Question from protestant

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Egg4christ

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I have so many questions, but on this forum, it feels like i can’t get a word in edgewise. Let me start with where i am, and we’ll move to where you are.

I am a non denominational christian(got questions, PM me). I like my church, i find no fault in it’s teachings so far. I really love God. he is so awesome. I engage in what is called a “quiet time” or “devotional Life” daily. basically it means i get up at the crack of dawn in the mornings, and read the bible, and praise God, and repent, and request, and ask him to continue to walk with me throughout the day. I’m a junior in high school, and i am looking to go into ministry for college. I’m excited about the plans God has for me.
I’ve been doing some religion study. I recently looked into an SDA forum. Although i can’t say that i agree with everything they say, they do believe in a fundamental relationship with God, and an awesome life change the occurs not only in their own lives, but in the lives of others, as a result of this relationship.
I decided to look into the catholic faith. I used to be catholic, but we changed faiths. I’ve come to believe that catholics can experience God in the same way I do, that it is very possible catholics have a relationship with Jesus, and perhaps have found a different angle than i have, that maybe i have something to learn from you people.
I have to say, i can’t find it. Maybe i’m looking in the wrong place. I just feel so overwhelmed by the lack of love here. I feel as a protestant here, i have been thrown to the jackals. Everything i have learned about God, i find none of it here. It pains me to say it.
I don’t see his love, or the use of his gifts. I don’t see comforting, understanding, compassion. There is no relationship, only arguments about the “true church”. I don’t see people arguing for salvation, but for doctorine. I can barely tell what salvation to the catholic church is. I don’t see a discussion of the character of God, i barely see God at all. Just re-hashing all sorts of painful arguments, meant to show the oppoistion that they are wrong
am I wrong? Please, tell me i’m wrong, somehow.
 
Egg,

You received some very good responses to your “Honest, Humble Question” thread. I’m not sure I understand why you’re upset?:o
 
Welcome to the forum!
One thing some other Christians don’t realize is how viciously the Catholic church is attacked by other Christians. How often we are put on the defensive, and how often people really don’t want to know what we believe they want to tell us what we believe. It can make people very cynical and and sometimes pretty uncharitable.When you hear the same attacks over and over and over and over…It’s hard not roll your eyes and say “great, here we go again.”

Catholics in general do have a very personal relationship with Jesus in one of the most profound ways. The Eucharist, when we recieve Christ body,blood, soul and divinity when we recieve communion. Most serious Catholics have a very strong prayer life, including the rosary which often protestants see as a “Mary” prayer but is actually a meditation on the life of Jesus thru the mysteries of the rosary.

If you look at the thread on the forum about “Do you read the Bible” (I think that was the title) the majority here have read either all or most of the Bible.

I’m not sure what you mean you don’t see us arguing for salavation. Can you elaborate a bit more?

As far as doctrine, unlike many protestant denominations the Catholic church has clear doctrines that the faithful most adhere to and people here will discuss, argue and ask questions of them.

The true church discussion is actually a very important discussion. Jesus told us the Holy Spirit would lead us in all truth. How can there be differant truths? For those who believe in once saved always saved these discussions have little importance to salvation. But Catholics believe one can reject God’s gift of salvation through serious sin unless one repents for those sins.

Early Church history, the writing from the 1st generations after Christ, very much supports the fact that the original Christian church was the Catholic church, and doctines such as the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist very much believe in by the early church. This is very important. Because how could one legitimately reject the church founded by Christ and many of it’s doctrines and yet be assured of salvation?

For instance if Christ is truly present in the Eucharist how could one excuse rejecting this profound gift of Christ.

Many believe the only authority is the Bible. But the Bible didn’t just suddenly appear after Jesus ascended into Heaven. There were many generations of Christians before the Bible was compiled into one book. And who had the authority to compile the books? There were many writing to sift thru it wasn’t as if the books we have were the only ones in use during the liturgy at the time. It was the Catholic church that assembled the complete Bible.

