Need some guidance

[Weisses_Kreuz]

I was born and raised to a secular Jewish family in Israel. Everyone in my family believes in God and so do I, except that probably not in the same way as they do. When I was around the age of 17, I read the Gospels of the New Testament out of curiosity. After reading about a dozen pages I was pretty much certain that what I was reading is true. One thing I remember really well is what I thought of Jesus that time. I was like, “man, I love this guy”. I also felt strange peace when I read it. This little experience turned me from a moderate atheist to an agnostic, and from an agnostic to a believer (although I wasn’t sure if I believed entirely back then). Being a student at the time, I had many other and more urgent matters on my head and didn’t give this deal too much thought. At some point I was thinking that maybe this was just one of those teenage phases.

Today I’m 20 and I still research Christianity. Sometimes I’d just get bored and start looking up stuff on the internet, such as what denomination could be right for me or what bible should I read (on my iPad, because I’m not allowed to keep a physical bible out of respect to my mother). I found that reading the bible on a screen didn’t really strike me as well as having the actual book, and I’d get bored very quickly. I also found that I can agree most with Catholicism and Anglicanism respectively. I consider myself a liberal person and moderate in my views, so even if I do become Catholic there are certain things I won’t subscribe to, such as disallowing divorce and using contraceptives. At large, I agree with its teachings, but I’m not extremely religious nor do I want to be. Basically, I want to remain the same person I am right now except that I will be better and more faithful. If you tell me that I can’t have it that way I guess I will explore the other options, but right now I’m interested in Catholicism.

Now my question is, what do you suggest I do from here? Should I consult to a priest? How do I go about doing that? I’m almost certain I want to be Christian but I know I must not rush it. Anyway, every advice is welcome.

Thanks for reading.

 

[fbl9]

I was born and raised to a secular Jewish family in Israel. Everyone in my family believes in God and so do I, except that probably not in the same way as they do. When I was around the age of 17, I read the Gospels of the New Testament out of curiosity. After reading about a dozen pages I was pretty much certain that what I was reading is true. One thing I remember really well is what I thought of Jesus that time. I was like, “man, I love this guy”. I also felt strange peace when I read it. This little experience turned me from a moderate atheist to an agnostic, and from an agnostic to a believer (although I wasn’t sure if I believed entirely back then). Being a student at the time, I had many other and more urgent matters on my head and didn’t give this deal too much thought. At some point I was thinking that maybe this was just one of those teenage phases.

Today I’m 20 and I still research Christianity. Sometimes I’d just get bored and start looking up stuff on the internet, such as what denomination could be right for me or what bible should I read (on my iPad, because I’m not allowed to keep a physical bible out of respect to my mother). I found that reading the bible on a screen didn’t really strike me as well as having the actual book, and I’d get bored very quickly. I also found that I can agree most with Catholicism and Anglicanism respectively. I consider myself a liberal person and moderate in my views, so even if I do become Catholic there are certain things I won’t subscribe to, such as disallowing divorce and using contraceptives. At large, I agree with its teachings, but I’m not extremely religious nor do I want to be. Basically, I want to remain the same person I am right now except that I will be better and more faithful. If you tell me that I can’t have it that way I guess I will explore the other options, but right now I’m interested in Catholicism.

Now my question is, what do you suggest I do from here? Should I consult to a priest? How do I go about doing that? I’m almost certain I want to be Christian but I know I must not rush it. Anyway, every advice is welcome.

Thanks for reading.

Yes see a priest.
Find the closest Catholic Church to you. Note the Mass times, go see the priest after the latest Mass time and at least be able to set up a more suitable time.

 

[JerryZ]

I was born and raised to a secular Jewish family in Israel. Everyone in my family believes in God and so do I, except that probably not in the same way as they do. When I was around the age of 17, I read the Gospels of the New Testament out of curiosity. After reading about a dozen pages I was pretty much certain that what I was reading is true. One thing I remember really well is what I thought of Jesus that time. I was like, “man, I love this guy”. I also felt strange peace when I read it. This little experience turned me from a moderate atheist to an agnostic, and from an agnostic to a believer (although I wasn’t sure if I believed entirely back then). Being a student at the time, I had many other and more urgent matters on my head and didn’t give this deal too much thought. At some point I was thinking that maybe this was just one of those teenage phases.

