Is it wrong for me to pursue catholicism?

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Ruthyankees

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hey guys! so i have a odd question, as i have mentioned before, i am not a catholic, just very interested in it. my problem is, i disagree with a few positions of the catholic church. but i agree with the overwhelming majority. so, i guess my question is, is it wrong of me to pursue catholicism knowing i don’t agree with some things?

i have gone to several churches in my day, and have never found one i am 100% in agreement with, but i have always been drawn to cathlolicism. and think it would do me good.

(name removed by moderator)ut?🙂
 
The Church doesn’t command us to agree with all her points, but to obey them. We are to pray for the grace to understand the ideas and obey until we do.

Easier said than done, but I found study really helped me in my journey to the Church. Some things I was misinformed about, I actually agreed with the Church after I got more information. Prayer is a building block of our Faith, rely on it!

Welcome to the journey home!
 
Hello my friend. People who seem to disagree with what the Church teaches in reality do not fully understand what She teaches for if they did there would be no disagreement.

As faithful Catholics, the Church calls us to adhere to what She teaches as we work towards understanding. What we are not allowed to do is pick and choose the doctrines we want to follow because to do so effectively says “we know better than the Church” which by analogy means we are saying “I know better than Jesus”.

I would encourage you to continue your journey. The more you learn about why the Church teaches what she teaches the more you will find your easier you will find your journey home.
 
What is it that you disagree with? Maybe we can answer your concerns.

I hope we see more of you! 🙂
 
I agree with everyone who says you should continue to study the Catholic Church.

There were a lot of things I didn’t understand or disagreed with in the beginning, but the Lord has been helping me with them.

In the beginning, I didn’t even believe in the infallibility of the Magesterium. Someone on the board helped me with that. God sent people my way and sent the right information my way and revealed certain things to me through the Holy Spirit.

Do you know for the first time today, “indulgences” make sense to me? Sorta. 😃

There are still some things I struggle with, but at this point, nothing that would prevent me from becoming Catholic.

If you have a good RCIA program near you, see if you can join. You are not obligated to become Catholic.

Study the Catechism of the Catholic Church, Catholic Answers articles and of course the CAF forum.

God bless!
 
Ruthyankees said:
hey guys! so i have a odd question, as i have mentioned before, i am not a catholic, just very interested in it. my problem is, i disagree with a few positions of the catholic church. but i agree with the overwhelming majority. so, i guess my question is, is it wrong of me to pursue catholicism knowing i don’t agree with some things?

i have gone to several churches in my day, and have never found one i am 100% in agreement with, but i have always been drawn to cathlolicism. and think it would do me good.

(name removed by moderator)ut?🙂
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(name removed by moderator)ut? Remember that Roman Catholicism is the oldest Christian denomentation on earth. Its natural you have questions, maybe even objections. I would advise you to always remember that no matter what question you think of, it has been asked (and answered) before!

This means that the answers are out there!

Also, if your qualms with the Church are about doctrinal issues, the FAQ of the Catholic Faith so to speak, such as “Should I pray to saints?” “Is the Pope scriptural” “Is purgatory real” etc.

Well, these FAQs are answered so completely, so intensely, so fully, that all you have to do is seek what the Church has said on these subjects, and I guarantee you will be satisfied.

Think about the Pope. As well as the Pope before him. These are two men (among over two hundred of their predecessors) who have devoted their entire lives to studying this religion in depth. If there was reason to doubt the key catholic doctrines, then certainly these men are examples that the doubts have been answered.

I just cant bring myself to imagine that someone like Pope Benedict XVI, who while he was Joseph Ratzinger, an eminent scholar, would dedicate his entire life to a religion that isnt built on an unshakeable foundation.

Remember, unlike many other religious pastors and clergy, catholic priests have NO day job. They are entirely committed, and literally live in rectories next to the Church. No home, no money, no family, no job, nothing but the Church.

And many of these men are geniuses by secular standards.

This is a great testimony to the catholic faith. No other religion on earth has a library of comparable knowledge. No other church has a collection of theological gems like the RCC. For over 2,000 years the Catholic Church has been refining the faith in the fires of the Holy Spirit, and ever time it adds coals to that furnace the end result is more pure, more sound, and ever more unshakeable.

Other people here have said “You don’t have to agree with everything.” And I concur!

But I implore you to seek the answers. Not just in the Bible, which at times can feel so difficult to interepert on your own, but in the simple human writings of our theologians and priests. Our popes and bishops. Our augustines and aquinases.

You will find the answers, and then you will find the faith.

Good luck!
 
I just joined the Catholic church early this year so I understand your yearning and curiosity. I think you should pray about it and ask God to guide you towards the truth. If this book is where he wants you, it will happen eventually.

Being new to the church, there are some things that I don’t agree with but I joined because I agreed with the majority. I agree with about 80% of the church’s teaching with 100% agreement with all beliefs found inside the Nicene and Apostles creeds. As you explore and if God calls you to join, even after you are Catholic, there will be things that will seem strange or you may not understand. Please realize that it is ok. Everything comes with time and there will be things that you will never totally agree with.

You don’t have to agree with everything, but you do need to agree with what is said inside
Nicene and Apostles creeds, plus some other points that I am sure my other Christian brothers and sisters will bring up as time passes by.

Good luck,
SG
 
SecretGarden said:
I just joined the Catholic church early this year so I understand your yearning and curiosity. I think you should pray about it and ask God to guide you towards the truth. If this book is where he wants you, it will happen eventually.

Being new to the church, there are some things that I don’t agree with but I joined because I agreed with the majority. I agree with about 80% of the church’s teaching with 100% agreement with all beliefs found inside the Nicene and Apostles creeds. As you explore and if God calls you to join, even after you are Catholic, there will be things that will seem strange or you may not understand. Please realize that it is ok. Everything comes with time and there will be things that you will never totally agree with.

