I need some help. Please read

[Stella_Luna_Sol]

Hello everyone,

I am new to the forums (just joined yesterday), and I’m still not entirely sure where to post this. I posted it in Prayer Intentions yesterday, because it seemed the most reasonable, but somebody advised me that I should re-post this in the Apologetics forum as well. Allow me to explain.

I am 26 years old, and I’ve been on somewhat of a complicated spiritual journey that started in late high school/early college. I was baptized and raised Lutheran, but attended Catholic school from grades 6 through 12. I attended a very large, liberal university for my undergraduate studies, dated a devout (non-denominational) Christian for 2 years, made frequent visits to a good friend at Franciscan University, and acquired a vast variety of (mostly atheist) friends and experiences throughout my college and post-college life. I should also note that I’ve been struggling with anxiety and depression for many years, and at one point in my life was seeing a Catholic counselor who gave me a copy of the Catechism and was trying to lead me to Christ through the Catholic Church.

I’ve done lots of research and read lots of books, articles, and blogs, but sometimes it’s difficult for a pessimistic, cynical person like myself with anxiety and depression, because I often get worked up and upset, and end up staying up until 4 AM reading or crying/panicking. At the end of the day, all I want to know is the one, universal Truth - there can only be one. I’m a smart, science-minded person, and I don’t want to believe in fairy stories if they are not true, even if they will make me feel better. Therefore, I’ve found myself at an impasse. After researching the various offshoots of Christianity, as well as dozens of world religions and secular beliefs out there, I have decided that the Truth lies in one of two places - atheism, or the Roman Catholic Church. Basically, either God exists, or he doesn’t. That’s what I’m trying to figure out.

Obviously, since I’ve posted on this forum, I am leaning toward Catholicism mostly out of hope for the meaning of life, and for something better than what this world has to offer, but I’m willing to accept atheism if I discover it to be the Truth, even if it’s not something I desire. I find myself a bit reluctant to post this on atheist forums, only because I feel like many of them (not all of them) would say something along the lines of, “DON’T GO TO CHURCH! IT’S A TRAP FULL OF LIES! RELIGION IS THE WORST THING TO EVER HAPPEN!” What I am looking for is encouragement, questions to consider, and possible pros/cons for me to weigh, instead of blatant demands to not go the other way because of X, Y, or Z. Does that make any sense?

What I am asking for is this:
(1. What do you believe? (I’d like responses from Catholics as well as non-Catholics/non-religious folks.)
(2. Why do you believe it is the Truth? (Defend your faith, or non-faith.)
(3. Can you recommend any books for me to read? (I’m particularly interested in Catholic apologetics.)
(4. Prayers for my conversion. (One way or the other. I can’t live my entire life being stuck on the fence about this.)

If you’ve taken the time to read all of this, I sincerely appreciate it. One more thing I’d like to add is to please let me know if you think I should be posting this on a different forum for some reason. I just don’t want to be wasting forum space on something that seems out of place.

Thank you so much for your time. I eagerly await your responses.

 

[Della]

(Shortened for the sake of space)

What I am asking for is this:
(1. What do you believe? (I’d like responses from Catholics as well as non-Catholics/non-religious folks.)

If you’ve read the CCC then all I can say is that’s what I believe.

(2. Why do you believe it is the Truth? (Defend your faith, or non-faith.)

One reason is evidential–of all the faiths the Catholic faith has the most evidence for its claims. Another is experiential–of all the denominations I’ve looked into, and there were several, it is the most consistent in its teachings. And it demands I be honest with myself because what the Church teaches about human nature is absolutely on the money. The transforming power of the truths of the Church are monumental because it holds utterly and completely to all that Christ taught.

(3. Can you recommend any books for me to read? (I’m particularly interested in Catholic apologetics.)

Others will no doubt recommend several modern authors, such as Hahn, Akins, etc. and they’re very good, but I always recommend, above any other–G. K. Chesterton. His “The Catholic Church and Conversion” is a classic, as well as “Orthodoxy” and “The Everlasting Man”. Ignatius Press sells them–you can find them on Amazon. Or the full texts are available online. He wrote with wit, wisdom, and clarity. I qualify that last attribute with the fact that he loved to use paradox because life is paradoxical–another truth about us and the world important to embrace.

(4. Prayers for my conversion. (One way or the other. I can’t live my entire life being stuck on the fence about this.)

You got 'em!

If you’ve taken the time to read all of this, I sincerely appreciate it. One more thing I’d like to add is to please let me know if you think I should be posting this on a different forum for some reason. I just don’t want to be wasting forum space on something that seems out of place.

