May I use this forum to ask questions?

[Mig]

I’m not Catholic. What I am is a Protestant who’s searching for truth. I initially first looked at Catholicism at CARM. Some of you might know me and some of my story from there. I went into those conversations thinking I already knew about, and couldn’t accept Catholicism. Since I was sincerely seeking truth though, I went in with a truly open mind.

Since then, some truly ‘interesting’ things have happened in my search. Things, the likes of which, have never happened to me before. In fact, simply based on those events alone, I’d make a commitment to the Church today. There are still things though, that greatly concern me.

I’d like to open a dialogue with some of you here. There are two things I am not here to do.

1. Argue. I’m here to discuss. That might lead to hard question’s but never to pointless argument. If I sincerely disagree, I’ll say so and then either learn more, or let it go at that. I’m not here to attempt to change anyone’s mind.
2. Find for or against Catholicism based on* what I want*. When I first started this search, I didn’t like or trust Catholicism and didn’t particularly want it to be true. I’d been effected by a very anti-Catholic school of thought. I knew though that I’d never given the Catholics an opportunity to stand up for their beliefs. Knowing this, I was willing to have my mind changed. Since these mind-changing events have happened to me, now* I deeply want Catholicism to be truth*.

The problem is that the Catholic Church seems to be error in some ways. I don’t expect perfection from Catholic man anymore than I do Protestant man. The question is this. Is it true that this error exist? And if so, is it profound enough to overturn the Truth of this Church? That’s what I insist on discovering.

If I go into Catholicism, I must go in fully convinced in my own conscience. If I’m going to go into Catholicism, either my wife and eight grown children are coming with me, or they’ll have to battle their own conscience not to.

May I dialog with you?

 

[fermat]

I’m not Catholic. What I am is a Protestant who’s searching for truth. I initially first looked at Catholicism at CARM. Some of you might know me and some of my story from there. I went into those conversations thinking I already knew about, and couldn’t accept Catholicism. Since I was sincerely seeking truth though, I went in with a truly open mind.

Since then, some truly ‘interesting’ things have happened in my search. Things, the likes of which, have never happened to me before. In fact, simply based on those events alone, I’d make a commitment to the Church today. There are still things though, that greatly concern me.

I’d like to open a dialogue with some of you here. There are two things I am not here to do.

1. Argue. I’m here to discuss. That might lead to hard question’s but never to pointless argument. If I sincerely disagree, I’ll say so and then either learn more, or let it go at that. I’m not here to attempt to change anyone’s mind.
2. Find for or against Catholicism based on* what I want*. When I first started this search, I didn’t like or trust Catholicism and didn’t particularly want it to be true. I’d been effected by a very anti-Catholic school of thought. I knew though that I’d never given the Catholics an opportunity to stand up for their beliefs. Knowing this, I was willing to have my mind changed. Since these mind-changing events have happened to me, now* I deeply want Catholicism to be truth*.

The problem is that the Catholic Church seems to be error in some ways. I don’t expect perfection from Catholic man anymore than I do Protestant man. The question is this. Is it true that this error exist? And if so, is it profound enough to overturn the Truth of this Church? That’s what I insist on discovering.

If I go into Catholicism, I must go in fully convinced in my own conscience. If I’m going to go into Catholicism, either my wife and eight grown children are coming with me, or they’ll have to battle their own conscience not to.

May I dialog with you?

Welcome.

I suggest that you start with a single issue (as opposed to a list). What is the topic that bothers you the most? Where do you see the error?

As for your wife and kids, it is not uncommon for one person in a family to make the conversion alone. It is also not uncommon for the whole family to go. If they do go with you, they should do it of their own accord (assuming they are old enough). I pray they do come with you.

There is nothing wrong with wanting to become Catholic and waiting until you are sure it is true. If you don’t believe what you are doing, it is hard to commit yourself to it. That being said, once you are convinced that Catholicism is true, you owe it to yourself to jump in with both feet, even if there are some linger issues. If you believe Catholicism to be true, then by default you believe what she teaches, even if you don’t understand. I’ve been Catholic for 37 years now, and I am still finding my answers.

I’ll add you and your family to my intention list. God bless you and happy Easter!

 

[Pug]

May I dialog with you?

