I don't understand Catholicism

[Masaru]

Namasté.
Buddhism, for me, raises the biggest “Why?” questions. Why, if there is no true higher power, is there this fundamental suffering in life? Even if there was, why, if there’s no higher power, are we by default dragged into samsara? I admit I know little about Nichiren Buddhism; the only schools I’m familiar with is Mahayana and Theravada Buddhism. Nevertheless, I still massively respect the religion. Men like the Dalai Lama should be looked up to.

Honestly I can’t answer that for you. What I do know is that the school of Buddhism I’ve been practicing in describes Buddhism as pantheistic, so it’s not a matter of create or created. Every individual thing is really a part of the same single entity, though not quite. Everything is a sort of an illusion, but unless we experience the real nature of reality directly, then any explanation sounds paradoxical at best.

Also, the Dalai Lama comes from a feudal society, and being despite revered as a reincarnation of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, the Buddhist Saint of Compassion, he seems rather indifferent to the plight of the suffering poor that follow him.

As far as my curiosity, my real concern is being able to commune with others, have a family, etc., and that’s what makes me think about the overwhelming influence of Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular. Regardless, I think the people here who are saying that if I don’t feel pulled towards Catholicism that I shouldn’t convert are right. As long as I display the spirit to stand alone and stand up, display integrity, honesty, strength, compassion and a sense and justice, and exert myself in a “bold and effortful” way, others will come to respect me even if we can’t exactly agree.

Once again, I appreciate everyone’s responses. Much respect to each of you.

 

[FabiusMaximus]

Honestly I can’t answer that for you. What I do know is that the school of Buddhism I’ve been practicing in describes Buddhism as pantheistic, so it’s not a matter of create or created. Every individual thing is really a part of the same single entity, though not quite. Everything is a sort of an illusion, but unless we experience the real nature of reality directly, then any explanation sounds paradoxical at best.

Also, the Dalai Lama comes from a feudal society, and being despite revered as a reincarnation of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, the Buddhist Saint of Compassion, he seems rather indifferent to the plight of the suffering poor that follow him.

As far as my curiosity, my real concern is being able to commune with others, have a family, etc., and that’s what makes me think about the overwhelming influence of Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular. Regardless, I think the people here who are saying that if I don’t feel pulled towards Catholicism that I shouldn’t convert are right. As long as I display the spirit to stand alone and stand up, display integrity, honesty, strength, compassion and a sense and justice, and exert myself in a “bold and effortful” way, others will come to respect me even if we can’t exactly agree.

Once again, I appreciate everyone’s responses. Much respect to each of you.

Considering family is certainly nice, but it should not be the decisive factor in any decision. Past converts to Christianity in the early years after Christ’s resurrection and ascension were literally forced to choose between family and Christ. Family should not be a decisive reason in choosing a religion inasmuch as it shouldn’t be in remaining within a particular religion.

The best thing you can do is study the theology, study the scriptures, and ask many, many, many questions - difficult or easy, because you need to be satisfied. Search for the truth. And that’s the summation of what you need to do. Look for truth.

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32).

May I ask why you chose Buddhism?

 

[rikkk1958]

Once again, thanks to everyone for their responses.

Why do gangsters proudly display their crucifixes? Shouldn’t they be ashamed of the fact that their lifestyles contradict their beliefs? Things like this really puzzle me. My background is as a minority from a small town, so questions like this come to my mind often.

Hi Masaru, I want to point our this to you so that perhaps the next time you bring up questions regarding what humanity is doing will make you think twice. The Catholic Church believes that the Church is Divine or founded in Divinity, while it can only be administered by humanity. In this regard, no matter what humanity does, the Church will always be Divine. Some people like how the Church should provide them good speeches or lectures, songs, or some kind of entertainment, however, the Catholic Church is the other way around. God created us to love Him and worship Him. We should not forget that we are His creation, and the first and foremost of the Commandments is to love Him with all our beings.

Catholics goes to Mass to be in communion with Jesus Christ. To listen and be reminded of the Scriptures, the Gospel especially. The Scriptures sometimes are difficult to understand and only those who were with the writers during those times can define or interpret what they wrote. We call them our Church fathers or early fathers. They are the apostles, disciples, who were there and they passed their teachings to the next generations because Jesus will no longer with them. This Apostolic tradition continues until today and is alive. As a Catholic, I see no reason why I should leave the Church. Some left and my opinion to that is because they want to follow their desire on how to believe rather than to obey what had been instructed.

