Stay Catholic or change religions?

[CMatt25]

This is the non-Catholic thread , not the Apologetics thread , so any member of CAF can post a response to your question.

I will address this to the OP.

It sounds as if you want to be a Christian but not a Catholic. It also sounds as if you would be a very unhappy Catholic, chafing at all the rules. You have children, a husband who does not want to be a Catholic, or perhaps a member of any church, and I presume an intact marriage.

Becoming an observant Catholic could seriously endanger your marriage. You would have to stop practicing contraception, which would leave you open to unplanned pregnancies. How many children do you and your husband want to have? The only reason to do this is if you believe that the Catholic church is the only “true religion” and you can’t be a Christian or express a belief in God with any other group. It doesn’t sound to me as if you buy into any of this, mortal sin, purgatory, hell. The Catholic Church emphasizes sin a lot, defines many things as sins, therefore condemns people as sinners, and doesn’t provide much in the way of role models, if the current priest sex abuse scandal is any indication.

There are many other Christian groups, the mainstream being the Episcopalians, the Lutherans, the Presbyterians, the Methodists. I have had contact mainly with the Episcopalians and the Presbyterians. In any of these, you would receive a warm welcome, baptism for your children and lots of special youth activities for them, something lacking in many Catholic churches, a church “renewal of vows” for you and your husband, if he desires this, and lots of adult social activities as well, if you wish, also something lacing in many Catholic churches (A number of other threads have included a lot of complaints from faithful Catholics re the lack of activities in their parishes.)

In addition, the Episcopal Church practices Reconciliation, usually in the form of a private face-to-face with a priest–there are a lot of women Episcopal priests now, which might make this easier–which ends with a formal release from sin, if this is what you want. Any church can provide this, with the face-to-face probably ending in a prayer.

I think that if you were to go back to the Catholic church, you would end up being dissatisfied, would leave it again and might feel even worse.

Before you decide what to do, I think that you should consider all options.

Jlengle00, Anode makes many good points worth considering. But if you choose to remain Catholic as I have to date but don’t follow everything and hang around here long, be prepared to be told you are not a Catholic or even that you face hell by dissenting from something. I’ve been told these things by Catholics here more times than I can count.

But no matter whether you remain Catholic or find Him elsewhere, God bless you on your journey and peace be with you always on your walk with Him.

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

You should at least talk to a priest. I was in the same boat at the beginning of the year. I felt the need to go SOMEWHERE. Tried to decide between Catholic or Lutheran. We choose the Catholic church because I grew up Catholic. Best decision I made! I left my faith not really understanding my faith or the reasons behind the “rules”. Now that I’m back…I have fallen completely in love with Christ and his Church. My advice would be to at least try the Church again–find out about it. Then if you leave…at leave you will TRULY know what you are leaving.

God Bless and Welcome Home!

 

[CMatt25]

I believe Christ to save outside the church. He didn’t get crucified and then say “I am only dying for Catholics”. I know quite a bit about my faith, I was raised in a Catholic/Italian family. hahahah. I was baptized, confirmed, went to Catholic school, etc. We are just a bit more open minded than some other people we have met. My mom states that Lutherans, Catholics, Methodists, etc, it doesn’t matter. We worship and believe in the same God and accept the Christ as our Saviour. My mother is a very religious person, but she doesn’t always go along with everything Catholic Church says. As far as the sin issue goes, sin is sin. I believe the only sin to be unforgivable is blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, that’s it. Anyway, Christ will save all who are Christians, end of story. I will always remain Catholic, but maybe I am just a bit of a rebel…

The word “Catholic” wasn’t even used in writings until the yr 110. 8 decades following His Resurrecton. No wonder He didn’t say He was only dying for Catholics.

And to your post on a whole,

 

[Annabelle_Marie]

This is precisely why it is so important to continue learning about our faith even as adults. As an eight-year-old going to Confession, the teachers were giving you as much as an eight-year-old can understand, but you have become capable of much more, since then - what you were told when you were eight years old is no longer enough for you.

Start talking to a good priest, and start receiving an adult-level education about these things.

I use to think the same thing about confession (reconciliation)–why should I go…I can just talk with God and confess. And it was scary to go…but everytime it has been a blessing. I never really was honest with myself and faced up to my sins before. I’m sure it will always be a little bit nerveracking for me every time but I know that it is for the best and it will be a blessing. I have found a GREAT priest to confess to.

