Questions on converting to Catholicism

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Enchanted13

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I apologize if this is in the wrong area, but this is my first post on this site.

First, I will include a bit on my background. I was raised Baptist, and I have lived a Christian life since I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ when I was eleven, and I was baptized approximately a year later. I attended an Independent Baptist church since my parents passed away when I was ten until I went to college, and I attended a nondenominational fundamental Protestant church for my first three years of college: during the summer breaks, I attended the same Independent Baptist church I grew up in.

However, as I have grown older, I have come to question a number of the practices and beliefs of the Baptist faith. *Sola scriptura * is among the first of the things I began to question. When I asked my pastor in the Baptist church about it, he gave me the same stock answer of “it’s obvious when you interpret the Bible for yourself.” When I brought up other questions, he either politely gave me a stock answer or in some instances outright rebuffed me. Unsatisfied with his results, I looked into other faiths online and the Catholic Church seemed to have the most solid doctrine consistent with Scripture. An online friend of mine, who is Catholic, gently nudged me in that direction though it is fully my decision to pursue this.

I am now in my fourth year in college, and I have the full intention of attending RCIA when my local parish offers it the week after next. However, I am unsure how different the process would be for someone who has been baptized and has practiced some form of Christianity since childhood. Nonetheless, I have recently purchased a Catholic Bible and a copy of the Catechism and I attended Mass for the first time last weekend. Naturally, I was worried about offending someone and I was trying to follow along as it was my first time attending any sort of Mass and I was attending alone. It was absolutely beautiful and I enjoyed it since it was a far cry from the sort of Baptist services I have attended, which sometimes bordered on outright cartoonish antics in the sermons. I was attentive and respectful at the Mass and didn’t take the Eucharist so I believe I did okay, and the priest did greet me and asked for my name as I was leaving.

Another concern I have is about the baptism. It was indeed a Trinitarian baptism, and my understanding is that such baptisms from another Christian denomination are recognized by the Catholic Church (although Baptists wouldn’t recognize a Catholic baptism of course) so that in and of itself shouldn’t be an issue. However, the only proof I have is a picture of the baptism. As far as a certificate goes, I don’t have one and I honestly don’t know if I was issued one, and if I was all I know is it is in a different state from where I am now.

I am frankly scared to ask my old church about it because that church is vehemently anti-Catholic. I think even asking about baptismal records will set red flags off for them, since they view baptism only as a symbol. Both pastors who have headed that church have told a number of exaggerated claims, half-truths, and outright lies about the Catholic Church, whether it is about idol worship, Catholics “adding” books to the Scriptures, and a number of other things which I have found to be untrue. I know I will have to tell my grandmother (a lifelong Baptist) eventually, and she will tell that Baptist church, and she will be upset and possibly disown me for joining the Catholic Church, and my uncle who was my guardian has already disowned me for different reasons. Perhaps also the Baptist church will also try to evangelize me back into the Baptist faith although I know that it is not for me and I am certain I want to join the Catholic Church, and if I wasn’t I wouldn’t risk getting disowned.

Help in these matters would be greatly appreciated.
 
Enchanted13 said:
I apologize if this is in the wrong area, but this is my first post on this site.

First, I will include a bit on my background. I was raised Baptist, and I have lived a Christian life since I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ when I was eleven, and I was baptized approximately a year later. I attended an Independent Baptist church since my parents passed away when I was ten until I went to college, and I attended a nondenominational fundamental Protestant church for my first three years of college: during the summer breaks, I attended the same Independent Baptist church I grew up in.

However, as I have grown older, I have come to question a number of the practices and beliefs of the Baptist faith. *Sola scriptura * is among the first of the things I began to question. When I asked my pastor in the Baptist church about it, he gave me the same stock answer of “it’s obvious when you interpret the Bible for yourself.” When I brought up other questions, he either politely gave me a stock answer or in some instances outright rebuffed me. Unsatisfied with his results, I looked into other faiths online and the Catholic Church seemed to have the most solid doctrine consistent with Scripture. An online friend of mine, who is Catholic, gently nudged me in that direction though it is fully my decision to pursue this.