 

[Curious_Seed]

I was raised in a nominally Catholic household. There was a general belief in God, but aside from a few funerals, I’ve never been inside a Catholic church. 5 years ago, after a long search, I converted to Nichiren Buddhism, which is based on the Lotus Sutra and teached compassion towards all living beings and that even the vilest of beings have something good inside that can be fostered in order to save them. Generally speaking, Buddhism teaches how to cultivate this potential within everyone so that one can become the best person possible. I don’t see that in Catholicism, and now that I’ve converted I see a lot of differences in myself and some of my extended family—even with people in my hometown which has a lot of Catholics.

Basically I’m trying to get a perspective on how Catholics view their own faith, and if there is a reason to convert to Catholicism or even Christianity in general, what is it? I’m familiar with the Bible, though through Bible study in the Pentecostal church. I’m also honest enough to admit that I find myself isolated, and that this is why the issue of differences in mindset comes to the forefront of my mind a lot. If I’m looking for a wife from the same culture (who has any sense of morality,) she’s probably going to be Catholic or at least Christian. If I have to convert… what am I in for?

There are many wonderful reasons to be a Buddhist.

There is only one reason to be Christian.

To become Christian, only one belief is intractably required.

For requirement(s) to remain Christian, thoughts abound.

What is the one reason to be Christian?

John 4:14

What is the one belief required to become Christian?

Mark 16:16

What is one to expect, as a Christian?

John 14:6

 

[Deconi]

Masaru, I read that you were raised (in a nominally) Catholic family.

That suggests to me that you are ALREADY a baptised Catholic! If this is the case, you are already marked a Catholic for life, as we all are through our baptism.

Many, like you are, have wandered near and far from our faith, but remain “marked” for Christ, by Christ, through the Holy Sacrament He commissioned; "Go forth to the four corners of the world, proclaim The Good News and baptise in the name of The Father, Son and The Holy Spirit…"

Many also remain yet are ‘far’ from Catholicism!

Catholicism is not for appearances, although many may make it appear that way. It is the Ultimate Personal Relationship with Our Maker, using the formulas and methods He decrees throughout Holy Writ, from the Old Testament to the New Covenant. This is the challenge of every Catholic; do we ‘like’ what The Church says?; do we have to do what The Church says?; why is this?; why is that?; why are those Catholics behaving like this, or that? Sometimes these queries include the highest prelates of The Church.

That is not our business, per se. That is God’s business and only He knows and remedy what He wills.

For most Catholics, the ANSWER is simple! BECAUSE of our faith and Love of Christ, we follow what He instituted and trust in His care as He said He would be with The Church forever! The BASE of that faith and trust is Christ. If you do not believe or understand Him, you will fault The Church for many things and be ‘attracted’ (or distracted) elsewhere. That is fine for as God’s children, we are given Divine freedom to ‘examine’ His creation (Universe)…but we have One lifetime, not several, to ‘find’ Him.

Your analogy of ‘roadmaps’ is interesting because that is precisely what the world has become. Everyone claims to have a ‘roadmap’ for life, for religion, for belief, for the end of existence! Every Christian denomination claim the same whether for or against Catholicism.

In a mystical sense, all ‘roadmaps’ belong to God since all human EFFORT is through His grace, but there is only one roadmap that is God, Himself; His name is Jesus Christ. The Catholic Church is His Mystical Body and the world would NOT KNOW His name if it weren’t for His Church!

People wear crucifixes as jewellery, although in an inadvertent sense, they may be clinging to Hope without openly professing it! People wear them for all sorts of reasons, but Catholics have a significant reason for them, whether clergy or not; I’ve seen ‘thugs’ and prostitues weep like children during Mass and I try to understand the crosses they bear in life, but that is God’s domain and relm; not ours! We do not ‘judge’ who should wear one or not. It is simply a sign of something.

Catholics look ‘ashamed’ at Mass? I hope so! For it is our weekly or daily meeting with our Maker! You may notice that Catholics at Mass don’t even notice who’s around them with greetings or welcoming smiles all the time. That’s because The Focus is The ALMIGHTY Who knows what you’ve been up to all week!

 

[joe370]

Hey Masaru…

Basically I’m trying to get a perspective on how Catholics view their own faith, and if there is a reason to convert to Catholicism …?

