I am Catholic but confused

[SilverLight]

I don’t.

You stated this was the church of your childhood and used the phrase, “the last time I went to mass there”. I took that to mean it isn’t where you regularly go to church. But perhaps that was just confusion on my part. Sometimes what we write and read isn’t exactly what we mean.

I’m very sorry to hear that.

Having been a non-Catholic, converting to the CC as an adult, I think you will find that people get treated badly in all institutions-- be they Catholic churches, Baptist churches, the Girl Scouts, or whatever. It’s because the institutions are made up of people. And people behave badly, even when they are in leadership roles. Even when they should know better. We are all sinners, and one of the hardest things to do is to admit that and forgive others when they disappoint us.

I don’t think it’s “stupid” but I do think it’s naïve. Because negative things are going to happen all your life, and you can’t run from everything. You can change churches or jobs or communities like underwear because you get disappointed in someone or find out that there is a rule or teaching you don’t like.

Perhaps it is naive but I know people with social anxiety and things like it that sometimes just have to do what they must to remove things from their life. It dose not mean I agree with what they do but if it keeps them from hurting themselves then I am for it.

The church I go to is the local and closest one. I prefer the one at my University but it’s farther away. Mine does not I would say have the best community compared to some. It’s also very large and I like small communities more for a church.

 

[SilverLight]

I know it’s not easy.

I have a close family member who was taken advantage of by a priest. Adding insult to injury, the diocese handled it poorly. That family member left the church. Relationships within my family were harmed.

I’m over it.

It happened some time ago, and since then the church has responded decisively to prevent abuses. Priests and staff are trained specifically to recognize risky behavior and avoid risky situations. Specific procedures and rules have been put in place to protect parish members. If there is even a hint of trouble, they jump on it.

At least that’s the way it is in my parish. I teach religious education, but first I was required to take a child safety training course. If any parishioner volunteers in any capacity, even so little as to serve coffee and donuts after Mass, they have to complete the child safety training course.

In my parish, the religious education curriculum includes a couple of sessions each year to teach children how to keep safe and how to recognize and respond if anything were to go wrong. (This benefits children in any setting where adults may prey on vulnerable children, like school, summer camp, neighborhood, and public places.)

I say let’s make it better and move on.

Well that’s great your over it I’m happy for you. People are not worse though or bad for being hurt by something. I have healed from what happened a lot but I won’t forget it probably.

I’m happy your parish has taken charge and is active in wanting it to be a safe place.

 

[SuperLuigi]

I have no problem seeing the Truth as some call it the problem I have is there seem to be many and a lot of people call things “The Truth”. Sometimes its partly half made up stuff and partly a truth or sometimes its the truth completely but its presented in a bad way. I can ask 4 people the what the truth is and get 4 different answers all from Catholics.

That’s one of the problems with the internet. It’s also good reason to refer people off-site.

I personally haven’t seen you post something that was offensive. What I can say where some of the other accounts may be coming from is that there have been folks who have posted on here want our approval for something at odds with Catholic teaching.

I mean, I sometimes find myself reading posts and asking "do they REALLY expect me to buy into that? or “do they REALLY think I don’t know what they are up to?”

It’s kind of funny and intellectually insulting at the same time.

And I cannot emphasize enough that the REAL Truth we are called to proclaim does not need anonymous third-party approval; it speaks for itself. I will also add that when people starting making excuses, it’s a sign of trouble.

I think if you really have questions about matters, at this point you need to speak with a priest or someone else qualified, especially if you feel you are being pulled in different directions. Getting a bunch of contrary answers is not good spiritual direction, my friend. :nope:

Perhaps the Forums in this particular fashion have just exhausted their usefulness for you.

 

[SilverLight]

That’s one of the problems with the internet. It’s also good reason to refer people off-site.

I personally haven’t seen you post something that was offensive. What I can say where some of the other accounts may be coming from is that there have been folks who have posted on here want our approval for something at odds with Catholic teaching.

I mean, I sometimes find myself reading posts and asking "do they REALLY expect me to buy into that? or “do they REALLY think I don’t know what they are up to?”

It’s kind of funny and intellectually insulting at the same time.

And I cannot emphasize enough that the REAL Truth we are called to proclaim does not need anonymous third-party approval; it speaks for itself. I will also add that when people starting making excuses, it’s a sign of trouble.

