Questions from a Questioning Teen

[ahsokanerd]

Okay, so I’m a non-baptized protestant Christian, and I’m a sixteen-year-old. I’ve been homeschooled my entire life. Due to family issues that resulted in me questioning some of my beliefs, I decided not to be baptized. If I’m correct, this puts me under the category of “unbeliever” according to Catholic teachings. I’m considering becoming Catholic, but I have a lot of questions first. I know next to nothing about it, except that some theological arguments for it make sense. Anyway, I just wanted to provide some background before I ask some questions.

Please answer without using terms I wouldn’t understand. Thanks

So, things relating to masturbation is one of the biggest questions that people seem to have on this site. Usually it’s because people want to do it (for obvious reasons). I admit, I’ve done it plenty of times when I’m alone. But I’m trying to stop. Now, here’s where I have a question: a few days ago I intentionally looked at porn and masturbated. I had a general idea that it was wrong and why, but the temptation became very strong and I just, well, did it. Afterwards, feeling guilty, I looked up on the internet how to get oneself to stop. Somehow I stumbled on this site (or something like it) that stated that masturbation would send me to hell according to Catholic teaching. Hell? Really? That seems extreme. And my followup question is this: since I was unaware that I could go to hell for masturbation when I did it, and I haven’t done it since (somewhat out of fear), would that excuse me from hell?

I know I sound pathetic for asking this, but I’m serious.

Secondly, can someone explain to be how works play a role in Catholicism? It’s confusing to me, especially after all the negatives I’ve heard from Protestant friends, and I’d like a simplistic answer.

I’m also wondering about Biblical authority and how that works. I’ve pretty much been sold on the inclusion of the additional/original seven books of the Bible that were removed. But im wondering what would happen if, for some irrational reason the Bible and Tradition were clearly in conflict, which would override the other. How does it work?

Can I still pray to/through Jesus and ask him to forgive me for a sin?

What if I have a lot of sins? Can I just ask God to forgive all of them?

Can someone explain the whole sin seveareness level-thing?

If I commit a sin like masturbation right before I die and don’t take care of it (because I died), is hell automatic?

Were the Crucades iffaliable because the Pope was involved, or were they not under that doctrine?

Finally, some closing questions: are there groups I can go to for young Catholic coverts and/or convert wannabes? Is there any chance I could meet a convert who is excited about their faith, or will they all likely be uninterested cradle Catholics? Do Catholics not like converts to their faith? (Heard rumors about the latter, though it doesn’t make sense.)

Thanks everyone!

P.S. there is no parish near me that I could get to, and it’s highly unlikely that my parents will let me should they hear about this.

 

[Church_Militant]

Okay, so I’m a non-baptized protestant Christian, and I’m a sixteen-year-old. I’ve been homeschooled my entire life. Due to family issues that resulted in me questioning some of my beliefs, I decided not to be baptized. If I’m correct, this puts me under the category of “unbeliever” according to Catholic teachings. I’m considering becoming Catholic, but I have a lot of questions first. I know next to nothing about it, except that some theological arguments for it make sense. Anyway, I just wanted to provide some background before I ask some questions.

Please answer without using terms I wouldn’t understand. Thanks

That shouldn’t be a problem especially since you obviously have internet access where you can get any terminology that you don’t understand plus you can go to the CA main page and use that search engine to get them even faster.

So, things relating to masturbation is one of the biggest questions that people seem to have on this site. … I had a general idea that it was wrong and why, but the temptation became very strong and I just, well, did it.

Hell? Really? That seems extreme.

Yes, hell, as will any unrepentant and unconfessed sin even post baptism. If you have grown up in Christian environment then I would expect you to know Romans 6:23 where it plainly tells you “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

And my followup question is this: since I was unaware that I could go to hell for masturbation when I did it, and I haven’t done it since (somewhat out of fear), would that excuse me from hell?

Excuse you? No. Mitigate the gravity of the sin somewhat. Perhaps, but still there is only one remedy for all of this.

I know I sound pathetic for asking this, but I’m serious.

I have no doubt.

Secondly, can someone explain to be how works play a role in Catholicism? It’s confusing to me, especially after all the negatives I’ve heard from Protestant friends, and I’d like a simplistic answer.

Sure…just this past Sunday the Gospel reading was Matthew 25:31-46 which makes it very clear that what we do (our works), even as Christians has a direct effect on our salvation. You should also carefully read James 2:14-26 where it is also made very clear.

I’m also wondering about Biblical authority and how that works.

