I leave Catholicism and religion (warning rant)

[leonie]

At a certain time in my life, I was a deist believing that God didn’t work in a personal way in this world.

One thing that helped me understand was reading the lives of the saints, in particular mystics like Padre Pio, Blessed Mother Teresa, St. John Bosco.

I find it easier to read about modern saints because I can understand their lives a little more clearly since their world experiences are closer to mine.

That’s my recommendation–read the lives of the saints. You know lots of* nice* people, I’m sure. But, there is something much deeper, more awe inspiring to read about these saints so close to God. It’s a glimpse of God.

It’s not nice, it’s holy.

 

[SaintJoanOfArc]

So I’m 21… about your age and I can see where you’re coming from. I definitely feel that we all have fluctuating periods with our faith. There have been times that I have such an incredible zeal for the Church, and other times where I think, “Is it really doing any good?” It’s almost as though the more I pray/read/become stronger in my faith, the more and more Satan tries to attack it. And despite my desire to become completely apathetic towards it all during these attacks, it’s during these periods that we have to try to persevere. Sometimes all the studying and defending of the faith can become overwhelming. At least I’ve found it to be this way. Occasionally I just bring myself back with the basics… take a break from all of that and focus on yourself for a bit. You won’t be able to assist in the conversion of other souls if you’re not strong yourself. Simplicity can be a beautiful thing. Recently when I have trouble persevering I just say, “Jesus, I love you” over and over until it become real in my mind. And that brings me back to reality… not this earthly reality, but rather the reality that God does in fact exist and there is hope.

Of course it’s not easy. If it were easy to remain steadfast in our faith, we’d never lose a Catholic. Find a way to keep yourself grounded… just something simple that won’t overwhelm you. Maybe that St. Jude prayer

 

[Harmony1988]

Thanks all, I have come back to Catholicism, infact it was about 10 hours later that my normal thought process came back. I have to go to confession this Saturday.

Prayers for all who posted, I read all of it.

Thanks a lot.

 

[LilyM]

It isn’t only the downtrodden who get religion.

Amen - my parents aren’t downtrodden by any means, life is great for them - great marriage, ots of friends, five kids (I like to think at least four of us have turned out very well ), more than well off materially, semi-retired with plenty of freedom to travel and pursue their hobbies and passions.

While they were always practicing Catholics, they only ‘got religion’ bigtime in their 40s, when they realised they had everything else you seem to think everyone needs and it still wasn’t enough to completely fulfil them.

ETA: glad to hear you’ve come back to your senses. I don’t think you need to go to confession, at least not for this, fleeting doubts of this type aren’t gravely sinful I shouldn’t think.

 

[beckycmarie]

Thanks all, I have come back to Catholicism, infact it was about 10 hours later that my normal thought process came back. I have to go to confession this Saturday.

Prayers for all who posted, I read all of it.

Thanks a lot.

Harmony, that is what you call a major temptation. Congratulations on not giving into it and leaving the Church.

If it happens again, don’t dwell on it and allow the temptation to grow - reject it and pray for strength to overcome it.

Just as Satan did with Jesus, sometimes the devil takes us aside and says to us, “I will give you all this if you will bow down and worship me.”

"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Matthew 6:19 - 21; 24

 

[Danny_OC]

After having been Catholic for 20 years (all my life), though not all periods have been really ‘Catholic’ - it was only about 2 years ago that I became more ‘aware’ of my actions and my typical rock and roll lifestyle.

Slowly I started to change, embraced the faith more. Things got better,I started reading the bible more, my attitude changed. I became more helpful towards people. I prayed way more, fasted, did novenas for others. But more lately, I’ve just started to look at myself, what has happened to me, personally? Sure I’ve got to know more about the faith, theologically, philosophically and actually living it out, but it hasn’t really helped me except a few days at a time where I think wow this has really helped me, but I think now that is more based on wishful thinking, a hope that because everyone says this and this it must be true.

