I have no relgion left

[Bruno_Schulz]

**

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with Thee.
Come Holy Spirit, come by means of the powerful intercession of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, your well beloved spouse.

Of course best what we have, greatest that helps, most precious we own - in fact, the one and only real help in life - plus our direct and at any time available connection to God, is the prayer!

We can pray at any situation, at any place, any time and we then are never alone!

We can pray in our very own language and whatever troubles us, put into the loving hands of God.

But let’s in all that great joy always remember Mt 6,5 to 8

**

 

[Realcatholicgk]

His miracles are all around, it’s just whether or not we accept them as miracles or just coincidence or natural occurrences. It’s not merely superstition, either. If God showed himself to us all clearly and without leaving any doubt to his existence, there would be no need for faith alone. Kind of seems like we should say, well why not, it would save a lot of heartache? Then the question would be how do you shine when everywhere is light? Does that make a case for the CC? I don’t think so, honestly. Neither do Marian visions or reciting endless “Hail Marys” IMO.

**
Hi Seek,

“I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there isn’t, than to live my life as if there isn’t, and die to find out there is.” —Unknown

Jesus said to come follow Him! He provided His Church and the sacraments for our use in becoming His followers.

"There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’ - CS Lewis**

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**

rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there isn’t, than to live my life as if there isn’t, and die to find out there is (unknown author)

Atheists say: We fade away like a daisy (my bed-neighbour in hospital thought so) – not knowing a thing then, nor of course finding out after death - they hope.
What an ill hope…

Though they don’t consider the truth even as option, which is: To die and find out there is God.

But why? Is it fear of the unknown they refuse to accept?

Some uneasy truths many force back – which is one more reason because they are in fact illiberal as they never tasted the freedom of Christianity.

"There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’ - CS Lewis

I very much doubt though, if those last mentioned, will say so then. All there will be is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Math 8:12 – Math 13:50 – Math 22:13 – Math 25:30)

**

 

[seekdatruth]

**

“I would rather live my life as if there is a God, and die to find out there isn’t, than to live my life as if there isn’t, and die to find out there is.” —Unknown

Jesus said to come follow Him! He provided His Church and the sacraments for our use in becoming His followers.

"There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’ - CS Lewis**

I think I agree with you on this.
This too: Einstein believed there is a God. Even Stephen Hawking, who knows so much about the nature of the universe, still doesn’t have an explanation for what it all means and WHY we’re all here. If a great scientific mind accepts the existence of God, then how would an amateur student of science come to the conclusion He doesn’t and trust that?
Still, how do we make a case for why the Catholic Church is the right path to God’s truth? And don’t say the thing about Peter being the rock and foundation of His church. Couldn’t we say all Christian churches, who separated from the Catholic Church and formed their own denomination, are also based upon the foundation of Peter? He lit the torch, but how do we prove it wasn’t passed away from the popes?

 

[Realcatholicgk]

Hi Seek,

Still, how do we make a case for why the Catholic Church is the right path to God’s truth?

**Because Jesus Himself told us! Read the NT. In many places it says that Jesus would establish his church and false teachers and prophets would come. Jesus told them, He wouldn’t know them! Not to be fooled!

Real the bible. It is all there. The devil hides it from Protestants to retain their souls as his own, but believers in Jesus’ can see the truth in His words.**

And don’t say the thing about Peter being the rock and foundation of His church.

**That is what Jesus said to establish His church. It is what it is! **

Couldn’t we say all Christian churches, who separated from the Catholic Church and formed their own denomination, are also based upon the foundation of Peter?

** No because Jesus only gave Peter and his successors the authority. 1,500 years later without Jesus’ authority they left! Just like the followers who left Jesus when he explained about eating His Body and drinking His Blood they left his church.
For other reasons, Other followers did the same thing. They turned their backs on Jesus! Then as Satan took over control, they counterfeited the real church and corrupted Jesus’ teachings and sacred scripture. They turned their backs on His real teachings and started to divide and multiply like a cancer on the body of Christ!! I believe around 500 to 700 groups may believe in the real presense, even thought they don’t have it! They understand that the words Jesus said concerning the Eucharist was true. They just have no way of preforming the “transubstantiation” of the bread and wine because their ministers have no apolostic succession to preform this task that Jesus gave to His diciples and authority to pass on!**

He lit the torch, but how do we prove it wasn’t passed away from the popes?