Thank you so much for your time. I eagerly await your responses.

You’re welcome. I can’t see why this forum wouldn’t be suitable to your questions, so I wouldn’t worry about that. Starting two threads on the same topic, though is a forum no-no, so you might hear from a moderator about that.

 

[Stella_Luna_Sol]

Thank you for your helpful insight and book recommendations! I really appreciate it!
I was unaware of the multiple-post rule, so I’m sorry about that What do you think I should do? Should I delete one of my posts? Can I even do that?

Let me know what I can do to fix my little mistake. Thanks again!

 

[ChrisRedfield47]

Hail Mary,
Full of Grace,
The Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit
of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now,
and at the hour of death
Amen.

St. Jude, pray for Stella Luna Sol!

 

[Least]

If you need proof of GOD, instead be-it.

If GOD had set his face in the sky instead of the sun, you would lie prostrate as a slave to him and never lift your nose from the dirt.

If you care for scientific method so much that it is required, know that it has provided scant little in the way of proof of its most basic provisions and principals as to the visible universe, i.e., cosmology, gravity, quantum gravity, etc., and huge, as yet incompatible explanations for basic elemental units such as the photon (highly recommend reading Roger Penrose’s “The Emporer’s New Mind”). YET! When theoretical physicists reach the end of their multi-black-boarded calculations and find, inconsolably, the dreaded symbol for “infinity,” they do not thank THE ALMIGHTY for HIS gentle HAND and subtle WIT. They assume failure and take out the eraser to start again.

Consider, (from “TERMS”) to reach the complexity of a moth that has the ability to vary its coloration to evade predators, is so far removed from the initial complexity of the idea of the existence of ANYTHING, that you cannot build a probabiltiy matrix to reach it. Sleep peacefully in the now that your CREATOR has apportioned you, together we fallen children of GOD by Adam & Eve, and thank HIM everyday for the great bounty of this place which HE has made for us that is unimaginably less than Eden, and so much more so, by HIS people in Heaven.

THE VERY HAIRS ON YOUR HEAD ARE COUNTED, HE HAS CARVED YOU IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND, START ACTING LIKE THE CHILD OF GOD THAT YOU ARE.

 

[waanju]

(1. What do you believe? (I’d like responses from Catholics as well as non-Catholics/non-religious folks.)

I’m Catholic. I was born into the Church, but spent a few years going from atheist to agnostic and back to being Catholic.

(2. Why do you believe it is the Truth? (Defend your faith, or non-faith.)

First, I set about answering the question of whether belief in God is reasonable.* I didn’t seek to prove, because the wise person understands that irrefutable proof either way is impossible (otherwise the whole world would believe or not believe).* I’m quiet scientific/philosophically minded, so I sought logical conclusions. Several things that particularly resonated with me were the concept of first cause (that something needed to start it all. What caused the big bang, if you will), the idea of the soul (and the necessity of some non-material reality to enable concepts like free will), concepts such as love and beauty that do not have any bearing on survival (why even exist?), the existence of morals beyond that needed to ensure survival as a species, the intrinsic and almost universal inclination to believe in “something more” that also shows no clear benefit for society. There are other very well stated logical evidences of God’s existence, but these were the ones that resonated with me. This basically brought me to a believe in some sort of higher power, but I didn’t know what.
Next, I sought to learn what kind of God this higher power would be. This took far longer, but since you say that if God exists, you think Catholicism is right, I’ll just leave it there.

(3. Can you recommend any books for me to read? (I’m particularly interested in Catholic apologetics.)

I found St. Thomas Aquinas helpful, but that may be because his way of thinking resonates well with mine (I still think what he says is objectively true and free from grave logical error, but sometimes, philosophical arguments just have to “taste right” to the seeker). Even the Catechism was helpful in the first bit! Also, you can never fail with Chesterton.

(4. Prayers for my conversion. (One way or the other. I can’t live my entire life being stuck on the fence about this.)
I will include you in my rosaries.

 

[CB_Catholic]

I believe in God. I believe in what is written in our Creeds. I believe the Catholic church is the Church Jesus Christ established and professes the Truth in all it’s fullness.

The reason I believe in God is pure and simple logic. It is impossible, by all the laws of science and nature, for something to come from nothing. Think hard on that concept, which many will label as simplistic. It is not. There has to be a pre-existing, uncreated, and eternal Cause of all that is. And no atheist I have ever spoken with has ever been able to satisfactorily answer the question of how the universe came into being without a Cause. They just skirt around it.