I think if you really have questions about matters, at this point you need to speak with a priest or someone else qualified, especially if you feel you are being pulled in different directions. Getting a bunch of contrary answers is not good spiritual direction, my friend. :nope:

Perhaps the Forums in this particular fashion have just exhausted their usefulness for you.

I think they have stopped being useful yes and people do seem to bait others in the forums set them up and then start going after them.

I have found a more supportive site with Cathics and others on it that seems to fit my needs more.

 

[ccmcmg]

How do you know how much I attend church?

Multuple priests got exposed (thankfully) it was not just one though we had only one in my church.

It is true that I probably will not always be Catholic. I don’t feel at home in this church as much as I once did.

Yeah I have a different view on things this is not because I hate the Church or God it’s because I have seen how some people get treated and it reminds me of something from the past that makes me rather upset.

When something is negative we remove it from our life and or try and block that part out. I know some may think that’s weak or stupid but it’s not.

While I wasn’t sexually abused by a member of the clergy, there are some very good reasons that it cuts close to the bone for me. And for awhile, I did have some issues with the Church on that; not God, not Catholicism, but the members (sinners) in the Church. I have to accept that people are sinners, are fallen. God didn’t hurt me. People did.

Also, the Church has been consistent in Her teachings; it isn’t the Church that has changed; it’s the Catholics. You say it’s changed; perhaps it’s you who has changed. Is it truly for the better, or because it’s easier/more convenient on earth not to follow God’s teachings through the Church?

Are you saying that Catholicism is negative to you? How/what can we explain something for you that might help with that? We must stay within the context of God’s Teaching, which is the Church’s teaching. We do want to help; we want you to be united with the Church of Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church.

Perhaps it is naive but I know people with social anxiety and things like it that sometimes just have to do what they must to remove things from their life. It dose not mean I agree with what they do but if it keeps them from hurting themselves then I am for it.

The church I go to is the local and closest one. I prefer the one at my University but it’s farther away. Mine does not I would say have the best community compared to some. It’s also very large and I like small communities more for a church.

I think they have stopped being useful yes and people do seem to bait others in the forums set them up and then start going after them.

I have found a more supportive site with Cathics and others on it that seems to fit my needs more.

Why do we attend Mass? Is it because of the priest, the music, so we can shake hands with our neighbors? Or is it because we encounter Jesus Christ, Body and Blood, physically and in the Word as well? I know what the right answer should be to that. What can we do personally to make a community more welcoming, before shutting it out? Are we part of the problem, that by not working to make it better, we actually make it worse?

I personally have found this site (Catholic Answers) extremely supportive. However, that doesn’t mean it’s always comfortable, nor do people approve of my sins (nor do I!); but they love me and care about my soul in Heaven more than they do the temporary happiness of the physicality of our time on earth.

I can get agreement and relativism anywhere I want it. When I need to know the real answer, the right answer, the HARD answers, this is where I get it. It helps hold me accountable to God, to my family and friends, to myself. It makes me feel even more connected to a Catholic community in addition to my parish I attend. I learn, I am corrected, I keep learning, and hopefully, somewhere I’ve touched or helped someone at some point. I know many others who have touched and helped me. I’m so grateful and thankful for that.

I’ve also worked to get to know my priest, so that when I have deeper questions, or need clarification, I can get it. I so thankful and blessed by our priests. Catholicism isn’t a passive Faith, or it shouldn’t be. It’s so rich and there is so much to learn about to draw us as close to God as possible, which should be our ultimate goal.

God bless you, SL. I truly pray for you, especially that you’ll discover the Joy of the Faith, of God, through remaining a faithful Catholic.

 

[SilverLight]

While I wasn’t sexually abused by a member of the clergy, there are some very good reasons that it cuts close to the bone for me. And for awhile, I did have some issues with the Church on that; not God, not Catholicism, but the members (sinners) in the Church. I have to accept that people are sinners, are fallen. God didn’t hurt me. People did.

Also, the Church has been consistent in Her teachings; it isn’t the Church that has changed; it’s the Catholics. You say it’s changed; perhaps it’s you who has changed. Is it truly for the better, or because it’s easier/more convenient on earth not to follow God’s teachings through the Church?

Are you saying that Catholicism is negative to you? How/what can we explain something for you that might help with that? We must stay within the context of God’s Teaching, which is the Church’s teaching. We do want to help; we want you to be united with the Church of Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church.