**Could anyone believe it was passed away to what has become 61,000 different Protestant groups? They have developed 1,375 different variations of Jesus’ beliefs and invented many of their own! Which one of these could possibly had received the tourch? And to use one of their tricks. Where in the bible does it say a tourch would be passed?

The Catholic church is the one real church Jesus established. It is 2,000 years old and protected from all the division and multiplication which can only be symbolic of a cancerous growth on the body of Christ! God’s way of acknowledging the devil’s role in protestantism by allowing him to distort the truth in so many obvious ways that only spiritually blind and dead people would remain fooled.

Does that help answer your questions?

Remember Protestants had no hand in their being deceived. We have to love them and pray for their conversion. Jesus wants all of us to share in eternal life. The good God loving Protestants deserve salvation! Lets always pray for their eyes to be opened to the truth of Jesus Christ’s teachings.

God Bless **

 

[Realcatholicgk]

Realcatholicgk:

**
"There are only two kinds of people in the end: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, in the end, ‘Thy will be done.’ - CS Lewis**

I very much doubt though, if those last mentioned, will say so then. All there will be is weeping and gnashing of teeth (Math 8:12 – Math 13:50 – Math 22:13 – Math 25:30)

**
Hi Bruno,

You misunderstood the point. The twisting of the language was the problem. That saying stated: Believers will say “Thy will be done” The others, who abuse their free wills, will hear God say to them** “Thy will be done”. They won’t say that! Same words used, different effect. They will see a 'mercyful" God rather a God that permits their ‘desire’ to burn in hell where “All there will be is weeping and gnashing of teeth”.

Jetzt verstehen Due?

God Bless

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**Oh- ah- yeah-
why the heck don’t <you speak German in the first place then??? A far better understandable language that this flipping English

Again I had no note somet’s going on here and found out by casually clicking here.

Today I had a talk with two young guys with their wifes in my club; 40 and 41 they where as they told me. They kept on, they seem to be in a midlife crisis. I told them, well, wait till yours 45, then you might be in that if you like, but however, it’s all a question of believe in God or no believe.
One of them agreed, the other one said, no - I’ve been at a christening of my sisters baby. The priest told a lot of rubbish.

He couldn’t answer what this priest had said. So I presume it’s again a lot of prejudice. And he left the table.

The other one stayed, but then I was shocked when he said: I believe in God, "no matter if Buddha or Jesus Christ :hypno:

I told him, that Buddha was no God - uch:
Buddhism is atheism - Buddhists have no God.

He agreed - though I have the feeling he doesn’t really care.
Still however - they do want to find something to hold on.

All of those who they do want to find REAL, something REAL to hold on, must know, that there is not “something” and nothing else but Jesus Christ - to hold on to.
As long as they seek and avoid Jesus Christ, they will not only never find God - no - they wont even find themselves! and then there no sense what so ever in their life!
**

 

[seekdatruth]

**Oh- ah- yeah-
why the heck don’t <you speak German in the first place then??? A far better understandable language that this flipping English

Again I had no note somet’s going on here and found out by casually clicking here.

Today I had a talk with two young guys with their wifes in my club; 40 and 41 they where as they told me. They kept on, they seem to be in a midlife crisis. I told them, well, wait till yours 45, then you might be in that if you like, but however, it’s all a question of believe in God or no believe.
One of them agreed, the other one said, no - I’ve been at a christening of my sisters baby. The priest told a lot of rubbish.

He couldn’t answer what this priest had said. So I presume it’s again a lot of prejudice. And he left the table.

The other one stayed, but then I was shocked when he said: I believe in God, "no matter if Buddha or Jesus Christ :hypno:

I told him, that Buddha was no God - uch:
Buddhism is atheism - Buddhists have no God.

He agreed - though I have the feeling he doesn’t really care.
Still however - they do want to find something to hold on.

All of those who they do want to find REAL, something REAL to hold on, must know, that there is not “something” and nothing else but Jesus Christ - to hold on to.
As long as they seek and avoid Jesus Christ, they will not only never find God - no - they wont even find themselves! and then there no sense what so ever in their life!
**

Ah so! Genau! Hast du verstanden? Tsk, tsk!
I felt your pain when I lived in Germany! Even though German is a much more logical language.