Why do people get drunk, engage in pre-marital sex, get high everyday and pretty much break every single commandment there is and still have a decent life:

1. A good salary
2. A job
3. Girlfriend/wife

Now, I’m not saying this is all there is to life, but considering the marriage vocation, that is probably the 3 main things after the spiritual side of things with God. If you have a bad salary, you will struggle, as simple as that, if you don’t have a job, you will struggle, as simple as that. Now I have friends that are like this, I am in no way jealous of them or their positions, I pray(ed) for them and I hope they lead the most fulfilling life they possibly can.

But I have to wonder why, I tire myself out doing all this, plus working hard enough in uni, but being borderline pass/fail, not having a job, not having a girlfriend and clueless about where life takes me. Why would any of my friends think about becoming Christian when their life is good? Why do I have to remain Christian when nothing good comes out of it, except some people draw some abstractions on a future ‘beyond’ and that we have to live for that.

Cut the bs, if you were all so darned into that stuff, you might as well go to Africa and help out the kids there, that way you can store treasures for heaven.

I have had changed my lifestyle completely, I used to illegally download, watch porn, listen to satanic music, I gave all that up. I’ve spent hours defending the faith and God against total nuts, places where I used to ‘hang out’ on the web.

What has doing all this for God gotten me? Nowhere, it built up hope that wasn’t fulfilled. I’m not interested in hearing people talking about the ‘future’ - I’ve read Spe Salvi, the latest encyclical by the Pope plenty of times and I’ve probably read all there is to know about this Christian based hope.

I am still a theist, I acknowledge the existence of a God, and more specifically a Christian one, because it is rational, but I refuse to accept that he does care about his creation.

Edit: I’d like to also add, that I do not hate the Church or the Pope or anyone like that, my feelings towards the people and the popes and the cardinals and etc. remain as they always have been, a thing of profound reverance. Especially the people in the forums here.

Most people have the 1) 2) and 3) you listed; yet depression, divorce, suicide, psychological meds, etc. etc. etc. are amazingly rampant. It’s strong faith that most people don’t have.

Glad you decided to stay!

 

[Michael_Neal]

If you can’t find a job, girlfriend etc. maybe God is calling you to pursue the priesthood or religious life. Maybe he is telling you that you do not need those things.

Please pick up a good book about St. Francis and read about his joyful life of poverty and chastity.

 

[DJgang]

Harmony, that is what you call a major temptation. Congratulations on not giving into it and leaving the Church.

If it happens again, don’t dwell on it and allow the temptation to grow - reject it and pray for strength to overcome it.

Just as Satan did with Jesus, sometimes the devil takes us aside and says to us, “I will give you all this if you will bow down and worship me.”

Amen and excellent advice.

We are being tempted ALL THE TIME … satan be gone out of Harmony’s life, satan, leave him alone! He belongs to God, his Blessed Mother is protecting him and Jesus is his Savior. Amen!

 

[beckycmarie]

And some good news, Harmony, that thing that got you back on track with your faith - that was Grace. :getholy:

 

[water]

Thanks all, I have come back to Catholicism, infact it was about 10 hours later that my normal thought process came back. I have to go to confession this Saturday.

Prayers for all who posted, I read all of it.

Thanks a lot.

Praise the Lord! Thank you for being strong, Harmony!
beckycmarie is right about the grace you have received to overcome the temptation.

God bless.

 

[Mystic_of_God]

I have had changed my lifestyle completely, I used to illegally download, watch porn, listen to satanic music, I gave all that up. I’ve spent hours defending the faith and God against total nuts, places where I used to ‘hang out’ on the web.

What has doing all this for God gotten me? Nowhere, it built up hope that wasn’t fulfilled. I’m not interested in hearing people talking about the ‘future’ - I’ve read Spe Salvi, the latest encyclical by the Pope plenty of times and I’ve probably read all there is to know about this Christian based hope.

I am still a theist, I acknowledge the existence of a God, and more specifically a Christian one, because it is rational, but I refuse to accept that he does care about his creation.

Edit: I’d like to also add, that I do not hate the Church or the Pope or anyone like that, my feelings towards the people and the popes and the cardinals and etc. remain as they always have been, a thing of profound reverance. Especially the people in the forums here.

Heh, sounds familiar.