Today I’m 20 and I still research Christianity. Sometimes I’d just get bored and start looking up stuff on the internet, such as what denomination could be right for me or what bible should I read (on my iPad, because I’m not allowed to keep a physical bible out of respect to my mother). I found that reading the bible on a screen didn’t really strike me as well as having the actual book, and I’d get bored very quickly. I also found that I can agree most with Catholicism and Anglicanism respectively. I consider myself a liberal person and moderate in my views, so even if I do become Catholic there are certain things I won’t subscribe to, such as disallowing divorce and using contraceptives. At large, I agree with its teachings, but I’m not extremely religious nor do I want to be. Basically, I want to remain the same person I am right now except that I will be better and more faithful. If you tell me that I can’t have it that way I guess I will explore the other options, but right now I’m interested in Catholicism.

Now my question is, what do you suggest I do from here? Should I consult to a priest? How do I go about doing that? I’m almost certain I want to be Christian but I know I must not rush it. Anyway, every advice is welcome.

Thanks for reading.

May may you sound quite like St. Agustin praying to G-d “G-d make me Holy but not yet”

I wish you the best may the Holy Spirit guide you and help you in your search for the truth.
Will keep you in my prayers.

 

[Julia_Mae]

Today I’m 20 and I still research Christianity. Sometimes I’d just get bored and start looking up stuff on the internet, such as what denomination could be right for me or what bible should I read (on my iPad, because I’m not allowed to keep a physical bible out of respect to my mother). I found that reading the bible on a screen didn’t really strike me as well as having the actual book, and I’d get bored very quickly. I also found that I can agree most with Catholicism and Anglicanism respectively. I consider myself a liberal person and moderate in my views, so even if I do become Catholic there are certain things I won’t subscribe to, such as disallowing divorce and using contraceptives. At large, I agree with its teachings, but I’m not extremely religious nor do I want to be. Basically, I want to remain the same person I am right now except that I will be better and more faithful. If you tell me that I can’t have it that way I guess I will explore the other options, but right now I’m interested in Catholicism.

Now my question is, what do you suggest I do from here?

I’m trying to figure out, if you can’t even own a book “out of respect for your mother” how you are going to go to Mass and convert?

You cannot stay who you are. If you read more of the Gospels you’ll see Jesus saying He didn’t come to bring peace but a sword (figuratively) and that He would set mother against daughter and father against son. And so on.

Jesus comes first. Before everything.

You cannot stay who you are because the Christ experience is totally transformative. Christianity cannot be your secret. They threw Jesus followers out of the Temple - they killed them.

You don’t get to decide what you want and don’t want. You get to say yes or no.

BTW, you might want to talk to a poster called JReducation (Br. JR) He’s Jewish. Also a Catholic Franciscan friar. Look him up.

 

[aicirt]

Check out the book, CATHOLICISM FOR DUMMIES, and also EWTN’s THE JOURNEY HOME with Marcus Grodi. He interviews various converts and you can read about others who had voiced some of your concerns.

 

[Weisses_Kreuz]

I’m trying to figure out, if you can’t even own a book “out of respect for your mother” how you are going to go to Mass and convert?

You cannot stay who you are. If you read more of the Gospels you’ll see Jesus saying He didn’t come to bring peace but a sword (figuratively) and that He would set mother against daughter and father against son. And so on.

Jesus comes first. Before everything.

You cannot stay who you are because the Christ experience is totally transformative. Christianity cannot be your secret. They threw Jesus followers out of the Temple - they killed them.

You don’t get to decide what you want and don’t want. You get to say yes or no.

