Studying your way out of Mormonism

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RebeccaJ said:
I would check it out again if I were you. One thing you’ll discover about Catholics, we’re organized, but not as organized as Mormons are. It took me two phone calls, that were never answered, and showing up to two different parish RCIAs, to find an RCIA I wanted to attend. The people who run RCIA are lay ministers, dedicated, knowledgeable, and engaged with love for who they are teaching. Let God guide you. I had a constant, awkward atheists prayer for many months, that was simply, “Lead me to you.” God took that prayer seriously.

I know how it goes sometimes, the first prayer this atheist prayed was, “God, if you exist, just end my life.” God also took that prayer seriously, but not in the way I had mean it, and I have thanked Him many times for rescuing me.

St. Mary Magdalan is who led me to the parish where I joined our RCIA, and it is her, who I call my Madeleine, who led me to God. There are good reasons she and I understand each other, and good reasons I turn to her to pray for me and others.

Spe Salvi, in Hope we are saved. Hope, not being of the way people use the word to mean wishing for something to happen that may never happen, but hope, as it is meant as a sure hope. Hope, having a name, Jesus Christ. Our Hope is sure.

May you enjoy the wedding fun. The weather here has turned cool. It snowed in the mountains where I work, but the valleys are still just rainy.
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Thank you, Rebecca. It’s amazing how prayers are answered sometimes. That story about your first prayer is going to be at the front of your mind for some time. It’s very relevant to me, even though I’ve been a believer for some time.
 
My son lives in Las Vegas as well (like Cowboy Pete) and was informed that it would be $400 (or $500) for him to complete his sacrament of Confirmation. It’s a definite killjoy and he wouldn’t mind introducing the faith to his kids but finances are rather tight even though both do work. His situation made me appreciate what I have in my own diocese though. My wife wouldn’t have gone through the annulment process for me if the price was too steep. She was really annoyed it cost $400 in the diocese of Fresno. I think the cost would have been $2000 in Las Vegas.

Any one else live in Las Vegas and can confirm the policies and costs?
 
blueadept said:
My son lives in Las Vegas as well (like Cowboy Pete) and was informed that it would be $400 (or $500) for him to complete his sacrament of Confirmation.
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Thank you for confirming that I am not a liar … well I am (no one gets to be a mormon alcoholic while telling the truth all the time 😦 ) but I have never lied on this forum.
 
twopekinguys said:
As someone who is heavily involved with bringing people into the Church, I would have to disagree.

The ones I see leaving the RCC, are the ones who don’t study, or are trying to mold the Church’s teachings into what they think they should be.

Too many people are busy looking for a church that conforms to what that person thinks, instead of submitting to what scripture actually teaches.
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What religion is “Catholic and Protestant”? I never heard of it.

You seem to talk like you are Catholic and talk of bringing people into the chruch. Is this the Catholic Church of which you speak? If so why do you describe yourself as …and Protestant? You seem to be trying to mold the Church into what you think it should be, by identifying yourself in this way.

Also from my experience people leave the Church from lack of knowledge/study or simply wanting to do things the Church teaches is a mortal sin.
 
afiala2 said:
What religion is “Catholic and Protestant”? I never heard of it.

You seem to talk like you are Catholic and talk of bringing people into the chruch. Is this the Catholic Church of which you speak? If so why do you describe yourself as …and Protestant? You seem to be trying to mold the Church into what you think it should be, by identifying yourself in this
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It’s explained in our profile. There are two of us using one screen name. One is Catholic, and the other is Methodist. So, as you can see, your assumption of me/us trying to mold the Church into what we think it should be is incorrect.
afiala2 said:
Also from my experience people leave the Church from lack of knowledge/study or simply wanting to do things the Church teaches is a mortal sin.
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I believe we stated the same thing in an earlier post, which you quoted.
 
blueadept said:
My son lives in Las Vegas as well (like Cowboy Pete) and was informed that it would be $400 (or $500) for him to complete his sacrament of Confirmation. It’s a definite killjoy and he wouldn’t mind introducing the faith to his kids but finances are rather tight even though both do work. His situation made me appreciate what I have in my own diocese though. My wife wouldn’t have gone through the annulment process for me if the price was too steep. She was really annoyed it cost $400 in the diocese of Fresno. I think the cost would have been $2000 in Las Vegas.

Any one else live in Las Vegas and can confirm the policies and costs?
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That would have stopped me from becoming Catholic. I wouldn’t have even considered buying my way into a church.
 
BartBurk said:
That would have stopped me from becoming Catholic. I wouldn’t have even considered buying my way into a church.
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He was raised in the Catholic Church but didn’t continue going to CCD in high school. While he is anarchist in many ways, he can properly explain the Catholic faith rather well and has no problem of introducing the faith to my granddaughters regardless that my DIL is rather anti-religion. With their tight finances, the money is a killjoy but it doesn’t take away his POV about the church.
 
