K
kujo313
Guest
Yet, we continue to post :clapping:
- Status
J
JSmitty2005
Guest
I’ll admit it too. I was WRONG!
E
Eden
Guest
JSmitty2005 said:
I admire your humility.
J
JSmitty2005
Guest
I agree with this post except for the underlined part. How did you come to such a conclusion? I don’t think I really understand what you’re saying. Other than that, what you’re saying is (I know you’re gonna hate this) very Catholic. We must *become * righteous. It’s a journey, not a once and done event. On the other hand, Martin Luther said that people can never be righteous but that we are like piles of poop that Christ’s righteousness covers like snow. I think it’s called “imputed righteousness.” Obviously this is wrong since we are still actually stinky turds and the Scriptures tell us that “nothing unclean shall enter.” I hope that I’m presenting the Catholic position correctly, anyone fell free to correct me if I’m not.
H
Hudd
Guest
I would like to become Catholic. My upbringing was secular. My parents rarely, if ever, attended any services. Not that we were without faith. More than anything, it was, and still is, a sign of the times. I went to Sunday School and church services with friends from time to time, as did my younger sister and brother. Most of our friends were from more liberal Protestant denominations. Although my family didn’t belong to any denomination, we were raised (by our mother) with Catholic values and sympathies. We just weren’t baptized or officially brought up Catholic.
As I got older, I became disillusioned with the Protestant churches. They seemed to be gatherings for gossip and comparing social status. In the '80s, a few of the churches took to burning albums books and records. They seemed to be “holier than thou”, pointing fingers at everyone but themselves. Then, they would go home and drink, pop valium, have sordid affairs and do everything they preached against. Another sign of the times. Jimmy Swaggart and other televangelists were in the news quite a bit. The Catholic Church seemed to avoid most of that controversy.
During Desert Storm, my faith was renewed. I was tested when my first marriage failed. When I met my current wife (I intend to keep it that way), I was determined to be married in a church instead of a court house like before. She is Methodist, so I was baptized (at the age of 26) as a Methodist. Our marriage has been blessed.
We have not been regular church goers. I have never been comfortable in the Methodist church. It is too liberal for me. They don’t seem to offer the guidance that I need. The last few years, I have debated coming to the Church.
Confusion and doubt are the main things holding me back. I know they could probably be cleared by visiting the local Priest and maybe someone can give me the push I need. The confusion is mainly the process of conversion. I was always told that to convert, I would have to go through catechism. How does this work? I also see that the process is different for some who have been baptised in other churches. Will I be accepted? As I said, I have been married, divorced and remarried. I don’t consider myself a terrible, corrupt person, but my life has been filled with sin.
I also disagree with some of the Church’s beliefs now. I was a soldier and still consider members of our armed forces to be brothers and sisters. I also hate war, but I believe sometimes it is unfortunately necessary. I have always been a supporter of capital punishment in exceptional cases. I can’t change my opinion on these subjects. Are my opinions going to be a source of conflict?
If anyone can give some guidance, I would appreciate it. I need some help.
As I got older, I became disillusioned with the Protestant churches. They seemed to be gatherings for gossip and comparing social status. In the '80s, a few of the churches took to burning albums books and records. They seemed to be “holier than thou”, pointing fingers at everyone but themselves. Then, they would go home and drink, pop valium, have sordid affairs and do everything they preached against. Another sign of the times. Jimmy Swaggart and other televangelists were in the news quite a bit. The Catholic Church seemed to avoid most of that controversy.
During Desert Storm, my faith was renewed. I was tested when my first marriage failed. When I met my current wife (I intend to keep it that way), I was determined to be married in a church instead of a court house like before. She is Methodist, so I was baptized (at the age of 26) as a Methodist. Our marriage has been blessed.
We have not been regular church goers. I have never been comfortable in the Methodist church. It is too liberal for me. They don’t seem to offer the guidance that I need. The last few years, I have debated coming to the Church.
Confusion and doubt are the main things holding me back. I know they could probably be cleared by visiting the local Priest and maybe someone can give me the push I need. The confusion is mainly the process of conversion. I was always told that to convert, I would have to go through catechism. How does this work? I also see that the process is different for some who have been baptised in other churches. Will I be accepted? As I said, I have been married, divorced and remarried. I don’t consider myself a terrible, corrupt person, but my life has been filled with sin.
I also disagree with some of the Church’s beliefs now. I was a soldier and still consider members of our armed forces to be brothers and sisters. I also hate war, but I believe sometimes it is unfortunately necessary. I have always been a supporter of capital punishment in exceptional cases. I can’t change my opinion on these subjects. Are my opinions going to be a source of conflict?
If anyone can give some guidance, I would appreciate it. I need some help.
E
exoflare
Guest
Glad to hear your story! Could you please expand on what you think may be a conflict though? From what you wrote about war and capital punishment, I can’t see any conflict with official Catholic belief…
J
JSmitty2005
Guest
Don’t let the liberal pacifists fool you, brother. The Church has never been completely opposed to war, capital punishment, lethal forms of self-defense, etc. You seem to have a very Catholic perspective on these issues already.
J
JSmitty2005
Guest
The push that you need is in these forums and on the main page (www.catholic.com). Stick around for a while and you want to convert…the WORLD!
Anyways, the Church honors all Trinitarian baptisms (“in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”) and I believe the only Protestants that don’t do that are some Pentecostals, but I’m not sure. Also, I don’t know the ins and outs of annulments, but if your first marriage was never blessed by the Church, then I don’t know if you even need to get one. Someone else could answer that better.
