I don't understand my own faith

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So I was raised as a Roman Catholic my whole life. However, we were never taught about our own faith, besides what we learnt in school and during our Confirmation and First Communion classes. I don’t understand my faith and I don’t think my parents do either, they don’t go to church, believe in celibacy until marriage, etc. I have tried to teach myself but it’s very confusing as I am on my own in going through this process. I have begun to consider simply becoming non-denominational Christian as the only belief that there is no contrasting beliefs about (within Christianity) is that Jesus is the Son of God, who loves me and will forgive my sins. There are so many opposing arguments with the rest of Catholic beliefs: communion is not a ritual but a sacred act, Mary remained a virgin her whole life, priests can forgive sins, etc. that I feel it will result in me making mistakes, believing in false doctrine and living with a faith that I don’t understand causing me to lose my faith altogether. Any advice or suggestions would really be appreciated, Thanks.
 
There are online ministries that can help you learn.
Ascension Presents has a very sincere caring Catholic married couple named Bobby & Jackie. They discuss many real human concerns,
like the ones you discribe.
here is a link:
 
ConnorMM said:
So I was raised as a Roman Catholic my whole life. However, we were never taught about our own faith, besides what we learnt in school and during our Confirmation and First Communion classes. I don’t understand my faith and I don’t think my parents do either, they don’t go to church, believe in celibacy until marriage, etc. I have tried to teach myself but it’s very confusing as I am on my own in going through this process. I have begun to consider simply becoming non-denominational Christian as the only belief that there is no contrasting beliefs about (within Christianity) is that Jesus is the Son of God, who loves me and will forgive my sins. There are so many opposing arguments with the rest of Catholic beliefs: communion is not a ritual but a sacred act, Mary remained a virgin her whole life, priests can forgive sins, etc. that I feel it will result in me making mistakes, believing in false doctrine and living with a faith that I don’t understand causing me to lose my faith altogether. Any advice or suggestions would really be appreciated, Thanks.
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The Faith Explained by Leo J. Trese is what I was given to read by one priest. I has 479 pages in paperback.
 
I’d recommend going to your local parish and enrolling in RCIA where you will learn all about the faith and can ask all the questions you have. They will also have recommendations for further reading and study. Going to the source is always the best way to learn!
 
Bishop Barron’s videos explain things very well. I saw some in high school and they always made sense and were interesting.
Also, “Why We’re Catholic: Our Reasons for Faith, Hope, and Love” is a good introduction. My sister’s theology class is using it as their textbook.
“Unabridged Christianity” is also a good book to find out about the biblical roots of various practices. I have met the author and he does know his stuff.
 
Do priests forgive sins or absolve sins and what’s the difference?
 
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Priests are ‘persona Christi’ which means by JESUS’ own words to the Apostles, who had the new priestly office, JESUS forgives firm purpose of amendment,
sincere contrition sins. The Priest is PRIEST JESUS CHRIST’s instrument.
Just like anything, this relies on the intention of the person confessing.
If sincere, the sins are absolved. But this requires a firm purpose of amendment,
even stubborn habitual sins of rationalization (addictions.) Hopefully, with honest discernible words the person confessing will show the need for help,
such as a 12 step program, or The Chastity Project, or Courage (helps with suffering from same sex attraction.)
Recommending some form of counseling does happen.
Hope this helps.
 
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As you consider your desire to approach heaven via the wide gate, know that the path leads to destruction.

For many of us, our faith journey is one that requires a discipline in learning to sacrifice our temporal desires for eternity’s sake.
Recognize that our natural passions for temporal desires will lead us to push through confusion and making mistakes to improve our understanding of the subject.
You can do the same with the Catholic Faith, but you will have to continue strive to enter via the narrow gate, and push for both greater holiness in action, thought and feeling.
 
ConnorMM said:
There are so many opposing arguments with the rest of Catholic beliefs: communion is not a ritual but a sacred act, Mary remained a virgin her whole life, priests can forgive sins, etc. that I feel it will result in me making mistakes, believing in false doctrine and living with a faith that I don’t understand causing me to lose my faith altogether. Any advice or suggestions would really be appreciated,
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None of us understands our faith enough. All our knowledge does not keep us from making mistakes.

When there are opposing arguments, both sides are usually right. The Eucharist is a ritual and a sacred act, eg. Ask the Lord for guidance if it affects your life somehow. If you make a mistake, God is very forgiving. If you are trying to follow his example by trying to love, those around you will guide you to the Lord.
 
Start reading the penny catechism that would be a good start, question and answer format for a beginner. Then perhaps other catechisms like the Catechism of St Pius X, the Baltimore Catechism, or as recommend by Bishop Schneider even the Catechism of St Robert Bellarmine who is the patron Saint of Catechists. All of these teach the faith in a clear and explicit manner so as to help people avoid the kind of confusion you’ve been experiencing so far.

Many of these can be accessed for free online, for example I just googled the Penny Catechism and found this:

http://www.catholictradition.org/Children/catechism.htm
 
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