Why do we attend Mass? Is it because of the priest, the music, so we can shake hands with our neighbors? Or is it because we encounter Jesus Christ, Body and Blood, physically and in the Word as well? I know what the right answer should be to that. What can we do personally to make a community more welcoming, before shutting it out? Are we part of the problem, that by not working to make it better, we actually make it worse?

I personally have found this site (Catholic Answers) extremely supportive. However, that doesn’t mean it’s always comfortable, nor do people approve of my sins (nor do I!); but they love me and care about my soul in Heaven more than they do the temporary happiness of the physicality of our time on earth.

I can get agreement and relativism anywhere I want it. When I need to know the real answer, the right answer, the HARD answers, this is where I get it. It helps hold me accountable to God, to my family and friends, to myself. It makes me feel even more connected to a Catholic community in addition to my parish I attend. I learn, I am corrected, I keep learning, and hopefully, somewhere I’ve touched or helped someone at some point. I know many others who have touched and helped me. I’m so grateful and thankful for that.

I’ve also worked to get to know my priest, so that when I have deeper questions, or need clarification, I can get it. I so thankful and blessed by our priests. Catholicism isn’t a passive Faith, or it shouldn’t be. It’s so rich and there is so much to learn about to draw us as close to God as possible, which should be our ultimate goal.

God bless you, SL. I truly pray for you, especially that you’ll discover the Joy of the Faith, of God, through remaining a faithful Catholic.

You say it’s changed; perhaps it’s you who has changed. Is it truly for the better, or because it’s easier/more convenient on earth not to follow God’s teachings through the Church?

There have been changes in the way churches are run. I have asked my mother who grew up in the 60’s-70’s and there have been many changes since then.

Are you saying that Catholicism is negative to you? How/what can we explain something for you that might help with that? We must stay within the context of God’s Teaching, which is the Church’s teaching. We do want to help; we want you to be united with the Church of Jesus Christ, the Catholic Church.

There are parts of it that I see as negative. There is good and bad in all things in some way. Sometimes people just do no see it before they are shown the point of view of someone who has been deeply hurt by religion or someone who is religious and it does happen sometimes. I’m not saying religion is bad but there are some people who take it to an extreme.

Why do we attend Mass? Is it because of the priest, the music, so we can shake hands with our neighbors? Or is it because we encounter Jesus Christ, Body and Blood, physically and in the Word as well? I know what the right answer should be to that. What can we do personally to make a community more welcoming, before shutting it out? Are we part of the problem, that by not working to make it better, we actually make it worse?

I go to church for God of course but when you are in a place that makes you feel unwanted and like you do not matter it hurts. I have a home at my Universities church also and the nuns are so wonderful there. They make the place have such a wonderful atmosphere. I see no problem with wanted to be in such a positive place. I will admit I can become depressed or have my anxiety flair at times and there are parts of religion that make it flair up at times but nothing that has to do with God.

I personally have found this site (Catholic Answers) extremely supportive. However, that doesn’t mean it’s always comfortable, nor do people approve of my sins (nor do I!); but they love me and care about my soul in Heaven more than they do the temporary happiness of the physicality of our time on earth.

That’s wonderful for you. I am happy but we are not all the same and that’s not a bad thing at all.

I’ve also worked to get to know my priest, so that when I have deeper questions, or need clarification, I can get it. I so thankful and blessed by our priests. Catholicism isn’t a passive Faith, or it shouldn’t be. It’s so rich and there is so much to learn about to draw us as close to God as possible, which should be our ultimate goal.

See I am more of a passive person though its just how I am. I can no longer find the energy to not be. I fight back when I have to and I show as much compassion as I can to all people who need it.

Have a nice day

 

[Rau]

This is the internet, and people are more rigid on the internet than they are in real life.

Communication in writing, particularly in this informal medium, can certainly lack something.

But regardless - one person’s “rigid” is another person’s “simple fact”. To label someone “rigid” is always to seek to diminish their statements.

Is it rigid to say that “Murder is always wrong, no exceptions”?

On another thread, I’ve encountered a poster asserting that Church teaching, including on intrinsic evils, are “general principles” and experts must opine on all the specifics before a view about morality - “in the real world” - can be expressed. When one begs to differ - reflecting the inherent nature of “intrinsic evils” - one is accused of expressing personal opinions, having an agenda, lacking a nuanced understanding of Church teaching…of being “rigid”.

 

[guanophore]

The church has done some things that really irk me and a few family members.