RebeccaJ said:
I would check it out again if I were you. One thing you’ll discover about Catholics, we’re organized, but not as organized as Mormons are. It took me two phone calls, that were never answered, and showing up to two different parish RCIAs, to find an RCIA I wanted to attend. The people who run RCIA are lay ministers, dedicated, knowledgeable, and engaged with love for who they are teaching. Let God guide you. I had a constant, awkward atheists prayer for many months, that was simply, “Lead me to you.” God took that prayer seriously.

I know how it goes sometimes, the first prayer this atheist prayed was, “God, if you exist, just end my life.” God also took that prayer seriously, but not in the way I had mean it, and I have thanked Him many times for rescuing me.

St. Mary Magdalan is who led me to the parish where I joined our RCIA, and it is her, who I call my Madeleine, who led me to God. There are good reasons she and I understand each other, and good reasons I turn to her to pray for me and others.
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My confirmation name is Mary Magdalene Jude - Mary Magdalene, because of Christ’s great love for her and her devotion to Him, and Jude, because I was about as much of an impossible cause as it comes before I had my moment of conversion.
 
Cowboy_Pete said:
Thank you for confirming that I am not a liar … well I am (no one gets to be a mormon alcoholic while telling the truth all the time 😦 ) but I have never lied on this forum.
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My son lives in Las Vegas as well (like Cowboy Pete) and was informed that it would be $400 (or $500) for him to complete his sacrament of Confirmation.
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Pete…this cost is to complete the sacrament of confirmation, not RCIA. And I do nto think anybody is calling you a liar…there must have been a misunderstanding on your part…the cost must have been for another service.

As far as I know, RCIA is free. I think it might behove you to confirm what the charge was for.
 
pablope said:
Pete…this cost is to complete the sacrament of confirmation, not RCIA. And I do nto think anybody is calling you a liar…there must have been a misunderstanding on your part…the cost must have been for another service.
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No one on my thread has called me a liar, pablope, but I’ve been called liar on other threads (mostly by Stephen168, who says that regularly to all the mormons) and so I was thanking the person above for verifying that my statement about the RCIA classes in Vegas was true.

I’m sure that they are simply trying to defray reasonable expenses and I did not mean to try to make your church look bad, only that 1 month ago I was seriously looking into taking the classes and that’s what stopped me. At this point I’ve just lost my car and so it’s a moot point; I probably won’t have internet long and then you’ll all be rid of me. 😦 I will miss arguing with you and I do appreciate your kindness, Pablope. And I’m particularly happy to have exchanged friendly words with Rebecca, who I sorely misjudged during my first few weeks here.
 
Cowboy_Pete said:
No one on my thread has called me a liar, pablope, but I’ve been called liar on other threads (mostly by Stephen168, who says that regularly to all the mormons) and so I was thanking the person above for verifying that my statement about the RCIA classes in Vegas was true.

I’m sure that they are simply trying to defray reasonable expenses and I did not mean to try to make your church look bad, only that 1 month ago I was seriously looking into taking the classes and that’s what stopped me. At this point I’ve just lost my car and so it’s a moot point; I probably won’t have internet long and then you’ll all be rid of me. 😦 I will miss arguing with you and I do appreciate your kindness, Pablope. And I’m particularly happy to have exchanged friendly words with Rebecca, who I sorely misjudged during my first few weeks here.
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CowboyPete, I’m sorry to hear about your difficulties. I hope don’t end up having to leave. I’ve always found your posts be genial and open-minded. Best wishes to you. I’ll keep you in my prayers.
 
Cowboy Pete, I am so sorry for the suffering you are going through.

You are in my prayers.
 
Cowboy_Pete said:
No one on my thread has called me a liar, pablope, but I’ve been called liar on other threads (mostly by Stephen168, who says that regularly to all the mormons) and so I was thanking the person above for verifying that my statement about the RCIA classes in Vegas was true.

I’m sure that they are simply trying to defray reasonable expenses and I did not mean to try to make your church look bad, only that 1 month ago I was seriously looking into taking the classes and that’s what stopped me. At this point I’ve just lost my car and so it’s a moot point; I probably won’t have internet long and then you’ll all be rid of me. 😦 I will miss arguing with you and I do appreciate your kindness, Pablope. And I’m particularly happy to have exchanged friendly words with Rebecca, who I sorely misjudged during my first few weeks here.
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Pete, I hope this will be taken in the spirit that it’s given. With all of your recent posts about the difficulties that you’ve been having in your life, I might suggest that you pray to Saint Joseph, the spouse of Mary. He’s the patron of all earthly fathers and can be a very powerful advocate for anyone having family or financial difficulties, especially fathers. This is one of my favorite prayers to Saint Joseph:
*Prayer to Saint Joseph over 2000 years old:

O Saint Joseph, whose protection is so great, so strong, so prompt before the Throne of God, I place in you all my interests and desires. O Saint Joseph, do assist me by your powerful intercession and obtain for me from your Divine Son all spiritual blessings through Jesus Christ Our Lord; so that having engaged here below your Heavenly power I may offer my thanksgiving and homage to the most Loving of Fathers. O Saint Joseph, I never weary contemplating you and Jesus asleep in your arms. I dare not approach while He reposes near your heart. Press Him in my name and kiss His fine Head for me, and ask Him to return the kiss when I draw my dying breath. Saint Joseph, Patron of departing souls, pray for us. Amen.