These things are very important to salvation. If the Catholic church is the true church the whole idea of things like once saved always saved which goes against the church teaching would then be wrong. And that definately would affect ones salvation.

Hope this is helpful, God Bless!
 
If you want to see more caring and understanding, you need to get out of the Non-Catholic Religious Forum. People there are a bit less defensive. Why do the Catholics seem so defensive? I ask to a Protestant, looking at that word itself, who are you protesting?

It’d be nice to talk about being able to talk about the rosary. Then you get all this talk about how Mary is dead and we souldn’t pray to her. I guess I can understand, we have different views on the saints. But I can’t really share what I’ve learned to that devoution, when someone straight out rejects it. “Well I don’t want anything to come inbetween my relationship with Jesus Christ.” Fine, but what you know of Jesus, is based on not Jesus, but through people like Mathew, Mark, Luke, and John. When I mediate on the rosery its not out of worship to Mary. Its a meditation of Mary in her relationship to Jesus. In the end she always says, ‘do whatever he says.’ Much the same with praying to the saints, there is two things, we believe they pray for you and two you meditate on how they lived the gosple. The example of their relationship to Jesus, helps us understand ours. But if someone is going to say that is wrong, they seem to skip pass what we learn.

Some act like we just try to merit our way to heaven. Look I don’t go to Mass, pray, and help others, not simply because I fear for my salvation. I do it cause I love God.

I guess, its very hard, when it seems like you get attacked often enough, it makes it hard to know when people have honest questions. Also there are problems, because its like often enough we are speaking differnt languages. Some terms have subtle but very differnt meanings. The culter and spritiuality is very different. Catholics tend to have the flow go through God to the community to the indiviudal. Protestants tend to go through God to the individual to the community. While it seems the protestants stress a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Catholics seem to stress the importance of the community coming together for Mass. Not that protostants feel they should neglict church nor the Catholics feel they should neglict a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

I have some Protestant friends and it gets tough to talk to them, cause I cannot be as expressive as I’d like to be. You don’t think Catholics are understanding, we don’t think Protastants are. In the end you have to start defending doctrine, because differnces in that make difference in the way you see the faith.
 
I can tell you this,

I get the feeling that perhaps some of the ‘arguments’ you are feeling are perhaps misunderstood. The first rule in reading in a forum is to never ever assume your positive how another person feels unless they define it totally.

I get the feeling that there are a lot of very loving people here who love Christ with all of there heart. At the same time there are a lot of loving people who enjoy a good debate and stand to learn from these discussions. I’ve been in some very bad forums in the past and I can assure you that people here are quite civil and mature.

I hope the Lord will show you the truth about the Catholic Church and the reality that he is one hundred percent in it. There is a total lack of respect for the Catholic Church right now. I am very happy that the Lord showed me the truth as a protestant. People will always debate and argue about things in an attempt to find the truth on tough issues. These conversations are healthy and all done in good will with moderators overseeing it all. The Lord commanded us to love another that doesn’t mean that we won’t ever disagree and hash out issues as we should… and as you have in this thread.

-D
 
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jman507:
Some act like we just try to merit our way to heaven. Look I don’t go to Mass, pray, and help others, not simply because I fear for my salvation. I do it cause I love God.

I guess, its very hard, when it seems like you get attacked often enough, it makes it hard to know when people have honest questions. Also there are problems, because its like often enough we are speaking differnt languages. Some terms have subtle but very differnt meanings. The culter and spritiuality is very different. Catholics tend to have the flow go through God to the community to the indiviudal. Protestants tend to go through God to the individual to the community. While it seems the protestants stress a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the Catholics seem to stress the importance of the community coming together for Mass. Not that protostants feel they should neglict church nor the Catholics feel they should neglict a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
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Yeah, you’re right. It often seems like we’re speaking different languages. It’s hard not to just insist i have the right way. I have semi ignorant friends, who look at all the nations in the world and say “why doesn’t everyone just speak english?”
I suppose the biggest problem i have is trying to reconcile ideas of salvation.To be honest, the idea of salvation through the church sounds like stubbornness, just saying "my way is the only way
But on the other hand, we as christians are not called to be terribly accepting of all faiths. The bible does strictly teach that jesus is THE way, THE truth. We can’t accept other faiths just because we want to be nice, or don’t want to step on other’s toes.
I hear people praying for a united church. That would be awesome, but i just don’t see it as catholic. In the end, i’d hope we could settle some of the unimportant differences.
I wish i could know a real catholic. Someone who really knows God, someone who could restore my faith in the church.
 
