Still struggling with the faith

[lookaround]

Some of you may remember in a previous thread about how I have been struggling as a Catholic. I believe in God (more then anything), but my faith in the RCC and some of its teachings are weak. I have still been attending Catholic worship, but I have not taken Communion for what feels like forever.
I have also been attending a nondenominational church with a friend. I enjoy worshiping there, but I am not sure if that is the direction God wants me to go.

praying for peace
lookaround

 

[Tietjen]

Some of you may remember in a previous thread about how I have been struggling as a Catholic. I believe in God (more then anything), but my faith in the RCC and some of its teachings are weak. I have still been attending Catholic worship, but I have not taken Communion for what feels like forever.
I have also been attending a nondenominational church with a friend. I enjoy worshiping there, but I am not sure if that is the direction God wants me to go.

praying for peace
lookaround

Can you (one at a time / one per thread) give us the teachings that you are having difficulty with? Perhaps, someone here can shed some light.

 

[Rolltide]

Yes, please give us some specific topics, but one at a time. We’re waiting to help!

 

[lookaround]

Thank you both but sadly it is not a matter of knowledge.

 

[GodIsGracious]

Some of you may remember in a previous thread about how I have been struggling as a Catholic. I believe in God (more then anything), but my faith in the RCC and some of its teachings are weak. I have still been attending Catholic worship, but I have not taken Communion for what feels like forever.
I have also been attending a nondenominational church with a friend. I enjoy worshiping there, but I am not sure if that is the direction God wants me to go.

praying for peace
lookaround

Well. Considering I have always believed that the Catholic church was THE Church that Christ founded and it is the ONE True church, I’m going to say that I don’t believe God would direct you away from His church, The Catholic Church. Especially since Mass has the body and blood of Christ.

Personally, I think you may be getting confused by attending the nondenominational church. Especially when you are already doubting the Catholic church. (I’m trying to be very gentle here. )

The others have suggested you ask your questions in different threads. I think that is a great idea. Get solid with those questions.

One thing to keep in mind is that if you were to leave the Catholic church for a nondenominational you would be leaving the Holy Eucharist. I don’t know what or how this nondenominational church preaches, or their worship practices, but if they have a form of “communion” just know that it is NOT the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. You would be giving up a lot to go to this nondenominational church, like Jesus Christ himself in the Eucharist.

 

[Catholic1954]

I would stop attending the other church and concentrate on Catholicism. For clairity and discussion about the teachings of the Catholic Church, you can always enroll in your parish’s RCIA program. Once the teachings and doctrines of the Church are fully explained, and the reasons behind them understood, you will find much easier to remain in the Church. Also, try praying the rosary daily, your Heavenly Mother is standing by to help in any way she can!

 

[Rolltide]

Well, there are a couple of possibilities here. You will have to decide which fits you more closely.

1. There are often specific teachings that individual Catholics struggle with, but on the whole, they find the Church correct on most issues. Because of the promise of the protection of the Holy Spirit on matters of faith and morals, these individuals will continue to follow those teachings they find troublesome, even if it is difficult. They may find help through ongoing study of the problematic issues, but perhaps not. That said, despite all of the difficulties, they are willing to admit that there is a chance that their interpretation is indeed wrong. They put their faith in the Holy Spirit, and that of the collective wisdom of 2000 years of the world’s greatest theologians, over their own personal interpretation. These are precisely the people who would not consider a non-denominational church, because it doesn’t make sense to them. They would argue that if the Bible is so easy to interpret, why are their so many interpretations? It smacks of moral relativism, or the belief that everyone is correct, and that there are no absolutes. Catholics (and the Orthodox) believe in moral absolutes, and change their individual opinions to conform to these absolutes. Imagine if a relativistic attitude were applied to civil law. If I enjoy drug use, then rather trying to change my behavior, just legalize it. Voila! It’s no longer a crime. Maybe I don’t believe all theft is a crime. Voila, just legalize it. Where do you stop? Is this healthy? This is why mainstream Protestant denominations are in decline, but non-denominational churches and the Catholic Church are growing. People don’t want a compromised, watered-down faith. Either they want the moral absolute, or the freedom to completely decide for themselves what they believe. Many people admire the Catholic and the Orthodox, and find comfort in the faith, for precisely the reason that their doctrine does NOT change in a world that does.
2. Some people find a substantial number of problems with Catholic doctrine and theology. It is not simply a matter of not understanding, but firmly believing that the Church is wrong. In this case, there are some potential ramifications. First, they may in fact have more in common with another denomination. If they truly believe these theological doctrines to be wrong, and another denomination’s doctrines to be closer to theirs, then there should be no problem, because it would simply make the Catholic Church wrong and the other denomination right. Further, if it were to be actually found that a major Catholic dogma was wrong, it would most likely prove that the Holy Spirit did NOT in fact protect the Catholic Church, and the whole of the truth of the Catholic Church would collapse as a result, since all of its dogmas and doctrines would then be subject to the error of fallible humans. In that event, you should have absolutely no problem leaving the Catholic Church, because it is false.

 

[Hesychios]

Obviously the original poster is still strongly drawn to the worship of God. Perhaps a change of venue is in order. One can feel in the ‘doldrums’ and need a fresh wind.

The difference in worship style can seem very attractive at first, even inspiring. It’s just important not to lose the essential basic Faith. Non-denominational ‘churches’ ultimately stand for everything, and nothing.

Perhaps it will be worthwhile to go on a retreat. There are many monastic houses where this would be possible across the country. It can give one a chance to meditate on the whole kit and kaboodle.