H
Hudd
Guest
This is where I am confused. I can understand and respect the Church’s stance on these issues. I usually don’t have a hard time putting thoughts into writing. I’m struggling for the words. I guess it would pertain to politics as well as anything. I have always voted with my conscience. Are these issues considered immoral? It may sound ignorant on my part, but would I be wrong for supporting a candidate who is pro capital punishment or wanted to be aggressive with national defense?
More than anything, I guess I just want to be in good standing. I want to adhere to doctrine as much as I can. I can’t think of any other way to put it.
More than anything, I guess I just want to be in good standing. I want to adhere to doctrine as much as I can. I can’t think of any other way to put it.
J
JSmitty2005
Guest
Basically, you want to vote Republican, right?
Go for it! I’m voting for all Republicans (except the pro-choice ones, obviously). Capital Punishment CAN be justified at times. So can war. Don’t worry about it. The war against terror is justified, although the war in Iraq is debateable.
K
katy
Guest
“I also disagree with some of the Church’s beliefs now. I was a soldier and still consider members of our armed forces to be brothers and sisters.”
Hudd, if it helps any, my daughter is in Baghdad now and has a Bishop Sheen prayer book sent her by our Catholic parish. Soldierhood as such is not, repeat not, a problem with the Church.
Hudd, if it helps any, my daughter is in Baghdad now and has a Bishop Sheen prayer book sent her by our Catholic parish. Soldierhood as such is not, repeat not, a problem with the Church.
J
JSmitty2005
Guest
Read this:
Just War Doctrine
Just War Doctrine
J
JSmitty2005
Guest
Hell no! Look at all the warrior saints like George and others. Look at the age of chivalry with all the knights and whatnot. That was the pinnacle of Catholicism in the world and soldiers were quite abundant. You may want to read this too:
firstthings.com/ftissues/ft0110/articles/cole.html
Not only are there times that war is necessary but there are also times when it is obligatory. There are times when it is not only our right, but our DUTY to wage war.
"The LORD is a man of war." (Exodus 15: 3)
H
Hudd
Guest
Thanks for the encouraging words. I usually do vote Republican (except for the Ross Perot thing). I am also pro life, but I know women who have made choices. They have struggled with the decision daily. Sometimes in certain situations, they don’t feel they have any other option. I feel bad for them.
I wear a Saint Michael medallion every day. Everyone in the service and their families are in my prayers.
Back to politics. Why does it seem like voters in New England are so liberal?
I wear a Saint Michael medallion every day. Everyone in the service and their families are in my prayers.
Back to politics. Why does it seem like voters in New England are so liberal?
R
reneeville
Guest
Hello dear brother,
I too was raised in the Methodist church…after a number of years of discontent with the lack of continuity in protestantism, I spent eight months in contemplative and meditative prayer as to what God wanted from me and what He wanted me to do. It came down to His asking me “why are you a protestant?” WOW. Catholicism had not even entered my thoughts, but as a historian, I began to research and low and behold…the Truth appeared! I come into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil and I have NEVER felt so many blessings. I implore you to pray…and to listen to what and where Spirit leads you…
I’ll pray for you too!
God bless your seeking heart~
Hudd:
I too was raised in the Methodist church…after a number of years of discontent with the lack of continuity in protestantism, I spent eight months in contemplative and meditative prayer as to what God wanted from me and what He wanted me to do. It came down to His asking me “why are you a protestant?” WOW. Catholicism had not even entered my thoughts, but as a historian, I began to research and low and behold…the Truth appeared! I come into full communion with the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil and I have NEVER felt so many blessings. I implore you to pray…and to listen to what and where Spirit leads you…
I’ll pray for you too!
God bless your seeking heart~
J
JSmitty2005
Guest
Well, my theory is that (sadly enough) it has something to do with the majority of them being “Catholic.” You see, early in this century, the Republican party wasn’t really anything like it is today and it happened to be quite anti-Catholic in nature. For this reason and because the Democratic party stood up for underpriviliged (sp?) workers, supported their unions*, and took a stance against the hardcore capitalism that the Republicans were supporting, they developed a loyalty to the Democratic party because it fit best with Catholic morality. With time, however, well…you see where we are today.
The problem is that many of these old Catholics still blindly vote for Democrats simply because that’s what they thought Catholics were always supposed to do. They’ve also passed this on to their children. Another problem is that too many priests and bishops in this country are preaching their own social gospel. Too many Catholics have taken that garbage bait, line, and sinker. Anyways, that’s just my theory.Disclaimer: all of the above is simply my opinion
*as for unions, they once had a purpose, but I feel that they purpose no longer exists
J
JSmitty2005
Guest
Exactly. Why are you still protesting? (That’s what I ask my Protestant friends, anyways.
)
R
renton
Guest
For me I grew up in a secular home but my mom had a Catholic background. So a few times growing up I went to mass to see what it was all about. I was interested by the rituals and the Latin but I found the people very cold and un-loving, not one person said hello or shook my hand. Years later in my final year of high school the Holy Spirit led me to faith in Christ and to desire to go to church. I remembered my previous experiences with the people at the Catholic church and after meeting and hearing countless people describe the molestation and corruption they witnessed in the RC church, so I knew that It had long ago lost the blessing of God. “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them” Matt 7:20. So I went to a evangelical church and was warmly greeted and embraced by God’s family. Now that all being said I have met a great many genuine Christians in the RC church and I agree with a fair bit of there theology but I could never join unless they had a major reform like the kind called for by Martin Luther. It’s a shame they did not listen to his concerns or the protestant reformation might not have been needed.
In Christ
In Christ
J
JSmitty2005
Guest
#1 - The “Reformation” was nothing of the sort. It was a heretical revolution. #2 - This Protestant Revolt was not “needed.” God would never will schism.
J
JSmitty2005
Guest
The Church can NEVER lose God’s blessing unless you dare call Him a liar.
- Status