Question (not challenge) from an atheist

[chewchoo]

did you go to church in your youth with your mother? when did you become an atheist?
many of us cradle catholics were poorly catechized. we know tidbits about the faith, but nothing we can share with atheists in a convincing manner.

have you studied the catholic faith at all, at this point, just as a purely academic exercise?
catholic answers has their pillar of fire, pillar of truth booklet. you may want to read this to get an overview of the faith.

 

[JohnJFarren]

JMJ / MMM 081012 Sunday
Hello hopefully wild (WesleyF) –
Weve met before. I am very sympathetic to your situation. Because I care. I am a Roman Catholic myself.

Your mother is a very important person in your life … and deserves the greatest consideration. I recommend to you the Compendium: Catechism of the Catholic Church, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2006 or later. This is not the giant CCC or Catechism of the Catholic Church that followed Vatican II. I’m sure any Catholic bookstore would have this on hand.

I do not believe at all that your mother thinks you are going to hell. Not unless she is some wild fanatic. And I disregard that thought entirely. She loves God and she loves you.

I suggest that you approach your mother and tell her that you are interested in the teachings of the Catholic Church. Tell her that your only interested and not to expect you to quickly go beyond that. Ask her to keep you in her prayers so that you will examine things well and see whatever you’re supposed to see. Go easy. Don’t get her all fired up. Ask her to pray for your adventure. That’s it.

hopefully wild, I’d be interested in how things come along. And I’ll pray for you too.
John (JohnJFarren) Trinity5635@aol.com

 

[JRKH]

I don’t think it’s as easy as that. I don’t think people can choose what they want to believe, I think it’s one of those things where you either do or you don’t.

This may seem an overly simplistic answer but I believe that we each choose what to believe each and every day. Some of the Church’s most venerated saints went through horrible times of feeling far from God and lost. the “Dark Night of The Soul” is what is it often refered to as. They persevered in their belief out of sheer will and love of God.
I’m reminded of a scene in Steven King’s “The Stand” where a young man tells “mother Abigale(sp)” that he doesn’t believe in God. She laughed at him and said, “That don’t matter He believes in you.”
God calls all of His children to His Love. It is up to us to Choose to let go of our fears and toddle, or crawl toward His Loving Arms.

A short Prayer that I use goes:
Heavenly Father, I am a poor and inconstant servant filled with many doubts. I feel unworthy to seek your favor, but look to Your Mercy and Love as a child seeks his Parent’s arms.

Let us help answer your questions. God Loves You.

Peace
James

 

[Lance]

Hello.
I myself am an atheist however my mother was raised Catholic. I was thinking of ways to try and better our relationship and I realized I didn’t really know much about her religion or what her beliefs are. I was hoping I could get some help learning about it and asking some questions.
My first question is specifically, is there a chance my mother believes that I am damned to hell? I can’t imagine how terrible that would feel. I don’t know how to ask her and how to talk about it with her. Does anyone have some ideas?
And I wouldn’t mind answering any questions of me in return.
Thanks

As the father of a form drug addict who is an agnostic, I can tell you that no parent ever believes their child is damned to hell. We hold out hope that you will convert and baring that we know that God is merciful and will take into account your mental state. I have learned that many addicts have depression and are trying to self medicate. Don’t know if you have gone down that road but if you have not please don’t do it. Your mother is worried about you getting through the next week not eternity. Talk to her, tell her you love her and lean on her shoulder. Get professional help, none of the people here are qualified to help you with depression which is a disease just like cancer.