If you are a Christian, what is the real reason for you not being a Catholic?

[2ndGen]

God Bless you on your journey. If you want any good book recommendations or just want to talk, shoot a PM my way. I ,too,
read my way into the Church a bit.

Pace e Bene
Andrew

Besides The Holy Bible and The Catechism of The Catholic Church, The Imitation of Christ would be (in my opinion) one of the best books that reflect Catholicism.

 

[c659smith]

Whatsinthetruth,

From what I read in some of your posts and the questions answered that I asked I really do not see you having many of the protestant challenges wuth the Cathoic Church. On the other hand see you being a Catholic who was not should I say feeling it.

You definitely do not have the belief at least deep down of faith alone with your statement of the 2 thieves on the cross, You are correct
the thief on the left did not have faith, The other did but is it that faith that just saved him or was it also his recognizing his sins,and asking for forgiveness allowing him not to have empty faith but one with the works of forgiveness and trying to save the thief on his right by questioning him as to his total disregard for his sins and total disregard for someone persecuted that did not deserve it.
It was both.

You stated that being saved at this time or this minute there is no challenge with that and Catholic teaching. I know when I am filled with the Holy Spirit(Grace) and when I am not. I try to stay in communion with Christ but at times fall.

I am a cradle Catholic and as such have fallen away. I still believed and had faith Jesus was our Lord and what I needed to do to follow Him but denied that and did not give Jesus what was due him and that is worship and Glory.

 

[fbl9]

one should always judge the effectiveness of a medicine by those that take it not by those who don"t

 

[c659smith]

Then one day something I became angry and cold like never before because of a situation and remained in that state for a couple of days. hate I was driving one afternoon and wound up at a Caholic Church and walked inside. I do not know why.

Well inside there I stood in an empty church staring at the cross and looking at a statue of Saint Joseph and a seperate statue of Mary and tears began to flow I do not know why for at this point I had no feeling at all.

Well I looked around and said to myself is there anyone in here that will see me crying? but there was no one.

I asked Mary to help me to reach Christ and sat in a pew. Well I sat there and cried and argued with Jesus for awhile and then felt a feeling come over me like I have never felt.

Someone in my head and I believe it to be the Holy Spirit said what are you holding on to? Why do you put your trust in this world? Let go and give it to me.
give me your love,hate, disappointments,and achievements but remember you must give me them all. Put your trust in me and you will never hurt again.

Well that I did and a peace and calm came over me like never before and I cannot explain it other than to say no one could hurt me. I right there was untouchable and I gave my whole self to Christ.

I go to Mass and at times everyday if I can. I understand the Mass like never before. I go to Adoraion weekly and sit ,knell, and pray before Jesus.

The difference now is that it is a two way conversation. I take the time to listen.

Do I still sin and at times fall away from Grace well you bet ya. But I get right back on track real quick as I never ever want to get as far away as I was from Christ.

 

[EmergencyOps]

other churches have had sexual scandals at 14 times the rate of The Catholic Church. The Catholic Church has an incident every 36 hours (out of 50,000 clergy). The other church has an incident every 90 minutes.

Deployments? Hooah? or Hoorah? Military?

Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut. My Protestant mind keeps forgetting our mistakes Children and adults get victimized. Fr. Jonathan (FOX & Friends) mentioned the point you made in one of his columns.

And it was “hooah” (years ago), but now it’s disaster response and recovery.

-Mark

 

[2ndGen]

Then one day something I became angry and cold like never before because of a situation and remained in that state for a couple of days. hate I was driving one afternoon and wound up at a Caholic Church and walked inside. I do not know why.

Well inside there I stood in an empty church staring at the cross and looking at a statue of Saint Joseph and a seperate statue of Mary and tears began to flow I do not know why for at this point I had no feeling at all.

Well I looked around and said to myself is there anyone in here that will see me crying? but there was no one.

I asked Mary to help me to reach Christ and sat in a pew. Well I sat there and cried and argued with Jesus for awhile and then felt a feeling come over me like I have never felt.