Well, for me, as a former non-Catholic, it came down to a few simple questions: who founded the Catholic Church and when? Who founded each and every Protestant church and when? I wanted to belong to the church founded by Jesus Christ, on Pentecost, circa AD 33, in Jerusalem? I could provide the name of the man that founded each and every Protestant church, and when he founded it, and that man’s name was never Jesus Christ and the oldest protestant church dated back only to the 16th century, and, other than Jesus, I could not provide the name of the man that founded the CC.Jesus said in Matthew 16: “I will build my church” - and I came to the realization that the Catholic church is in fact the church of Matthew 16.

 

[CopticChristian]

There are many wonderful reasons to be a Buddhist.

There is only one reason to be Christian.

To become Christian, only one belief is intractably required.

For requirement(s) to remain Christian, thoughts abound.

What is the one reason to be Christian?

John 4:14

What is the one belief required to become Christian?

Mark 16:16

What is one to expect, as a Christian?

John 14:6

John 4:14 become a Christian because you are thirsty and you don’t wanna be
Mark 16:16 believe you can play peek a boo
John14:6 expect that Jesus is the way

You speak in riddles man, Jesus spoke in parables because he was speaking to Children other times he spoke straight and to the point. Paul never speaks in riddles. Where did you learn this stuff?

 

[jwakja]

Self-responsibility, a term being ignored in America today, applies to individual Catholics. By our actions and examples we should let anyone who observes us know there is good in everyone by the way we treat them. Some day we will all know if we can obtain, through Jesus Christ, eternal life with God in heaven. Don’t you hope and pray we all choose the right course here on earth? Good luck!

 

[chuckfrmvalyfrg]

Remember: while the Church is now a shadow of its former glory,].

I have no idea what you mean by this or in what context you mean it . What parameters/values/data/experience are you basing it on , because I don’t see it ?
The latest Statistical Yearbook of the Church reveals that there are currently 1,181,000,000 Latin (Roman ) Rite Catholics ( including the Eastern Rites in Communion with Rome - but excluding the Orthodox) .This is an increase in membership. Also , worldwide , there was a commensurate increase in priestly vocations – you almost never see the main stream media report this data . Now let me be clear , while there is a decline in priestly vocations in some parts of the world , the total population of priests worldwide is increasing , the problem is in distribution . But let’s be clear , this probably has always been a problem( distribution ) . But also remember , this is the " Catholic " Church , it is indeed Universal .
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is still offered every single second of every day . There is not one moment when the Catholic Mass is not being offered on planet earth . Talk about Universal .
From the birth of the Catholic Church , there have always been heresies . From Gnosticism , to Modalism , to Manichaeism to Montanism to Albagensianism to Protestantism to Jansenism to Modernism ( perhaps this is not quite a proper heresy- any help on this one ) , the list is extensive ( my list is not inclusive ) .
The Church has survived the persecution of the Roman Empire , Attila ( the " Scourge of God" ) , the Moslems , the Mongols , the Vikings ,the Protestant Reformation , HenryVlll,
Napoleon , Communism , Nazism and Modernism . I don’t say this to be " triumphal " but rather to refute your unclarified , unsubstantiated assertion , " the Church is now a shadow of it’s former glory " . Please explain .

Also , while we take pride in some of the great thinkers you allude to , their greater glory is in their orthodox faith . Better to be a holy mule ( or a dumb ox ) than a wicked thorobred . All truth leads to God .

 

[SaintEmily24]

I didn’t read all the replies so what I say may be a repeat…

I view the faith as the absolute truth. The only one made by Christ himself.

Something I’d like to point out is that nobody is alone, God is always with that person and so are the angels and saints. Something I learned at a Catholic Camp this last summer is that we are never alone. Everytime a person receives Eucharist that person is connected to all the other Catholics in the world that have received Eucharist that day. That is something that is powerful for me. Also, whenever one prays, they are not only connected to God but to everyone else praying. Maybe that doesn’t make sense the way I worded it… But basically what I am saying is that Christianity, not just Catholicism, provides a constant community. Not just with physical presence but a spiritual one as well.

 

[SteveVH]

As a non-Catholic (so no bias; yay!), and as someone who once considered Buddhism, I feel like I can weigh in here.

First of all, if you don’t understand Catholicism, then the fault therein lies in your own personal understanding and not the religion. I, as an outsider, feel like I “get” it, even if some doctrines are somewhat troublesome [for me]. Remember: while the Church is now a shadow of its former glory, some of the planet’s greatest thinkers believed in the religion.