If you want to see more caring and understanding, you need to get out of the Non-Catholic Religious Forum.
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Yes I agree. Both Non-Catholic Religious and Apologetics are home to some lively debates. In the other forums there are some debates…but it seems to me much milder than the non-catholic religions and apologetics ones. Check out the ones about sacraments, spirituality, and such. You’ll find good stuff there if you want to know things about what Catholics believe.
 
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Egg4christ:
I have so many questions, but on this forum, it feels like i can’t get a word in edgewise. Let me start with where i am, and we’ll move to where you are.

I am a non denominational christian(got questions, PM me). I like my church, i find no fault in it’s teachings so far. I really love God. he is so awesome. I engage in what is called a “quiet time” or “devotional Life” daily. basically it means i get up at the crack of dawn in the mornings, and read the bible, and praise God, and repent, and request, and ask him to continue to walk with me throughout the day. I’m a junior in high school, and i am looking to go into ministry for college. I’m excited about the plans God has for me.
I’ve been doing some religion study. I recently looked into an SDA forum. Although i can’t say that i agree with everything they say, they do believe in a fundamental relationship with God, and an awesome life change the occurs not only in their own lives, but in the lives of others, as a result of this relationship.
I decided to look into the catholic faith. I used to be catholic, but we changed faiths. I’ve come to believe that catholics can experience God in the same way I do, that it is very possible catholics have a relationship with Jesus, and perhaps have found a different angle than i have, that maybe i have something to learn from you people.
I have to say, i can’t find it. Maybe i’m looking in the wrong place. I just feel so overwhelmed by the lack of love here. I feel as a protestant here, i have been thrown to the jackals. Everything i have learned about God, i find none of it here. It pains me to say it.
I don’t see his love, or the use of his gifts. I don’t see comforting, understanding, compassion. There is no relationship, only arguments about the “true church”. I don’t see people arguing for salvation, but for doctorine. I can barely tell what salvation to the catholic church is. I don’t see a discussion of the character of God, i barely see God at all. Just re-hashing all sorts of painful arguments, meant to show the oppoistion that they are wrong
am I wrong? Please, tell me i’m wrong, somehow.
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Have you already read the Catechism of the Catholic Church? If not, I suggest you do that so you can separate rumor and fact about our beliefs. Then, you might want to pick up some of Dr. Scott Hahn’s books etc. He was a Protestant and now Catholic and is a professor of theology.

Maybe look at the catechism and his Bible Study at www.salvationhistory.com

I promise you that you will find everything that you need for a strong relationship with God at the Catholic Church, however, don’t search for this through the parishioners. We are human and very “diversified”. Don’t pick a church based on friendliness or you may find yourself in a cult. Look at the Church Teachings and compare it to the Bible and study Church history and pray, pray, pray. I am certain that you will fall in love with the Catholic Church, if you don’t fall prey to pride, anger, or hatred. Focus on Jesus Christ and find His church. I will say a prayer for you. You will find all the love you need through Jesus Christ. We (humans) are sinners and not always lovable (except by Jesus Christ).
 
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Egg4christ:
I have so many questions, but on this forum, it feels like i can’t get a word in edgewise. Let me start with where i am, and we’ll move to where you are.