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**

I felt your pain when I lived in Germany! Even though German is a much more logical language.

I very much wonder, how many of you speak “the present Popes language” :dancing:
All US people here (in our road lived around 10ooo Americans until 1995) including the US singers of my sons band who lived in this house, didn’t speak single word of our babble.

I had a friend in the 60th in art academy, a British composer by the name of Philip Flach. He said in convincement: Our English language is the most illogical there is just compare the dict. where we have all in one whereas you have 10 tomes
But back to reality; I just love (British) English. The language with the stiff upper lip as Phil used to say.

Seekdatruth, you mentioned Even Stephen Hawking. I love his books. But I read there: “….then we’d know God’s plan”.
This repelled me. No human, if living here or in heaven, and no Angel will ever know Gods plan. And trying to find “Gods plan” in the universe, is typical for those who try to “humanise” God.
I don’t know if Hawkins is religious, if he believes in God or not - nor can we ever judge about suh question.

However: The ever so typical thing for nonbelievers is: They can’t (or they think and say they can not) believe in God (which every child can) because, they really can not find God the way they do it – in trying to anthropomorphize God.

That’s as ridiculous a way, as if an ant amidst a huge wood, would stand up on his anthill - carefully protected by the forester by use of a fence, and this cheeky little ant there proclaims: This is all there is. This wood (universe) arose from the big bang and there nothing behind. Silly ideas like “humans” don’t exist.
**

 

[IrishJoe]

I don’t know if Hawkins is religious, if he believes in God or not - nor can we ever judge about suh question.

he’s an aethiest.

 

[seekdatruth]

lol Hawkins is more an agnostic.

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**

IrishJoe:

he’s an atheist

Hey man; do you say so as: …he is an atheist like me – so you see I’m in best accompany…
or
…this guy is an atheist, I just don’t know – but would like to know!
???

The difference between atheist and what seekdatruth offered; agnostic, is quite simple:

Atheists say: There is no God!
Blyme - I wouldn’t even dare to say such thing and believe me, atheists, when they see God – which they all will – will wish never to have said so.

Agnostics on the other hand, are a bit more careful about this kind of thing, and they rather prefer to say:
I don’t know if there’s a God.

Find in the net Thomas Henry Huxley about further details

But never let it be an excuse for your disbelieve, that some ever so intelligent people did not believe either. Come to think, that even more intelligent people did believe!

And what’s even more a fact:
You yourself will believe one day and you’ll cry out to all these little nonbelievers: I did not believe, but had to find out - it’s true. In lifetime you receive good things like I did. And while those who believed received bad things, but now are comforted in heaven, I am in agony, and same you will fall upon you soon. (Luke 16:26)

And mind you IrishJoe. You’re very young now, and you think you can play about with all this, as you think you have a lot of time to make up your mind. That’s not so. First of January here died a 19-year old. Others here know details. He was very religious.
You don’t know, if you’ll die today. You too – if you believe it or not, will go on living – Gods, or another way though.

Don’t play around with the most important of your life.

Since you keep sticking on the theme in spite me insulting you desperately before (as test - sorry), you proved you want to believe. No, – let me rather say: Your soul wants you to believe in God!
Do so!

Only when you be believe, you’ll be given the grace of God to really being able to believe in God – to be within God – which you will not be able to understand now. It’s mere words to you now.

But you will understand, as soon as you opened yourself to God! Sure that is so!**

 

[Galnextdoor]

Irish Jo

To believe you have to suspend disbelief and harden not your heart. Open your mind. God is waiting for you.

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

unimportant side-question
I corrected my post as it tells you:
Last edited by Bruno Schulz : Today at 11:15 am. which was here 8:15 pm The girl next door answered at 8:18 pm.