I am now in my fourth year in college, and I have the full intention of attending RCIA when my local parish offers it the week after next. However, I am unsure how different the process would be for someone who has been baptized and has practiced some form of Christianity since childhood. Nonetheless, I have recently purchased a Catholic Bible and a copy of the Catechism and I attended Mass for the first time last weekend. Naturally, I was worried about offending someone and I was trying to follow along as it was my first time attending any sort of Mass and I was attending alone. It was absolutely beautiful and I enjoyed it since it was a far cry from the sort of Baptist services I have attended, which sometimes bordered on outright cartoonish antics in the sermons. I was attentive and respectful at the Mass and didn’t take the Eucharist so I believe I did okay, and the priest did greet me and asked for my name as I was leaving.

Another concern I have is about the baptism. It was indeed a Trinitarian baptism, and my understanding is that such baptisms from another Christian denomination are recognized by the Catholic Church (although Baptists wouldn’t recognize a Catholic baptism of course) so that in and of itself shouldn’t be an issue. However, the only proof I have is a picture of the baptism. As far as a certificate goes, I don’t have one and I honestly don’t know if I was issued one, and if I was all I know is it is in a different state from where I am now.

I am frankly scared to ask my old church about it because that church is vehemently anti-Catholic. I think even asking about baptismal records will set red flags off for them, since they view baptism only as a symbol. Both pastors who have headed that church have told a number of exaggerated claims, half-truths, and outright lies about the Catholic Church, whether it is about idol worship, Catholics “adding” books to the Scriptures, and a number of other things which I have found to be untrue. I know I will have to tell my grandmother (a lifelong Baptist) eventually, and she will tell that Baptist church, and she will be upset and possibly disown me for joining the Catholic Church, and my uncle who was my guardian has already disowned me for different reasons. Perhaps also the Baptist church will also try to evangelize me back into the Baptist faith although I know that it is not for me and I am certain I want to join the Catholic Church, and if I wasn’t I wouldn’t risk getting disowned.

Help in these matters would be greatly appreciated.
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Welcome.

Sounds like you are doing everything right so far. There is no need to be shy or uncomfortable at mass. If it bothers you that much, perhaps you can sit in the back row and act somewhat nonchalant until you become a little more acclimated.

Remember that when you start your RCIA classes, everyone else is going to be newcomers just like you. They’ll all have a lot of questions so you should fit right it.

If your family is going to disown you, well, would your rather stick with God and be judged by your family or stick with your family and be judged by God? 🙂

Good luck! 👍
 
Enchanted13 said:
I apologize if this is in the wrong area, but this is my first post on this site.

First, I will include a bit on my background. I was raised Baptist, and I have lived a Christian life since I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ when I was eleven, and I was baptized approximately a year later. I attended an Independent Baptist church since my parents passed away when I was ten until I went to college, and I attended a nondenominational fundamental Protestant church for my first three years of college: during the summer breaks, I attended the same Independent Baptist church I grew up in.

However, as I have grown older, I have come to question a number of the practices and beliefs of the Baptist faith. *Sola scriptura * is among the first of the things I began to question. When I asked my pastor in the Baptist church about it, he gave me the same stock answer of “it’s obvious when you interpret the Bible for yourself.” When I brought up other questions, he either politely gave me a stock answer or in some instances outright rebuffed me. Unsatisfied with his results, I looked into other faiths online and the Catholic Church seemed to have the most solid doctrine consistent with Scripture. An online friend of mine, who is Catholic, gently nudged me in that direction though it is fully my decision to pursue this.

I am now in my fourth year in college, and I have the full intention of attending RCIA when my local parish offers it the week after next. However, I am unsure how different the process would be for someone who has been baptized and has practiced some form of Christianity since childhood. Nonetheless, I have recently purchased a Catholic Bible and a copy of the Catechism and I attended Mass for the first time last weekend. Naturally, I was worried about offending someone and I was trying to follow along as it was my first time attending any sort of Mass and I was attending alone. It was absolutely beautiful and I enjoyed it since it was a far cry from the sort of Baptist services I have attended, which sometimes bordered on outright cartoonish antics in the sermons. I was attentive and respectful at the Mass and didn’t take the Eucharist so I believe I did okay, and the priest did greet me and asked for my name as I was leaving.

Another concern I have is about the baptism. It was indeed a Trinitarian baptism, and my understanding is that such baptisms from another Christian denomination are recognized by the Catholic Church (although Baptists wouldn’t recognize a Catholic baptism of course) so that in and of itself shouldn’t be an issue. However, the only proof I have is a picture of the baptism. As far as a certificate goes, I don’t have one and I honestly don’t know if I was issued one, and if I was all I know is it is in a different state from where I am now.