I am a non denominational christian(got questions, PM me). I like my church, i find no fault in it’s teachings so far. I really love God. he is so awesome. I engage in what is called a “quiet time” or “devotional Life” daily. basically it means i get up at the crack of dawn in the mornings, and read the bible, and praise God, and repent, and request, and ask him to continue to walk with me throughout the day. I’m a junior in high school, and i am looking to go into ministry for college. I’m excited about the plans God has for me.
I’ve been doing some religion study. I recently looked into an SDA forum. Although i can’t say that i agree with everything they say, they do believe in a fundamental relationship with God, and an awesome life change the occurs not only in their own lives, but in the lives of others, as a result of this relationship.
I decided to look into the catholic faith. I used to be catholic, but we changed faiths. I’ve come to believe that catholics can experience God in the same way I do, that it is very possible catholics have a relationship with Jesus, and perhaps have found a different angle than i have, that maybe i have something to learn from you people.
I have to say, i can’t find it. Maybe i’m looking in the wrong place. I just feel so overwhelmed by the lack of love here. I feel as a protestant here, i have been thrown to the jackals. Everything i have learned about God, i find none of it here. It pains me to say it.
I don’t see his love, or the use of his gifts. I don’t see comforting, understanding, compassion. There is no relationship, only arguments about the “true church”. I don’t see people arguing for salvation, but for doctorine. I can barely tell what salvation to the catholic church is. I don’t see a discussion of the character of God, i barely see God at all. Just re-hashing all sorts of painful arguments, meant to show the oppoistion that they are wrong
am I wrong? Please, tell me i’m wrong, somehow.
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Hi Egg,someone said I would have become catholic had I not meet one.People can give us the wrong impression. I would recommend that you pray alot and let God direct you path. 😉 God Bless
 
Hello Egg,

I’m not sure if I’m going to answer any question you may have but I do want to respond to you. These are my observations so, please, take no offense.
A Catholic Christian certainly has many opportunities to have a “personal” relationship with Jesus…especially through the Eucharist.
However, I feel as though you are searching for something additional…am I right? I applaud your daily “devotional” and practice the same. I read the Liturgy of the Hours and spend time in meditation, even if for only a few minutes, before Mass starts each day. I agree with you the importance of making time to spend alone with God each day so that we can hear Him by listening to what He is saying to us throughout the day.
I would recommend spiritual reading from the late Fr. Henri Nouwen or many other fine Catholic authors. These readings will touch you because I believe they are inspired by God to reach us in ways we can understand…Fr. Nouwen is my favorite so I especially believe this to be so.
If you can, go on retreat. Most, if not all, Catholic retreat houses don’t require one to be Catholic to attend and many take donations and make allowances for those who can’t pay the full price, if at all.
God is certainly speaking to you…as he does us all…and it sounds as though you are listening and heeding his calling.
God Bless you as you discern how you will allow God to use you and how Jesus will be your constant companion in your life. Oh, to be your age again and to be where you are spiritually!
The Church loves you because God loves you and we are the Body of Christ and He is Our Head!
Peace,
Bill
 
Hi Egg;

I think I posted to your “honest question” thread and I did not mean to sound angry or defensive. I apologize if I gave you the wrong impression of the Catholic faith. It is a Christ’s-love centered church in all the best ways. But this is an apologetics board, so you will tend to have heated (although supposedly well-intentioned) exchanges.

If you want to read some good catholic literature that shows the way in which the Church is loving and caring, you should read “No Man is an Island” by Thomas Merton. It is written by a Trappist monk to his fellow monks, and discusses how one should love God. It was very inspirational to my prayer life.

Peace,

P.S. Based upon your first post in this thread, it sounds like you have a very active and beautiful prayer life. I encourage you to keep it up even if you start to have questions.

Charity,
 
I don’t see people arguing for salvation, but for doctorine.
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Egg4Christ,

Let me just answer briefly your remarks that I have quoted above.

Doctrines has to do something with salvation, otherwise Paul himself will not speak of particular doctrines that heretics during his time were introducing into the faith. It made him write epistles to certain Christians to be firm in the faith that had been handed down to them and to safeguard it from errors.