Someone in my head and I believe it to be the Holy Spirit said what are you holding on to? Why do you put your trust in this world? Let go and give it to me.
give me your love,hate, disappointments,and achievements but remember you must give me them all. Put your trust in me and you will never hurt again.

Well that I did and a peace and calm came over me like never before and I cannot explain it other than to say no one could hurt me. I right there was untouchable and I gave my whole self to Christ.

I go to Mass and at times everyday if I can. I understand the Mass like never before. I go to Adoraion weekly and sit ,knell, and pray before Jesus.

The difference now is that it is a two way conversation. I take the time to listen.

Do I still sin and at times fall away from Grace well you bet ya. But I get right back on track real quick as I never ever want to get as far away as I was from Christ.

I kid you not but that sounds EXACTLY like my own testimony! Almost word for word!

 

[2ndGen]

Thanks for the (name removed by moderator)ut. My Protestant mind keeps forgetting our mistakes Children and adults get victimized. Fr. Jonathan (FOX & Friends) mentioned the point you made in one of his columns.

And it was “hooah” (years ago), but now it’s disaster response and recovery.

-Mark

NYARNG, but I’m out now.

Disaster response?

:tiphat:

It’s a great job to be spiritually.

You’re constantly reminded of your blessings.

 

[CalmDownWisWins]

Quote:
Originally Posted by CalmDownWisWins
“God” is by definition a singular thing. It is not “God”, but “god”, that can possibly be plural.

Your non-understanding of the word “indivisible” in this context is your problem. You might want to research that a bit.

Many people consider “God” just to be a special-case of “god”, such as “the god who won the battle to control creation”, which does absolute devastation to Christianity, of course, but some under-educated Christians still hold remnants of this idea, especially those “literalistic (as opposed to literal) fundamantalist” protestants who see God as the “Big white bearded fellow in the sky”.

The actual definition of God makes the distinction between “God” and “god” quite clear.

In other words: “Oops! You caught me promoting polytheism.”

If that’s what you take it too mean, then best to you in your willful ignorance in which you take such demonstrated pride, and I look forward to hearing more from you as I really do appreciate such demonstrations of your “denomination’s” thinking.

Still, here’s hoping you’re praying for me as well!

 

[c659smith]

Why I write what had happened to me about 5 years ago at the ripe young age of 45 is that I was saved as where I was headed was directly to hell.

The Holy Spirit gave me a visit and told me what I needed to do. This is something one cannot teach,

It was not a feeling of being close or wanting to be Holy such as when receiving Confirmation etc…

I was given a gift from God by his Grace.

Does this happen to everyone at one point in their life?

I pray it does

For I have not been the same since.

I have patience, Charity, Love, never ending thirst for knowledge about the bible and my faith.

That to me is what being saved is but I must work at never ever falling like that again and to give it all to Jesus.

I am a Catholic and will profess,teach, and evangelize. I will never ever again be embarrassed or shy of showing my love for him as I know how Peter must have felt when he denied Jesus 3 times

 

[CalmDownWisWins]

But, I don’t feel that Catholics consider everyone brothers and sisters in Christ and I’m feeling it right now with the way you are responding to my posts.

Well, we do actually consider all Christians to be brothers and sisters in Christ, but if they’re not Catholics they’re somewhat errant brothers and sisters, in varying degrees.

One of the difficulties that protestants have, it seems to me, is that they require (or at least would REALLY like) to be “not offended” by being corrected, even when they’re wrong, as being “wrong” simply means to them that they are not in the right denomination for them.

Catholics consider their brothers and sisters as willing to remain in the room (the Church) during a discussion of error in doctrine, instead of the typical protestant reaction to “perceived rejection” (aka correction) which is to “leave the room” (the rebuking denomination) for another more “comfortable room” (an “accepting” denomination).

Catholic families (ie the Church) are a bit more like the typical boisterous Italian family where people fight but stay together, as opposed the “uptight WASP” family which disintegrates at the least “judgemental conflict”.