What time does the forum note?
Now, when I post this, it’s dark evening 21:10 hours and I’ll be in bed within half an hour
I wonder when it says I did post that one…

 

[seekdatruth]

Bruno,
I hope you know I was joking. If I wrote and understood German as well as you understand and write English, I could help you translate everything here for you, but I do not!
As for my statement about Hawking, I didn’t even use my own native language properly. Einstein believed in God, (In some capacity), Hawking has never ruled Him out. If he has, I missed that. Either way, science has not disproved the existence of God, even though many simpler minds consider the two at odds.
It doesn’t matter though, like you basically said: No amount of reasoning can reach a hardened heart and make it believe. That is true. My heart isn’t hardened anymore, but I still need reason. I can’t silence that. I guess my reasons are inferior to what is called for here.
All I can do is pray for those who hearts are hardened, yet seem to desire faith, or at least some kind of meaning in their life. God IS waiting for Joe, and anyone else who seeks him. He loves and forgives like no other being has the capacity to. That little warm, fuzzy thought keeps me going when I have nothing else.
I have to retire from posting for a while. I haven’t given up, and I still have faith, I’m just no longer sure if I am able to do any good here. I certainly don’t want to do any harm. These forums have been very instrumental in exploring and better understanding my faith in God, and even the Catholic Church, and to that I’m grateful. I may keep watching, but need to practice the discipline of biting my tongue more often.
God bless all you "Joe"s out there! I’ll keep praying for ALL OF US.

 

[IrishJoe]

Einstein believed in God, (In some capacity), Hawking has never ruled Him out. If he has, I missed that.
………
It doesn’t matter though, like you basically said: No amount of reasoning can reach a hardened heart and make it believe. That is true.

Fristly Einstein used the word God to describe that which we do not know about the universe. He states that he does not belive in god as the jews do. This is a popular misconception. Hawking is also aethiest. Not ruling something out is different to accepting it. I dont rule out the possilbity that there are pixies living in my garden, but I find it highly unlikely that there are.

My heart is not hardened, I am quite openminded, however I do not find much logic or rationale behind the church teachings that I have questioned. And have witnessed some acts of charity and some acts of spite here on this thread. Some people have emailed and messaged me although its gotten me nowhere. Despite this, I cannot be a catholic as I disagree with fundamental teachings so it is time to see if there are other ways to know god because catholicism at the moment is retarding my spiritual growth. If in future someone explains it to me I will resume it.

 

[tobbias88]

Hi Joe,

Let’s cut the blarney - you have more Faith in your little toe than all the hornets’ nest you have stirred up. Look at the length of this blessed/cussed thread!!!

I think you should run for Cardinal if not Pope (ye’d have them all running round in circles) Pity, I can’t meet up with you for a jar. For a man who has no Faith you seem to have a damned sight more than most Bishops

All you have to do is: next time you get blind-drunk, stand in the middle of a field and shout, ‘God where the…are You. I need a word quick!’

I’m sorry about you illness but don’t worry about Eternity. Peter will kick your *** but then let you through the Gate. If not, go round the back and ask for Paddy - never known to fail.
God bless, take care & see you on the other side!

PS: I can believe they just censored that word!!!..donkey!!!

 

[scoobydoo6v92]

Tired is one way of putting it. I am tired of going up and down in faith/relgion and I need stability. I am tired trying. I’ve tried to meet god 1/2 way but its not working. Weather its me getting stuck at 1/4 way or god not bothering I dont know. All I know is that I am very confused.

