G
Ghostgirl
Guest
See, I’ve thought it would be worse to just pretend to believe it when you really don’t.
- Status
L
Lazerlike42
Guest
It all depends on what is one’s state of heart and soul.
If someone quits the Church because they truly, really, undoubtedly in their heart think it’s wrong but the Lutherans, say, are right, it’s better that they go be a Lutheran than go through the motions. If they go through the motions, they are lukewarm, and will be cast out of Jesus’ mouth (Rev. 3:16). They are also doing something they think to be wrong, which is a grave sin (Romans 14).
That being said, they had better be really, truly, with absolutely no doubt sure that they really truly think the Catholic Church is wrong. So many times we convince ourselves that we think one thing when we don’t. It’s very easy to do. If a person just convinces themself that the Church is wrong and they leave, then their soul is in great danger. I know a few people who [seem to as I can’t see their hearts as does God] really know that the Church is Christ’s Church that He wants them to be in but they have convinced themselves otherwise. They are in danger
.
If someone quits the Church because they truly, really, undoubtedly in their heart think it’s wrong but the Lutherans, say, are right, it’s better that they go be a Lutheran than go through the motions. If they go through the motions, they are lukewarm, and will be cast out of Jesus’ mouth (Rev. 3:16). They are also doing something they think to be wrong, which is a grave sin (Romans 14).
That being said, they had better be really, truly, with absolutely no doubt sure that they really truly think the Catholic Church is wrong. So many times we convince ourselves that we think one thing when we don’t. It’s very easy to do. If a person just convinces themself that the Church is wrong and they leave, then their soul is in great danger. I know a few people who [seem to as I can’t see their hearts as does God] really know that the Church is Christ’s Church that He wants them to be in but they have convinced themselves otherwise. They are in danger
.
G
gardenswithkids
Guest
Is it worse to quit Church or just go through the motions? Honestly, I don’t like that the answers are limited to only two choices. I think it’s best to explore the areas where you think the Church is wrong, study the Church’s teachings and pray. I like the prayer, “Lord I believe; help my unbelief.”
But as you only offered two choices in this thread, I think it is better to go through the motions. Why? Because if once a person quits, it’s very difficult to resume the habit of attending church and they can fall further from grace. However, someone who just “goes through the motions” continues the habit so they remain open to recieving God’s gift of faith.
I struggled with my faith for many years. Outwardly, I lived as an active Christian. (I attended a Protestant church for much of that time.) Inwardly, I often doubted God’s existance. I wanted to believe it was all true, but doubts kept plaguing my mind. I guess I wanted something more than faith in God–I wanted *knowledge *of Him. Had I stopped going through the motions, I may never have known Him.
If you are struggling with your faith, I strongly encourage you to have a good confession with a good priest. Express all your doubts. Confess any sins the Church considers a mortal sin–even if you don’t think they’re sins and confess that too. You don’t have to “pretend” you believe if you don’t–you can make it clear that you are having a hard time believing. (But you don’t have to declare your doubts to everyone, by leaving the Church either.) Bring them to God in the sacrament of reconciliation. God may restore the graces needed so that you neither quit the Church nor just go through the motions, but so that you can know God and God’s mercy.
But as you only offered two choices in this thread, I think it is better to go through the motions. Why? Because if once a person quits, it’s very difficult to resume the habit of attending church and they can fall further from grace. However, someone who just “goes through the motions” continues the habit so they remain open to recieving God’s gift of faith.
I struggled with my faith for many years. Outwardly, I lived as an active Christian. (I attended a Protestant church for much of that time.) Inwardly, I often doubted God’s existance. I wanted to believe it was all true, but doubts kept plaguing my mind. I guess I wanted something more than faith in God–I wanted *knowledge *of Him. Had I stopped going through the motions, I may never have known Him.
If you are struggling with your faith, I strongly encourage you to have a good confession with a good priest. Express all your doubts. Confess any sins the Church considers a mortal sin–even if you don’t think they’re sins and confess that too. You don’t have to “pretend” you believe if you don’t–you can make it clear that you are having a hard time believing. (But you don’t have to declare your doubts to everyone, by leaving the Church either.) Bring them to God in the sacrament of reconciliation. God may restore the graces needed so that you neither quit the Church nor just go through the motions, but so that you can know God and God’s mercy.
D
Didi
Guest
The thing is, when you are in a Catholic Church Jesus Christ becomes really and truly present on the altar, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. Even if you weren’t sure what you believed, to simply be in His Holy Presence will bring graces to you that you wouldn’t have otherwise.
So I would say, keep going even if you’re not sure because if you are truly seeking Him, He will show you the Truth!
So I would say, keep going even if you’re not sure because if you are truly seeking Him, He will show you the Truth!
M
mercygate
Guest
Don’t pretend to believe. Pray for faith. Lord, I believe (or don’t believe!): help my unbelief.
Dropping out is copping out.
Dropping out is copping out.
G
gardenswithkids
Guest
I was just coming back to edit my post to add one more thought, and it relates to the Eucharist. If a person “just goes through the motions” they should go through the motions as one who believes–and that means not recieving the Eucharist in a state of mortal sin. Bring mortal sins to the confessional.
Bottom line: go through the motions–but go through *all *of them; act and live as a believer, and God will restore the gift of faith.
D
Didi
Guest
Excellent point – thanks for bringing up that you should not receive Holy Communion if you are in mortal sin. Even if you don’t receive Him, though, you are still in His Holy Presence at every Mass; this must merit some graces for us!
- Status