I need advice with this

[someperson555]

Im thinking of converting to eastern orthodoxy. Ive been on a spiritual journey which has taken me from catholicism to non denominationalism and now im feeling a strong pull towards eastern orthodoxy which I feel is the true church after much study.
Quite a few things pushed me away from the Catholic church. I will not list all of them here because I have not had a chance to gather my thoughts yet. But I will list a few. One of the major problems I see in catholicism is that it is quite superstitious in my opinion.
It seems to put more faith in works rather than a personal relationship with God. Salvation comes from opening yourself up to God and following his guidance. Salvation is an internal transformation not blind obedience to the pope.
Ive also looked into the history of the schism and I have to say I side with the orthodox. The roman patriarch just declared himself infallible one day and broke away from constantinople. In fact most of the other patriarchs sided with constantinople! It was after that the roman church took a corrupt turn. It basically declared itself authority over the entire governments too. The pope basically made himself a monarch. Its also intetesting how the roman church later fragmented Into many protestant sects. Luther was justly rebelling against a corrupt church hierarchy. That tells me God was not with the RC. The eastern orthodox church has not gone through such a great collapse that I know.

So I really like the east ern orthodox church because of its theology and its structure. Its not as dogmatic as the Catholic church. Its more flexible. Actually ive held eastern orthodox beliefs ever since I was a child without even realizing it ( that salvation is a mystery, etc mystical view of christ) I just always assumed the catholic church taught the same thing. Only after my Catholic friends told me I was heretical did I realize it did not.
Dont get me wrong. Im not anti Catholic. I have a deep respect for saints like st Benedict, sttherese of liseaux, st Francis, and others. But I just cannot accept its superstitious practices, its dogmatism, legalism, its casual handling of the Eucharist, its borderline marian worship, its irrational views on contraception and divorce, etc.
So that is why I am considering being orthodox. I want to apologize for my previous behavior here. Sometimes I trolled. I am sorry. But I would like to ask of all of you this one last question. Should I stick with my new found non denominationalism? Or should I convert to orthodoxy? Or should I come back to catholicism? I promise this will be my last thread here. So im listening for any (name removed by moderator)ut.

 

[Casilda]

Im thinking of converting to eastern orthodoxy. Ive been on a spiritual journey which has taken me from catholicism to non denominationalism and now im feeling a strong pull towards eastern orthodoxy which I feel is the true church after much study.
Quite a few things pushed me away from the Catholic church. I will not list all of them here because I have not had a chance to gather my thoughts yet. But I will list a few. One of the major problems I see in catholicism is that it is quite superstitious in my opinion.

**The church is not superstitious, but I do know a few people who are.
**

It seems to put more faith in works rather than a personal relationship with God.

The people I know who put their faith in action, works are the ones who seem closest to God

Salvation comes from opening yourself up to God and following his guidance. Salvation is an internal transformation not blind obedience to the pope.

I don’t think any Catholic will argue with you on that.

Ive also looked into the history of the schism and I have to say I side with the orthodox. The roman patriarch just declared himself infallible one day and broke away from constantinople. In fact most of the other patriarchs sided with constantinople! It was after that the roman church took a corrupt turn. It basically declared itself authority over the entire governments too. The pope basically made himself a monarch. Its also intetesting how the roman church later fragmented Into many protestant sects. Luther was justly rebelling against a corrupt church hierarchy. That tells me God was not with the RC.

** well you and me were not there. I did try to research history, objectively, and came to a different conclusion. I do agree with you that Martin Luther was fighting corruption, there is still that today as there was in Jesus’ time -Judas.
**

The eastern orthodox church has not gone through such a great collapse that I know.

** while I was studying Orthodoxy I found that the different churches I visited all were suspect of each other. Where I saw the same faith, practice, prayers, etc. It all depended on which patriarch you were under. I am glad that all Catholic churches have a picture of Pope Francis.
**

So I really like the east ern orthodox church because of its theology and its structure. Its not as dogmatic as the Catholic church. Its more flexible.
Actually ive held eastern orthodox beliefs ever since I was a child without even realizing it ( that salvation is a mystery, etc mystical view of christ) I just always assumed the catholic church taught the same thing. Only after my Catholic friends told me I was heretical did I realize it did not.
Dont get me wrong. Im not anti Catholic. I have a deep respect for saints like st Benedict, sttherese of liseaux, st Francis, and others. But I just cannot accept its superstitious practices, its dogmatism, legalism, its casual handling of the Eucharist, its borderline marian worship, its irrational views on contraception and divorce, etc.
So that is why I am considering being orthodox. I want to apologize for my previous behavior here. Sometimes I trolled. I am sorry. But I would like to ask of all of you this one last question. Should I stick with my new found non denominationalism? Or should I convert to orthodoxy? Or should I come back to catholicism? I promise this will be my last thread here. So im listening for any (name removed by moderator)ut.