BTW, you might want to talk to a poster called JReducation (Br. JR) He’s Jewish. Also a Catholic Franciscan friar. Look him up.

Because I live in my parents’ house and need to respect their wishes. I didn’t say I wasn’t allowed to become Christian, just that I can’t keep a New Testament here. I don’t think it’s that hard to figure out.

Also I don’t really understand the rest of your post. I get to say yes or no, about what?

 

[JRKH]

Welcome to the journey…

If I may - I think that what you have found is what Jewish converts call the fulfilled Jew.

Yes do talk to a priest. Hopefully he will be able to help you with some of the issues you express.

As to the matter of “which denomination”…Consider this. The Chosen people of Israel have, by the grace of God, held together through thick and thin, abundance ant trial, dispersion and coalescing for some three thousand years.
This is a testimony to God’s great graces and desire that there be a continuity through history.
Likewise in His fulfilled Church - it makes sense that He would wish this same continuity. The new covenant is different than the old…a “Spiritual Kingdom” rather than a physical one…but with the same spirit protected and guided history from Pentecost until today. There are only two places where you can find this continuity and that is in the Catholic Church (including the Eastern Rites as well as the Latin Rite) and the Eastern Orthodox Church.
It is only in these places that you will find the valid Apostolic succession and most important of all, the Eucharist which is the summit of our worship and the greatest gift God has given His people.

So please do - speak with a priest even multiple priests from multiple rites if they are available. But seek to remain within the apostolic Church and avoid those of the protestants which will only produce greater confusion for you due to their lack of valid apostolic succession and consequent inconsistency.

Oh - and welcome to the boards. I hope you find this place as helpful as I have.

Peace
James

 

[Julia_Mae]

Because I live in my parents’ house and need to respect their wishes. I didn’t say I wasn’t allowed to become Christian, just that I can’t keep a New Testament here. I don’t think it’s that hard to figure out.

I suppose you’ll have to move out, then.

 

[Weisses_Kreuz]

I suppose you’ll have to move out, then.

I can continue living here, except that nothing will change around me. I will change, but not extremely. I have no intentions of becoming a hardliner as your comments may or may not suggest. If that’s what’s expected of converts to Catholicism then I’m afraid I can’t, nor do I want, to meet that requirement.

Please feel free to correct me if I misunderstood anything and thanks for your comments (and everyone else’s).

 

[JRKH]

I can continue living here, except that nothing will change around me. I will change, but not extremely. I have no intentions of becoming a hardliner as your comments may or may not suggest. If that’s what’s expected of converts to Catholicism then I’m afraid I can’t, nor do I want, to meet that requirement.

Please feel free to correct me if I misunderstood anything and thanks for your comments (and everyone else’s).

“hardliner” is a term that I don’t understand in this context. Could you clarify?

As a Christian we are called to give our very lives over to Christ. This is why we are called to perfection in Love (Mt 5:48)

Peace
James

 

[Weisses_Kreuz]

“hardliner” is a term that I don’t understand in this context. Could you clarify?

As a Christian we are called to give our very lives over to Christ. This is why we are called to perfection in Love (Mt 5:48)

Peace
James

Well, what I made out of Julia Mae’s comments is that I need to throw everything away and try to live like a friar, sort of like “my way or the highway”. I might be wrong but that’s what I gathered.

I have no problems being faithful but it doesn’t necessarily mean I want religion to dominate every aspect of my life. I view Christianity as the expression to my belief in God and a way to become a better person both for myself and for others around me.

 

[JRKH]

Well, what I made out of Julia Mae’s comments is that I need to throw everything away and try to live like a friar, sort of like “my way or the highway”. I might be wrong but that’s what I gathered.

I don’t think that is what Julia was getting at.

I have no problems being faithful but it doesn’t necessarily mean I want religion to dominate every aspect of my life. I view Christianity as the expression to my belief in God and a way to become a better person both for myself and for others around me.