That, of course, is entirely stereotypical, and intended for amusement value only. Sort of. Well not really, but I thought a disclaimer was called for.

 

[whatisthetruth]

Only an “authority” can be either fallible or infallible.

Your beliefs, which means “what you understand as the items of your faith”, just like ours, can be either correct or incorrect (true or not).

If you set yourself up as “an authority”, then you CAN be either fallible or infallible. You most likely wouldn’t call yourself “infallible”, I would guess.

Since no Catholic is allowed, or for that matter WANTS, to set themselves up as “an authority”, we Catholic people don’t have the opportunity to BE infallible, and are entirely fallible in stating opinions (interpretations) as actual truths.

You probably think that NOTHING but God Himself can be infallible, which is also what Catholics believe, and in much the same way that you believe that (as via the actions of the Holy Spirit), but we insist that God speaks to us infallibly only through the agency of the Church (via the Holy Spirit) while you can communicate infallibly with God individually.

The consequences of those two views of how God accomplishes His will is what we see in the world today.

Thank you for explaining this CalmDownWisWins, i now understand what you are saying, I still do not understand why Roman Catholics believe they can not “communicate infallibly with God individually?”

I believe the same Holy Spirit who guides the church also lives in you and also wants to be your personal guide.

The one illustration I can think of is in the Fathers love letter.
which contains many of the biblical verses which I believe God is speaking to all of us individually,

turn your speakers on too

bittybitznpieces.com/FathersLoveLetter~.htm

I look forward to your comments

God bless,

truth

 

[whatisthetruth]

Whatsinthetruth,

From what I read in some of your posts and the questions answered that I asked I really do not see you having many of the protestant challenges wuth the Cathoic Church. On the other hand see you being a Catholic who was not should I say feeling it.

You definitely do not have the belief at least deep down of faith alone with your statement of the 2 thieves on the cross, You are correct
the thief on the left did not have faith, The other did but is it that faith that just saved him or was it also his recognizing his sins,and asking for forgiveness allowing him not to have empty faith but one with the works of forgiveness and trying to save the thief on his right by questioning him as to his total disregard for his sins and total disregard for someone persecuted that did not deserve it.
It was both.

You stated that being saved at this time or this minute there is no challenge with that and Catholic teaching. I know when I am filled with the Holy Spirit(Grace) and when I am not. I try to stay in communion with Christ but at times fall.

I am a cradle Catholic and as such have fallen away. I still believed and had faith Jesus was our Lord and what I needed to do to follow Him but denied that and did not give Jesus what was due him and that is worship and Glory.

Thank you for your kind words c659smith, I believe we are so so close yet so far, I dream of the day we are one again

God bless

 

[fbl9]

hi what is the truth; okay now where can i go to believe what you believe? cause nobody around here teaches the same from what i know of.

 

[c659smith]

fb19,

I can only say is to search your heart and mind. Go into any Catholic Church when there is not a service going on. Take in the reminders of what it is to be a Christian with the pane glass picures, stop at each of the stations of the cross, Then sit or knell in a pew and have a conversation with Jesus by clearing your mind except this special conversation and contemplate at what just happened.

Listen as prayer is a two way conversation.

No one can give you faith and understand it you must ask for it and allow the Holy Spirit to work in you and through you.

Surrender !!!

 

[fbl9]

perhaps you think i was not being kind to whatisthetruth he will understand i was not being a smart alec. my friend what you described is like heaven on earth.

 

[HannahLisa]

I can only say is to search your heart and mind. Go into any Catholic Church when there is not a service going on. Take in the reminders of what it is to be a Christian with the pane glass picures, stop at each of the stations of the cross, Then sit or knell in a pew and have a conversation with Jesus by clearing your mind except this special conversation and contemplate at what just happened.

I must say that Catholic churches are very good places to pray.

 

[ralphinal]

Sure.

I’m familiar with the Bible.

If Roman Catholicism is true, then why is a circle blue?

You question makes no sense.