I prayed about it. I know there are problems in both, but for me scales tipped in favor of Catholicsm, albeit an Eastern branch. I could not give up on what kept my sanity all my growing up years, knowing PJPII was there guiding the Church.

 

[someperson555]

I prayed about it. I know there are problems in both, but for me scales tipped in favor of Catholicsm, albeit an Eastern branch. I could not give up on what kept my sanity all my growing up years, knowing PJPII was there guiding the Church.

Interesting. So you are a convert from orthodoxy to catholicism? May I ask what tipped the scales for you? WhAt is the catholic point of view on the schism of 1054? Because it really seems to me that the orthodox were right.
As for the superstition I noticed in the church; I notice that people place far too much faith in novenas and medals.

 

[ynotzap]

All Churches are made up of sinful, fallible human beings. Scandal is inevitable, Jesus knew this when He established the Catholic Christian Church. He made a promise, and history testifies that He kept His promise by sustaining the Catholic Church in spite of corruption. The Church has experienced many spiritual revivals, and has had many holy and spiritual reformers. The Holy Spirit provides this. Secularism, and materialism has entered the Church and the Church bleeds from these wounds.

The Church realizes this, and how we have drifted away from evangelization. But some Popes have exhorted us to evangelize again. We got too much like Martha, and not enough like Mary, who chose the better part. Jesus appointed Peter to head the Church as Pope, and from him follows the true lineage of Christs’ successors, and the power of the priesthood. The Church survived heresies, and schisms. She claims infallibility because of Jesus’ promises to be with her, by His Spirit, and what ever she binds on earth will be bound in Heaven Jesus said that scandal would come,and it did, but it still survives. Show me another Church that has survived such adverse forces.

The Church never fragmented, it remains, but others started churches of their own, the Church will remain One, Holy . Apostolic and Catholic Church, Vatican ll is a pastoral council, dealing with the spiritual problems of the church, instead of a Council dealing with Dogma. Salvation is no mystery, the Church makes that very clear, that’s why she is emphasizing Evangelization, that Jesus Christ is God-man, the Redeemer of Mankind. And the Church shows very clearly how we are redeemed, given salvation–no mystery! Jesus Christ is the “Good News, and everything He teaches”

We do not worship Mary, and we do not entertain superstition. It’s true that we may be very structured, and authoritative, and sometimes we might be inclined to control the Holy Spirit, but that is a human fault, not the Church’s. The Church is the Mystical Body of Christ with Christ as it’s Head, and the Holy Spirit as it’s soul, and we are the members of the Body. And who is stating that the Church has irrational views on abortion, contraception. and divorce. Jesus was clear on that issue too. I am afraid that you are very erroneously informed, I would suggest that you pray very hard for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your choice. Praying that you make the right choice.

 

[someperson555]

All Churches are made up of sinful, fallible human beings. Scandal is inevitable, Jesus knew this when He established the Catholic Christian Church. He made a promise, and history testifies that He kept His promise by sustaining the Catholic Church in spite of corruption. The Church has experienced many spiritual revivals, and has had many holy and spiritual reformers. The Holy Spirit provides this. Secularism, and materialism has entered the Church and the Church bleeds from these wounds.

The Church realizes this, and how we have drifted away from evangelization. But some Popes have exhorted us to evangelize again. We got too much like Martha, and not enough like Mary, who chose the better part. Jesus appointed Peter to head the Church as Pope, and from him follows the true lineage of Christs’ successors, and the power of the priesthood. The Church survived heresies, and schisms. She claims infallibility because of Jesus’ promises to be with her, by His Spirit, and what ever she binds on earth will be bound in Heaven Jesus said that scandal would come,and it did, but isurvives. Show me another Church that has survived such adverse forces.