 

[jmcrae]

I just get a bad vibe from a lot of these posts. People act like Catholicism is the only religion thats “right”. Christ couldn’t care less if you are Catholic or Methodists, or a Non-denominational Christian.

If so, then why did He bother to spend three years establishing the Catholic Church, and why give it to Peter to safeguard until the end of time, and why make it so many promises of infallibility?

 

[Justin_Mee]

Those pesky rules. I hate rules, don’t you? I am looking for a religion that will assure me of salvation without any rules. Until I find it, I will just remain Catholic and obey the rules.

 

[CMatt25]

Hi

thank you for this post.
It’s one of the best posts I have ever read from Catholic.
I am so happy that there are Catholics who seem to understand my positions because this is what I have been saying so often in this thread and everytime people are coming along with the fulness of truth, the one Church established by Christ and (though not so directly stated) that I am going to hell for leaving the RCC for a heresy (their favorite word.)
Thank you again.
God bless you laneo!

In Christ,
Esdra

Ditto. And Esdra, count your blessings. I’ve been told I’m facing hell if I don’t repent for not obeying my bishop by missing Mass on Nov 1, a so called Holy Day of Obligation in my particular diocese. Though not necessarily in another. So they’ve given you a break in judgment. Peace to you on your walk with him. God bless.

 

[jmcrae]

Those pesky rules. I hate rules, don’t you? I am looking for a religion that will assure me of salvation without any rules. Until I find it, I will just remain Catholic and obey the rules.

Me, too.

I’m also looking for a city that has no traffic laws - for me, only, of course. Everyone else needs to stay off the sidewalks and stop at red lights, but I should be allowed to do whatever I want, because, hey, I’m in a hurry. And, I’m special.

 

[CMatt25]

If so, then why did He bother to spend three years establishing the Catholic Church, and why give it to Peter to safeguard until the end of time, and why make it so many promises of infallibility?

He established a Church. And if another’s faith is “Peter” strayed at some point, then Christ certainly has the capability to make corrections along the way to assure His Church shall prevail in the end over the gates. It’s all a matter of faith. Truth be told, it is for Catholics too. Peace.

 

[Lapey]

Ditto. And Esdra, count your blessings. I’ve been told I’m facing hell if I don’t repent for not obeying my bishop by missing Mass on Nov 1, a so called Holy Day of Obligation in my particular diocese. Though not necessarily in another. So they’ve given you a break in judgment. Peace to you on your walk with him. God bless.

See what Paul writes about walking in the “world” or walkling in the “Spirit.”

You do not do things for the bishop, you do things out of the Love of Christ. I go to Church in a responce to what Jesus Christ did for me, not because my bishop told me to. Please look deeper.

 

[Lapey]

He established a Church. And if another’s faith is “Peter” strayed at some point, then Christ certainly has the capability to make corrections along the way to assure His Church shall prevail in the end over the gates. It’s all a matter of faith. Truth be told, it is for Catholics too. Peace.

I’m not sure I understand what you are writting here, can you explain? Not being sarcastic I truly don’t understand your message and I want to.

 

[jmcrae]

He established a Church. And if another’s faith is “Peter” strayed at some point, then Christ certainly has the capability to make corrections along the way to assure His Church shall prevail in the end over the gates. It’s all a matter of faith. Truth be told, it is for Catholics too. Peace.

Splitting off and starting a whole new religion does nothing to “correct” anything.

The true Reformers were those who remained obedient - St. Teresa of Avila, St. Ignatius of Loyola, etc.

 

[CMatt25]

From what I have heard venial and mortal sins are only established in the Catholic church. I disagree with the fact that if you are Christian but not Catholic you cannot receive the Eucharist. You dont HAVE to confess to a priest, Purgatory is another one, but I am not here to argue with you anybody. I have no reason to. And you say The Good thief (Dismas) was baptized with desire, okay, well, how is he Catholic? Just because the Church canonized him…

I just get a bad vibe from a lot of these posts. People act like Catholicism is the only religion thats “right”. Christ couldn’t care less if you are Catholic or Methodists, or a Non-denominational Christian. It just seems to me a lot of people act like if you aren’t Catholic, hell awaits. We aren’t superior to any other Christian faiths nor do we deserve any special attention.

:clapping: And while you might disagree with someone on receiving the Eucharist, you certainly don’t disagree with Christ. Christ clearly taught in Jn 6:37 He would turn away no one from the Eucharist who are called to receive Him.