Welcome, Mig. Please do stay and dialog. Fermat’s suggestion above is good; it might be best to start with one issue, to keep things more manageable. You will get different people to answer you, depending on which of our forums here that you pick. This is a lower traffic forum, which may be why you chose it. “Apologetics” is a higher traffic forum, but much more contentious.

Please, ask what you need. Happy Easter, He is Risen!

 

[Corki]

I’m not Catholic. What I am is a Protestant who’s searching for truth. I initially first looked at Catholicism at CARM. Some of you might know me and some of my story from there. I went into those conversations thinking I already knew about, and couldn’t accept Catholicism. Since I was sincerely seeking truth though, I went in with a truly open mind.

Since then, some truly ‘interesting’ things have happened in my search. Things, the likes of which, have never happened to me before. In fact, simply based on those events alone, I’d make a commitment to the Church today. There are still things though, that greatly concern me.

I’d like to open a dialogue with some of you here. There are two things I am not here to do.

1. Argue. I’m here to discuss. That might lead to hard question’s but never to pointless argument. If I sincerely disagree, I’ll say so and then either learn more, or let it go at that. I’m not here to attempt to change anyone’s mind.
2. Find for or against Catholicism based on* what I want*. When I first started this search, I didn’t like or trust Catholicism and didn’t particularly want it to be true. I’d been effected by a very anti-Catholic school of thought. I knew though that I’d never given the Catholics an opportunity to stand up for their beliefs. Knowing this, I was willing to have my mind changed. Since these mind-changing events have happened to me, now* I deeply want Catholicism to be truth*.

The problem is that the Catholic Church seems to be error in some ways. I don’t expect perfection from Catholic man anymore than I do Protestant man. The question is this. Is it true that this error exist? And if so, is it profound enough to overturn the Truth of this Church? That’s what I insist on discovering.

If I go into Catholicism, I must go in fully convinced in my own conscience. If I’m going to go into Catholicism, either my wife and eight grown children are coming with me, or they’ll have to battle their own conscience not to.

May I dialog with you?

Welcome to Catholic Answers!

As Pug suggests, you might find more clarity by posting in the Apologetics forum and keeping to one issue at a time.

Since there are fewer than usual users on today (Easter Sunday ), you might find some good background information on the Catholic Answers main site (catholic.com). The have tracts on most of the common Protestant objections to Catholicism with great research using Scripture and Early Church Fathers. At the very least, that information should serve to counter-balance the CARM style.

 

[Mig]

Welcome to Catholic Answers!

As Pug suggests, you might find more clarity by posting in the Apologetics forum and keeping to one issue at a time.

Since there are fewer than usual users on today (Easter Sunday ), you might find some good background information on the Catholic Answers main site (catholic.com). The have tracts on most of the common Protestant objections to Catholicism with great research using Scripture and Early Church Fathers. At the very least, that information should serve to counter-balance the CARM style.

Thank you all for your answers. I’ll do as you recommend and take it one issue at a time to Apologetics.

God bless you. No matter what I decide to do, I pray we all may unite in Christ.

 

[Catholic1954]

Welcome Home! The Holy Spirit is calling you into the Catholic Church. Only the Catholic Church contains the fullness of truth, 100%. So, ask your questions, kick the tires, chew on it for awhile and when you are ready, we will be happy to welcome you into the Church on the Easter Vigil.

 

[puzzleannie]

welcome
dis be dah place to ask about the process of becoming Catholic, or exploring the idea, so how does that work

take some time to read the forum rules, esp. the sticky on what each forum is about

you are likely to have questions that belong on apologetics or one of its sub-forums like scripture if you have a specific question on doctrine, Catholic interpetation of scripture and so forth.

for specific questions on worship, Mass, sacraments go to that forum, liturgy and sacraments

these 2 are likely to already have threads that have covered topics that concern you, so learn to search, regular and advanced and google.

also search AAA ask an apologist for FAQs because they are good links

the more you figure out how to navigate the forums, and pose your topic on the right one, the more fun, interesting and helpful your time here will be–and the more we will get to know you

also look at the reference threads and stickies at the top of each forum they also have helps for the types of questions you are asking now

last, go back to the CA homepage and learn to search there as well, for very good articles and more organized, researched answers