The Church never fragmented, it remains, but others started churches of their own, the Church will remain One, Holy . Apostolic and Catholic Church, Vatican ll is a pastoral council, dealing with the spiritual problems of the church, instead of a Council dealing with Dogma. Salvation is no mystery, the Church makes that very clear, that’s why she is emphasizing Evangelization, that Jesus Christ is God-man, the Redeemer of Mankind. And the Church shows very clearly how we are redeemed, given salvation–no mystery! Jesus Christ is the “Good News, and everything He teaches”

We do not worship Mary, and we do not entertain superstition. It’s true that we may be very structured, and authoritative, and sometimes we might be inclined to control the Holy Spirit, but that is a human fault, not the Church’s. The Church is the Mystical Body of Christ with Christ as it’s Head, and the Holy Spirit as it’s soul, and we are the members of the Body. And who is stating that the Church has irrational views on abortion, contraception. and divorce. Jesus was clear on that issue too. I am afraid that you are very erroneously informed, I would suggest that you pray very hard for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your choice. Praying that you make the right choice.

Well there were no popes until after the schism. It seems to me that the roman church later re interpreted the bible to legitimize the pope. You say the fact that the church survived adversity is proof of the holy spirits support? Well the eastern orthodox church never had a major crisis as the protestant reformation. It has remained the same ever since the time of early christianity.
Salvation is not as simple as that. It is a journey. It requires surrendering yourself to God and being open to his will. Yet it seems to me that catholicism places more emphasis on obediance to authority rather than walking with God. I cant help but notice a brownie points mentality among catholics. I have studied ancient wisdoms other than the bible. One of these which helped me tremendously was the enneagram of personality. It explains the difference between pretending and authenticity. Between awakeness and entrancement. I think its important to be mindful of those differences. Salvation is shedding the ego and finding your true self.
Im aware of the Catholic churchs attempts at evangelization. They always fail. No offense. This is because scholasticism is flawed in my opinion.
Also, I never said the church had irrational views on abortion. I have ALWAYS been very pro life. Please dont put words in my mouth
I have come to accept the biblical teaching that sex before marriage is wrong and that homosexuality is wrong but I am sorry o will never accept the Catholic churchs stance on birth control and divorce. I think the eastern orthodox church has far saner views on these issues. This is actually a good example where Catholic scholasticism fails. While its true the eastern orthodox church is not crazy about these things, it is more flexible and less rigid.

 

[Casilda]

Interesting. So you are a convert from orthodoxy to catholicism? May I ask what tipped the scales for you? WhAt is the catholic point of view on the schism of 1054? Because it really seems to me that the orthodox were right.
As for the superstition I noticed in the church; I notice that people place far too much faith in novenas and medals.

I agree with Ynotzap. What I learned that the church remains intact, but there have been groups that have left her. I am a revert, once considered Orthodoxy because my husband was. He is now Catholic also. What tipped the scales? Although I love my orthodox brothers and sisters who genuinely live their faith, it is not reciprocated. Whereas I see a sibling in Christ, I was just a heretical papist. So to be Orthodox I had to deny that others outside their church could possibly ever share the same faith in God, I had to also deny the pope’s office. If the pope can extent a hand in merciful brothership, they could not do the same.

I have known true followers of Christ outside of Catholicism.

 

[someperson555]

I agree with Ynotzap. What I learned that the church remains intact, but there have been groups that have left her. I am a revert, once considered Orthodoxy because my husband was. He is now Catholic also. What tipped the scales? Although I love my orthodox brothers and sisters who genuinely live their faith, it is not reciprocated. Whereas I see a sibling in Christ, I was just a heretical papist. So to be Orthodox I had to deny that others outside their church could possibly ever share the same faith in God, I had to also deny the pope’s office. If the pope can extent a hand in merciful brothership, they could not do the same.

I have known true followers of Christ outside of Catholicism.

Thats interesting. I became disenchanted with the RC for the same reason. Roman Catholics seem to share the Calvinist notion that unless you have membership in the roman Catholic church you are doomed to hell. Unless a priest says some magic words over you you’re not forgiven? Where as the Eastern orthodox church seems to say that God judges the heart and therefore does not exclude non orthodox from the possibility of salvation.