Well - to be a follower of Christ we ARE asked to make Jesus Lord of our life, to “deny our very selves, take up our cross and follow Him.” (Mt 16:24)

So - it might depend on what you mean by “dominate”…Surely our faith is the most important thing and surely it effects every aspect of our life. God is always first. It cannot be otherwise and hope to fulfill the greatest commandment which is:
And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. - (Matthew 22:37)
Does this require “living like a friar”? Maybe - but not likely. Each is called to a particular life and vocation. Let God lead (dominate your life) and he will show you yours.

Peace
James

 

[1ke]

Basically, I want to remain the same person I am right now except that I will be better and more faithful.

That is not what Christ calls us to be. Christ calls us to conform to him, not the other way around.

Keep studying. You have come far, but have far to go.

p.s. It is not how the Holy Spirit works either-- He has his own way of working in us if we will open ourselves to Him.

Now my question is, what do you suggest I do from here? Should I consult to a priest?

Yes, I think dialog with someone (in real life) is probably a good idea. Perhaps you can find a priest locally to take instruction from. The Catholic religion is not merely head knowledge-- which you have a acquired thus far from reading-- but a relationship with the living God. It would be good for you to begin a relationship with a Catholic priest and perhaps attend a few masses to understand Catholic worhsip and practice of the faith.

How do I go about doing that? I’m almost certain I want to be Christian but I know I must not rush it. Anyway, every advice is welcome.

Call up or go visit the closest Catholic parish.

 

[Weisses_Kreuz]

I don’t think I’m getting myself across very well. I’m willing to conform to Jesus, I just don’t want to be expected to follow every single teaching of the Catholic Church, because even people who are born Catholic can’t do it. I’m not saying I will pick the bits that suit me best and act according to them because it’s way too half-hearted. I will try to follow every teaching, but I can’t guranatee I will succeed, I’m just human after all. I don’t agree with Catholicism’s view on marriage and birth control, for example, but agree with many others of its major principles. The question is, will I be welcome in the Catholic Church considering this?

I guess I’ll keep studying and go talk to a priest when I feel better (I’m a bit sick). Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

 

[JRKH]

I don’t think I’m getting myself across very well. I’m willing to conform to Jesus, I just don’t want to be expected to follow every single teaching of the Catholic Church, because even people who are born Catholic can’t do it. I’m not saying I will pick the bits that suit me best and act according to them because it’s way too half-hearted. I will try to follow every teaching, but I can’t guranatee I will succeed, I’m just human after all. I don’t agree with Catholicism’s view on marriage and birth control, for example, but agree with many others of its major principles. The question is, will I be welcome in the Catholic Church considering this?

I guess I’ll keep studying and go talk to a priest when I feel better (I’m a bit sick). Thank you for your (name removed by moderator)ut.

If, as you say, you will try to follow all of the teachings - then come on in. LIke you say…we all fail at some point or another…

Peace
James

 

[Julia_Mae]

Well, what I made out of Julia Mae’s comments is that I need to throw everything away and try to live like a friar, sort of like “my way or the highway”. I might be wrong but that’s what I gathered.

Well, not until I throw everything away and start living like a nun. And it cannot possibly be “my way or the highway” because I have no way whatsoever. Nor do you. There is only One Way. Jesus is the Way. The Truth. The Life.

I have no problems being faithful but it doesn’t necessarily mean I want religion to dominate every aspect of my life. I view Christianity as the expression to my belief in God and a way to become a better person both for myself and for others around me.

Sounds like this is all about you. But if you are a Christian, it becomes all about Him. And when you are really following Jesus, that does dominate every aspect of your life. And you want it to. Because you want change. But in fact, we have nothing, no power at all, not one bit of goodness in us. Everything good comes from God through Christ and the Holy Spirit.

Now, what part of your life do you not want that to happen in?

Becoming Catholic isn’t about joining a religion, like becoming a Boy Scout or getting a membership at a health club. You know, you can go through RCIA for all 8 months and never actually be accepted into the Church, the Pastor has the right to refuse you confirmation. I only heard of that happening once, but it can. Took this guy three tries.