Also, if one does not believe because one can not see something, that is most illogical. There are plenty of things in this universe we cannot see, yet we believe exist–electrons, protons, neutrons, radio waves, the wind, the North Pole even. I believe in them because we can see the effects of their existence. Well, the same holds true with the Creator. We can see the effects of His existence all around us. The sheer perfection and orderliness of the workings of the universe down to the most minute sub-atomic particle cannot be merely a random thing. It is too perfect, too logical, too orderly. No atheist I have ever spoken to has ever been able to come up with a satisfactory explanation for that. They just skirt around that one too. Yeah, right, things just happen all by themselves. This huge universe just put itself together, created it’s own laws, all by itself.

I can’t prove the existence of God. But then, I really don’t have to. God has proven His own existence, and it is not hard to see that. Just take a really, really good look at what’s around you.

Personally, I feel sorry for atheists–they have no hope. If one is an atheist, what is the point of life, of living? Why exist? To just put your time in and then disappear forever at death? To be totally forgotten in a few years? To suffer in this life without a purpose? That surely is about the most depressing thing one can think of. Nope, I think they are to be pitied. And prayed for.

Those are my thoughts on the whole subject, and believe me, they came about after a whole lot of thinking.

 

[Steveabrous]

What I am asking for is this:
(1. What do you believe? (I’d like responses from Catholics as well as non-Catholics/non-religious folks.)
(2. Why do you believe it is the Truth? (Defend your faith, or non-faith.)
(3. Can you recommend any books for me to read? (I’m particularly interested in Catholic apologetics.)
(4. Prayers for my conversion. (One way or the other. I can’t live my entire life being stuck on the fence about this.)

1. I believe a super or extra natural (outside the natural world) being created the universe. He sent his son to die for our sins so we can have eternal life. His son started a church and put men in charge and thier successors are the bishops of the Catholic church, and the son along with his church can save us (life after death) if we accept it.
2. I was raised a protestant. God lead me to the catholic church. I was dissatisfied with the protestant churches and I prayed to God to lead me to a church I would enjoy. The next day my mother and sister told me they wanted to join the Catholic church (this was quite out of the blue). I Called the local Parish and the RCIA classes started the next day.

Fast forward 4 years I was going through a divorce and staying with ( of all people) my father in law. He and his wife were evangelical Christians of extreme faith. Hang around them for a while and you’ll believe.I was broke and had bills to pay My father in law asked how much I needed. Thinking he was going to give me a loan I told him. He said “we are going to pray for God to give you that money. And we are going to believe he will give it to you.” The next day my mother called me and told me I had a check from a former employer Who claimed they found out they owed me money( it had been 6 months since I worked there) the check was for the exact amount to the dollar. God responds to faith. I would suggest saying a prayer something like "God I don’t know if you exist or not. But if you do I want to know and serve you. If not I don’t want to waste my time so if you exist I ask you to show me (not prove it). and believe he will. HE KNOWS WHAT WILL CONVINCE YOU. the only way in the bible that God says he will prove himself to you is if you give he will give back 10 fold. Yes, those televanglists are telling the truth. Give money to the church and God will bless you. You need 1000 dollars? give the church a hundred.

1. A good book that gives reasons to believe is called “More then a Carpenter” by Josh Mcdowell it’s a protestant book but it sticks to the subject of why it’s reasonable to believe in Jesus, and doesn’t get into protestant theology.

 

[okstout4]

(1. What do you believe? (I’d like responses from Catholics as well as non-Catholics/non-religious folks.)

I do believe in God, but not 100% sure about everything. I grew up going to Baptist churches (bus came to neighborhood picked kids up kinda thing). But when I started going to a different one they were pressuring me to get Baptized. My parents weren’t even there and they were pressuring a child to get Baptized. I felt really uncomfortable there, so I stopped going. I went to a Methodist church with a friend, Ive been to a Pentecostal church (my step dads brother is a Pentecostal preacher. I really enjoyed that church!), and have gone to a non-denominational church (which I really loved as well). My husbands family is Catholic and so I became Catholic (I did enjoy learning the Catholic ways). I did find that I got board with it though and Im the kind of person that must love what I do or I wont stick with it. Now, I have been attending a non denominational church again and I do like it a lot. They teach things in a this is how you apply it to your everyday life kinda way and every thing taught is in clear English that I can understand. I was always confused as to what Father was teaching in Catholic church, now I am actually learning something. But I am still confused about a lot of things similar to what you are and I question things all the time. I find that if I read things or research things on the subject, I just confuse my self even more. I sometimes end up reading things that go against the Catholic ways or against Gods way, in a why would he do that kind thing if he loves us. Then I get discouraged even more. So I try not to read anything anymore to confuse my mind, even though I’d love to know more. I still find myself not attending church (I really do love it, but live about 45 min away…excuses, I know). But, I learn, question and get confused all over again.