I am frankly scared to ask my old church about it because that church is vehemently anti-Catholic. I think even asking about baptismal records will set red flags off for them, since they view baptism only as a symbol. Both pastors who have headed that church have told a number of exaggerated claims, half-truths, and outright lies about the Catholic Church, whether it is about idol worship, Catholics “adding” books to the Scriptures, and a number of other things which I have found to be untrue. I know I will have to tell my grandmother (a lifelong Baptist) eventually, and she will tell that Baptist church, and she will be upset and possibly disown me for joining the Catholic Church, and my uncle who was my guardian has already disowned me for different reasons. Perhaps also the Baptist church will also try to evangelize me back into the Baptist faith although I know that it is not for me and I am certain I want to join the Catholic Church, and if I wasn’t I wouldn’t risk getting disowned.

Help in these matters would be greatly appreciated.
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hi enchanted

welcome to the forums.

I think the best thing is to talk to the priest of your parish and ask exactly how it works if you have alrfeady received a baptism. I think generally they would need a certificate of some kind

also, since you are in college, I don’t know which school you attend but I think it would be beneficial for you to find a the FOCUS group on campus, if your university has one or the neweman center or whatever catholic students club exists. maybe there is also a chaplaincy? this will be a help to you spiritually and also you can make some catholic friends.

all the best on your quest. God bless
 
Talk to the pastor about your Baptism records. There probably isn’t anyway to ensure that you were validly Baptised, so he may decide to do a conditional Baptism. This is essentially the same as a regular Baptism, except the priest says, "If you are able to be Baptised, I Baptise you… They do this all the time, when they don’t know for sure.
 
Yeah, like Allegra said, if you cannot obtain a record of baptism then you will receive a conditional baptism. Very common.

God bless you on your journey home!
 
I couldn’t locate my baptismal certificate(despite contacting the church it was in), and the Catholic diocese I joined took a statement from my mother that it happened. Otherwise it’s likely that you would receive a conditional baptism.

One thing I’ve learned these last 5 years is that building a supportive friend network is indispensible to staying strong in the faith. RCIA is the start of a journey, not the end, and when you’re confirmed it’s really the start or continuation of an ongoing conversion, never quite finished in this life. Another thing I would focus on is developing a Eucharistic orientation, although you won’t be able to receive until confirmed. The beauty is that the words of Scripture point to the Word made flesh, present in any Catholic tabernacle. Dominus vobiscum! (The Lord be with you!)
 
Welcome!! I am so glad you are here. The Lord is calling you to His church.

Please don’t be afraid to ask any questions, no matter how silly you may think they sound. I am a recent convert (was received into the Church this past Easter Vigil). I also came from a Baptist background, so I can understand the fear you are experiencing about judgement from others.

You will love RCIA. It was such a growing experience. The more you learn about the Catholic faith, the more you will fall in love with it. At least, I did! 🙂

Feel free to PM me if you need someone to talk to. You will be in my prayers!
 
josephback said:
One thing I’ve learned these last 5 years is that building a supportive friend network is indispensible to staying strong in the faith. RCIA is the start of a journey, not the end, and when you’re confirmed it’s really the start or continuation of an ongoing conversion, never quite finished in this life. Another thing I would focus on is developing a Eucharistic orientation, although you won’t be able to receive until confirmed. The beauty is that the words of Scripture point to the Word made flesh, present in any Catholic tabernacle. Dominus vobiscum! (The Lord be with you!)
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This is 100% true! The friends I have made through my church, especially my RCIA class, are priceless treasures. They help keep me strong in my Faith.
 
Since you were old enough to remember it, you will most likely be asked to write a brief statement about it and that will be acceptable instead of a baptismal certificate from the church. When you return to school, look into if there is a Newman Center on campus. That is Catholic ministry for young people of college age and they will be a big help to you navigating your way on your Faith Journey. Welcome Home! :flowers:
 
As a recent convert myself (RCIA graduate, baptized and confirmed in 2015) I understand your concerns, but you don’t need to worry.