You don’t have to agree with everything, but you do need to agree with what is said inside
Nicene and Apostles creeds, plus some other points that I am sure my other Christian brothers and sisters will bring up as time passes by.

Good luck,
SG
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You have to agree with more than what is in the Nicean and Apostle’s creeds. 😛

Even as a Protestant I agreed with everything in there except for the “Communion of Saints.”

But that comes with time.
 
Ruthyankees said:
hey guys! so i have a odd question, as i have mentioned before, i am not a catholic, just very interested in it. my problem is, i disagree with a few positions of the catholic church. but i agree with the overwhelming majority. so, i guess my question is, is it wrong of me to pursue catholicism knowing i don’t agree with some things?

i have gone to several churches in my day, and have never found one i am 100% in agreement with, but i have always been drawn to cathlolicism. and think it would do me good.

(name removed by moderator)ut?🙂
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Ruth,
Please do continue your journey toward the Church. I have heard more than one convert from Judaism remark that it really is Judaism fulfilled.

Just to address the idea of disagreeing with some teachings.
I don’t much hold with a two position, agree-disagree outlook on matters of teaching.
I look at there being a number of different levels or positions in regard to the teachings. In general terms they are
Embracing
Agreeing
Accepting
Rejecting

Only the last one is really a problem. So long as I stay away from rejecting church teaching, I’m OK.
I can accept teachings that I don’t understand, or that I just can’t seem to get my head around because I trust the Church. Some Marion teachings fit this category for me.
Then there are teachings that I agree with but might not fit with my spirituality…for example, I don’t use intercessory prayer a lot. Likewise, I’m not comfortable in a “charismatic” type setting.
Then there are teachings that I Love and fully embrace (even if I don’t fully understand them). The mass and the Eucharist, confession, praying without ceasing etc…

What I seek to do, and what we all need to seek, is to NOT reject teachings. for in rejecting we are closing our minds. We are saying, “I look, I see, I reject - - I know more than 2000 years of Spirit Guided Church teaching”.

I hope this helps

Peace
James
 
JRKH said:
I can accept teachings that I don’t understand, or that I just can’t seem to get my head around because I trust the Church. Some Marion teachings fit this category for me.
Then there are teachings that I agree with but might not fit with my spirituality…for example, I don’t use intercessory prayer a lot. Likewise, I’m not comfortable in a “charismatic” type setting.
Then there are teachings that I Love and fully embrace (even if I don’t fully understand them). The mass and the Eucharist, confession, praying without ceasing etc…

What I seek to do, and what we all need to seek, is to NOT reject teachings. for in rejecting we are closing our minds. We are saying, “I look, I see, I reject - - I know more than 2000 years of Spirit Guided Church teaching”.

I hope this helps

Peace
James
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I don’t know about the OP, but this helped me! Thanks. 🙂
 
I have had the same questions.

All I can say is that as I have opened my heart to God, my life has been changing - I have been changing. My needs are being met a thousand fold, in unexpected ways.

If you feel drawn to the Church, go to the Church.
 
Your timing is perfect. It is the time of year RCIA classes are forming. As another poster mentioned, going to class does not mean you have to join. It gives you time to look at the questions you have and dialogue with others.
You can find out more by calling the parish office or making an appointment with a priest to talk about your interest.
👍
 
Ruthyankees said:
hey guys! so i have a odd question, as i have mentioned before, i am not a catholic, just very interested in it. my problem is, i disagree with a few positions of the catholic church. but i agree with the overwhelming majority. so, i guess my question is, is it wrong of me to pursue catholicism knowing i don’t agree with some things?

i have gone to several churches in my day, and have never found one i am 100% in agreement with, but i have always been drawn to cathlolicism. and think it would do me good.

(name removed by moderator)ut?🙂
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I agree with what Newsy told you, that the Church does not require total agreement regarding doctrines, but does require obedience. I don’t think certain practices and customs even require that much. Basic dogma–such as belief in a Triune G-d and belief in the Sacrament of the Eucharist in terms of transubstantiation–are, however, essential. You mention you never found a church you were totally in agreement with, and this may actually be a good thing since it reveals you are not merely looking for a church tailor-made to suit your own needs.

On a personal note, I’m sorry that Judaism does not fulfill your spiritual needs. Nonetheless, I wish you all the best in your faith journey.
 
meltzerboy said:
I agree with what Newsy told you, that the Church does not require total agreement regarding doctrines, but does require obedience. I don’t think certain practices and customs even require that much. Basic dogma–such as belief in a Triune G-d and belief in the Sacrament of the Eucharist in terms of transubstantiation–are, however, essential. You mention you never found a church you were totally in agreement with, and this may actually be a good thing since it reveals you are not merely looking for a church tailor-made to suit your own needs.

On a personal note, I’m sorry that Judaism does not fulfill your spiritual needs. Nonetheless, I wish you all the best in your faith journey.
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Bless you MeltzerBoy!
 
To Like and Santi2: thank you both. I must admit I feel a little embarrassed by your kindness. I believe Ruth’s faith journey is her own and it’s up to us to help her rather than block her path.
 
meltzerboy said:
I
On a personal note, I’m sorry that Judaism does not fulfill your spiritual needs. Nonetheless, I wish you all the best in your faith journey.
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it is fulfilling! i still go to Synagogue! i am usually attending several different houses of worship at once, and will never let my Jewish roots go, very proud of them! 👍
 
thanks everyone! me and my roommate (who is on here occasionally) are looking into classes this fall, i will continue to pursue it!
i guess my biggest fear is there are some things i will just never agree with. and i refuse to pretend like i do, but i just hope there are some things i can respectfully disagree with and still be accepted.
 
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