It helps me to remember that the Church, like Christ, is incarnational. The Church has divine elements, and human elements. She is the Holy Bride of Christ, who has Jesus as her Head and is ensouled by the Holy Spirit. It is these divine elements that make her infallible.

Yet there are members of her who still struggle with the fallen nature, an the Church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum of saints. When we can accept that errors are made by the fallen members of the church, rather than the Divine Elements

One of them being that there was a priest at my church who ended up going to trial. The last time I went to mass there was a thing in the little paper you get about it and this priest was caught a few years ago. I feel like its always there to remind me what happened. It really tarnished what I had with the church but not God. I love God and always will but the church has really disappointed me.

It is not fair to blame the Church of Christ for the wicked behavior of one member. This person was not acting in the name of the Church, or in Persona Christi when these acts were committed.

Forgive him, and pray for him, because he knows not what he does. He has no clue how many Catholics he has wounded by his selfish actions. Satan loves to strike the shepherds to scatter the sheep. Don’t let him.

This has effected me in a few ways and its always at the back of my mind now. I am reminded that its the human element of the church though and not God.

Pray for priests, especially, because Satan loves to attack them to cause this problem.

Find a priest and befriend him. Pray for fallen priests and that those who have been hurt by them will be healed.

 

[SilverLight]

It helps me to remember that the Church, like Christ, is incarnational. The Church has divine elements, and human elements. She is the Holy Bride of Christ, who has Jesus as her Head and is ensouled by the Holy Spirit. It is these divine elements that make her infallible.

Yet there are members of her who still struggle with the fallen nature, an the Church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum of saints. When we can accept that errors are made by the fallen members of the church, rather than the Divine Elements

It is not fair to blame the Church of Christ for the wicked behavior of one member. This person was not acting in the name of the Church, or in Persona Christi when these acts were committed.

Forgive him, and pray for him, because he knows not what he does. He has no clue how many Catholics he has wounded by his selfish actions. Satan loves to strike the shepherds to scatter the sheep. Don’t let him.

Pray for priests, especially, because Satan loves to attack them to cause this problem.

Find a priest and befriend him. Pray for fallen priests and that those who have been hurt by them will be healed.

It is not fair to blame the Church of Christ for the wicked behavior of one member. This person was not acting in the name of the Church, or in Persona Christi when these acts were committed.

But the church needs to take responsibility and continue to do so when priests such as this are found. I am allowed to be hurt by this I am sorry to say. So I am looking for a new church to go to now.

As I said before I do love God. I hope people know that by now.

 

[guanophore]

But the church needs to take responsibility and continue to do so when priests such as this are found.

Yes, of course. But is is not appropriate to fix the blame of a sinner on Christ’s holy bride, anymore than we should blame the Church for your sins.

I am allowed to be hurt by this I am sorry to say. So I am looking for a new church to go to now.

As I said before I do love God. I hope people know that by now.

Of course we have all been hurt by it. Jesus was hurt whent they drove nails into his body also. Allowing that hurt to separate you from the church He founded is not the right course, though. Instead, we need to bring our hurts to Him, to ask Him to hide us in HIs wounds, suffered for our redemption. This is how we bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.

 

[SilverLight]

Yes, of course. But is is not appropriate to fix the blame of a sinner on Christ’s holy bride, anymore than we should blame the Church for your sins.

Of course we have all been hurt by it. Jesus was hurt whent they drove nails into his body also. Allowing that hurt to separate you from the church He founded is not the right course, though. Instead, we need to bring our hurts to Him, to ask Him to hide us in HIs wounds, suffered for our redemption. This is how we bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Christ.

Ok thank you for the opinions. I will think about it.

 

[ccmcmg]

But the church needs to take responsibility and continue to do so when priests such as this are found. I am allowed to be hurt by this I am sorry to say. So I am looking for a new church to go to now.

As I said before I do love God. I hope people know that by now.

If you are looking for a church home on earth that doesn’t have sinners, you’re going to be looking for a long time. The Church IS taking responsibility for the past, and doing its best to keep it from happening in the future. I can assure you, that no religion has perfect members. NONE. We only have our Perfect Founder, our Perfect Savior…Jesus Christ.

If we leave the Church, instead of helping to make it better, what difference are we? If we desert the ship for the unknown, what are we doing to save it? People are sinners; the Church is not. People make mistakes, people in the Church make mistakes. However, God does not.