Secondly, everything good you find in Buddhism, you can find in Catholicism and indeed most other religions. All religions worth their salt hold the same fundamental concepts. The difference is found in that at least the “Abrahamic” faiths promise something to their respective believers. The concepts of samsara and the Four Noble Truths are really depressing! And the Buddha’s promise of Nirvana, while basically refusing to define it, is a major cop-out. Anyone can feel enlightened if you tell them they will be. It’s kind of like a spiritual placebo effect.

I don’t mean to belittle your faith; if I offend, please forgive me. It’s just that I’ve sorta been in your shoes before and I don’t want you to make the same mistake, and eventually you’ll realise that Buddhism is just a nice way to live… A way through life, rather than a way of life.

Peace.

I would only add that while Buddhism may promote a nice way to live, Catholicism puts love into action. How many Buddhist hospitals do you see around town?

 

[KathleenGee]

Buddhism essentially helps a person detach from the pain and suffering of this world, but does not provide the path to be united with God of love in heaven and with each other.

 

[Cinette]

As a non-Catholic (so no bias; yay!), and as someone who once considered Buddhism, I feel like I can weigh in here.

First of all, if you don’t understand Catholicism, then the fault therein lies in your own personal understanding and not the religion. I, as an outsider, feel like I “get” it, even if some doctrines are somewhat troublesome [for me]. Remember: while the Church is now a shadow of its former glory, some of the planet’s greatest thinkers believed in the religion.

Secondly, everything good you find in Buddhism, you can find in Catholicism and indeed most other religions. All religions worth their salt hold the same fundamental concepts. The difference is found in that at least the “Abrahamic” faiths promise something to their respective believers. The concepts of samsara and the Four Noble Truths are really depressing! And the Buddha’s promise of Nirvana, while basically refusing to define it, is a major cop-out. Anyone can feel enlightened if you tell them they will be. It’s kind of like a spiritual placebo effect.

I don’t mean to belittle your faith; if I offend, please forgive me. It’s just that I’ve sorta been in your shoes before and I don’t want you to make the same mistake, and eventually you’ll realise that Buddhism is just a nice way to live… A way through life, rather than a way of life.

Peace.

Buddism is a beautiful philosophy not a religion.

 

[Edward_H]

A Catholic view of pain is not to so much detach ourselves from it, but to convert it - with God’s grace - into the greatest good there is…unity with God. If suffering causes us to pray more…to become more united with God, it can become a great good. Our pain becomes incarnated with Christ.

 

[KathleenGee]

The greatest of God’s creation was man…and evil exists side by side with goodness…it is something that is here, is present…God did not create evil…but it is there…out there…

The closest God could come to us was through Man…His Son…Who carried all the sin of the world…He conquered the power of death and sin…and in His final visitation before His ascension into heaven, He walked with His followers and taught them all they needed to know about Scripture…and He had a sacred meal with them…fish…symbol of converts…Christ hungers for souls to come to Him.

It is the Resurrected Christ, True God, True Man Who is no longer distant, or angry, or won’t take the evil and suffering away…

It is in the Cross alone that suffering makes any sense. Good triumphs over evil. When we are united in Christ, and living in Him through faith and prayer…the good that comes out of us is far greater than being in a room with 20 bad men.

Now God comes to us…through Christ…to help us live in this world. He makes each day new. He gives us joy. He helps us believe good overcomes evil. We are no longer alone because now God is among us…present as Food for us, nourishment of the Divine…we no longer alone or over burdened.

There are Christians in prison who can never go out. But Christ goes into the prison to be with them, to love them and they have joy, this new life in Him.

There was an ancient bishop of Pergamum, St. Antipas, who was named by Christ in the book of Revelations, whose prayers were chasing the demons out of the city. They people had on the altar of Zeus a huge bull statue, that opened up inside. They would place their victims inside, with the head going up the neck. They would then light a fire, slowly roasting the victim, and listen to the cries coming out of the head of the bull.

When the Bishop of Pergamum was placed in the bull, they heard no screams or cries, but only his gentle prayers said for his people that they would not lose faith with pauses of soft sighs.

We have the new life of Christ available to us…that can never be separated from us.