Dear Irish Joe. I know what you feel. I am in my 30s and that sucks in it’s own right, Anyway. I go to Mass and there is this young girl “high School” age and every one fawns over her. It angers me. She performs like church is the theatre. Ok I am mad at God I am furious at him. I am sick and tired of the way my life has been. I got to Mass and it is dry I get angry at allot of things. That girl the people on the altar, so on so forth. My Father is 66 years old broke and I have to do **** I hate doing going to places I hate to go for 10 years juat to make ends barely meet none of my dreams have come true. I even discerned the priesthood that was the most emotional roller coaster ride from HELL!!! I ever had yet God allowed child molesters in and my KNOWING and trusting and believing all the churches teachings and trying to live them and still do but I felt the church gave me the biggest screw you ever!!! I am ANGRY I am tried. I go to bed and hope I don’t wake up. I am in my 30s and I hate adulthood more every stinkin damn day. I am tired of seeing other people, younger people getting their dreams and I get a screw you from God I am freaken furious. What really angers me is that my poor Father is suffering financial difficulties at 66 and it is unfair. I cry myself to sleep, yet God treats athiests better than his believers. I know your pain I feel your pain and going to mass pray offer it up whatever catch phrase I hear is not good enough. I WANT GOD TO FREAKEN DO SOMETHING NOW!!! enough is enough,. Yes I know how you feel. everyday is just another disappointment. I may seem negative been told i am lately, But what does one expect when everyday is the same old **** as the last with no hope of ever climbing out of the cesspool. Yes my dear friend I feel you and I have some of the same feelings as you. The thing is I STILL love God and I still love his saving Son I believe in him I KNOW he is there and I know that Jesus is the only way the only light in this cesspool we call the world. I believe that He built the church upon Peter the first pope and I will always be Catholic and I still love Jesus more than I can say. I am angry and very disappointed in allot of things but I am not going to turn away from God. I just can’t do that. Like a child mad a his parents, but he still loves them. that is how I feel with God. I pray that you stay with the church and God will be with you and help you. I have no answers for you as to what to do, just that you are not the only one that feels the way you do. It makes me feel better when someone knows what I am dealign with. Sometimes just talking about it not being afraid to say it like it is gets you feeling better vindicated or what have you. Most people want to put on a front that oh it’s ok it is no big deal. But sometimes it is NOT ok it is a big deal. Anyways I hope it gets better for you and hope you stay in the Catholic church. God Bless Scoob.

 

[Bruno_Schulz]

**

Catholicism is retarding my spiritual growth

Catholicism; Christianity never retards anybodies spiritual growth. It’s you who does this, by neglecting the freedom of faith and sticking to the boundedness of disbelieve.
The question remains: What drives you to fight against God?

No amount of reasoning can reach a hardened heart and make it believe

Right!

My heart isn’t hardened, but I still need reason. I can’t silence that. I guess my reasons are inferior to what is called for here.

Every human being tries to find God by reason too. Just match e.g. this thread:
forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=190187&page=4
Surely you will – as I did – find it very helpful to read one or two little books about Ignatius of Loyola. It’s German title is like “Find God in all things”. Must be similar in English. Here Ignatius explains, how we can find God, and very tangible he continues; “in ALL things that are”. All things we see, yes, our seeing and doing itself, he explains, we might recognize God - if we are open hearted enough to do so.

His books are also a great help to “understand” the Holy Trinity (though I have to add, that we NEVER will understand God neither here nor in heaven).
Ignatius originates not from the Church or believe (similar to Saint Paul or many Saints) but he was soldier, ladykiller and warhorse before.

However. If we had nothing but the New Testament and read in this open hearted, we get more and more convinced of this one and only truth of God, by every page we turn over.

No! Your reasons are NOT inferior to what is called for here! What is called for here? What is called for in being a Christian?
To believe in God. That’s all. And to explain to others why we believe this truth. And this not to anyone’s liking or disliking, but to our own, and the benefit of those we love in Christ as we are ordered to love anyone God created and help him to find his way to God.
There are millions of ways to God however.

It wasn’t much one man did, but however astonished Jesus so much. This centurion said to Jesus (let’s really look at this verses in our Bible in Mat: 8,7-10)
“Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.”

This guy surely wasn’t a studied man. All he did, was to believe Jesus is God, believe in same simple way a child takes faith in God.

Jesus though, said to bystanders: “I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
**

 

[Lainey63]

I didn’t read all the posts-I am Irish too and just in case someone didn’t tell you. First you don’t know as much as you think you do, second as far as hipocrates go in church…there’s always room for one more. Third, you are in a spiritual battle-now do what the Irish do best…fight. In order to fight & win you need to surrender to God. When you are suffering from illness it is always harder to live your faith-even when life gets real tough in other ways it is real hard to not think like you are right now and all that negativity overcome us. The one thing I have learned is when I feel like praying the least is when I really need to pray. Stop thinking about what others are doing-all you are accomplishing is that you are judging others and not working on your relationship with God. And guess whose paying the price for that-you are. I am a recovering alcoholic and it doesn’t take much for me to get into that state of mind you are in. I really have to fight to get over that attitude-I have to live one day at a time, I have to stay away from anger & judging people…I cannot afford to do those things they are deadly for me. I also ask God for help ALOT. I also work the 12 steps-which are very similar to the exercises of St Ignatious. I’ll be praying for you. Don’t give up…do your best even if its pitiful in your eyes.