Non-Catholics: Why are you here?

[theinquisitive]

I’ve noticed that there are a lot of non-Catholics here, and many of them seem to just want to argue with Church teachings. I can’t help but think they’re here to convert us.

However, I know that not all the non-Catholics are like that–I just can’t figure out why else they spend their time on a Catholic message board. So I thought I’d ask.

What brings you, as a non-Catholic, to Catholic Answers Forums?

Would you prefer they did not?
How do most people who were not “born into” Catholicism, get their “education” ?
I suppose it is easy for the cradle Catholic to believe, after all they were told no different.
What about the rest?
I am a “cradle Catholic” but it does not stop me from “wondering” and being interested in the opinions of others including non Catholics.:grouphug:

 

[mirandajb]

To fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ (and of non-Christian faiths), to learn more about my faith, and to investigate the claims the Catholic Church makes of itself and what other Christian groups claim.

Brother Fabius, you are in the right place. May you increase in the knowledge and grow in the wisdom of Jesus Christ…the Way, the Truth and the Life

 

[BrushedByAngels]

The RCs I know don’t seem to feel that they’re being bossed around, neither (a propos another thread) do they seem to feel persecuted. Perhaps I know “the wrong sort of catholic”.

I wouldn’t “hate to be a catholic”. In fact if I’d been born RC, I’d probably still be RC now, with or without my 35 years of agnosticism in between. But I’m Anglican and nothing I’ve seen/read on this forum would make me want to convert.

At one time, I considered converting to Episcopalian (there are Episcopalians in my family) and in the end I could not accept a church that encourages sin. I feel the Catholic church encourages us to be followers of Christ and thats where I want to be. I do love the Anglican Use mass and patiently waiting for one in my area.

Jesus said it was not going to be easy. We are either for Him or against Him!

 

[Zooey]

I remember a few years back, a Protestant friend challenged me to tell the story of how I was saved, and I replied, I hope not too flipantly, that four books had already been written about the story, and that I reckon that Matthew Mark Luke and John told it better than I could, since they were there.

That’s actually a good answer…although probably not a helpful one to the friend hearing it, in terms of understanding!!

 

[CopticChristian]

Nice post, Coptic. And I think you allude to the fact that the Meditation should be done slowly. Perhaps it takes a full minute. Perhaps an hour. Perhaps even longer. Makes me think that it’s worse to rush through the Rosary, than to neglect doing the Rosary at all.

Wow,

Another banned member. I reviewed all of Noprems posts and “Bible Student” translates into probably a New World Translation Bible Student with an agenda. There were never any questions asked only defenses and attacks.

Where have all the flowers gone, when will they ever learn.

Time for an interlude and prayer for Noprem:thumbsup:

youtube.com/watch?v=pYii6nxhvUk

 

[Mandote27]

i think most of them the the truth and want to come back! so they belong here! dont push them alway, lets welcome them!:tiphat:

 

[1beleevr]

Just wondering out loud, if there were a Protestant, nondenominational forum, or just a forum for Christians of any faith, to come together, worshipping, fellowshipping, sharing testimonies; could we ask the catholics,“Why are you here?”

 

[anp1215]

Just wondering out loud, if there were a Protestant, nondenominational forum, or just a forum for Christians of any faith, to come together, worshipping, fellowshipping, sharing testimonies; could we ask the catholics,“Why are you here?”

I suppose. I don’t think the OP meant the question in a derogatory way. I think it was just an honest question.

 

[Nimeniton]

Just wondering out loud, if there were a Protestant, nondenominational forum, or just a forum for Christians of any faith, to come together, worshipping, fellowshipping, sharing testimonies; could we ask the catholics,“Why are you here?”

I am an atheist and I do not think it is an unreasonable question for Catholics to ask. I have been on atheist sites and they have asked the same question about Christians. Really the question is about people’s motives. Are they genuine seeking knowledge etc. It is assumed that if a person is challenging and not respectfully asking then they can be safely dismissed. Yet I doubt there has been anybody as hostile to Christianity on this site as St Paul was prior to his conversion. In his persecution he was not humbly asking the Christians questions about their beliefs. Yet from hostility his position changed.

So does it really matter what a persons motives are for coming on forums. I have challenged fellow atheists for this pre-occupation with their opponents motives. It easily leads to ad hominen attacks and can be seen by neutral parties as an avoidance of answering the questions put.

Just because a person is hostile it does not mean that he cannot change his mind. This also applies to people who hide their true motives and have hidden agendas.

 

[JonNC]

Just wondering out loud, if there were a Protestant, nondenominational forum, or just a forum for Christians of any faith, to come together, worshipping, fellowshipping, sharing testimonies; could we ask the catholics,“Why are you here?”

As soon as you say “Christians of any faith”, you are automatically* including* Catholics.

Jon

 

[mysteryreligion]

I am a Reformed believer that has been forced to question a lot of beliefs recently. I would classify myself as a former anti-Catholic. I am now honestly seeking answers to my questions. I may engage in arguments, but it’s for my benefit, not the conversion of anyone here. In short, I am a potential convert ironing out my own concerns and misconceptions. Thanks for asking

what is the biggest obstacle to you becoming Catholic?

 

[CopticChristian]

Just wondering out loud, if there were a Protestant, nondenominational forum, or just a forum for Christians of any faith, to come together, worshipping, fellowshipping, sharing testimonies; could we ask the catholics,“Why are you here?”

You have done lots of postings and have more experience than I do. I would say that there would be less tolerance for the following reasons.

