Southern Baptist to Catholic

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MeganKichler

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Ok, I was raised southern Baptist and to put it nicely, it just wasn’t for me. Anyway, I’m sure most of you know what Baptists think about Catholics. Thing is, for a couple of years now I’ve been going to a Catholic church and have decided that it’s exactly what God has called me to do. I love it. It lights a fire in my soul. I start my RCIA classes next month and I want my parents to be at my Confirmation. Well, I want to know how to “break it” to my parents. They’re going to try to talk me out of it, but will eventually accept it as my decision. (I’m 24 btw) But I want them to know that this has made me grow spiritually and has helped me to be a way better person. I want them to know that this does not mean I’m going to hell and that I haven’t turned to “Christian Paganism.” They’ve never said it, but I had a very vehement preacher that hardly went through a sermon without talking about how evil catholics were. I just know this is where I am supposed to be. Prayers for strength are very welcome to me.
 
MeganKichler said:
Ok, I was raised southern Baptist and to put it nicely, it just wasn’t for me. Anyway, I’m sure most of you know what Baptists think about Catholics. Thing is, for a couple of years now I’ve been going to a Catholic church and have decided that it’s exactly what God has called me to do. I love it. It lights a fire in my soul. I start my RCIA classes next month and I want my parents to be at my Confirmation. Well, I want to know how to “break it” to my parents. They’re going to try to talk me out of it, but will eventually accept it as my decision. (I’m 24 btw) But I want them to know that this has made me grow spiritually and has helped me to be a way better person. I want them to know that this does not mean I’m going to hell and that I haven’t turned to “Christian Paganism.” They’ve never said it, but I had a very vehement preacher that hardly went through a sermon without talking about how evil catholics were. I just know this is where I am supposed to be. Prayers for strength are very welcome to me.
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Welcome home, Megan.

One idea might be to have a good book ready for them to read…one that explains Catholicism in clear terms. When they start to pepper you…and they will…relentlessly…you can simply say, “Here…read this.”

One suggestion might be Catholicism and Fundamentalism by Karl Keating. Another would be Rome Sweet Home by Scott Hahn.
 
Hi, Megan,

You are very courageous! 👍

Wondering how parents will respond to such a change is something that anyone in your position would do. The basic idea is that your parents love you and want the very best for you. My guess is that they would see the ‘very best religion’ as the one that they themselves believe. With that as a baseline, you may want to to approach them in a neutral setting (not their home or yours) maybe to meet for coffee… and just talk.

My two daughters (ages 39 & 37) have given my wife and I a few surprises as they were growing up. If truth be known, I still see them as ‘my little girls’ … yeah, I’m one of those! 😃 But, every day they show me that they are quite good at making their own decisions - and that really makes my wife and I very proud of them.

Most of the anxiety that adult sons and daughters have about telling their parents something that they think will upset their parents - remains just mental exercises. The ‘battle’ never really happens as we feared. In my view, parents are a very flexible group of people - if not, they would have broken long ago! 🙂

My wife and I will keep you in our prayers.

God bless
MeganKichler said:
Ok, I was raised southern Baptist and to put it nicely, it just wasn’t for me. Anyway, I’m sure most of you know what Baptists think about Catholics. Thing is, for a couple of years now I’ve been going to a Catholic church and have decided that it’s exactly what God has called me to do. I love it. It lights a fire in my soul. I start my RCIA classes next month and I want my parents to be at my Confirmation. Well, I want to know how to “break it” to my parents. They’re going to try to talk me out of it, but will eventually accept it as my decision. (I’m 24 btw) But I want them to know that this has made me grow spiritually and has helped me to be a way better person. I want them to know that this does not mean I’m going to hell and that I haven’t turned to “Christian Paganism.” They’ve never said it, but I had a very vehement preacher that hardly went through a sermon without talking about how evil catholics were. I just know this is where I am supposed to be. Prayers for strength are very welcome to me.
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First off Welcome Home!

And I thank God for your conversion and his workings in your life!

Parents can be very hard to break news to sometime. In my situation my parents, were vehemently opposed to my mairraige to my beautiful wife. And when i broke the news to them, they even went as far as to call her parents and let loose every skelton in my closet…things that i of course had already told my bride to be. Now its 3 years later and My wife and I couldnt be happier and my parents have come around and realize that I am happy and that my wife makes me happy.

In the end parents only want whats best for thier children, or what they think is best for thier children. Show them how your new found faith makes you feel and that it makes you happy. They may be opposed at first, but once they see the happiness inside you and that being Catholic is a good thing for you, they will eventually come around.

God Bless

Pax

B
 
Welcome home! FWIW, my wife was also from a devout and active Baptist family, and she expected a lot of pushback on her decision to convert - but it didn’t happen. Her family was very accepting of her decision (thanks be to God).

If you’re interested in apologetic resources, I recommend Stephen Ray, who was also part of a Southern Baptist family when he converted. His excellent book, Crossing the Tiber, describes his journey to Catholicism from an Evangelical standpoint.
 
thank you all so much! it was all helpful! i’ll just rely on he spirit to guide me! bless you and your families again and again!
 
One big thing they might have an issue with is the relation between faith and works, so if you can show them that we actually don’t believe in works-based salvation that will go a long way in helping.
 
WoundedIcon said:
One big thing they might have an issue with is the relation between faith and works, so if you can show them that we actually don’t believe in works-based salvation that will go a long way in helping.
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I agree!