I hope this helps somewhat.

 

[Prayer_Warrior]

I believe what the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, and yes, I’ve read it. I’ve read the Bible and I’ve read lots of Catholic apologetics and history books. With all that reading, I believe that the Catholic Church is the one that Scripture records that Jesus founded (upon Peter- see Mt 16:18). I was once very intellectual about my faith, and very into the study of history and theology. But it was only after I sat down and really prayed to the Lord to come into my heart and enliven my faith through the power of the Holy Spirit that my faith took off and became a true faith working in love. I’m not saying you should expect some profound experience (although you might receive one), I’m only saying that if you want God in your life, you need to make sure you invite Him. He says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."Rev 3:20. Well, at this point, the Lord is knocking on your door, and you want to let Him in, so sit down, pray and invite Him in. I’m not advising a single “sinner’s prayer” and that is all you have to do for the rest of your life. I’m simply telling you that making a step to answer the Lord’s call is important, it is a beginning of a journey, not the end.

Some readings that have greatly helped me:

1. The Bible- pull up some threads on the forum and you’ll see lots of discussion on which one’s are the best. If you can afford it, invest in some good study materials. The Navarre Study Bible is my favorite and I also like the Ignatius Study Bible (although that is only the New Testament)
2. Jesus and the Jewish roots of the Eucharist by Brant Pitre-- One of the main differences between Catholicism and protestantism is the teaching on the real Presence of Jesus in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. After reading this book, I think every doubt I might have had was thoroughly put to rest.
3. Four Witnesses by Rod Bennett. This is a compilation of writings of four early Christian fathers. Gives a clear account that worship of early Christians looked nothing like modern day protestantism and almost exactly like modern day Catholicism.
4. The Lamb’s Supper by Scott Hahn. Another book with many Scriptural references that support the Catholic teaching on the Eucharist. Easy reading too, as are most of his books.Other noteworthy books by Mr. Hahn are Hail, Holy Queen, Our Father’s Plan, A Father Who Keeps His Promises, and Lord, Have Mercy.
5. The Catechism of the Catholic Church-- read it and it’s many scriptural supports and you’ll know the truth about what the Church teaches.
6. To Know Christ Jesus by Frank Sheed-- takes you through the Gospels and helps you to understand Jesus. Puts things in perspective of what was going on at the time. Excellent book.
7. Catholicism and Fundamentalism by Karl Keating. One of the first apologetic books I read. It really tears apart many of the myths that are frequently taught about the Catholic Church. Excellent defense of the faith.
8. Worthy is the Lamb: the Biblical Roots of the Mass by Frank Nash-- the title says it all.

There are many more, but I don’t want to overwhelm. There are several Catholic writers who can be depended upon to ALWAYS have something wonderful, informative or inspiring: Frank Sheed, Peter Kreeft, Fulton Sheen, GK Chesterton to name a few. Then there are the Saints: St. Augustine, St. Teresa of Avila, St. Therese of Liseaux, St. Thomas Aquinas, well, the list goes on…

I’ll be praying for you…

 

[po18guy]

Her is what I believe (the Nicene creed):

"I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.

I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.

I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen."

As to reading materials, I can heartily suggest a copy of Catholicism for Dummies. It is an excellent resource that allows you to quickly access information about the beliefs and practices of the faith.

Yet, there is something far superior to any book or document: Jesus Christ. Call your local parish and ask when they offer adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, which is Jesus Christ present before you in His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Then, simply go and spend time in Christ’s presence. Contemplate. Pray. Ask Him to reveal His presence. Take your reading material with you, as here is no better place to read it. Then, be as patient with Him as He has been with you, and you will have your answer.

 

[QNDNNDQDCE]

You might find these two Q&A format materials to be helpful.

The Baltimore Catechisms
Radio Replies

 

[boomerang]

Hello Stella luna, your story sounds very much like my own. I was baptised Catholic as an infant, quit church as a young child, went to college (science degree) became an atheist (thanks to secular schooling) and spent years in my 20’s searching for God. I had no idea where to find him, or if he even existed. I even looked into Wicca. Thank God I didn’t go that route. I think I instinctively knew it was a load of you-know-what! To make a very long story short, I was led back into the Catholic Church by a series of three supernatural events. The first one took me out of atheism and into Christianity. The second and third were direct testaments to the truthfulness of Catholicism. The whole story is way too long to post here, but if you want to know, just PM me.

