Not sure what to believe

  • Thread starter Thread starter mlamg
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
M

mlamg

Guest
This is my first post, so I hope it’s OK to ask such a serious question. I’ve been feeling terribly torn and not knowing what to do for months now. This past election has almost destroyed my faith in just about everything. I feel confused, empty, and I don’t know what to do.

Please just tell me if it’s true that if I don’t hold with 100% of the teachings of the Catholic Church, that I then am not really Catholic and that I should just leave the Church. I read the Pope’s words that seemed pretty much to this effect back in the summer. During the whole election season, which seemed to last an eternity, I also had friends that told me the same thing: if you don’t believe it all, then leave.

Should I leave? I don’t know where else to go. I’m heartbroken and lost.
 
You are a Catholic. There is no “leaving” and those who make such statements are ignorant of what it means to be a member of the Body of Christ.

You are either a Catholic in a state of grace or not in a state of grace and in need of reconciliation, just like every other Catholic.

It is your job to continue to study and learn and pray for the grace to accept all of the teaching of the Church, the Bride of Christ, who cannot be in error in faith and morals. Because staying does not mean remaining in dissent, it means growing in grace and faith.

Please go talk to your priest.
 
mlamg said:
Please just tell me if it’s true that if I don’t hold with 100% of the teachings of the Catholic Church, that I then am not really Catholic and that I should just leave the Church.
Click to expand...
Piffle.

Of course you aren’t leaving. I’m not leaving, this is where Jesus is. I’m not sure what you disagree with, but sometimes what folks roundabout who think they are REAL Catholics say is what we must believe - isn’t. You were perfectly free, according to the Church, to use your conscience to vote for whomever you believed would do the best job for the most people. Or vote for the issue you believed was most in line with love of neighbor.

If you made a mistake it was telling anyone what you thought when they obviously were already so sure they were 100% RIGHT.

The Church needs you. Go pray for your enemies who seem to all be Catholics.
 
Oh, JM, thank you for this! I’ve been feeling horrible, went to confession, daily mass, trying to figure out what I’m doing, where I’m wrong. I don’t know what to think anymore. Every time I set foot in a Catholic church, all I hear from people is how much they hate the president, or how everyone who doesn’t believe 100% should leave. It makes me so sad and anxious, I actually started looking at a local episcopal church. I feel unwanted, wrong, sinful. and hopeless.

But I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I desperately need Christ in the eucharist. 😦
 
Being raised as a catholic I never got to know the Lord as a person and receive his Spirit of hope and freedom. After years of self inflicted misery and leading my life on my own I had run out of options and was contemplating ending my life. During this time however I was reading the bible and praying for help. Than in August of 2008 while reading the book of Romans in my living room just me and Jesus He gave me eternal life and the fruits of the Spirit peace, love joy etc. and He did this for me and I hadn’t even read about the fruits of the Spirit or being born again until a few weeks later–can you imagine how I felt after reading what He was doing in my life in the very book He left for all of us, He has truly made me a different person and all I can do is love Him, Praise Him, Worship Him and tell others about Him.
He has led me so far beyond the traditions of the catholic church and it is so awesome. I know the His Spirit in is in me-- It’s the only way I can explain the love I now have for others-- the pure joy of reading His word and the humbling experience of worshipping and knowing our Loving Savior Jesus Christ. There is no doubt in my mind he will do the same for you. I have already prayed for you and will continue to ask Him to have his spirit guide you to the truth.

With Love in Jesus Christ
 
mlamg said:
Oh, JM, thank you for this! I’ve been feeling horrible, went to confession, daily mass, trying to figure out what I’m doing, where I’m wrong. I don’t know what to think anymore. Every time I set foot in a Catholic church, all I hear from people is how much they hate the president, or how everyone who doesn’t believe 100% should leave. It makes me so sad and anxious, I actually started looking at a local episcopal church. I feel unwanted, wrong, sinful. and hopeless.

But I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I desperately need Christ in the eucharist. 😦
Click to expand...
Praying for you on your faith journey, mlamg.

But allow me to offer you some words of advice: do not church shop.

That is, do not shop for the church that conforms to all of your beliefs.