 

[NetStar]

Sure you can show up for Mass anytime, you’re always welcome. Unless you are a baptized Catholic you can’t partake of Communion. But by all means you are welcome. Don’t worry if you don’t know all the ritials…no one will make fun of you or point you out to others, they won’t talk about you…so no need to worry there.

Maybe call your local Church and see about taking an RICA class. That should help to answer a lot of your questions and you won’t be doomed or roped into joining the church. Read some pamplets…there are many on this site. There are good books here too.

For some reason God has drawn you here, maybe only to learn, or maybe for another reason…but keep seeking and you will find the answer.

P.S. As far as your Sunday Best…in the Catholic Church you will see Sunday Best, Casual Dress, Jeans and a nice shirt… To Catholics, it’s more important that your there, than what you are wearing. Of course I wouldn’t show up in a tank top and shorts… that might be pushing it a little.

 

[benedictus2]

I was raised in a nominally Catholic household. There was a general belief in God, but aside from a few funerals, I’ve never been inside a Catholic church. 5 years ago, after a long search, I converted to Nichiren Buddhism, which is based on the Lotus Sutra and teached compassion towards all living beings and that even the vilest of beings have something good inside that can be fostered in order to save them. Generally speaking, Buddhism teaches how to cultivate this potential within everyone so that one can become the best person possible. I don’t see that in Catholicism, and now that I’ve converted I see a lot of differences in myself and some of my extended family—even with people in my hometown which has a lot of Catholics.

Basically I’m trying to get a perspective on how Catholics view their own faith, and if there is a reason to convert to Catholicism or even Christianity in general, what is it? I’m familiar with the Bible, though through Bible study in the Pentecostal church. I’m also honest enough to admit that I find myself isolated, and that this is why the issue of differences in mindset comes to the forefront of my mind a lot. If I’m looking for a wife from the same culture (who has any sense of morality,) she’s probably going to be Catholic or at least Christian. If I have to convert… what am I in for?

Buddhism is a very different concept to Catholicism. While there are certainly some similar moral tenets, Buddhism and Catholicism are opposed to each other.

Christianity teaches that we are fallen men needing salvation and that Salvation is to be found only Christ and this same Christ founded a Church by which He will bring about the salvation of man. We have one life on earth and one death and then eternity.

Buddhism I think is a self centred philosphy. One is preoccupied with the self and how to get to nirvana.

Christianity teaches that salvation is a gift that we cooperate with. We do not pull ourselves out of the quagmire, Christ does that by extending His hand and we put our hand in His.

I would say that the self-centred culture that we see these days is due to the fascination of the west with Eastern religions. Buddhism is a nice way to live because it does not make any demand on the person.

 

[Dorothy]

All other religions started by man strive to show a “way”.

Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Unlike all the other men who started religions, Our Lord Jesus Christ is risen from the dead, and still with us.

 

[rinnie]

I was raised in a nominally Catholic household. There was a general belief in God, but aside from a few funerals, I’ve never been inside a Catholic church. 5 years ago, after a long search, I converted to Nichiren Buddhism, which is based on the Lotus Sutra and teached compassion towards all living beings and that even the vilest of beings have something good inside that can be fostered in order to save them. Generally speaking, Buddhism teaches how to cultivate this potential within everyone so that one can become the best person possible. I don’t see that in Catholicism, and now that I’ve converted I see a lot of differences in myself and some of my extended family—even with people in my hometown which has a lot of Catholics.

Basically I’m trying to get a perspective on how Catholics view their own faith, and if there is a reason to convert to Catholicism or even Christianity in general, what is it? I’m familiar with the Bible, though through Bible study in the Pentecostal church. I’m also honest enough to admit that I find myself isolated, and that this is why the issue of differences in mindset comes to the forefront of my mind a lot. If I’m looking for a wife from the same culture (who has any sense of morality,) she’s probably going to be Catholic or at least Christian. If I have to convert… what am I in for?

If you understand the Sacraments there would be no question in your mind. If you want all the them you will find them in the ONE HOLY CATHOLIC APOSTOLIC CHURCH. There is no other Church that has them all.

 

[Lion_of_Narnia]

…Basically I’m trying to get a perspective on how Catholics view their own faith, and if there is a reason to convert to Catholicism or even Christianity in general, what is it?..

Welcome Masaru to CAF:thumbsup:

I’ll give you the same answer GK Chesterton wrote 100+ years ago about why he converted to the Catholic Church

“1. Because it is true.
2. Because of #1, to get my sins forgiven!”