Here’s a question that few of your friends have ever sought to answer. Where did we get the Bible and how do we even know what writings belong in it? (hint: you’ll have to look back in history at early church councils in the late 300s AD)

I’ve pretty much been sold on the inclusion of the additional/original seven books of the Bible that were removed.

They were not ever additional and have been in the Word of God from the beginning. See the above early church history…

But im wondering what would happen if, for some irrational reason the Bible and Tradition were clearly in conflict, which would override the other. How does it work?

There has never been any such conflict and will never be. The real conflict is only with those modern faith communities (i.e. Non-Catholic ones) that hold to doctrines that have only developed within the last 500 years or so. Check out mu blog articles. The Deuterocanonical Books of the Catholic Bible and Tradition? No way! and Infallibility & How The Apostles Taught the Study of Sacred Tradition.

 

[Church_Militant]

Can I still pray to/through Jesus and ask him to forgive me for a sin?

What if I have a lot of sins? Can I just ask God to forgive all of them?

All sin can be, but wouldn’t you want to handle that the way Our Blessed Lord Jesus Christ set it up? Is Confession in Scripture? , Catholic Confession , and Scriptures About Penance

Can someone explain the whole sin seveareness level-thing?

Mortal and Venial Sin?

If I commit a sin like masturbation right before I die and don’t take care of it (because I died), is hell automatic?

Certainly possible, but that determination is far above our pay grade. Still, I wouldn’t want to be in that situation.

Were the Crucades iffaliable because the Pope was involved, or were they not under that doctrine?

Not infallible or doctrinal. See Why the Crusades Were “Glorious” and Were the Crusades Just Wars?

Finally, some closing questions: are there groups I can go to for young Catholic coverts and/or convert wannabes?

Yep, your first stop is called RCIA. You need to look online and find the local parish and call them and find out about those classes.

Is there any chance I could meet a convert who is excited about their faith, or will they all likely be uninterested cradle Catholics?

You’re kidding right? What am I chopped liver?

Do Catholics not like converts to their faith? (Heard rumors about the latter, though it doesn’t make sense.)

That’s hogwash…there are a LOT of them on here with us even right now.

Thanks everyone!

P.S. there is no parish near me that I could get to, and it’s highly unlikely that my parents will let me should they hear about this.

You’re welcome, and keep looking because I’ll bet there is.

 

[Church_Militant]

By the way…are you Japanese or something because I know that “ah so ka” is Japanese for “is that so”, wakarimasu neh.

 

[PaulfromIowa]

Several of your questions are common ones, but I have certainly never heard about Catholics being hostile to converts. In fact, converts are often the most active Catholics.

There is much good reading here on the Catholic Answers main page. The best source for what the Church actually teaches is the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Catechism:
scborromeo.org/ccc/ccc_toc.htm

 

[JamalChristophr]

Let me just take your first question…

What sends a person to Hell essentially is being set in your will, in a final way, that you are going to do something that God does not allow, that he does not approve of. When a person says “no” to God in a final way like this and is not repentant for what they have done, that is to say, things that have offended God. This is what will send them to Hell.

Masturbation could be one of those things if a person does not repent of it before they die.

 

[Cak7711]

I’m not really qualified to answer all your questions but I can help. I am 17 and was in your exact position last year. I wasn’t sure what rout to take but I eventually came to the conclusion that Catholic Church is the right way to go. Take it from me that many Catholic ideas are very hard to understand at first, especially coming from a Protestant view like I did. But it will all make since if you stay with it. Do what I did when I was at the same cross roads your at now. Just ask God to reveal himself to you and to show u which church to follow. Just ask and keep and open your mind and I promise it will all work out in the end. After I asked things just started to click. Just stick with it bro u won’t regret it I promise.

 

[Cathoholic]

QUOTE:
Secondly, can someone explain to be how works play a role in Catholicism? It’s confusing to me, especially after all the negatives I’ve heard from Protestant friends, and I’d like a simplistic answer.

Good works.

The “works” here are works in a state of God’s grace.

That means these works are moved or initiated by the Holy Spirit.

Then Jesus works in and through you when carrying out these works.

And Jesus completes the good works.

This is why you cannot “boast” of your own good works. Your own good works cannot save you.

But it is also why works are necessary—but grace works. Not works on your own accord.

You are called to cooperate with these graces.

You have the freedom to reject these graces.

Incidentally. The “faith” that you have been taught about in Protestantism likewise has a natural aspect (of your own volition that is not enough) and a supernatural aspect or grace aspect (that you need).