Say for nine consecutive mornings for anything you may desire. It has seldom been known to fail.

This prayer was found in the fiftieth year of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In the 1500’s it was sent by the Pope to Emperor Charles when he was going into battle.

Whoever reads this prayer or hears it or carries it, will never die a sudden death, nor be drowned, nor will poison take effect on them. They will not fall into the hands of the enemy nor be burned in any fire, nor will they be defeated in battle.

Make this prayer known everywhere.

Imprimatur
Most Rev. George W. Ahr
Bishop of Trenton*

He was given the special grace to be the very staunch protector of Jesus and Mary throughout their early lives, together. I think the reason that he died before Jesus entered His public ministry, was to preserve Joseph from the pain of having to watch Jesus be humiliated. Also, if he had been alive, he would have felt obligated to try and protect Jesus from the Crucifixion. His sense of duty and love for Jesus was immense, and so was Jesus’ love for him.

Again, I realize that you might not wish to do this, but at this point, it certainly can’t hurt to try it. Either way, I’ll keep you in my prayers.
 
twopekinguys said:
It’s explained in our profile. There are two of us using one screen name. One is Catholic, and the other is Methodist. So, as you can see, your assumption of me/us trying to mold the Church into what we think it should be is incorrect.
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You should be able to set up different accounts for this site. I am just trying to say that it is confusing to know which one of you are talking (typing); I apologize for not reading your profile. Some people refer to the Catholic Church as the catholic church encompassing anyone who acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah and God (which would include satan and demons), as opposed to the Catholic Church as the believers in union with the Successor of St. Peter, currently Benedict XVI. Just asking for some clarity, did you mean the Catholic Church Jesus started with the Pope as the shepherd or the catholic that is used in a sense of it doesn’t matter what you believe so long as you believe Jesus is God? Sorry if off topic, but I wanted to say something to clarify what you had said about the Church.
twopekinguys said:
I believe we stated the same thing in an earlier post, which you quoted.
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I am a Catholic as a part of the Catholic Church that is shepherded by Peter’s Successor. I said also from my experience. I was agreeing with you, looking on **my own **experience this was also the case for me.

Again with the we stated, this is confusing concerning the content of the discussion coming from you two.
 
afiala2 said:
You should be able to set up different accounts for this site. I am just trying to say that it is confusing to know which one of you are talking (typing); I apologize for not reading your profile. Some people refer to the Catholic Church as the catholic church encompassing anyone who acknowledges Jesus as the Messiah and God (which would include satan and demons), as opposed to the Catholic Church as the believers in union with the Successor of St. Peter, currently Benedict XVI. Just asking for some clarity, did you mean the Catholic Church Jesus started with the Pope as the shepherd or the catholic that is used in a sense of it doesn’t matter what you believe so long as you believe Jesus is God? Sorry if off topic, but I wanted to say something to clarify what you had said about the Church.

I am a Catholic as a part of the Catholic Church that is shepherded by Peter’s Successor. I said also from my experience. I was agreeing with you, looking on **my own **experience this was also the case for me.

Again with the we stated, this is confusing concerning the content of the discussion coming from you two.
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I/we appreciate your concerns, but this has worked quite well for sometime. As I said in my post that you are having trouble with, I believe I did specify I was talking about the RCC church. I/we apologize if we didn’t provide specific clarification for you.
 
Cowboy_Pete said:
No one on my thread has called me a liar, pablope, but I’ve been called liar on other threads (mostly by Stephen168, who says that regularly to all the mormons) and so I was thanking the person above for verifying that my statement about the RCIA classes in Vegas was true.

I’m sure that they are simply trying to defray reasonable expenses and I did not mean to try to make your church look bad, only that 1 month ago I was seriously looking into taking the classes and that’s what stopped me. At this point I’ve just lost my car and so it’s a moot point; I probably won’t have internet long and then you’ll all be rid of me. 😦 I will miss arguing with you and I do appreciate your kindness, Pablope. And I’m particularly happy to have exchanged friendly words with Rebecca, who I sorely misjudged during my first few weeks here.
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This is how it is with RCIA: no one comes knocking on your door. We (Catholics in UT) have 400-600 adults enter the Catholic church every year. They all, like myself, just showed up…seeking. The Church is a well, any are welcome to come and drink.
 
christianley said:
Some of us had to study our way out because we actually enjoyed being Latter-day Saints. I would have gladly stayed if not confronted with the conflicts in their teachings.
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I felt the same way. I loved being a Mormon, but when really dug into the teachings, I had to let it go when the rationales tied my mind into a pretzel.
 
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