 

[JRKH]

Thanks James…its nice to know someone who was in a similar situation. I doubt my husband will come with me to church as he is very anti-Catholic and that sometimes tends to put me in a tough situation. He is however very supportive of me and my decision to go back to the Church. I’m thinking that sticking with the Catholic Church will probably be the best decision for me at this point. That is where my family is at and if I choose to go elsewhere, that could take a lot of time and research. There are several methodist and luthern churches and one episcopal. So not only would I have to research their teachings, I’ll have to find the right church too. I really don’t want to be a Church hopper and I’m not one for change. I feel like being Catholic is who I am and where I should be despite the differences between my husband and I and our views on being Catholic.
Everyone on here has been so helpful and I thank you all for the variety of responses. Some of you are probably right…maybe I just don’t understand it enough. Hopefully when I go back I will slowly begin to get the answers I need. I know God is here helping me through this tough journey…he didn’t let me give up yet!
Don’t worry…I will get my kids Baptized! I really hate myself for not doing it sooner…my mother is having a tough time knowing they aren’t baptized.

You are welcome. I’ve never regretted my decision to come home to The Church. I also must admit that I still don’t fully understand a lot of Church teachings…
But I’m trying…
The thing is that when I run up against seomthing I don’t understand, I jump to the conclusion that the Church is right rather than the Church is wrong. WHY? because

1. She’s shown herself right in everything I’ve investigated
2. God tells us in The Bible that we are to “Listen To The Church” (Mt 18:15-18) and that The Church is the pillar and Bulwark of Truth (1 Tim 3:15)

Peace
James

 

[Lapey]

Splitting off and starting a whole new religion does nothing to “correct” anything.

The true Reformers were those who remained obedient - St. Teresa of Avila, St. Ignatius of Loyola, etc.

Amen…Teresa of Aila is a percect example of how one person, a lay person, can change the direction of the entire Church. Exactly what Jesus told Peter, the Rock, He would do. Send the Holy Spirit to lead His Church and the gates of the netherworld will not prevail against it.

 

[jmcrae]

He established a Church. And if another’s faith is “Peter” strayed at some point, then Christ certainly has the capability to make corrections along the way to assure His Church shall prevail in the end over the gates. It’s all a matter of faith. Truth be told, it is for Catholics too. Peace.

Sorry, I just reread that -

And if another’s faith is “Peter” strayed at some point,

This is a perfect description of non-Catholic Christianity - their faith has absolutely nothing to do with Jesus - their faith is centered on the idea that “Peter” (the leadership of the Church) is in error. Their cry is not “all for Jesus!” but “I wanna do what I wanna do!”

Is that the faith of the Saints?

 

[CMatt25]

I’m not sure I understand what you are writting here, can you explain? Not being sarcastic I truly don’t understand your message and I want to.

The Catholic faith is a faith. Other faiths are faiths. We can pretend otherwise but none are 100% absolute certain knowledge with every dotted “i” and crossed “t” for certain exactly correct. That’s not to say Truth is relative. It isn’t. There is one truth. Christ is the Truth He said. And in that case we shall know when we meet Him or He comes again. In the meantime it’s all faith and beliefs. God bless and peace.

 

[Lapey]

:clapping: And while you might disagree with someone on receiving the Eucharist, you certainly don’t disagree with Christ. Christ clearly taught in Jn 6:37 He would turn away no one from the Eucharist who are called to receive Him.

Look into these scriptures, search the comentaries. Jn 6:37 is not refering to the eucharist, but the revelation of God, the scriptures. The Eucharistic teaching starts at verse 51.

All are welcome at the Eucharist, fully welcome in the Church. Once you are fully in the Church you may partake in the Eucharistic meal. Please do not say that all are not welcome.

 

[CMatt25]

Sorry, I just reread that -

This is a perfect description of non-Catholic Christianity - their faith has absolutely nothing to do with Jesus - their faith is centered on the idea that “Peter” (the leadership of the Church) is in error. Their cry is not “all for Jesus!” but “I wanna do what I wanna do!”

Is that the faith of the Saints?

I suppose not if you believe only Catholic saints make it to heaven.

 

[CMatt25]

Look into these scriptures, search the comentaries. Jn 6:37 is not refering to the eucharist, but the revelation of God, the scriptures. The Eucharistic teaching starts at verse 51.

All are welcome at the Eucharist, fully welcome in the Church. Once you are fully in the Church you may partake in the Eucharistic meal. Please do not say that all are not welcome.

I don’t have to say it. I’ll leave it up to the priests to announce who can not come forth to receive Christ.