Both types of graces are necessary (as well as a supernatural “hope”).

I hope this helps.

God bless.

Cathoholic

 

[DavidFilmer]

I decided not to be baptized. If I’m correct, this puts me under the category of “unbeliever” according to Catholic teachings.

It depends on what you don’t believe. If you don’t believe that Christian Baptism imparts saving Grace, then, yes, you are an unbeliever. If you don’t believe that your protestant minister can confer valid Christian Baptism then you are probably wrong, as most protestant Baptisms are Sacramentally valid.

[porn, mastrubation, and mortal sin]

You have not received Christian Baptism. Since you have never received saving Grace, you cannot forfeit it through mortal sin. Under Catholic theology, if you never committed any actual sin, but lacked Christian Baptism, your salvation is not assured. So your sins probably don’t make any difference - you are in a tenuous situation even without the sins.

Secondly, can someone explain to be how works play a role in Catholicism?

No Catholic is ever required, as a condition of his salvation, to perform any good works. It is possible that the failure to perform some act of charity (when it would be reasonably expected of us) could constitute a sin of omission, which could be mortally sinful.

The economy of Salvation according to the Catholic Church is actually very simple:

• We are saved by the Grace of Christian Baptism, and BY NOTHING ELSE.
• We can willfully forfeit that Grace through mortal sin (which could include mortally sinful acts of omission).
• We can restore that Grace through Sacramental Confession.

But im wondering what would happen if, for some irrational reason the Bible and Tradition were clearly in conflict, which would override the other. How does it work?

According to the Catholic Church, this cannot happen, and is prevented from happening by the Holy Spirit. And, hey, it hasn’t happened so far (after some 2,000 years)

Can I still pray to/through Jesus and ask him to forgive me for a sin?

You can always pray to/through Jesus, but you have no assurances regarding forgiveness of sin. That’s because Jesus entrusted the authority to forgive sins to the Apostles (and their successors, the Catholic Bishops, and their delegates, Catholic priests).

On the evening of that first day of the week [Easter Sunday], when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” [John 20:19-23]

Sacramental Confession is 100% guaranteed to “work” because that’s how Jesus set it up. You can pray to Jesus for forgiveness all you like, but you have no guarantees, and nothing in Scripture supports this idea.

You cannot dictate to Jesus how he is to forgive your sins. Jesus entrusted this authority to his Church. You want to do an end-run around what Jesus himself established. You want to completely bypass the “chain of command.” You can do that. Good luck.

Can someone explain the whole sin seveareness level-thing?

There are mortal sins (“mortal” means “leads to death”), which lead to the death of the soul (meaning the forfeiture of Saving Grace). And there are venial sins, which are bad, but not mortal. One unconfessed mortal sin will condemn us to hell, but a person who has been placed in a state of Grace (through Christian Baptism) can commit a billion venial sins and still go to heaven (100% assurance of salvation).

There are no acts which are ALWAYS mortally sinful, or ALWAYS venially sinful, because the nature of the act is only one third of the picture. In order for ANY sin to be mortal in nature, it requires that the person have full knowledge of the sinful nature of the act, and consent to it with his own free will.

This idea is found in Scripture:

If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. [1John 5:16]

I’m pretty sure this is the ONLY place in Scripture that anyone says we should NOT pray in a particular situation. Because the prayers of the Faithful will not restore someone who has committed mortal sin. Only Sacramental Absolution will do that.

If I commit a sin like masturbation right before I die and don’t take care of it (because I died), is hell automatic?

If you have refused Christian Baptism (even at the hands of a protestant minister) then masturbation really doesn’t enter into the picture. Damnation is not “automatic,” but there are no assurances for anyone who has not received Christian Baptism (and what little hope remains is diminished by the conscious refusal of Christian Baptism).

Get yourself Baptized. Even if it is a protestant Baptism. As long as your minister uses water and the Trinitiarian form (“in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit”) then you are validly Baptized. Most protestant Baptisms are valid.

Once you HAVE saving Grace, we can talk about LOOSING it.

 

[Petaro]

And my followup question is this: since I was unaware that I could go to hell for masturbation when I did it, and I haven’t done it since (somewhat out of fear), would that excuse me from hell?"
In order to be guilty of a sin worthy of damnation you must have three things. Full knowledge; Full consent and a serious matter. Only you know your own conscience, however given that you were unaware of the seriousness of the sin, your previous experiences may well not be such a sin. However, given that your awareness has been heightened, future behaviour should be aligned with the will of God.
You do not sound pathetic, you are brave to question your beliefs for the future. Pray always for the gifts of the Holy Spirit amongst which are wisdom and knowledge. .