I’m asking you, begging you, trying to share with you, to stay in the Church, because you are loved here. Be a part of the solution. That doesn’t mean we are standing shoulder to shoulder in support of molestation; it means we are standing with sinners, as we all are. We are standing with the survivors. Catholicism is the Church. The Catholic Church, while not perfect in Her human members, has the fullness of the truth; that cannot be said of non-Catholics. We have the Body and Bread of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

 

[SilverLight]

If you are looking for a church home on earth that doesn’t have sinners, you’re going to be looking for a long time. The Church IS taking responsibility for the past, and doing its best to keep it from happening in the future. I can assure you, that no religion has perfect members. NONE. We only have our Perfect Founder, our Perfect Savior…Jesus Christ.

If we leave the Church, instead of helping to make it better, what difference are we? If we desert the ship for the unknown, what are we doing to save it? People are sinners; the Church is not. People make mistakes, people in the Church make mistakes. However, God does not.

I’m asking you, begging you, trying to share with you, to stay in the Church, because you are loved here. Be a part of the solution. That doesn’t mean we are standing shoulder to shoulder in support of molestation; it means we are standing with sinners, as we all are. We are standing with the survivors. Catholicism is the Church. The Catholic Church, while not perfect in Her human members, has the fullness of the truth; that cannot be said of non-Catholics. We have the Body and Bread of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.

Why would you beg me to stay though? I am looking for a different church to attend the local one is not a good one for me. Please don’t try and make me feel bad for leaving and making my own decision on that I would never do that to anyone. I know there are sinners in church and there always will be because we all are.

I have brought up leaving and finding a new one to my family and they are fine with this at the moment.

I’m not looking for perfection either I don’t really think that exists in the natural world.

 

[ccmcmg]

Why would you beg me to stay though? I am looking for a different church to attend the local one is not a good one for me. Please don’t try and make me feel bad for leaving and making my own decision on that I would never do that to anyone. I know there are sinners in church and there always will be because we all are.

I have brought up leaving and finding a new one to my family and they are fine with this at the moment.

I’m not looking for perfection either I don’t really think that exists in the natural world.

Why am I asking you to stay? Because I believe we should all belong to the same Church, to be united in Christ, and that is, ultimately, in the Catholic Church. It hurts to see even one member leave. I’m not trying to make you feel bad; not at all! I want you to realize how important it is to stay within the Church. I don’t know you. But you’re my sister in God, and we should love each other and want the best for each other, in that Body of Christ.

Why am I asking you to stay? Perhaps, because I think deep down, you want to stay.

Why am I asking you to stay? Because I’ve left, been left, and if someone here on earth had reached out, perhaps I never would have left. Granted, so many joys have come to me since I returned, but perhaps that there would have been greater joys had I never left.

You are wanted, in the Catholic Church. No, I’m not your family. I don’t have any other relationship with you besides these few posts on the internet. But I do care, deeply, as do millions of others.

I’m sorry the people in your local parish are causing you to struggle with your faith and with Catholicism. But it’s not the Catholic Church who is doing that; it’s the people in it. God is Constant. He is the same. He is, I Am. He is the start of the Catholic Church, and has given us so many Graces and Truths through Her. It’s His Body and Blood, physically, in the Church.

I sin. I fail. I get back up again. I sin. But I won’t stay down. I’m inviting you to stand with me, with us; to fall down and get back up, right next to me.

No matter what you decide, remember the Truths of the Catholic Church. Remember God’s Truths within the Church, and the fullness of it.

You seem very smart. I invite you to study through either online courses, or if you can find some in your diocese, the Catechism. You might be surprised what you don’t know yet about the Church (I am, every day). Can I ask you to give it one more year? I will gladly communicate with you via messaging here, even if you do leave or take a break. We are here for you.

God bless and keep you.

 

[SilverLight]

Why am I asking you to stay? Because I believe we should all belong to the same Church, to be united in Christ, and that is, ultimately, in the Catholic Church. It hurts to see even one member leave. I’m not trying to make you feel bad; not at all! I want you to realize how important it is to stay within the Church. I don’t know you. But you’re my sister in God, and we should love each other and want the best for each other, in that Body of Christ.

Why am I asking you to stay? Perhaps, because I think deep down, you want to stay.

Why am I asking you to stay? Because I’ve left, been left, and if someone here on earth had reached out, perhaps I never would have left. Granted, so many joys have come to me since I returned, but perhaps that there would have been greater joys had I never left.