Several of the people in my RCIA class were converts, including myself. Only one of them had to be baptized with me (I was a former Mormon, and Mormon baptisms are not recognized). If you know you were baptized but can’t produce a certificate, I was told there is an affidavit form that you can fill out and you just need some sort of witness. A photo works, or someone who was there. There are other provisions for people who are at risk of having a family imbroglio so just ask about it and tell them your concerns.

Definitely keep going to Mass. There are lots of resources that can help you understand the Mass. I remember I had a bit of trouble navigating the Missal in the pew at first because some stuff was in the front, some was in the back, some was in the middle but I figured it out. I bought a Missal of my own and would study it at home and would try each week to add one more response to memory. I still struggle with the Nicene Creed- I can say it pretty well in a group but probably couldn’t say it all by myself without help. I pray the Rosary regularly so I have the Apostle’s Creed down pat and in some ways they are so similar I get a little confused but I’ll get there.

You can go up for a blessing when the others go up to receive the Body of Christ- just cross your arms over your chest, and make sure you’re in the line to see the priest. Eucharistic ministers can only say “God bless you” but the priest can lay his hand on your shoulder and give you a priestly blessing.

I hope your family doesn’t disown you. When I converted, there was some trouble both at my work (I work for very devout Baptists in a small business they own) and with my family. At work I felt very much like a pariah for a while, but I just kept the faith and eventually my boss told me that I was changing his mind about Catholics. Initially he felt Catholicism was a cult and not Christian, and I know now he recognizes me as a Christian- he has seen first hand how I have changed since my conversion. In my family only one cousin is Catholic, the rest of my family are some variant of protestant. My mom, who is distinctly not religious, actually reacted worst of all and we didn’t speak for a year and 7 months. But my dad recently died, and I went down to the funeral and my mom and I reconnected. Before I left she asked me for a St. Benedict and a Miraculous Medal and I gave her the ones I wore down there. She also said she might start going to the Catholic church and sit in the back and listen. I have no idea if she will follow through, but I was amazed at the change in her attitude. I guess my point is that you just keep the faith and make sure that your life reflects your faith in Christ and I think people will come around.
 
Welcome! 🙂 I’m a convert too. I attended a non denominational Protestant community before I became Catholic, and it was actually very Baptist in terms of beliefs. I encountered some anti-Catholicism too so I know what you mean! You might be interested in the book “Rome Sweet Home” by Scott Hahn, it’s excellent and helped me in my conversion 🙂

If you’ve been validly baptized, going through RCIA means that if you choose to become Catholic, you would just be confirmed at the Easter Vigil, and make a profession of faith. You would also have your first Confession and Communion. If there’s doubts about the validity of the Baptism, the priest does a “conditional Baptism”: he basically says in the right that he baptizes you IF the first baptism was invalid. (and if it was valid, then it simply automatically doesn’t apply).

I didn’t have a record of my Baptism either. It was definitely valid and I remember it very well, because I was older, but I couldn’t get records (for another reason)… so what the priest did, is he asked me to get the signatures of two witnesses, simply saying that I was baptized. IF this had been impossible, I might have received a conditional baptism. So the worst case scenario is you receiving a conditional Baptism at the Easter Vigil. I know a few people who have had them. 🙂

Since you remember your Baptism, and even have a picture, and since we know it was Trinitarian, - maybe there could be another way, like finding witnesses, maybe even using the picture? I really don’t know, and it’s up to the Church (I think they have some rules about this that they follow), but it definitely doesn’t mean you wouldn’t be able to become Catholic. 🙂

As for obtaining your records, what if you wrote to them just saying something like “I’d like a record of my Baptism please” and not give a reason? They might not be pleased as you said but I’m wondering if they would contact you afterwards and ask the reason, or just let it go and give you the record? perhaps you can talk to a priest about this… but the good news is that none of this means you are somehow barred from becoming Catholic.

God bless you on your journey!
 
Welcome,

I was confirmed in the Catholic church this Easter. I was formerly a member of a very fundamental Church of Christ. The Church of Christ does not keep any sort of records so there was nothing available that could confirm my baptism. I was baptized when I was 30, so I do remember I was baptized using the trinitarian formula. I just prepared a statement of affidavit stating when(approximately since I didn’t remember the exact date), where and how I was baptized and that was sufficient.
 
Hi Enchanted,
I just want to let you know that you aren’t alone. We are here to support you on this forum and there is also a Facebook dedicated towards Catholic Converts like yourself who are there to support each other during this journey of faith. I have included the link below.
facebook.com/groups/2206769476/

We are in the midst of putting together a collection of resources that are there to help individuals on this wonderful journey of faith.

