I am questioning whether I even want to be Catholic or Christian at all

  • Thread starter Thread starter BenVirtes
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
I am single and happy. I would love to be a religious, but I am disabled. You do not have to be a priest or married.
 
This post comes across as extremely self-serving. To have a relationship with anyone, you need to talk with them and listen in return. Prayer is talking and listening to God. I have a feeling that prayer is boring for you because it is one-sided. If you are doing all the talking, but not listening in return, I can see why it hasn’t been fruitful for you.

This poster seems like he has some growing up to do. Being Catholic is not a me, me, me situation. It is serving, loving, praying, listening, and doing. Instead of abandoning Catholicism or Christianity, I would advise listening to God and service to others. Do some research on the saints. Pray for others.
 
My apologies, but I’m being honest.

This is again why I think I should seriously just leave. I clearly don’t belong in this crowd.
 
I can only echo the sentiments of the other posters here, that the original poster is focused entirely on himself and his own needs, desires and biases. He must turn his gaze away from the mirror and toward Christ. If he can manage to do that, it will be the foundation of faith for him, and will bring him peace, love and wisdom. But he must do it! Otherwise he is lost. Hell is full to the brim with souls who complain of the wrongs done them, of the thwarting of their desires, and of the unfairness of their treatment. To leave behind one’s ego, one’s very self, in favor of Christ, is the beginning of sanctity.
 
Honestly I have no problem with women. I just have a problem with women in relationships.
 
I believe that you are being honest. However, many of us here are urging you to see that you’ve got a really wrong conception of Christianity. Christianity is not ego centric, but Christ centric. The remedy is to get down daily on your knees and humbly ask God to lead you. Read scripture and let it work on you. Listen to God, don’t tell Him what to do. Pray like this for 20 minutes a day, to start, and Jesus will start to lead you to Him.
You’ve got to make the effort. There simply is no other way.
 
Why would you even consider the priesthood? Just find what you love and do it.
 
Dude, you’re 19. It’s a little early to say that you are never going to get married. And you can’t say you don’t like 90% of Catholics when you are just now taking your first steps into the wider world.

Also, read up more on Catholicism. There is a lot to learn. There is no way you’ve even scratched the surface at this point.
 
I think this is where your going wrong
Prayer is not just speaking it is in our actions also, giving loving and doing good works are all prayers and acceptable by God. At the end of every mass the priest will say go and love and serve the Lord, Catechism says we are made to Love and serve God and Christ told us to go out and do just what you are doing serving others. That my friend makes you a great Christian and a great Catholic and I’m sure in Gods good time he will lead you into the deeper forms of prayer that lift the soul and allow it to see its sins and be mournful of them and I’m sure in his own good time he will allow you to see clearly that you can’t find love outside of him, so I would not close myself off to human love as God wants all his children to be open to him. God bless and I highly recommend youtube and people like Bishop Sheen or EWTN the journey home etc etc our faith sometimes needs to be educated by greater people than ourselves.
 
You do belong. The fact you have reached out means something. God is working in your life and he will not let you go. We are your family here - and sometimes family doesn’t say the right thing or sugar coat things or be polite. But you are a special person. You have much to offer the world. Please engage with us. I’m a total introvert myself and I hate socialising lol but Jesus meets us where we are and we are all works in progress. We are all here to help each other along xxx
 
I don’t mean this as an insult as much as a blunt, hard truth that I hope you’ll look in the mirror and confront: your entire position in this thread boils down to a severe lack of maturity. You’re 19, so that’s kinda ok, but it’s time to start changing that.
 
People are being overly harsh to this person who is still so young in my opinion check yourselves we Should be supporting our young men
 
halogirl said:
People are being overly harsh to this person who is still so young in my opinion check yourselves we Should be supporting our young men
Click to expand...
Yes. That means treating them as men so that they don’t grow up to become wimps, or worse.

This is part of the problem. No one wants to be “harsh” anymore, even if appropriate. Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but not all 19-year-old young men exhibit such self-centered behaviour as demonstrated in the opening post. Well no. He’s an adult now, and it’s time he be treated like one. That includes firm correction, and I believe this circumstance calls for it.

Instead of complaining about others being such inconveniences to him, maybe he should start first with what Christianity is all about: that God loves HIM and died for HIM and maybe, MAYBE try to be grateful for what Jesus did on the cross, for HIM. Then maybe if he can start from a position of gratitude for this gift, then MAYBE he might start seeing people for THEIR worth, not his convenience.
 
Last edited:
I don’t see anyone being harsh here. We aren’t sugarcoating anything either.
 
Still feel he needs more support than telling off. I work with 15 year olds and they are very much children. Be kind x
 
halogirl said:
Still feel he needs more support than telling off. I work with 15 year olds and they are very much children. Be kind x
Click to expand...
No one is telling him off. He is being told where his thoughts are going wrong, and that’s doing him a favour.

I myself told him to think of God’s love for HIM, in the hope that it makes him less selfish.

But I will not coddle a 19-year-old in his self-centeredness.
 
Last edited:
Your doubts are perfectly normal and understandable. Out of everything that you’ve written about, I’d say the most important aspect is to try to overcome your reluctance and fear of confession. This would be a good thing to pray about - ask God to give you the courage and trust to attend confession. I felt the same as you and for a very long time it kept me away from the Church. I wish it hadn’t - confession isn’t a negative experience: it’s amazing and you won’t regret it.

Consider a different parish, if that helps or talk to the priest about it prior to attending. Your fears are understandable but unfounded - the sacrament is there to help you, to free you, to reconcile you - it really is an amazing gift and it feels like one.

If you pray for the strength and resolve to attend - despite your misgivings - you won’t regret it and it’s likely to start you on a path of deeper understanding and communion with God which might help untangle the other thorny issues that are on your mind.

Good luck & go well, you’re in my prayers.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top