So in other words, the doctrines of the the Church are what makes us assured that we are on the right path. Salvation doesn’t come from doctrines that are alien to the revelations received by the apostles and was kept pure and holy by the Mother Church.

God bless you in your walk with God.

Pio
 
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Egg4christ:
I have so many questions, but on this forum, it feels like i can’t get a word in edgewise. Let me start with where i am, and we’ll move to where you are.

I am a non denominational christian(got questions, PM me). I like my church, i find no fault in it’s teachings so far. I really love God. he is so awesome. I engage in what is called a “quiet time” or “devotional Life” daily. basically it means i get up at the crack of dawn in the mornings, and read the bible, and praise God, and repent, and request, and ask him to continue to walk with me throughout the day. I’m a junior in high school, and i am looking to go into ministry for college. I’m excited about the plans God has for me.
I’ve been doing some religion study. I recently looked into an SDA forum. Although i can’t say that i agree with everything they say, they do believe in a fundamental relationship with God, and an awesome life change the occurs not only in their own lives, but in the lives of others, as a result of this relationship.
I decided to look into the catholic faith. I used to be catholic, but we changed faiths. I’ve come to believe that catholics can experience God in the same way I do, that it is very possible catholics have a relationship with Jesus, and perhaps have found a different angle than i have, that maybe i have something to learn from you people.
I have to say, i can’t find it. Maybe i’m looking in the wrong place. I just feel so overwhelmed by the lack of love here. I feel as a protestant here, i have been thrown to the jackals. Everything i have learned about God, i find none of it here. It pains me to say it.
I don’t see his love, or the use of his gifts. I don’t see comforting, understanding, compassion. There is no relationship, only arguments about the “true church”. I don’t see people arguing for salvation, but for doctorine. I can barely tell what salvation to the catholic church is. I don’t see a discussion of the character of God, i barely see God at all. Just re-hashing all sorts of painful arguments, meant to show the oppoistion that they are wrong
am I wrong? Please, tell me i’m wrong, somehow.
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You must be looking in the wrong place because I see it everyday on this site. If you are always in the apologetic or non-Catholic forum then you need to spend some time in some of the others. I wonder how any of us would be treated on a protestant message board touting Catholicism…you saw what the SDA has to say about us, can you imagine one of us on their site talking about the Pope??
 
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Egg4christ:
I don’t see his love, or the use of his gifts. I don’t see comforting, understanding, compassion. There is no relationship, only arguments about the “true church”… I can barely tell what salvation to the catholic church is. I don’t see a discussion of the character of God, i barely see God at all. Just re-hashing all sorts of painful arguments, meant to show the oppoistion that they are wrong
am I wrong? Please, tell me i’m wrong, somehow.
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Problem maybe some only come here for conflict, what do you expect, meet them with a bunch of Roses ?
There are thousands threads on here, some good some bad, people here are offering advice to people that need it.

Also there are very young people on here that are either converting, or in the process, so with some of us being taught in the old school, well we can help them.

I have been on a few non-Catholic sites, and if some know your Catholic, or quote Catholic doctrine, then they kick you off.
Seems like the biggest stumbling block to coversion is Mary, now I wonder how we would feel if someone looked down on our mother.
I don’t see people arguing for salvation, but for doctorine
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Well if some dispute your doctrine, then naturally your going to defend it.
 
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hlgomez:
Egg4Christ,

Let me just answer briefly your remarks that I have quoted above.

Doctrines has to do something with salvation, otherwise Paul himself will not speak of particular doctrines that heretics during his time were introducing into the faith. It made him write epistles to certain Christians to be firm in the faith that had been handed down to them and to safeguard it from errors.

So in other words, the doctrines of the the Church are what makes us assured that we are on the right path. Salvation doesn’t come from doctrines that are alien to the revelations received by the apostles and was kept pure and holy by the Mother Church.