I have my own story and if you ever need some help, I’m here.

Blessings

SG
 
Enchanted13 said:
I apologize if this is in the wrong area, but this is my first post on this site.

First, I will include a bit on my background. I was raised Baptist, and I have lived a Christian life since I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ when I was eleven, and I was baptized approximately a year later. I attended an Independent Baptist church since my parents passed away when I was ten until I went to college, and I attended a nondenominational fundamental Protestant church for my first three years of college: during the summer breaks, I attended the same Independent Baptist church I grew up in.

However, as I have grown older, I have come to question a number of the practices and beliefs of the Baptist faith. *Sola scriptura * is among the first of the things I began to question. When I asked my pastor in the Baptist church about it, he gave me the same stock answer of “it’s obvious when you interpret the Bible for yourself.” When I brought up other questions, he either politely gave me a stock answer or in some instances outright rebuffed me. Unsatisfied with his results, I looked into other faiths online and the Catholic Church seemed to have the most solid doctrine consistent with Scripture. An online friend of mine, who is Catholic, gently nudged me in that direction though it is fully my decision to pursue this.

I am now in my fourth year in college, and I have the full intention of attending RCIA when my local parish offers it the week after next. However, I am unsure how different the process would be for someone who has been baptized and has practiced some form of Christianity since childhood. Nonetheless, I have recently purchased a Catholic Bible and a copy of the Catechism and I attended Mass for the first time last weekend. Naturally, I was worried about offending someone and I was trying to follow along as it was my first time attending any sort of Mass and I was attending alone. It was absolutely beautiful and I enjoyed it since it was a far cry from the sort of Baptist services I have attended, which sometimes bordered on outright cartoonish antics in the sermons. I was attentive and respectful at the Mass and didn’t take the Eucharist so I believe I did okay, and the priest did greet me and asked for my name as I was leaving.

Another concern I have is about the baptism. It was indeed a Trinitarian baptism, and my understanding is that such baptisms from another Christian denomination are recognized by the Catholic Church (although Baptists wouldn’t recognize a Catholic baptism of course) so that in and of itself shouldn’t be an issue. However, the only proof I have is a picture of the baptism. As far as a certificate goes, I don’t have one and I honestly don’t know if I was issued one, and if I was all I know is it is in a different state from where I am now.

I am frankly scared to ask my old church about it because that church is vehemently anti-Catholic. I think even asking about baptismal records will set red flags off for them, since they view baptism only as a symbol. Both pastors who have headed that church have told a number of exaggerated claims, half-truths, and outright lies about the Catholic Church, whether it is about idol worship, Catholics “adding” books to the Scriptures, and a number of other things which I have found to be untrue. I know I will have to tell my grandmother (a lifelong Baptist) eventually, and she will tell that Baptist church, and she will be upset and possibly disown me for joining the Catholic Church, and my uncle who was my guardian has already disowned me for different reasons. Perhaps also the Baptist church will also try to evangelize me back into the Baptist faith although I know that it is not for me and I am certain I want to join the Catholic Church, and if I wasn’t I wouldn’t risk getting disowned.

Help in these matters would be greatly appreciated.
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Hi.

I hope the advices are helpful to you.

I just want to say that you are always welcome in the Catholic Church. When you convert to one, we consider you as coming home, because she is the original Church that Jesus left us with.

Personally I always urge potential convert to study the Catechism of the Catholic Church. If you feel it is too heavy, you can always get your hand on a simple summarized one. There are a few in the market.

There contains the official teaching of the Catholic Church, and nobody can say you are wrong, not even Catholics, when you quote the Catechism. It is the ultimate reference. The only thing of course, is to understand it, which can be quite difficult in some areas.

But you have it already, so you are on the right track. 👍

The only hurdle, perhaps, since you are from a Protestant background, is that the process to get baptized as Catholic, would take quite a long time. It is about slightly less than a year. There is no instant formula to it ordinarily. You have to follow the RCIA, and next Easter you will be baptized.

Since you are already a Christian, and if you are baptized already, if the baptism is accepted by the Catholic Church, then you don’t to be baptized again. Instead you will be confirmed, another Sacrament, but not baptism.

You, however, need to check with the priest about it though and see what he says.