You are wanted, in the Catholic Church. No, I’m not your family. I don’t have any other relationship with you besides these few posts on the internet. But I do care, deeply, as do millions of others.

I’m sorry the people in your local parish are causing you to struggle with your faith and with Catholicism. But it’s not the Catholic Church who is doing that; it’s the people in it. God is Constant. He is the same. He is, I Am. He is the start of the Catholic Church, and has given us so many Graces and Truths through Her. It’s His Body and Blood, physically, in the Church.

I sin. I fail. I get back up again. I sin. But I won’t stay down. I’m inviting you to stand with me, with us; to fall down and get back up, right next to me.

No matter what you decide, remember the Truths of the Catholic Church. Remember God’s Truths within the Church, and the fullness of it.

You seem very smart. I invite you to study through either online courses, or if you can find some in your diocese, the Catechism. You might be surprised what you don’t know yet about the Church (I am, every day). Can I ask you to give it one more year? I will gladly communicate with you via messaging here, even if you do leave or take a break. We are here for you.

God bless and keep you.

I think the word church has different meanings from us now after looking at all this. When I say church I mean a building that I go to to worship. So when I say I am looking for a new church to go to that’s what I mean.

Why am I asking you to stay? Because I believe we should all belong to the same Church, to be united in Christ, and that is, ultimately, in the Catholic Church.

I come from a mixed denomination family so its not really a problem or a surprise to me when someone changes. I think what is most important is God and that’s the focus of all churches at least. How they worship is different but its for God in the end. I took a Theology class and it helped me see that and put it in a new light for me.

If you want to talk to me on here in pm that is fine I will.

 

[guanophore]

I think the word church has different meanings from us now after looking at all this. When I say church I mean a building that I go to to worship. So when I say I am looking for a new church to go to that’s what I mean.

I come from a mixed denomination family so its not really a problem or a surprise to me when someone changes. I think what is most important is God and that’s the focus of all churches at least. How they worship is different but its for God in the end. I took a Theology class and it helped me see that and put it in a new light for me.

If you want to talk to me on here in pm that is fine I will.

Jesus only founded One Church.

All the others were founded by men, 1500 years after He established His Church.

 

[ccmcmg]

I think the word church has different meanings from us now after looking at all this. When I say church I mean a building that I go to to worship. So when I say I am looking for a new church to go to that’s what I mean.

I come from a mixed denomination family so its not really a problem or a surprise to me when someone changes. I think what is most important is God and that’s the focus of all churches at least. How they worship is different but its for God in the end. I took a Theology class and it helped me see that and put it in a new light for me.

If you want to talk to me on here in pm that is fine I will.

This is one reason I invite you to explore and learn more about Catholicism before you change. It’s more than a building. It’s not a ‘denomination’. It’s Faith. The Church is Catholicism, which was founded by Jesus Christ, and it was His intention that we are all members of one Church, His Church. The Church isn’t a building; it’s us, it’s living, it is all of its people who believe and abide in Him.

The Catechism is different than Theology. The Catechism can explain to you, in detail, what we believe, why we believe it. It’s all laid out right there for us. With a course, you can learn even more than just reading. Some great courses are laid out in this thread:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=86053
I definitely recommend: amm.org/chss/chss.asp

Faith takes effort on our part, too. It isn’t something given to us, left to the side until we need something. It’s a relationship, a 2 way street. I don’t believe that anyone, not even myself, could leave the Catholic Church in good conscience after studying through a faithful course about the Faith, and the Church.

 

[SilverLight]

This is one reason I invite you to explore and learn more about Catholicism before you change. It’s more than a building. It’s not a ‘denomination’. It’s Faith. The Church is Catholicism, which was founded by Jesus Christ, and it was His intention that we are all members of one Church, His Church. The Church isn’t a building; it’s us, it’s living, it is all of its people who believe and abide in Him.

The Catechism is different than Theology. The Catechism can explain to you, in detail, what we believe, why we believe it. It’s all laid out right there for us. With a course, you can learn even more than just reading. Some great courses are laid out in this thread:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=86053
I definitely recommend: amm.org/chss/chss.asp

Faith takes effort on our part, too. It isn’t something given to us, left to the side until we need something. It’s a relationship, a 2 way street. I don’t believe that anyone, not even myself, could leave the Catholic Church in good conscience after studying through a faithful course about the Faith, and the Church.

Thanks for the tips.
I will think about it.