Looking for my faith

[Doughts]

Hi. I am looking for a spiritual home. Is it necessary to believe a man is God to be a catholic? I am not sure what my feeling are for one faith or another but I am trying to find a Godly home away from my life of sin and unbelieving. I have always believed in God but never found a home. My parents didnt think it was necessary.

MaryMead

 

[stringbeanduck]

Well first off welcome to the Catholic forums.

Keep searching for your faith in God. I must say the Catholic Church was the best way for me to find God. Get involved in a church. Since I’m Catholic I would recommend studying the faith and talking to members the church. But never feel pressured to join a church. You are on the path to coming closer to God. Feel free to talk all you want. There are many here who would be glad to help you on your journey to God.

 

[StBenMom]

Welcome to CAF!! This place is the BEST for all kinds of information/faith formation/comparing and contrasting and is full of encouragment. I wish you much luck in your faith journey. God is calling you. It looks like you are ready to answer Him, too!
Speaking from a Roman Catholic point of view: I have never felt more at home or more at peace than I do when I am at Mass. I am truly with Our Lord there. Not trying to “convert” you. I just thought I would share a little of what being Roman Catholic means to me. My prayers are with you!

Peace

 

[JRKH]

Hi. I am looking for a spiritual home. Is it necessary to believe a man is God to be a catholic? I am not sure what my feeling are for one faith or another but I am trying to find a Godly home away from my life of sin and unbelieving. I have always believed in God but never found a home. My parents didnt think it was necessary.

MaryMead

May I add my welcome
This is a good place, but beware - there can be a lot of confusing discussion around.

As to finding a spiritual home:
What research have you done so far?
Have any faiths turned you on or off?
Have you narrowed your search to Christianity, or still not sure?

If you are looking for an overview of many different faith systems, I would recommend Beliefnet.com. They try to provide an unbiased place for study and spiritual growth. Of course you can bring any questions here.

Your specific question above, believing a man is God is a difficult starting point. Catholics believe in one God. We believe that Jesus is the Son of God. I would hold to that point first of all. Catholics believe in the life, passion, death, resurrection and assention of Jesus.

Have you been to a mass yet? If not please attend one. You will witness the most beautiful liturgy available. As a matter of fact I would recommend attending at least one mass on Sunday for the “full experience” with music and all, but also attending a weekday mass as well. These are usually much simpler with no music. Of course you can’t recieve communion, but you can participate (or not) in all other aspects.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Hi. I am looking for a spiritual home. Is it necessary to believe a man is God to be a catholic? I am not sure what my feeling are for one faith or another but I am trying to find a Godly home away from my life of sin and unbelieving. I have always believed in God but never found a home. My parents didnt think it was necessary.

MaryMead

Mary,

   first off, understand the difference between religion and faith.

Faith is a gift from God. It is his own revelation of Himself, to us, however that may happen. To receive faith, you must go to the source of faith, Jesus Christ.

Religion on the other hand, is how we respond to the faith we have received. It is our worship, our learning, our spiritual direction
our life, all directed toward God.

Without faith, religion will become either regimented fanaticism, or nonsense, in which case, you’ll give it up.

For us Catholics, Jesus Christ is God, the Son. He is, God incarnate. There is no other god except Him, and no other person is equal to Him.

So, my advice to you is, in prayer, turn to Jesus Christ, and ask Him for the gift of faith. Be open to Him in every aspect of your being and be willing to turn your life over to following His way.

As Jesus taught us when we pray, “thy will be done.”

God Bless
Jim

 

[Mintaka]

Mary –

You could attend a Catholic church, go to Mass, and participate in activities even if you were an atheist. Since you believe in God, I think you will find it helpful just to be around people who believe in God, and spend time praying to Him; people who also try to avoid sin.

I suggest also that you pray and ask God to tell you the truth about Him, and reveal Himself to you. Ask Him where He wants you to go. If you pester Him enough (and you listen and pay attention), I think He’ll tell you.)

So anyway, why not spend a while with us, and see if the Catholic Church is the spiritual home you’re seeking? Drop in at your local parish some Sunday morning; we don’t bite.

 

[EB4304]

Hi Mary,
It’s wonderful that you’re seeking. I was once in your position, so I can relate very well with what you’re going through. I used to be an agnostic (more or less) and hated Christianity and Catholicism with a passion. But after a long, kicking-and-screaming conversion process, here I am! My parents were quite shocked that their little heretic was going to become a Catholic (as they weren’t really that religious themselves). That being said, if you wanted to speak with someone who is familiar with your situation privately, please feel free to message me. But this forum is full of many holy, insightful and committed people, so you’ve come to the right place!

One thing I would pay attention to is how you view the whole God-man thing. A better way to put it would be that out of love and mercy God became a man in order to redeem humanity. But yes, that’s one of the things you need to believe to be a Christian, not just a Catholic.

I think prayer is really important - it really helped me discover that God is more than an idea or a character in some old book (which is all I really thought of the Bible), but a living and loving Person who can be known and experienced. I would supplement that with reading the New Testament, especially the Gospels, and get a feel for who Jesus is.

If you find yourself doubting the credibility of the Gospels and whether or not Christianity is true - that the events really happened - there are many famous Christian authors who can help you through that, like C.S. Lewis, Gary Habermas, Peter Kreeft (whom I know personally and is a brilliant and utterly honest man).

One last thing. I’ll end with a famous quote from Jesus (via Matthew’s Gospel) about seeking: “Ask, and it will be given you; seek and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks find, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” (Mt. 7:1-8)

Hi. I am looking for a spiritual home. Is it necessary to believe a man is God to be a catholic? I am not sure what my feeling are for one faith or another but I am trying to find a Godly home away from my life of sin and unbelieving. I have always believed in God but never found a home. My parents didnt think it was necessary.

MaryMead

 

[LilyM]

Mary –

You could attend a Catholic church, go to Mass, and participate in activities even if you were an atheist. Since you believe in God, I think you will find it helpful just to be around people who believe in God, and spend time praying to Him; people who also try to avoid sin.

I suggest also that you pray and ask God to tell you the truth about Him, and reveal Himself to you. Ask Him where He wants you to go. If you pester Him enough (and you listen and pay attention), I think He’ll tell you.)

So anyway, why not spend a while with us, and see if the Catholic Church is the spiritual home you’re seeking? Drop in at your local parish some Sunday morning; we don’t bite.

Sure - just be careful not to receive Communion if you do go. Nothing like jumping in the water to inspire you to learn how to swim!