God bless you in your journey of faith.

Reuben
 
My wife converted from a Baptist tradition. The program at our parish had both Christian and non-Christian converts go through the same RCIA program, though that can vary. Our RCIA program started in September, though there were unofficial weekly meetings over the prior summer, and my wife was confirmed and received her first communion at the most beautiful Easter Vigil the next spring. I would speak to the parish office about RCIA. Ideally a deacon or even a priest will speak with you directly, but they do have many duties.

Welcome, and may God watch over you on your journey.
 
Enchanted13; [/QUOTE said:
.

Questions on converting to Catholicism
First, I will include a bit on my background. I was raised Baptist, and I have lived a Christian life since I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ when I was eleven, and I was baptized approximately a year later. I attended an Independent Baptist church since my parents passed away when I was ten until I went to college, and I attended a nondenominational fundamental Protestant church for my first three years of college: during the summer breaks, I attended the same Independent Baptist church I grew up in.

Thank you, obviously the Holy Spirit is working within you, and you’re paying attention to Him.

As to Sola Scriptura:
  1. It’s not specifically expressed within the bible; but the fact that it is not God’s Will is
    2Peter 1: 19-21
    And we have the more firm prophetical word: whereunto you do well to attend, as to a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: [20] Understanding this first, that no prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation. [21] For prophecy came not by the will of man at any time: but the holy men of God spoke, inspired by the Holy Ghost.
[Douay explanation]
[20] No prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation: This shews plainly that the scriptures are not to be expounded by any one’s private judgment or private spirit, because every part of the holy scriptures were written by men inspired by the Holy Ghost, and declared as such by the Church; therefore they are not to be interpreted but by the Spirit of God, which he hath left, and promised to remain with his Church to guide her in all truth to the end of the world. Some may tell us, that many of our divines interpret the scriptures: they may do so, but they do it always with a submission to the judgment of the Church, and not otherwise. End Quotes
  1. If private interpretation actually is GOD”S Will, why there are thousands of Protestant churches; each with their own version of just what the bible actually means.
I am now in my fourth year in college, and I have the full intention of attending RCIA when my local parish offers it the week after next. However, I am unsure how different the process would be for someone who has been baptized and has practiced some form of Christianity since childhood. Nonetheless, I have recently purchased a Catholic Bible and a copy of the Catechism and I attended Mass for the first time last weekend. Naturally, I was worried about offending someone and I was trying to follow along as it was my first time attending any sort of Mass and I was attending alone.
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  1. The only signifient difference is that you will not be Baptized again; other than that your ‘Faith formation” will be the same as all the other members. {I taught RCIA for 3 years before retiring].
  2. You’ll find that while RCIA is a GREAT program, it is insufficient to actually teach you Our Catholic Faith. Time constraints just can’t pack everything necessary into it’s programs, which do vary from parish to parish.
  3. I offer a TOTALLY FREE of all cost home study, e-mailed course, 1 lesson per week. I developed it specifically to supplement RCIA, and I’m now in the 8th year of this ministry. Just let me know if I can be of help?
  4. I just put together a document on Mass responses for another CAF person, AND answers a lot of very basic Catholic Questions.questions that I can also send you.
Another concern I have is about the baptism. It was indeed a Trinitarian baptism, and my understanding is that such baptisms from another Christian denomination are recognized by the Catholic Church (although Baptists wouldn’t recognize a Catholic baptism of course) so that in and of itself shouldn’t be an issue.

NOT a problem:
In such circumstances the priest will
  1. Can Preform a second CONDITIONAL Baptism, wherein the effects od Baptism will only be effected IF you have NOT been prior Christian Baptized. Your parents or a famly member can also attest to it, being sufficient evidence.
I am frankly scared to ask my old church about it because that church is vehemently anti-Catholic. I think even asking about baptismal records will set red flags off for them, since they view baptism only as a symbol. Both pastors who have headed that church have told a number of exaggerated claims, half-truths, and outright lies about the Catholic Church, whether it is about idol worship, Catholics “adding” books to the Scriptures, and a number of other things which I have found to be untrue. I know I will have to tell my grandmother (a lifelong Baptist) eventually, and she will tell that Baptist church, and she will be upset and possibly disown me for joining the Catholic Church,
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M
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My friend Life is a GOD-Test {Isaiah 43: verses 7 &21}

And by design it’s NOT supposed to be easy.