God bless you in your walk with God.

Pio
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👍 We have to have doctrine and dogma. It’s how the Church sep. the wheat from the chaff. For example, Mormons believe in Jesus. Do they believe in Jesus as the Church understands Him? I think not. Also, I think our poster may be worried about HEAD (cerebralism) vs. HEART (emotionalism). You have to walk a balance between the two.
 
You all bring up excellent points. yeah, if i’m looking for the love of christ, it might be hard to find in these forums. But i think christians are called to be as loving as possible at all times. Granted, Mister Rogers may have difficulty fighting back the gates of hell, but Rambo is gonna have trouble convicing anyone in a loving God.
Some people suggested i look into some books on catholic doctorine and belief. i really don’t mean to offend anyone, but what the church states as belief, and what the majority of individuals do can be very different things. I prefer to know people rather than thier statments of beliefs.
I find a difficult crossroads. I know i am right. I have found God, i know that distinctly. Yet many of the catholic’s I’ve talked to seem like good christians. So this leaves two choices. One, people are faking it(i find that not very probable), people don’t really know what God really is(kinda like faking it, more innocent) or telling the truth. And if it’s true, and you can reach God through the catholic church, and you can reach God through the protestant church, then at some point, our fundamental beliefs should be the same, if not very similar. But the more i search, the more it seems like we have different requirements for salvation. One of us must be wrong. For it to be in my church, I can’t see God laying his hand of blessing on something so terribly wrong. Anyone else make sense of my dilema?
A final note, regarding the importance of doctorine; Yes, it’s important. But the question is how important. Some doctorine, like “there is no salvation outside of jesus christ” is immensly important. On the other hand, wether or not saints have power, although a very interesting and heated debate point, may have no bearing on my soul. It may make my life easier, better even, but i don’t believe God will turn me away from the gates of heaven because i didn’t follow the saints. I loved to debate, and my dad made sure to teach me a very important lesson for approaching evanglelistic debates. He said to always remember what is most important, someone’s salvation. You can spend hours with someone, debating wether or not mary is worthy of anything, win the debate, and still be left with nothing but hellbound soul, who believes mary is important.
 
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Egg4christ:
You all bring up excellent points. yeah, if i’m looking for the love of christ, it might be hard to find in these forums. But i think christians are called to be as loving as possible at all times. Granted, Mister Rogers may have difficulty fighting back the gates of hell, but Rambo is gonna have trouble convicing anyone in a loving God.
Some people suggested i look into some books on catholic doctorine and belief. i really don’t mean to offend anyone, but what the church states as belief, and what the majority of individuals do can be very different things. I prefer to know people rather than thier statments of beliefs.
I find a difficult crossroads. I know i am right. I have found God, i know that distinctly. Yet many of the catholic’s I’ve talked to seem like good christians. So this leaves two choices. One, people are faking it(i find that not very probable), people don’t really know what God really is(kinda like faking it, more innocent) or telling the truth. And if it’s true, and you can reach God through the catholic church, and you can reach God through the protestant church, then at some point, our fundamental beliefs should be the same, if not very similar. But the more i search, the more it seems like we have different requirements for salvation. One of us must be wrong. For it to be in my church, I can’t see God laying his hand of blessing on something so terribly wrong. Anyone else make sense of my dilema?
A final note, regarding the importance of doctorine; Yes, it’s important. But the question is how important. Some doctorine, like “there is no salvation outside of jesus christ” is immensly important. On the other hand, wether or not saints have power, although a very interesting and heated debate point, may have no bearing on my soul. It may make my life easier, better even, but i don’t believe God will turn me away from the gates of heaven because i didn’t follow the saints. I loved to debate, and my dad made sure to teach me a very important lesson for approaching evanglelistic debates. He said to always remember what is most important, someone’s salvation. You can spend hours with someone, debating wether or not mary is worthy of anything, win the debate, and still be left with nothing but hellbound soul, who believes mary is important.
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I think I see where you are coming from. We are supposed to look for the love of God through other people, but with that should come a healthy understanding of people. I for one returned to the Catholc faith 2 years ago. I have yet to have anyone in my rather large parish approach me and welcome me etc… But we must also recognize what love is. Would I feel more loved if the whole church lined up and welcomed me, yes! Then again the quiet acceptance of a new member is love too. Jesus wasn’t all kind words and sweetness as I’m sure you know. He forcefully defended, chastised and “straightened” folks out.

