, I get it, you’re speaking kind of loud but I am not sure I understand your message, in that I a not sure mercy is for me” On the way out of the church, I fell, dropping all of my books. One in particular dropped open. The subject it dropped open to? Yep…Mercy. Quite shaken now because I was sure God was sending me a message I felt I wasn’t worthy enough to receive. Anyway, a group of us decided to go out for coffee. Now I live in Northern Canada, a small community. So into this coffee shop we go. I order my coffee, I glance across the counter at the girl serving me…her name tag? Mercy.

The bottom line is…never question the direction God is putting before you. You may not always understand his plan but trust that he has one. You know when it’s right for you because God has a way of letting you know.
 
First of all God bless you. You truly are doing what Christ asked all of His followers to do: deny everything and follow Him.
God wills that all men join His One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. It is not a question of what “feels right” for me or for you. It is God’s will. That is why the Lord established His Church, so everyone could be one family together in Christ. My family was confused and maybe offended when I converted to Catholicism (from Southern Baptist), but if I had cared more about what they thought than what the Lord willed for my life I would not have made the best decision of my life, which was to become Catholic.
I think your mother will love you no matter what you do. My mother still loves me even though she thinks I betrayed her church. Jesus will reward you for your faithfulness to him. Keep hope as all of us on these forums will be praying for you.
 
Each time you find yourself at Mass know that it was not your decision but it was the Holy Spirit leading you to Christ. From the sound of your letter it seems you are well on your way to Catholicism.

Rejection is very hard, especially from your own family and friends. When your mother finds out she will take it very hard but you are still her son and eventually she will come to terms with it. You will have a rough time with rejection for a while, don’t forget to pray for this aspect of your conversion every day. In time you will form close friendships within the Catholic community.
 
Greg, I can’t really explain how I came by to renounce Islam when I did 5 years ago…

It was rather cumulative, repressed feeling that I had over the years coupled by life experiences. And this doubt that I felt inside of me.

When I renounced Islam, it’s more of a personal thing as I wasn’t a practicing Muslim, and I did everything that goes by every tenet of the religion. I tried to fit in and go with the flow, but I can’t bring myself to.

And it’s disheartening to always hear that all non-Muslim will eventually go to Hell. I mean, if someone wasn’t born Muslim but lived life as well as he possibly could and spent his life doing good deeds, I don’t think he deserve to go to Hell just because he wasn’t Muslim.

And it’s like searching for something that I don’t know. Like a part of me is missing. Even when I was Agnostic, I have this unfulfilled feeling inside of me.

Until that fateful day when my gf asked me to attend mass with her. And somehow, an epiphany came over me. Something I’ve never felt when I was Muslim and when I was having my prayers in the mosque. I’m at peace with myself after 29 years of turmoil and uncertainty.

I do understand that many Catholics do convert to Islam, mostly for purpose of marriage to another Muslim lady. But to each his own, and I can never judge based on that.

And so, after 5 months, I decided to take another step forward and will be commencing my RCIA next week.

In term of rejection for my case, it’s more of a cultural thing as people from my race are all Muslim. And I know it’ll be an uphill battle for me to gain acceptance. And coming from a race that have been ‘feudal’ over the generations, it’s expected. And converting to another religion is the biggest taboo that I’ll be going against.

But thankfully, coming from a multi-racial and multi cultural country, I can at least breath easy as I can practice my faith as I want without worry of getting harmed in any way.

I am mentally prepared to be an outcast amongst my family and friends. For I believe, those who mind, doesn’t matter. And those who matters, doesn’t mind.

But then again, some things can be hard to change. Especially when for generations, my family have all been Muslims.

Spiritually, I feel contented and I’m at peace with myself no matter what difficulties I may face. And this will be the biggest decision in my life. And I believe that at the end of the day, I’ll submit myself only to Him for judgement.
 
Insomanic said:
Greg, I can’t really explain how I came by to renounce Islam when I did 5 years ago…

It was rather cumulative, repressed feeling that I had over the years coupled by life experiences. And this doubt that I felt inside of me.

When I renounced Islam, it’s more of a personal thing as I wasn’t a practicing Muslim, and I did everything that goes by every tenet of the religion. I tried to fit in and go with the flow, but I can’t bring myself to.

And it’s disheartening to always hear that all non-Muslim will eventually go to Hell. I mean, if someone wasn’t born Muslim but lived life as well as he possibly could and spent his life doing good deeds, I don’t think he deserve to go to Hell just because he wasn’t Muslim.

And it’s like searching for something that I don’t know. Like a part of me is missing. Even when I was Agnostic, I have this unfulfilled feeling inside of me.

Until that fateful day when my gf asked me to attend mass with her. And somehow, an epiphany came over me. Something I’ve never felt when I was Muslim and when I was having my prayers in the mosque. I’m at peace with myself after 29 years of turmoil and uncertainty.

I do understand that many Catholics do convert to Islam, mostly for purpose of marriage to another Muslim lady. But to each his own, and I can never judge based on that.

And so, after 5 months, I decided to take another step forward and will be commencing my RCIA next week.

In term of rejection for my case, it’s more of a cultural thing as people from my race are all Muslim. And I know it’ll be an uphill battle for me to gain acceptance. And coming from a race that have been ‘feudal’ over the generations, it’s expected. And converting to another religion is the biggest taboo that I’ll be going against.

But thankfully, coming from a multi-racial and multi cultural country, I can at least breath easy as I can practice my faith as I want without worry of getting harmed in any way.