Take Up your Cross and Follow Me

Phil.2: 8 “And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross Luke.9 :23 And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.Mark.8: 34 And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. Luke.9: 23 And he said to all, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. Luke.14: 7 Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple.”.
Help in these matters would be greatly appreciated
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In addition to teaching you our Catholic Faith, I also answer ALL faith related questions. So I hope you’ll allow me to be of help

God Bless you
Patrick {PJM] on CAF.
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I would like to thank everyone for the responses. I start RCIA today, and I am really looking forward to it. I thought of another issue that may be relevant. I think I am still on the membership book of the Baptist church I grew up in and the last time I attended was this summer when I was visiting my grandmother on summer break. Should I try to get removed from that book if I’m still a member there? I have no intention of ever being a Baptist again but as far as I know you can’t get excommunicated from a Baptist church so they’d have to vote on it during the next quarterly business meeting. The church still won’t answer emails about my baptism, so should I try to get off the membership book or ignore it and let it be? I’m afraid the latter may be an implicit endorsement of Baptist beliefs which I no longer hold. Help in this regard would be appreciated.
 
Enchanted13 said:
I would like to thank everyone for the responses. I start RCIA today, and I am really looking forward to it. I thought of another issue that may be relevant. I think I am still on the membership book of the Baptist church I grew up in and the last time I attended was this summer when I was visiting my grandmother on summer break. Should I try to get removed from that book if I’m still a member there? I have no intention of ever being a Baptist again but as far as I know you can’t get excommunicated from a Baptist church so they’d have to vote on it during the next quarterly business meeting. The church still won’t answer emails about my baptism, so should I try to get off the membership book or ignore it and let it be? I’m afraid the latter may be an implicit endorsement of Baptist beliefs which I no longer hold. Help in this regard would be appreciated.
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I don’t think it’s necessary to do anything about it. At some point, in going over their membership lists, they will see your name and realize that you haven’t attended in a long time and remove you from the list, especially if you no longer live in the same area as the church.

If you wanted, you could send the church a short, courteous letter asking to be removed from membership, but I don’t think removing your name is a big deal or anything to worry about. The fact that you no longer live in the area and can no longer regularly attend for that reason alone should get your name removed eventually.
 
Enchanted13 said:
I would like to thank everyone for the responses. I start RCIA today, and I am really looking forward to it. I thought of another issue that may be relevant. I think I am still on the membership book of the Baptist church I grew up in and the last time I attended was this summer when I was visiting my grandmother on summer break. Should I try to get removed from that book if I’m still a member there? I have no intention of ever being a Baptist again but as far as I know you can’t get excommunicated from a Baptist church so they’d have to vote on it during the next quarterly business meeting. The church still won’t answer emails about my baptism, so should I try to get off the membership book or ignore it and let it be? I’m afraid the latter may be an implicit endorsement of Baptist beliefs which I no longer hold. Help in this regard would be appreciated.
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Seems like you tried to no avail.

So at least for the time being I 'd let it alone.

Be sure to ask a lot of questions at RCIA and let us know how its going for you:)

It’s important that you pray much

We’ll pray for you too.

God Bless you

Patrick.
 
I had my first RCIA session and it went great. We had a rather productive introductory session, and the entire RCIA team seemed to be both knowledgeable and friendly.

However, I did finally decide to tell my grandmother about my intention to convert to Catholicism, and needless to say she wasn’t too thrilled about it. It wasn’t as bad as I thought (she didn’t disown me) but when I first told her she was shocked and had nothing else to say. However she called me the next day to point my attention to two Bible verses, Matthew 23:9 as well as I Timothy 2:5, saying that I better start going to a “good King James Bible believing Baptist church” if I want to live right by God. She also said that she talked to the pastor of her church about this, and he gave her those verses to give to me and he apparently gave me a stern warning about following the path of the devil and “praying to Mary and the Saints INSTEAD OF praying to the Lord” and she mentioned that he referred to idolatry and hellfire and how I need to read the Bible instead of the words of men, although the Bible is ultimately what led me to my decision. Of course, she told me to throw my Catholic Bible out and get a King James Bible despite many Protestants even admitting the problems with that translation. She said she still loved me and she was praying for me to get back to the “right side” and away from “paganism and idolatry.”
 
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