Find the Church that Christ established, and then conform all of your beliefs to Christ’s. :gopray2:
 
rellanor said:
Being raised as a catholic I never got to know the Lord as a person and receive his Spirit of hope and freedom. After years of self inflicted misery and leading my life on my own I had run out of options and was contemplating ending my life. During this time however I was reading the bible and praying for help. Than in August of 2008 while reading the book of Romans in my living room just me and Jesus He gave me eternal life and the fruits of the Spirit peace, love joy etc. and He did this for me and I hadn’t even read about the fruits of the Spirit or being born again until a few weeks later–can you imagine how I felt after reading what He was doing in my life in the very book He left for all of us, He has truly made me a different person and all I can do is love Him, Praise Him, Worship Him and tell others about Him.
He has led me so far beyond the traditions of the catholic church and it is so awesome. I know the His Spirit in is in me-- It’s the only way I can explain the love I now have for others-- the pure joy of reading His word and the humbling experience of worshipping and knowing our Loving Savior Jesus Christ. There is no doubt in my mind he will do the same for you. I have already prayed for you and will continue to ask Him to have his spirit guide you to the truth.

With Love in Jesus Christ
Click to expand...
I am happy that you have found peace and a will to live again.

But I am curious as to what you believe that’s “so far beyond the traditions of the Catholic Church.”

You do realize, friend, that your reading the Book of Romans and believing that it is the Word of God, comes from the Tradition of the Catholic Church, right?

In other words, the ONLY way you know that the Book of Romans is God’s Word is because the Catholic Church discerned this for you.
 
mlamg said:
This is my first post, so I hope it’s OK to ask such a serious question. I’ve been feeling terribly torn and not knowing what to do for months now. This past election has almost destroyed my faith in just about everything. I feel confused, empty, and I don’t know what to do.

Please just tell me if it’s true that if I don’t hold with 100% of the teachings of the Catholic Church, that I then am not really Catholic and that I should just leave the Church. I read the Pope’s words that seemed pretty much to this effect back in the summer. During the whole election season, which seemed to last an eternity, I also had friends that told me the same thing: if you don’t believe it all, then leave.

Should I leave? I don’t know where else to go. I’m heartbroken and lost.
Click to expand...
As Catholics, we should beliece what the Church teaches. But as humans, we sometimes have doubts or confusion.

When I have a problem with a Church teaching, I may ask people who know better than I do, but other than that, I do not broadcast my idea; I pray about it instead. God has always insured that I learn the truth, altho sometimes it takes a while.

What we have to do is to have faith that the Church teaches what God taught us through His Son. Thus we are obliged to grapple with a teaching we have trouble with rather than to just say, oh, the Church doesn’t know what it is talking about, I’ll believe what makes sense to me.
 
Thank you for the replies, everyone! I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I guess I just need to keep more private in my spiritual life.

Then my question is, when others speak uncharitably about myself or others, should I ignore it or confront it? Is it just none of my business? I need to figure out a way of not getting upset, as I continue to hear these negative things about others, which IMHO should not be gossiped about in the house of Christ. 😦
 
mlamg said:
This is my first post, so I hope it’s OK to ask such a serious question. I’ve been feeling terribly torn and not knowing what to do for months now. This past election has almost destroyed my faith in just about everything. I feel confused, empty, and I don’t know what to do.

Please just tell me if it’s true that if I don’t hold with 100% of the teachings of the Catholic Church, that I then am not really Catholic and that I should just leave the Church. I read the Pope’s words that seemed pretty much to this effect back in the summer. During the whole election season, which seemed to last an eternity, I also had friends that told me the same thing: if you don’t believe it all, then leave.

Should I leave? I don’t know where else to go. I’m heartbroken and lost.
Click to expand...
Have you talked to your pastor and/or confessor about this? That would be my first suggestion.
You don’t give us a lot to go on here which is OK. We don’t need particulars if you do not wish to share but…“Don’t hold with”…can mean a number of things… from outright and public rejection of Church teaching (very problematic) to internal struggles to come to understand Church teaching (quite common).

As others have said though, you are baptized Catholic so you remain Catholic no matter where you go. So - talk to your confessor about teachings that are troubling you and be guided by him.

May God’s peace surround you.

Peace
James
 
Since you clearly have experienced the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, I have to wonder what differences of opinion you have that would even cause you to consider “church shopping”. Are you certain that the teachings you have issues with are actual teachings of the Church, and not a popular form of implimentating them into daily life? I guess what I mean is, do you disagree with an actual teaching such as that abortion is murder or do you disagree with the idea that because of this, you can’t vote for the candidate of your choice? There is an important difference between those situations. At any rate, I think you should study the issues you are having difficulty with and learn why the Church teaches what she does. After that, all you can do is pray for wisdom and understanding and trust the Church that Christ established to guide His children. I certainly don’t think you should go to any other Church.
 
rellanor said:
Being raised as a catholic I never got to know the Lord as a person and receive his Spirit of hope and freedom.
With Love in Jesus Christ
Click to expand...
It seems clear to me from the OP’s post that this isn’t what is bothering her. You will note that she commented on her need for the Eucharist. Clearly she is aware of the grace that Jesus has to offer. Her problem has more to do with understanding and accepting His teachings.
 
mlamg said:
Thank you for the replies, everyone! I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I guess I just need to keep more private in my spiritual life.