 

[Casilda]

Well there were no popes until after the schism.
the title came later but the position was always Peter’s headship or a respect for that position

It seems to me that the roman church later re interpreted the bible to legitimize the pope. You say the fact that the church survived adversity is proof of the holy spirits support? Well the eastern orthodox church never had a major crisis as the protestant reformation. It has remained the same ever since the time of early christianity.

**their very existence today is a crisis, the US should have its own patriarch, instead each jurisdiction is fighting. Sit with the different groups, and you will discover this. It became mind blogging trying to determine who had canonical status or not.
**

Salvation is not as simple as that. It is a journey. It requires surrendering yourself to God and being open to his will. Yet it seems to me that catholicism places more emphasis on obediance to authority rather than walking with God.

even more so the orthodox

I cant help but notice a brownie points mentality among catholics. I have studied ancient wisdoms other than the bible. One of these which helped me tremendously was the enneagram of personality. It explains the difference between pretending and authenticity. Between awakeness and entrancement. I think its important to be mindful of those differences. Salvation is shedding the ego and finding your true self.
Im aware of the Catholic churchs attempts at evangelization. They always fail. No offense. This is because scholasticism is flawed in my opinion.

I do not like scholasticism, either. To hold that above spirituality is wrong, there should be a balance

Also, I never said the church had irrational views on abortion. I have ALWAYS been very pro life. Please dont put words in my mouth
I have come to accept the biblical teaching that sex before marriage is wrong and that homosexuality is wrong but I am sorry o will never accept the Catholic churchs stance on birth control and divorce. I think the eastern orthodox church has far saner views on these issues. This is actually a good example where Catholic scholasticism fails. While its true the eastern orthodox church is not crazy about these things, it is more flexible and less rigid.

**the rigidity I feel is because they have allowed people to come up with unnecessary rules that discourage the faithful, much like the Pharisees. Forms and red tape ad nauseum. Its why I am not Roman Catholic anymore. **

 

[Casilda]

Thats interesting. I became disenchanted with the RC for the same reason. Roman Catholics seem to share the Calvinist notion that unless you have membership in the roman Catholic church you are doomed to hell. Unless a priest says some magic words over you you’re not forgiven? Where as the Eastern orthodox church seems to say that God judges the heart and therefore does not exclude non orthodox from the possibility of salvation.

We are all children of God, made in His image, this is the Catholic teaching.

 

[someperson555]

Casilda:
Thank you casilda for your help. I have to say I Still dont know what to do. I think for now I will just stick with non denominationalism. I have actually grown a lot spiritually and ive learned more about catholicism since ive had a chance to study it from a distance.
I’m not going to lie. I would LIKE to be orthodox. But I realize I have to follow what is true and not what I want to be true. So I will hold off on deciding for now. Im just going to continue to study the two religions.

 

[Casilda]

Thank you casilda for your help. I have to say I Still dont know what to do. I think for now I will just stick with non denominationalism. I have actually grown a lot spiritually and ive learned more about catholicism since ive had a chance to study it from a distance.
I’m not going to lie. I would LIKE to be orthodox. But I realize I have to follow what is true and not what I want to be true. So I will hold off on deciding for now. Im just going to continue to study the two religions.

I wish you the best as you follow God’s guidance. I was fortunate to learn under an Orthodox monk-priest. He taught me a lot about the Bible from early church fathers. You will not be too far off under such guidance, just remember, there is a Catholic sister who will pray for you, which ever you decide

 

[FrancisJoseph]

I am not fully informed on this but…
would the eastern rite of roman Catholicism be an option. They are a valid roman Catholic order in holy communion with roman (aka Fully church approved)
If i am not mistaken they are basically Eastern Orthodox who at some point came back to the west (recogized the pope as peters valid successor)
They are still eastern enough that the bishops can marry (yes rome knows)
So good news is the service is still very eastern but your still technically RC.
Down side… good luck finding one

Side note most mainline Orthadox sacraments are valid according to rome (i think the term is irregular) and any Orthadox practitioner is allowed to take RC communion (there orthodox priest might disagree but Rome doesn’t mind) as long as mortal sin isn’t an issue

God bless and may God show you what you seek.