Secondly, can someone explain to be how works play a role in Catholicism? It’s confusing to me, especially after all the negatives I’ve heard from Protestant friends, and I’d like a simplistic answer.
Not hard to work out. You love your parents; you want to do something that will please them. No good always saying you love them if you don’t act as if you do. Simple as that. Our works are not a substitute for the salvation of Christ, but action in line with our acceptance as His sons and daughters. You need faith, but James 2; 14-26 asks what is faith without works. Empty words unless this faith changes our lives.
I’m also wondering about Biblical authority and how that works. I’ve pretty much been sold on the inclusion of the additional/original seven books of the Bible that were removed. But im wondering what would happen if, for some irrational reason the Bible and Tradition were clearly in conflict, which would override the other. How does it work?
Tradition is simply the doctrines of the Church. All doctrines have some basis in the Scriptures. Further study on your part will raise more pointed questions. This is good in itself. For you must be satisfied that any faith has the basis of reason and its foundations in the Scriptures. The Church is a rich tapestry that requires intellectual study, but only comes in the gift of Faith from Christ.

Can I still pray to/through Jesus and ask him to forgive me for a sin?
Jesus is God. You must pray to Him for forgiveness, knowing that he forgave seven times seventy and beyond!
What if I have a lot of sins? Can I just ask God to forgive all of them?
Whilst this is a good beginning, it can be valuable for your spiritual growth to contemplate the big ones and set out a strategy to ensure they are in your past. Repetitive sexual sins are the biggest problem for men of your age, and can be a recurring problem and a real issue in maintaining your spirits when trying to love God as your main aim in your life.But certainly don’t look at your relationship with Jesus as on concentrated on sin and failure. If you ever get baptised your relationship will be far more exciting and demanding.

Can someone explain the whole sin seveareness level-thing?
Look, it is simple. We sin every day in silly little ways. Unkind words; thoughts and actions; small failures that we would call venial. These sadly are almost part of our fallen nature, so often do we fail. But these will not damn you in the eyes of a loving Father. The big ones are in the ten commandments. Start there and read the Catholic Catechism to know more on this topic.

If I commit a sin like masturbation right before I die and don’t take care of it (because I died), is hell automatic?
No one knows the mercy of God. I personally believe that many young men find this almost habitual in their failure. So much so that they lose full consent as their failure is so quick. I truly believe that Jesus will look more kindly on our failures than many churchmen might believe. But sin is sin. We can damn ourselves, but Jesus is going to work very hard to find His lost sheep. He is unlikely to allow a faithful, consistently loyal Christian to fall away at the end without a struggle. Give Him your heart and He will take away your fear. Catholicism is not a religion of sin but hope. Hope in our Risen Lord.

Were the Crucades iffaliable because the Pope was involved, or were they not under that doctrine?
No,the Pope is only infallible when speaking from the Chair of Peter for the whole Church on matters of Faith and Morals. He could write a book on doctrine and be wrong. Certainly these politic actions of the past are not within such a doctrine.
Finally, some closing questions: are there groups I can go to for young Catholic coverts and/or convert wannabes? Is there any chance I could meet a convert who is excited about their faith, or will they all likely be uninterested cradle Catholics? Do Catholics not like converts to their faith? (Heard rumors about the latter, though it doesn’t make sense.)
That is rubbish. We welcome converts as they are often the most zealous. Inquire of the RCIA programme at your local Catholic Church. These are lessons and discussions for those considering conversion. Or there is always CAF archives, and other Catholic sites. But make sure they are really Catholic
You can always private message old cradle Catholics like me!
May you continue your inquiries in Faith and Hope and don’t worry so much about your reception by your loving Father.

 

[josh987654321]

ahsokanerd:

And my followup question is this: since I was unaware that I could go to hell for masturbation when I did it, and I haven’t done it since (somewhat out of fear), would that excuse me from hell?"

In order to be guilty of a sin worthy of damnation you must have three things. Full knowledge; Full consent and a serious matter. Only you know your own conscience, however given that you were unaware of the seriousness of the sin, your previous experiences may well not be such a sin. However, given that your awareness has been heightened, future behaviour should be aligned with the will of God.
You do not sound pathetic, you are brave to question your beliefs for the future. Pray always for the gifts of the Holy Spirit amongst which are wisdom and knowledge. .

ahsokanerd:

Secondly, can someone explain to be how works play a role in Catholicism? It’s confusing to me, especially after all the negatives I’ve heard from Protestant friends, and I’d like a simplistic answer.