Catholics see the history of Christianity, looking at outside sources to confirm what we know and believe to be true. By that I mean the Church has produced the Bible, has documents in time and the paradigm is that Christians of any faith are seen as originating with separation. This would include Luther, Knox, Zwingli, those that separated from the Anglican, Methodists, Baptists etc. I would say that it would be fair to say that “Christians of any Faith” are seen as incompletely and improperly catechized Catholics.

“Christians of any Faith” includes a mix as there is no one species or type. There are many. The paradigms differ from acceptance to hatred to believing that The Church they denominated from is a cult, apostate, or some other fantasy. These for the most part do not include within their paradigm tolerance and acceptance and recognition that those outside their paradigm are Christian unless they accept their beliefs, inspite of the fact that they denominated from the OHCAC.

This is difficult because there is no all inclusive Protestant type of belief.

I am sure you understand what I am saying.

 

[Zooey]

As soon as you say “Christians of any faith”, you are automatically* including* Catholics.

Jon

 

[Pamela1]

Before you make a decision get on your knees and talk to God if it is God your looking for ask him to make himself known to you.If you are looking for a church that teaches about God then ask him to let you know and he will.God loves you very much and he will answer you if you ask him.Be careful that you dont get so wraped up in a religion that you forget about God after all it is him we should be pleasing.God bless you I will pray that God will guide you.

 

[CopticChristian]

Before you make a decision get on your knees and talk to God if it is God your looking for ask him to make himself known to you.If you are looking for a church that teaches about God then ask him to let you know and he will.God loves you very much and he will answer you if you ask him.Be careful that you dont get so wraped up in a religion that you forget about God after all it is him we should be pleasing.God bless you I will pray that God will guide you.

Before you make a decision get on your knees and talk to God. After all we are responding to the call of God. Be careful not to get wrapped up in a religion that leads you away from the Truth, as Jesus is the way, the truth and the Light. Oh, yeah have Jesus in your heart, the center of your being, but everyone that professes Christ says that. Wake up. Paul says to change your mind before you consider your heart. Your heart and mind must coincide. Sometimes people are led by their emotions however even Jesus says “repent” , that word means “change your mind”…change your mind first.

You need to be brainwashed by the Holy Spirit so that you can see that there are certain truths and certainty in truths. Paul was brainwashed. Scales fell from his eyes on straight street. We need to get straight with God. While you are on your knees reflect on Jesus, the Bible and the Church that he promised. The Church that Paul says is the mystery hidden for all ages. The Church is how the manifest wisdom of God is known according to Paul. The Church that Paul says is the Body of Christ. The Church that Paul says was the means by which God would reconcile the world to himself so that Jew and Gentile alike could partake of the New Covenant. Where is that Church?

Don’t worry about who is going to heaven. God is interested in right thinking and if that means being in the right religion as we call it then as you ask God sometimes where you are led even being on this post you have to listen to it. God himself isn’t going to come right and tell you what is important, you have to discern.

Reflect on Jesus, when the Bible was just the Old Testament. Reflect on the Bible when the Church, the Body of Christ he promised was up and running while Scripture was read in the Churches until finally the Holy Spirit led the Church to compile the Bible that we hold to be truly the Word of God in our worship.

Reflect on Paul as you pray, that the gospel has been spread all over the world, bearing fruit, that God is God of all, the universal God and if God is universal and impartial then we can reflect and understand that the Body of Christ is also universal. In Greek we call that Catholic. Don’t give up, God is Universal, God is Catholic, his word is universal, his word is Catholic, listen as you pray and stay on your knees and when you get up DON’T GIVE UP……God is calling you to his universal Catholic family of God we call the Church.

He Build The Chapel. He Build the Church:thumbsup:

Amen
youtube.com/watch?v=rn6w255CGkk

 

[Miriam1947]

Before you make a decision get on your knees and talk to God if it is God your looking for ask him to make himself known to you.If you are looking for a church that teaches about God then ask him to let you know and he will.God loves you very much and he will answer you if you ask him.Be careful that you dont get so wraped up in a religion that you forget about God after all it is him we should be pleasing.God bless you I will pray that God will guide you.

Great post! This is exactly why I became a Catholic.

 

[alwayswondering]

I’ve gone through some hard times when it comes to religion. From Protestant to Agnostic to borderline Atheist to Agnostic again to Mormon to Protestant again and tried Methodist and Non-Denominational and then Wesleyan and now I’m kind of nothing. I’m searching into the Catholic faith now, and it’s great to have a community like this to ask questions and share thoughts and feelings with.

 

[CopticChristian]

I’ve gone through some hard times when it comes to religion. From Protestant to Agnostic to borderline Atheist to Agnostic again to Mormon to Protestant again and tried Methodist and Non-Denominational and then Wesleyan and now I’m kind of nothing. I’m searching into the Catholic faith now, and it’s great to have a community like this to ask questions and share thoughts and feelings with.

Wow. What a Journey. I can understand that you are always wondering.

 

[MontChevalier]

I’ve gone through some hard times when it comes to religion. From Protestant to Agnostic to borderline Atheist to Agnostic again to Mormon to Protestant again and tried Methodist and Non-Denominational and then Wesleyan and now I’m kind of nothing. I’m searching into the Catholic faith now, and it’s great to have a community like this to ask questions and share thoughts and feelings with.

A “nothing” is still ranging in the area of atheist/agnostic. And your religion thing up there says you’re protestant. I can see you’ve gone through quite a lot.

What makes you look into Catholicism?