 

[someperson555]

I am not fully informed on this but…
would the eastern rite of roman Catholicism be an option. They are a valid roman Catholic order in holy communion with roman (aka Fully church approved)
If i am not mistaken they are basically Eastern Orthodox who at some point came back to the west (recogized the pope as peters valid successor)
They are still eastern enough that the bishops can marry (yes rome knows)
So good news is the service is still very eastern but your still technically RC.
Down side… good luck finding one

Side note most mainline Orthadox sacraments are valid according to rome (i think the term is irregular) and any Orthadox practitioner is allowed to take RC communion (there orthodox priest might disagree but Rome doesn’t mind) as long as mortal sin isn’t an issue

God bless and may God show you what you seek.

I actually have! I think that is what I will do for now actually. Do I have to go through any special ceremony to change rites or do I just change churches? I will just need to find one in my area

 

[ynotzap]

someperson555: I didn’t mean to put words in your mouth, but you did add"etc" to your
statements about divorce, and contraception

There are groups of Christians, Uniate (returned to Catholic unity for non-Catholic church of their rite, dissident, or scismatic. To the Catholic belong the Byzantine rite including Catholic armenians, Chaldeans, Copts, and Ethiopians, Maronites. Each is a fully and completely Catholic as the Western Church, they teach the same faith and morals and are obedient to the Holy See.

The dissident churches are made up of two catagories (l) those national churches that collectively form the Orthodox Eastern Church, and (2) the Nestorian, Armenian Coptic, Ethiopic,and Syrian Jacobite Churches. They were at one time all part of the Catholic Church, they now deny the authority of the Holy See and variously teach erroneous or heretical doctrines. Each does teach the Real Presence, the Eucharistic Sacrifice, confession, veneration of the Blessed Mother and the saints and other doctrines, except for the Copts and Ethiopians, have valid orders and sacraments.

The Second Vatican Council issued a Decree on Eastern Catholic Churches although they have different rites are equally entrusted to the pastoral guidance of the Roman Pontiff, the divinely appointed successor of St Peter in supreme governance over the Universal Church

 

[Casilda]

I actually have! I think that is what I will do for now actually. Do I have to go through any special ceremony to change rites or do I just change churches? I will just need to find one in my area

You can just choose to belong, or formally transfer. My husband entered the eastern church and I was formally transferred when our marriage was blessed. It involves a request from bishop to bishop (Eastern/Roman).

The Maronites are a Syriac Antiochene Eastern Catholic church that never broke communion with Rome.

 

[JRS_88]

I am not fully informed on this but…
would the eastern rite of roman Catholicism be an option. They are a valid roman Catholic order in holy communion with roman (aka Fully church approved)
If i am not mistaken they are basically Eastern Orthodox who at some point came back to the west (recogized the pope as peters valid successor)
They are still eastern enough that the bishops can marry (yes rome knows)
So good news is the service is still very eastern but your still technically RC.
Down side… good luck finding one

I don’t mean to hijack but, I just had to say a few things regarding the above:

The Eastern Catholic Churches (22 of them) are their own Churches sui juris. The Eastern Catholic Churches have their own Code of Canons.
They’re not religious orders. They acknowledge and accept the pope as pontiff, and therefore are in communion with Rome, but they are not “Roman Catholic”. We are Maronite, Melkite, Byzantine, Chaldean, Syro Malankara, etc, etc. To say “they’re still “technically” Roman Catholic” is not correct. We are not of the Roman rite. We have our own Churches and rites (liturgies), but yes in “communion” with Rome if you want to think of it that way.
Eastern Catholic Churches are led by their Patriarch, or in some Churches, Major Archbishop or a Metropolitan. "Others, correct me here - it’s late! *

To the best of my knowledge, Bishops in the Eastern Catholic Churches are not allowed to be married. Someone else can correct me (please) if I’m wrong about that.
Like I said, it’s almost 1am so, others who are more educated than I am, please correct whatever I’ve said that might be wrong.

 

[808Catholic]

Im thinking of converting to eastern orthodoxy. Ive been on a spiritual journey which has taken me from catholicism to non denominationalism and now im feeling a strong pull towards eastern orthodoxy which I feel is the true church after much study.
Quite a few things pushed me away from the Catholic church. I will not list all of them here because I have not had a chance to gather my thoughts yet. But I will list a few. One of the major problems I see in catholicism is that it is quite superstitious in my opinion.
It seems to put more faith in works rather than a personal relationship with God. Salvation comes from opening yourself up to God and following his guidance. Salvation is an internal transformation not blind obedience to the pope.
Ive also looked into the history of the schism and I have to say I side with the orthodox. The roman patriarch just declared himself infallible one day and broke away from constantinople. In fact most of the other patriarchs sided with constantinople! It was after that the roman church took a corrupt turn. It basically declared itself authority over the entire governments too. The pope basically made himself a monarch. Its also intetesting how the roman church later fragmented Into many protestant sects. Luther was justly rebelling against a corrupt church hierarchy. That tells me God was not with the RC. The eastern orthodox church has not gone through such a great collapse that I know.