Not hard to work out. You love your parents; you want to do something that will please them. No good always saying you love them if you don’t act as if you do. Simple as that. Our works are not a substitute for the salvation of Christ, but action in line with our acceptance as His sons and daughters. You need faith, but James 2; 14-26 asks what is faith without works. Empty words unless this faith changes our lives.

ahsokanerd:

I’m also wondering about Biblical authority and how that works. I’ve pretty much been sold on the inclusion of the additional/original seven books of the Bible that were removed. But im wondering what would happen if, for some irrational reason the Bible and Tradition were clearly in conflict, which would override the other. How does it work?

Tradition is simply the doctrines of the Church. All doctrines have some basis in the Scriptures. Further study on your part will raise more pointed questions. This is good in itself. For you must be satisfied that any faith has the basis of reason and its foundations in the Scriptures. The Church is a rich tapestry that requires intellectual study, but only comes in the gift of Faith from Christ.

ahsokanerd:

Can I still pray to/through Jesus and ask him to forgive me for a sin?

Jesus is God. You must pray to Him for forgiveness, knowing that he forgave seven times seventy and beyond!

ahsokanerd:

What if I have a lot of sins? Can I just ask God to forgive all of them?

Whilst this is a good beginning, it can be valuable for your spiritual growth to contemplate the big ones and set out a strategy to ensure they are in your past. Repetitive sexual sins are the biggest problem for men of your age, and can be a recurring problem and a real issue in maintaining your spirits when trying to love God as your main aim in your life.But certainly don’t look at your relationship with Jesus as on concentrated on sin and failure. If you ever get baptised your relationship will be far more exciting and demanding.

ahsokanerd:

Can someone explain the whole sin seveareness level-thing?

Look, it is simple. We sin every day in silly little ways. Unkind words; thoughts and actions; small failures that we would call venial. These sadly are almost part of our fallen nature, so often do we fail. But these will not damn you in the eyes of a loving Father. The big ones are in the ten commandments. Start there and read the Catholic Catechism to know more on this topic.

ahsokanerd:

If I commit a sin like masturbation right before I die and don’t take care of it (because I died), is hell automatic?

No one knows the mercy of God. I personally believe that many young men find this almost habitual in their failure. So much so that they lose full consent as their failure is so quick. I truly believe that Jesus will look more kindly on our failures than many churchmen might believe. But sin is sin. We can damn ourselves, but Jesus is going to work very hard to find His lost sheep. He is unlikely to allow a faithful, consistently loyal Christian to fall away at the end without a struggle. Give Him your heart and He will take away your fear. Catholicism is not a religion of sin but hope. Hope in our Risen Lord.

ahsokanerd:

Were the Crucades iffaliable because the Pope was involved, or were they not under that doctrine?

No,the Pope is only infallible when speaking from the Chair of Peter for the whole Church on matters of Faith and Morals. He could write a book on doctrine and be wrong. Certainly these politic actions of the past are not within such a doctrine.

ahsokanerd:

Finally, some closing questions: are there groups I can go to for young Catholic coverts and/or convert wannabes? Is there any chance I could meet a convert who is excited about their faith, or will they all likely be uninterested cradle Catholics? Do Catholics not like converts to their faith? (Heard rumors about the latter, though it doesn’t make sense.)

That is rubbish. We welcome converts as they are often the most zealous. Inquire of the RCIA programme at your local Catholic Church. These are lessons and discussions for those considering conversion. Or there is always CAF archives, and other Catholic sites. But make sure they are really Catholic

You can always private message old cradle Catholics like me!

May you continue your inquiries in Faith and Hope and don’t worry so much about your reception by your loving Father.

Please continue to next post -

 

[josh987654321]

I would only like to add, that I believe when people sin, they will always do one of two things, one leads to our salvation and the other to our damnation, I believe one will either seek forgiveness for our sins, which is found in Christ, or one will seek justification for our sins, which is found in Satan. I believe this is the crux of whether we are headed toward heaven or hell.
Extract from 'The Art of Loving God' by St. Francis de Sales:

Have confidence in God’s Mercy

You ask me if a soul sensible of its own misery can go with great confidence to God. I reply that not only can the soul that knows its misery have great confidence in God, but unless it has such knowledge, the soul cannot have true confidence in Him; for it is this true knowledge and confession of our misery that brings us to God.