Another possibility is to find an Eastern Catholic parish (or the less common ‘Anglican Use’ if convenient). They tend to be smaller and intimate, even very involving.

 

[KRAS]

I to have struggled with My Faith but i can say for certianty that the There is only One church that always call me home that Is the Church the catholic church.

I too agree as others have spoken and my own personal experiance other churches that are outside the catholic church are not the best outlets for a substitution.

I have found sitting in Other christian Parishes/churches Theaters Not sure of the Appropriate word. Have learned one thing and was very clear in each place i had gone i dont know if it was mere coincdence or God telling me GET OUT … , There sermons or there speaks from there Altar or Microphone on each occasion they would be speaking ill of the catholic faith or other denominations, even when My Wife accepted to be a god parent we attened a church that did not belive in Baptisim but something called a Dedication the Preacher/Pastor KNEW that there were catholics in the congegation made it a point to tell us how wrong we were to say the least I walked out leaving my poor wife behind.

I promise You … You will only find the Holy Spirtit in your heart and will lead you Home each time.

Blessings to you.

<< edited because i am a goober and added a word that didnt belong >>

 

[Leonius]

Thank you both but sadly it is not a matter of knowledge.

1. Stop attending false worship, that is spiritual adultery and wil cause God to withdraw His grace from you.
2. Pray to God for the grace of Faith and go to confession.

 

[Cory_H]

The same thing is happening with me brother. I haven’t been to Mass in a few weeks now, and I haven’t been to Reconciliation in a few weeks (though in dire need of it).
If anyone on here who is VERY knowledgeable in the faith wouldn’t mind, could we chat in private messages about Catholic doctrines I’m having trouble with (or questioning)? I would appreciate it a lot!
May God guide all of us into the fullness of truth!

 

[ntenaglia]

I’ve recently returned to the Church after a 30-year absence. I sat down many times with the pastor at my parish and discussed the things that drove me away in the first place. I’m going to advise you to do this with your parish pastor. As my pastor said, “There’s a lot more wiggle room in the Catholic Church than most people realize.” It could be that whatever your issues are, they can be resolved with discussion.

Also, I use the 2% rule. While some Catholics will buy the whole ball of wax, and others will pick and choose which parts of the ball of wax they want to believe, I felt that I needed to buy the ball to 98% (the other 2% will either come later or God and I can talk it over when I die). I will say that some of that 2% has already been resolved and some of it may never resolve.
But seriously, schedule some time with your parish priest and have a good honest heart-to-heart with him.

 

[lookaround]

One thing to keep in mind is that if you were to leave the Catholic church for a nondenominational you would be leaving the Holy Eucharist. I don’t know what or how this nondenominational church preaches, or their worship practices, but if they have a form of “communion” just know that it is NOT the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. You would be giving up a lot to go to this nondenominational church, like Jesus Christ himself in the Eucharist.

Thank you.
I do believe in the REAL presence of the Eucharist and I know that they do not. I would not take theirs or any others, and believe that it is the same.

 

[lookaround]

I’ve recently returned to the Church after a 30-year absence. I sat down many times with the pastor at my parish and discussed the things that drove me away in the first place. I’m going to advise you to do this with your parish pastor. As my pastor said, “There’s a lot more wiggle room in the Catholic Church than most people realize.” It could be that whatever your issues are, they can be resolved with discussion.

Also, I use the 2% rule. While some Catholics will buy the whole ball of wax, and others will pick and choose which parts of the ball of wax they want to believe, I felt that I needed to buy the ball to 98% (the other 2% will either come later or God and I can talk it over when I die). I will say that some of that 2% has already been resolved and some of it may never resolve.
But seriously, schedule some time with your parish priest and have a good honest heart-to-heart with him.

Honest question.
I thought it had to be 100% in order to be in full communion with the Church?

 

[lookaround]

1. Stop attending false worship, that is spiritual adultery and wil cause God to withdraw His grace from you.

Not as a challenge, but can you please show me where we are told that it is not permitted.

1. Pray to God for the grace of Faith and go to confession.

Thank you.
Praying for more faith is awesome, and I hope to go to confession today.
The prayer I usually say is “Lord I believe help me to overcome my unbelief. Lord increase my faith.”

 

[ntenaglia]

Honest question.
I thought it had to be 100% in order to be in full communion with the Church?

Let’s be serious, do you honestly think that every woman who goes up for Communion is not using some sort of birth control?? In a perfect world, it’s 100% but just look at how much dissention is in these threads. Who’s 100%? Seriously, talk to your pastor.

 

[ac_claire]

Praying for more faith is awesome, and I hope to go to confession today. The prayer I usually say is “Lord I believe help me to overcome my unbelief. Lord increase my faith.”

This is what my grandma taught me to pray too, and I still pray it. And it’s straight from the Bible so it’s a double-blessed prayer.

 

[weepixie71]

may i suggest not only attending a Catholic Mass but to also to a rosary with the request of helping you grow in spirituality.

 

[Leonius]

Not as a challenge, but can you please show me where we are told that it is not permitted.

forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=229077

Attending false worship is a sin against faith and is forbidden is what i was taught as a child.

“So, Venerable Brethren, it is clear why this Apostolic See has never allowed its subjects to take part in the assemblies of non-Catholics:” Pope Pius XI, Mortalium Animos (# 10), Jan. 6, 1928

 

[Leonius]

Honest question.
I thought it had to be 100% in order to be in full communion with the Church?

You thought right,

it is one thing to not understand or to doubt and still believe through faith, it is quite another to outright reject a De Fide teaching.