If you haven’t done so, I would definitely spend some timing learning how to defend and explain the Catholic faith. Common arguments that I hear from protestants are that we worship statues, think our Holy Mother is God, Confession is a get out of jail free card, etc…

Remember, your future discussions with your folks aren’t just going to be about defending your own beliefs from their criticism, but your aim must also be to illustrate to them that the Catholic Church is also their best hope of reaching heaven. Conversion may seem like a long-shot at this point, but remember that through Christ all things are possible! 🙂

I would also recommend becoming a regular viewer of the Vortex if you are looking to learn how to defend and promote the Catholic faith: churchmilitant.tv/free/?vidID=&ssnID=

God bless, and welcome home! You are making the best decision of your life! 🙂
 
Welcome home!

For a simply read and understood introductory book on Catholicism, I think it is hard to beat Catholicism for Dummies. It is a book that every RCIA program should use, as it will clear up the common confusions that occur in such preparatory ministries. I learn something each time I open my copy. You can learn your faith from it and perhaps give a copy to your parents. Whether or not they agree, they will at least know why you believe what you believe.
 
MeganKichler said:
Anyway, I’m sure most of you know what Baptists think about Catholics…
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And what would that be? I’ve been going to a Southern Baptist church all my life and I don’t remember anything bad being said about Catholics.
 
Zenkai said:
And what would that be? I’ve been going to a Southern Baptist church all my life and I don’t remember anything bad being said about Catholics.
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Depends on the location and flavor of Southern Baptist. Some vehemently oppose the Catholic Church as the whore of babylon, and others believe Catholics are Christians, and others don’t pay any attention at all.
 
  1. Pray. and then pray some more.
  2. Be open about it, and let them know it is not a a decision lightly made, nor one that is temporary and easily jumped into. Explain how RCIA is months long, at least.
  3. Offer to talk through any questions they may have.
  4. Learn the faith so you can answer any questions.
  5. When you come across a question you don’t know the answer to, don’t bluff or try to pretend you know. Admit you don’t, and tell them you will happily research it and bring the information back to them. (Don’t worry, EVERY question/challenge presented to the Church has already been answered, many times over. It just takes time to learn them all, if you ever do.)
  6. Thank them for exposing you to things you hadn’t considered or learned yet, so that your faith can be expanded.
  7. pray some more.
 
zenkai - i did also, and i’ve heard that catholics are pagans, worship statues, thhink mary can save your soul, are ALL liars and pedophiles and the list goes one. this isn’t just one church in my experience. let me tell you a story - but note that i don’t believe one bad apple ruins the bunch - when i was 13 i went on a trip with my youth group to an amusement park and brought a catholic friend with me. while there i was raped by two boys. the precher said it was because of the influence of my “pagan whore” of a friend and God was punishing me. again, one bad apple dooesnt ruin the bunch. i appologize if you were offended, but this was based on my own experienceS (multiple). however, please note that i was looking for advice, which my post clearly indicates. i am not looking for arguments.
 
“The Four Witnesses” was written by a former Baptist --it can be of interest.
 
MeganKichler said:
zenkai - i did also, and i’ve heard that catholics are pagans, worship statues, thhink mary can save your soul, are ALL liars and pedophiles and the list goes one. this isn’t just one church in my experience. let me tell you a story - but note that i don’t believe one bad apple ruins the bunch - when i was 13 i went on a trip with my youth group to an amusement park and brought a catholic friend with me. while there i was raped by two boys. the precher said it was because of the influence of my “pagan whore” of a friend and God was punishing me. again, one bad apple dooesnt ruin the bunch. i appologize if you were offended, but this was based on my own experienceS (multiple). however, please note that i was looking for advice, which my post clearly indicates. i am not looking for arguments.
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I’m sorry that happened to you 😦 . Also, what those Baptists said wasn’t a very Christian thing to do. I have never met a Baptist like that.

God bless
 
Welcome Home! :clapping::dancing::extrahappy:
You will probably find that accurate information is your best tool, so continue to study to show yourself approved as the St. Paul tells us.

There are some very good non-confrontational Catholic materials around that may also help.

Examples:
Top Ten Questions Catholics are Asked
Catholic Tracts from Grotto Press
Catholic Answers Tracts

If you’d like a few copies of the first two examples feel free to PM me your address and I’ll put them in the mail to you since I keep a supply on hand for personal faith sharing and evangelism.

You might also take a look at my blog (see my sig below for the link) which covers a lot of different stuff.

I can also send you a copy of this book which covers about all the far out and whacky stuff that Jack Chick has published.
shop.catholic.com/images/T/CB333t.gif
The Nightmare World Of Jack T. Chick
SKU: CB333

Chick Tracts are full of false and plainly malicious charges against the Catholic Church. More than 700 million of these tracts have been sold, turning millions against the Church in the process. Jimmy Akin lays out everything you need to know about Jack Chick’s many lies.
 
@zenkai - i am more than past it! God will never put you through what you can’t handle (though it may feel like it at first) but now i use it as my ministry to help others. 🙂 and that guy is no longer allowed to preach. he was a bad guy.
 
MeganKichler said:
Ok, I was raised southern Baptist and to put it nicely, it just wasn’t for me. Anyway, I’m sure most of you know what Baptists think about Catholics. Thing is, for a couple of years now I’ve been going to a Catholic church and have decided that it’s exactly what God has called me to do. I love it. It lights a fire in my soul. I start my RCIA classes next month and I want my parents to be at my Confirmation. Well, I want to know how to “break it” to my parents. They’re going to try to talk me out of it, but will eventually accept it as my decision. (I’m 24 btw) But I want them to know that this has made me grow spiritually and has helped me to be a way better person. I want them to know that this does not mean I’m going to hell and that I haven’t turned to “Christian Paganism.” They’ve never said it, but I had a very vehement preacher that hardly went through a sermon without talking about how evil catholics were. I just know this is where I am supposed to be. Prayers for strength are very welcome to me.
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Awesome! I’m a former southern baptist as well. Will send up a prayer for you.
 
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