He does and it is. But do you know acknowledge that the Bible makes provisions for disagreements on non-essential doctrines and matters of adiaphoron?

I have no doubts that you are more than familiar with the Bible. My question is if you have studied any Catholic support documents first hand.

The question of denominations makes sense if you see the point. One Holy Spirit should lead to One Truth. If we are all led by him, we should all end up in the same place, right?

What is non-essential? Non-essential to one may be essential to another. Look at the issue of the filioque between the Eastern and Western Churches. Many non-Catholic, non-Othodox may call it non-essential, but it was to them. I cannot define what God considers important. You cannot either. Neither of us are God. I must take doctrine as essential until shown otherwise.

The issue I see with you and the Church is two-fold. First, you seem to be locked into a frame of reference about the Church’s teachings that is biased and bigoted. Second, you seem to ignore the fact that Jesus taught corporate salvation. All of us together. To that end, we need leadership. One leader, the Holy Spirit, working through one Church to guide us to heaven. It is the problem with authority. You have made yourself the authority and justify it by saying that you have read it and so it is.

 

[FredSmith]

The question of denominations makes sense if you see the point. One Holy Spirit should lead to One Truth. If we are all led by him, we should all end up in the same place, right?

We are in the same place.

You just keep right on telling us how fractured and “disunified” we are. We’re too busy fellowshipping with one another, worshipping with one another, cooperating with one another on various Gospel and social outreaches, supporting one another’s churches to care.

I cannot define what God considers important. You cannot either.

Actually, I can because God has given me His word so that I can know what is important to Him.

The issue I see with you and the Church is two-fold. First, you seem to be locked into a frame of reference about the Church’s teachings that is biased and bigoted.

And you don’t think that Roman Catholics are “biased and bigoted” concerning us, right?

Second, you seem to ignore the fact that Jesus taught corporate salvation.

Verse?

All of us together. To that end, we need leadership. One leader, the Holy Spirit, working through one Church to guide us to heaven. It is the problem with authority. You have made yourself the authority and justify it by saying that you have read it and so it is.

No, Christ is our authority. You, on the other hand, have made some guy in Rome in a funny hat your authority.

 

[2ndGen]

Well, we do actually consider all Christians to be brothers and sisters in Christ, but if they’re not Catholics they’re somewhat errant brothers and sisters, in varying degrees.

One of the difficulties that protestants have, it seems to me, is that they require (or at least would REALLY like) to be “not offended” by being corrected, even when they’re wrong, as being “wrong” simply means to them that they are not in the right denomination for them.

Catholics consider their brothers and sisters as willing to remain in the room (the Church) during a discussion of error in doctrine, instead of the typical protestant reaction to “perceived rejection” (aka correction) which is to “leave the room” (the rebuking denomination) for another more “comfortable room” (an “accepting” denomination).

Catholic families (ie the Church) are a bit more like the typical boisterous Italian family where people fight but stay together, as opposed the “uptight WASP” family which disintegrates at the least “judgemental conflict”.

That, of course, is entirely stereotypical, and intended for amusement value only. Sort of. Well not really, but I thought a disclaimer was called for.

Reminds me of that sibling that doesn’t get along with the family and moves out of state to start a brand new life on his own. They may be living a good life, but their in a different state. Yet, their still in America.

Family: The Church
Sibling: Protestant
State: Denomination
Americal: Body of Christ

 

[2ndGen]

Thank you for explaining this CalmDownWisWins, i now understand what you are saying, I still do not understand why Roman Catholics believe they can not “communicate infallibly with God individually?”

I believe the same Holy Spirit who guides the church also lives in you and also wants to be your personal guide.

The one illustration I can think of is in the Fathers love letter.
which contains many of the biblical verses which I believe God is speaking to all of us individually,

turn your speakers on too

bittybitznpieces.com/FathersLoveLetter~.htm

I look forward to your comments

God bless,

truth

I still do not understand why Protestants think that Roman Catholics believe they can not “communicate infallibly with God individually?”