The parable of the rich young man comes to mind. Jesus gave this man the answers he sought. But when he walked away Jesus did not “give” or go after him. From this parable I’ve learned much, mainly that love as we define it may not be how God defines it. Do not be so easily discouraged by those who seem unkind, just restate your positon and wait for clarification.
 
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Egg4christ:
i really don’t mean to offend anyone, but what the church states as belief, and what the majority of individuals do can be very different things. I prefer to know people rather than thier statments of beliefs.
I find a difficult crossroads. I know i am right. I have found God, i know that distinctly. Yet many of the catholic’s I’ve talked to seem like good christians. …
… But the more i search, the more it seems like we have different requirements for salvation. One of us must be wrong. For it to be in my church, I can’t see God laying his hand of blessing on something so terribly wrong. Anyone else make sense of my dilema?
A final note, regarding the importance of doctorine; Yes, it’s important. But the question is how important. Some doctorine, like “there is no salvation outside of jesus christ” is immensly important…
… I loved to debate, and my dad made sure to teach me a very important lesson for approaching evanglelistic debates. He said to always remember what is most important, someone’s salvation. You can spend hours with someone, debating wether or not mary is worthy of anything, win the debate, and still be left with nothing but hellbound soul, who believes mary is important.
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First of all you are right in the idea that “by their fruits you will know them” thats why how people act is the most important part.
At the same time you say you know for sure you are right and that means you have “proof” and not “works” that is why doctrine is important, to back up you heart, mind and soul beliefs you must know you are right on at least the important stuff like salvation.
You say “one of us must be wrong” this is a good statement. As you also say that us Catholics are not hopelessly lost, but are wrong just enough to make a distinction. By “one of us” you are admitting that there must be truth out there. and asking questions, challenging us, digging deeper, and like your dad says debating will help you on your quest.
He is right on the fact that you need to pick you battles! So i suggest that you dont go reading all those books that people are throwing out at you because I wouldnt want it to be a "waste " of your time. by “waste” i mean i wouldnt go picking up all these long foreign books if i didnt have at least a small assurance that i was doing what my heart believed was right. You should fire out what you think and why and we will try to help. Yes there are some hardcore defenders around here, but like the posters above said, we will answer you in a civil way.
 
Egg,
I was raised in a protestant house and had a lot of flolks arouind that felt that as long as you had a personal relationship with Christ and accepted him as your Lord and Saviour, the Church was of little consequence. For about forty years, this is what I believed.

I kept asking questions of those around me about this idea of once saved always saved doctrine, and I was never satisfied with their answer. If a starving child in a third world country dies and never knew Christ, does he go to Hell. Answer, Yes, it is our job to evangelize the world. I would ask, If a saved Christian goes off and murders a bus load of school children, does he go to heaven. Answer was, yes of course. Well…Unless he really wasn’t saved and he just though he was. These conversations used to really drive me crazy, then I met a Catholic Priest who had a common sense answer, based on scripture for everything that I could ask. He always answered in love, but with true authority. His favorite sayings were: “Believe what you want, but it may not get you to heaven” and “We are all guaranteed ever lasting life, it is where we spend it that is so important”.

So, continue to look for answers and get to the root of where it all began. Maybe what you believe shouldn’t be left up to you entirely and you need some guidance from a wise counsel. The Church has 2000 years of very wise and Holy men, started by Christ himself. This is where I chose to get my counsel for my questions and I’ve been very complete and happy since. I pray that you find the same peace in your search.
 
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