I believe: that God loves us all no matter what church we join, but the Catholic Church is where he wants us to be. The CC is closest to the truth of any church out there. The CC has a pedigree that is unmatched by any other church. Our church has history and authority. It has gravitas. Other churches are like fleas on a dog. The Catholic Church is the dog. A big dog! The Catholic Church is like a two thousand-year-old giant redwood tree with little ferns growing around the base of it, in it’s shade. If that tree were cut down, the ferns would wither in the sun and die. They owe their existance to the giant tree. The ferns are the tens of thousands of other Christian churches that exist because of the Catholic Church.

Why do I believe?: The history speaks for itself. The apostles died horrible deaths as martyrs. Yet they gladly died for our Lord, because they knew the truth. They actually saw him with their own eyes. They saw Jesus in action. They knew the truth. And they all (except John) died for the truth. No sane person could be a witness to a lie, and still be willing to die to perpetuate that lie. Remember Jim Jones (Jonestown massacre)? in Guayana? All those people gladly followed him there, but when he told them to drink the poisoned Kool-Aid, they had to be forced at gunpoint. They didn’t want to die for him. No way, Jose. Not the apostles. It’s like they couldn’t wait to die to join their Lord and Savior. What inspires people to do these things? I know what it is: they knew the truth of God. There was no going back for them.

The lives of the saints are a good testimony of the truth of the Catholic Church.
Look into Padre Pio. A friend of mine had an aunt (now deceased) who met Padre Pio and corresponded with his secretary for years. She said he was for real. She converted to the Catholic Church because of him. My aunt Antoinette got to see up close and personal, the Catholic mystic Therese Neumann. Google her. Your eyes will pop out of your head. Look up Fatima, in my opinion, the grandaddy of all apparitions of Mary. My mother saw the strange light in the sky that Blessed Virgin Mary at Fatima predicted would be seen right before WW2. That was the Great Aurora of 1938. My mother was six years old, and she remembers how frightened the adults in the neighborhood were when they were looking up into the sky that day. They thought it was the end of the world. It was Mary’s sign. Who does Mary appear to? Catholics. Gotta be a reason for it.

Recommended reading: The leader of the apostles, Peter, is buried under St. Peter’s Basilica. His bones are actually there. The re-discovery of his remains makes for an amazing adventure story. I would encourage you to read this. In my opinion, it’s very stirring to our faith to remember that this man Peter was a real person. He’s not some storybook fable. We have his bones! He’s under the Vatican. That’s why the Vatican is there. And this man actually knew Jesus personally! Knowing these things makes these long-ago and far away stories seem so much closer and more personal. You can read it here:
saintpetersbasilica.org/Necropolis/JW/TheBonesofStPeter-1.htm
And more interesting stuff here: saintpetersbasilica.org/Docs/JLM/SaintPeters-1.htm
Another good book is “How The Catholic Church Built Western Civilization”. You’ll have to respect the church after reading this, even if you don’t ever join it.

But when all is said and done, you’ll never have proof of God. And no one else’s opinion, mine included, can ever really convince anyone. The only way you will ever know if God is real, and if the Catholic Church is the true church is to pray that God reveals this to you. Humble yourself face down on the floor and pray for the truth, and pray to have faith. God is willing to grant these things, believe me! :yup:

Jesus and Mary, I love you, SAVE SOULS! Peace out!

 

[steve_b]

What I am asking for is this:
(1. What do you believe? (I’d like responses from Catholics as well as non-Catholics/non-religious folks.)

I’m sure you’re familiar with the creed. It capsulizes what we believe.
usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/
S:

(2. Why do you believe it is the Truth? (Defend your faith, or non-faith.)

As you said in your description, you’re not happy with myths and cute stories that aren’t true. You crave truth. Which is what everyone wants. As St Augustine said,

“Our Heart is Restless Until it rests in You”

The only reason to believe in some person, place, thing, event, institution, etc is because it’s true. And provably true. The Catholic Church can do this beautifully.
S:

(3. Can you recommend any books for me to read? (I’m particularly interested in Catholic apologetics.)

Are you looking for personal stories of conversion, that includes answering questions, or are you thinking more like individual subjects analyzed and answered
S:

(4. Prayers for my conversion. (One way or the other. I can’t live my entire life being stuck on the fence about this.)

If you’ve taken the time to read all of this, I sincerely appreciate it. One more thing I’d like to add is to please let me know if you think I should be posting this on a different forum for some reason. I just don’t want to be wasting forum space on something that seems out of place.

Thank you so much for your time. I eagerly await your responses.

Prayers ascending for you