You need to go find a Parish and make an appointment with a priest.

 

[paul_c]

I was born and raised to a secular Jewish family in Israel. Everyone in my family believes in God and so do I, except that probably not in the same way as they do. When I was around the age of 17, I read the Gospels of the New Testament out of curiosity. After reading about a dozen pages I was pretty much certain that what I was reading is true. One thing I remember really well is what I thought of Jesus that time. I was like, “man, I love this guy”. I also felt strange peace when I read it. This little experience turned me from a moderate atheist to an agnostic, and from an agnostic to a believer (although I wasn’t sure if I believed entirely back then). Being a student at the time, I had many other and more urgent matters on my head and didn’t give this deal too much thought. At some point I was thinking that maybe this was just one of those teenage phases.

Today I’m 20 and I still research Christianity. Sometimes I’d just get bored and start looking up stuff on the internet, such as what denomination could be right for me or what bible should I read (on my iPad, because I’m not allowed to keep a physical bible out of respect to my mother). I found that reading the bible on a screen didn’t really strike me as well as having the actual book, and I’d get bored very quickly. I also found that I can agree most with Catholicism and Anglicanism respectively. I consider myself a liberal person and moderate in my views, so even if I do become Catholic there are certain things I won’t subscribe to, such as disallowing divorce and using contraceptives. At large, I agree with its teachings, but I’m not extremely religious nor do I want to be. Basically, I want to remain the same person I am right now except that I will be better and more faithful. If you tell me that I can’t have it that way I guess I will explore the other options, but right now I’m interested in Catholicism.

Now my question is, what do you suggest I do from here? Should I consult to a priest? How do I go about doing that? I’m almost certain I want to be Christian but I know I must not rush it. Anyway, every advice is welcome.

Thanks for reading.

In all matters, I recommend following where the Holy Spirit leads you. You see God calls to all of us in a unique way and it is our response to that call that matters. Some people enter tepidly, absorbing only a little of what Catholicism means at a time. Others open their hearts fully to the message and embrace it all immediately, even the parts they don’t fully understand. Catholicism is about eternal truths and they can’t all be grasped, even by the most enlightened.

The message I would give is to approach it all with an open mind. When you encounter a Church teaching that you can’t quite understand (like disallowing divorce and contraception), ask yourself, " What am I missing" rather than assuming immediately that you are right and the Church is wrong. Afterall, to be a Catholic is to believe that the Church is divinely inspired and is simply passing on the teachings of Jesus. (who was quite explicit about divorce being wrong as it turns out). Its not necessary for Catholics to understand every doctrinal detail, but to be Catholic is to accept the doctrines it teaches for the very reason that the Church was commissioned by Jesus to teach those doctrines. This can be hard for many to accept, but think about it. If you believe that the Church is divinely inspired, how can you not accept what it teaches. And if you don’t believe it is divinely inspired, why would you want to be Catholic.

Keep searching for answers. If you open your heart and your mind to the graces of God, and cooperate with those graces, you will ultimately find the joy of Christ.

By the way, on your two stated issues with Church doctrine, its a matter of understanding Gods’ view of sexuality. God created sex as a means to create new life. Creating new life is a sacred responsibility and it imparts grace to those who enter into it chastely. That’s why marriage is a sacrament. In this sacrament, a man and a women cooperate with God to create and raise new souls. In the words of our Lord, marriage is the joining of a man and a women into a single entity and what God creates, man must not separate. To divorce is breaking a solemn vow to God and your partner and is inherently wrong. As for contraception, it attempts to separate sex from its intended purpose, which is procreation. In doing so, in the words of Pope Paul VI, it leads to promiscuity, relaxed moral standards, increased infidelity and illegimacy, and has in some cases, already lead to state control of the number of children allowed. As in all things, when men mettle with God’s plan, it has disasterous results (like 60% of black children in NY city being aborted and 60 % of those that are allowed to be born are born to single mothers). The Church, as it turns out, has good reason to teach what it teaches.