Then my question is, when others speak uncharitably about myself or others, should I ignore it or confront it? Is it just none of my business? I need to figure out a way of not getting upset, as I continue to hear these negative things about others, which IMHO should not be gossiped about in the house of Christ. 😦
Click to expand...
It’s difficult to give a general answer on this. So much depends on the personalities involved, specific circumstances, timing, what exactly is said and how…
I mean - yes we are to confront these things but just how can vary from person to person…

Not to sound like a broken record, but again I have to counsel talking to your confessor and maybe your pastor…people who know you and the congregation and who can give more specific advice. Who knows - maybe father will get a sermon out of it…One about not gossiping…😉

Peace
James
 
I want to address two things.

First, there is the article you linked to. That was all over the place for awhile, and mostly misinterpreted. The Pope never said to leave, it was a Monsignor who said those words. And even then, what he said was that it would be more honest to leave than to betray the Church. I see no intention to betray the Church in your post.

This is what the Pope said:
“Judas,” said Pope Benedict, “could have left, as many of the disciples did; indeed, he would have left if he were honest. Instead he remained with Jesus. He did not remain because of faith, or because of love, but with the secret intention of taking vengeance on the Master.”
Click to expand...
It goes in line with the Monsignor. The bolded is obviously not your intent. It doesn’t sound like you are actively campaigning for things the Church is opposed to, so don’t let people convince you that the Pope said people like you should leave.

Secondly, for a long time I didn’t believe a lot of Church teachings. I’m so glad I never left, because finally, after a long, long, time…I finally understood, and with a depth I don’t think would have happened if I had not been on the other side of the fence.

You asked what to do about others who tell you to leave. I would suggest praying for them.
 
mlamg said:
Oh, JM, thank you for this! I’ve been feeling horrible, went to confession, daily mass, trying to figure out what I’m doing, where I’m wrong. I don’t know what to think anymore. Every time I set foot in a Catholic church, all I hear from people is how much they hate the president, or how everyone who doesn’t believe 100% should leave. It makes me so sad and anxious, I actually started looking at a local episcopal church. I feel unwanted, wrong, sinful. and hopeless.

But I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I desperately need Christ in the eucharist. 😦
Click to expand...
You have to understand, mlamg, that Catholics are frustrated by other Catholics who are very public figures, yet also support abortion, gay marriage, euthanasia and other non-negotiables. Also many Catholics are very frustrated because the Church is most definitely being persecuted through the healthcare legislation that is supposed to force employers to pay for contraception and abortion. Tensions are running quite high.

Personally, I believe many Catholics are in dissension but cannot face it square on. I don’t know how to fix this problem.

I think you should talk to your priest about the things you are having problems with. He can advise you and perhaps give you some books to read. A lot of older Catholics who are in public life were not catechized properly and actually may not even realize why the Church teaches what she does.
 
mlamg said:
Thank you for the replies, everyone! I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I guess I just need to keep more private in my spiritual life.

Then my question is, when others speak uncharitably about myself or others, should I ignore it or confront it? Is it just none of my business? I need to figure out a way of not getting upset, as I continue to hear these negative things about others, which IMHO should not be gossiped about in the house of Christ. 😦
Click to expand...
If you try to confront everyone that runs their mouths you’re going to be to busy to do anything else.
 
mlamg said:
Thank you for the replies, everyone! I can’t imagine being anywhere else. I guess I just need to keep more private in my spiritual life.

Then my question is, when others speak uncharitably about myself or others, should I ignore it or confront it? Is it just none of my business? I need to figure out a way of not getting upset, as I continue to hear these negative things about others, which IMHO should not be gossiped about in the house of Christ. 😦
Click to expand...
I don’t think you need to be more private is your spiritual life, you need to talk to your Pastor and be open with him about your inability to accept the Churches teachings. People have been doing it for a long time, either wanting the Church to align to their beliefs, or to defect and join a Church who confirms them in their errors or is at least non judgemental. It is tempting to blame others and feel victimized, but the truth is their are gossips and unchariable persons everywhere, you remain responsible for your decisions.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top