I am mentally prepared to be an outcast amongst my family and friends. For I believe, those who mind, doesn’t matter. And those who matters, doesn’t mind.

But then again, some things can be hard to change. Especially when for generations, my family have all been Muslims.

Spiritually, I feel contented and I’m at peace with myself no matter what difficulties I may face. And this will be the biggest decision in my life. And I believe that at the end of the day, I’ll submit myself only to Him for judgement.
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God bless you abundantly, Insomanic. The strength of your conviction is truly something I rarely see, and it is truly amazing to see someone ready to run headlong towards where God is leading them, regardless of how insurmountable the obstacles may seem. I will pray that your journey leads you to great peace in God, and to continued love and charity among you and your friends and family.
 
Insomanic said:
Greg, I can’t really explain how I came by to renounce Islam when I did 5 years ago…

It was rather cumulative, repressed feeling that I had over the years coupled by life experiences. And this doubt that I felt inside of me.

When I renounced Islam, it’s more of a personal thing as I wasn’t a practicing Muslim, and I did everything that goes by every tenet of the religion. I tried to fit in and go with the flow, but I can’t bring myself to.

And it’s disheartening to always hear that all non-Muslim will eventually go to Hell. I mean, if someone wasn’t born Muslim but lived life as well as he possibly could and spent his life doing good deeds, I don’t think he deserve to go to Hell just because he wasn’t Muslim.

And it’s like searching for something that I don’t know. Like a part of me is missing. Even when I was Agnostic, I have this unfulfilled feeling inside of me.

Until that fateful day when my gf asked me to attend mass with her. And somehow, an epiphany came over me. Something I’ve never felt when I was Muslim and when I was having my prayers in the mosque. I’m at peace with myself after 29 years of turmoil and uncertainty.

I do understand that many Catholics do convert to Islam, mostly for purpose of marriage to another Muslim lady. But to each his own, and I can never judge based on that.

And so, after 5 months, I decided to take another step forward and will be commencing my RCIA next week.

In term of rejection for my case, it’s more of a cultural thing as people from my race are all Muslim. And I know it’ll be an uphill battle for me to gain acceptance. And coming from a race that have been ‘feudal’ over the generations, it’s expected. And converting to another religion is the biggest taboo that I’ll be going against.

But thankfully, coming from a multi-racial and multi cultural country, I can at least breath easy as I can practice my faith as I want without worry of getting harmed in any way.

I am mentally prepared to be an outcast amongst my family and friends. For I believe, those who mind, doesn’t matter. And those who matters, doesn’t mind.

But then again, some things can be hard to change. Especially when for generations, my family have all been Muslims.

Spiritually, I feel contented and I’m at peace with myself no matter what difficulties I may face. And this will be the biggest decision in my life. And I believe that at the end of the day, I’ll submit myself only to Him for judgement.
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Amen, Amen, Amen! God bless you and you will be in my prayers.
 
Hi all, hope everyone is doing fine.

I just started my RCIA this week, and what cn i say? I’m truly on my way to Catholicism.

Since i’ve been on job search, i’ve stated ‘Catholic’ as my religion and raised a few eyebrow as it does not match the race column, which is pre-dominantly Islam. But thankfully, most prospective employer are quite open about it.

This past week have been quite a challenge as i can’t seem to secure a job as soon as i had thought. It’s daunting to keep going for interviews and nt getting offers of employment.

I had an interview on Mon and Tue, but was told that they will call me if i’m selected. And i started my RCIA on Wed.

The session was great, in my opinion, as the sponsors who were running the program showed real conviction in their faith and made me feel truly enlightened. And the way the RCIA is ran, makes me feel that i’m in good hands in my journey towards Catholicism.

I’m looking forward to the future optimistically.

And i don’t know if its just a coincidence, but i’ve got calls to return again for another interview by the 2 prospective employers and highly likely, with an offer of employment. Will pray for guidance as i’m undecided on which offer shud i take.

Everything is going on fine except on the family front. Relationship with my mum have never been better, and i just can’t bring myself to bring up the issue of my conversion. And i know the other family member will bring up the issue of fillial piety to make me change my mind.

I guess i’ll put it aside until i’m accepted by the Church and cross the bridge when i come to it.

For now, i guess that’s all. But hope to hear any advice that anyone might offer.

God bless.
 
Good luck with your mom, and God Bless and keep you on your journey.
 
You don’t have to answer that question if you don’t want to…it’s illegal to discriminate. What race are you? Middle East?
 
Maybe you can start with your mom with “I’m going to class tonight.” You know she will ask ‘what class’. That will open the door for you. Just be ready with your reasons for wanting to be Catholic. And pray for the right time to bring it up. What faith is your mom?
 
Insomaniac, welcome home!

I’m a recent convert, and was an atheist. All of my friends were non-religious, same for my family. I suggest that you think about doing what I did. Study hard, pray, and learn the Catholic faith well. Don’t tell anyone just yet. Wait until you are confident that you can answer the questions and attacks that will come. In other words, get solid on your feet before you start taking on questions. Don’t put yourself where your family and friends can put a lot of pressure on you, until you are ready to handle the pressure.

You will be rejected, attacked, harassed, and outcast because of your Catholic faith. Jesus promised us that it would be so. But he also said that those persecuted in his name would be blessed. That is how you handle the rejection–remember what He promised.

Good enough for me!
 
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