All of the great saints – Job, David, and the rest – began every prayer with the confession of their own misery and unworthiness. And so it is a very good thing to acknowledge ourselves to be poor, vile, abject, and unworthy to appear in the presence of God.

Jesus to St. Faustina

"My Heart overflows with great mercy for souls, and especially for poor sinners. If only they could understand that I am the best of Fathers to them and that it is for them that the Blood and Water flowed from My Heart as from a fount overflowing with mercy. For them I dwell in the tabernacle as King of Mercy. I desire to bestow My graces upon souls, but they do not want to accept them. You, at least, come to Me as often as possible and take these graces they do not want to accept. In this way you will console My Heart. Oh, how indifferent are souls to so much goodness, to so many proofs of love! My heart drinks only of the ingratitude and forgetfulness of souls living in the world. They have time for everything, but they have no time to come to Me for graces." (Diary, 367).

"Tell sinful souls not to be afraid to approach Me; speak to them of My great mercy" (Diary, 1396).

"…when you go to confession, to this fountain of My mercy, the Blood and Water which came forth from My Heart always flows down upon your soul and ennobles it. Every time you go to confession, immerse yourself entirely in My mercy, with great trust, so that I may pour the bounty of My grace upon your soul. When you approach the confessional, know this, that I myself am waiting there for you. I am only hidden by the priest, but I myself act in your soul. Here the misery of the soul meets the God of mercy. Souls draw graces solely with the vessel of trust. If their trust is great, there is no limit to My generosity. The torrents of grace inundate humble souls." (Diary, 1603).

"I never reject a contrite heart." (Diary, 1485)

The Message

How to Pray the Chaplet of Divine Mercy

As for overcoming sin, I would like to share with you some posts I have come across that I believe will help greatly

Overcoming Temptation

Helpful Tip for Overcoming Temptation

Pray that you may not enter into temptation

The Despair of Judas 1

The Despair of Judas 2

I hope this has helped

God Bless

Thank you for reading
Josh

 

[ahsokanerd]

Thank you very much for the responses everyone. You answered a whole host of questions I had.

To respond to a few things:

• Nope, I’m not Japanese. My username, ahsokanerd, is a reference to a TV show I really like called Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The name of the main female character is Ahsoka, and since I’m a huge fan of her story I created a username that was her name with the word “nerd” added at the end. I never knew it meant something in Japanese, so that’s really cool.
• Thanks for clearing up the whole issue of masturbate = go to hell. I had no idea how that worked. I guess that makes sense. (Also, I’d already accepted that as a sin, and I had a sincere question. Some of you PM’d me about that, so I just wanted to say here in the public thread that I really don’t want to argue or anything.)
• DavidFilmer, you seemed to focus on my decision not to be baptized a lot. I don’t necessarily mind that, since I did mention it in my post, but the comments you made weren’t exactly helpful. (I was just stating that I’m aware Catholics believe that you haven’t been saved without baptism.) But Protestants (or at least the Baptist denomination, which the church I currently attend is a part of) don’t believe that. So, where I come from, I wasn’t rejecting salvation. I was putting off baptism just because I didn’t want to make a formal public statement that is essentially just a cool was of saying, “Yeah, I’m a Christian, come ask me questions so I can convert you.” At the time I had no desire to make other Christians when I wasn’t sure what I believed. Now? Yes, I plan on getting baptized.
• Okay, so if I understand correctly, a sin is a mortal sin when one intentionally disobeys God when they’re aware of the consequences. Technically I would’t have gone under that, though I’m not certain. (I knew it was wrong, but I wasn’t aware of the punishment according to Catholicism.) That makes sense.
• I can pray to Jesus for forgiveness, but there’s no guarantee that it’ll work? I don’t really understand that one. If a priest is corrupt or not taught properly, then confession wouldn’t work either, right?
• Thanks for clearing up the issue of the Crusades. I do believe that they were mostly wrong, especially later on, so I’m glad I wouldn’t have to defend them if I become a Catholic. (I’d rather not focus on that at the moment, if you don’t mind, since it apparently won’t affect me that much.)
• Finally, it makes sense that you would welcome converts. I thought that was a little weird when I heard it, so it’s probably just some anti-Catholic rumor.

Thanks again, everyone! I may post more questions soon, but I don’t have any more right now. I just bought a copy of “The Protestant’s Dilemma”, so I’ll go through that first before I ask anything else.

 

[Michael_Francis]

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