So I really like the east ern orthodox church because of its theology and its structure. Its not as dogmatic as the Catholic church. Its more flexible. Actually ive held eastern orthodox beliefs ever since I was a child without even realizing it ( that salvation is a mystery, etc mystical view of christ) I just always assumed the catholic church taught the same thing. Only after my Catholic friends told me I was heretical did I realize it did not.
Dont get me wrong. Im not anti Catholic. I have a deep respect for saints like st Benedict, sttherese of liseaux, st Francis, and others. But I just cannot accept its superstitious practices, its dogmatism, legalism, its casual handling of the Eucharist, its borderline marian worship, its irrational views on contraception and divorce, etc.
So that is why I am considering being orthodox. I want to apologize for my previous behavior here. Sometimes I trolled. I am sorry. But I would like to ask of all of you this one last question. Should I stick with my new found non denominationalism? Or should I convert to orthodoxy? Or should I come back to catholicism? I promise this will be my last thread here. So im listening for any (name removed by moderator)ut.

My advice is to stick with the Catholic Church (Latin rite). You sound like you keep looking out the door of the church and picking out what seems most likable to you as it parades by. The Catholic church is the “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church”; has been from the start and will be until the end of time. Give your faith time to mature and seek the beauty in what you have now. I’ve heard too many testimonies where people leave the Catholic church only to come back with full understanding of what they rejected before. May the Holy Spirit give you wisdom and patience to discern what is right in God’s eyes.

 

[Mummsie]

I have actually grown a lot spiritually and ive learned more about catholicism since ive had a chance to study it from a distance.
.

Just one short comment…I hope what you’ve learned about Catholicism came from Catholic resources. The Catechism is the best source. Others talk about what they believe the Catholic church teaches. I noticed many misconceptions in your original post. I suggest you always verify info with the Catechism. It’s pretty explicit.

Praying for you on your journey.

God Bless you.

 

[someperson555]

My advice is to stick with the Catholic Church (Latin rite). You sound like you keep looking out the door of the church and picking out what seems most likable to you as it parades by. The Catholic church is the “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church”; has been from the start and will be until the end of time. Give your faith time to mature and seek the beauty in what you have now. I’ve heard too many testimonies where people leave the Catholic church only to come back with full understanding of what they rejected before. May the Holy Spirit give you wisdom and patience to discern what is right in God’s eyes.

Thats not true. I hate when people judge me like that. Im not just trying to find a religion which will allow me to do what I want. Heck, if I wanted that id have left the church a long time ago and id have become an atheist. Whenever something doesnt make sense to me I ask questions. However in the Catholic church that seems to be forbidden. If you even question some NON dogmatic teachings youre smacked with an anathema.
Theres a millon ruled and regulations which are totally arbitrary
Take this one for example:" if a priest solicits adultery for confession then he is anathema" ok. But what if he solicits murder for confession? Is he not anathema then? Because the LAW specifies adultery and not murder? Or when communists were excommunicated. First of all God does not recognize human authority or human institutions. So merely holding a view of the economy cannot possibly be sinful. Also how is merely belonging to a certain ideology a mortal sin?
And what about the index of forbidden books? Was it a mortal sin back then to read a book on the list but not a sin today? In other words if a person back then read books which were forbidden by the church and never confessed it did he go to hell? Even though the church abolished the index later on (50 years ago) according to church law he would have gone to hell because its obediance to the pope that counts not actual right and wrong.

 

[someperson555]

Just one short comment…I hope what you’ve learned about Catholicism came from Catholic resources. The Catechism is the best source. Others talk about what they believe the Catholic church teaches. I noticed many misconceptions in your original post. I suggest you always verify info with the Catechism. It’s pretty explicit.

Praying for you on your journey.

God Bless you.

I have learned good things and bad things. Ive looked into both firsthand Catholic sources but also non Catholic sources.