Tormented ex-catholic

  • Thread starter Thread starter Catholic_to_LDS
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Catholic_to_LDS

Guest
I was raised Catholic by my mother. I went to CCD, received First Communion,and attended Catholic school for 2 years. While I was not alowed to be confirmed a memeber, I went through all the classes, invertviews, service projects, and attended the mass. We moved 3/4 of the way through my 8th grade year. My mother then begain to attend a Methodist church with her new husband. I did attend mass with her parents during summers and I attended a few since becoming an adult.

I converted to the LDS faith at 21 and have served a mission for the church. I am now a 36 year old mom and am happy at my choice of faith. BUT… several times I have come across Catholic members who are concerned that I am not going to heaven. I was once quoted by someone…" Once a Catholic, always a Catholic" . I have never told someone that they are wrong in a choice of Christian faith. I always took it apoun myself to learn as much about a faith as possible. How can I tell someone that they are wrong when I don’t understand their beliefs. Yet many times good meaning Catholics are quick to point out how wrong I am.

On reading several of the formums, you have sited books on LDS beliefs that I wouldn’t send anyone to. Many of them don’t take the time to fully research our beilfs. (BTW… we don’t believe we are going to be God’s over other worlds… it’s not in scriputre. And yes we use and believe the Bible.)

Am I going to hell as so many of my Catholic friends say? Many of the beliefs are the same and many are different. I have even gone to a priest to voice my concern and he was more interested and worried over my children having not been baptised in the Catholic church.
 
Do you believe the Catholic Church is true? Or do you believe the Mormon faith is true? As you said, although some things are similar, MANY of our beliefs are different. I’m assuming since you said you’re happy with your faith, you believe the LDS faith is true? In which case, what does it matter what other people think?

The Catholics who tell you that you are damned… wouldn’t you hear the same thing from Mormons if you left the Mormon church and switched to an entirely different faith?

Do you think it’s really just about the people saying those things, or could it be that you’re worried about how God feels?

(PS. Welcome to the forums! 🙂 )
 
I dont think it is up to anybody to judge another person, except our Lord.

Many people in this world want to prove they are right or wrong etc.

It seems to be that you may not have had much of a choice in leaving the CC or not, your mom converted to another faith, and you may have been to young to really understand what the church teaches on many things. Being Catholic, you can learn a lot of time.

I hope you stay on these forums to read more about the CC and to teach others about your faith.

Godbless
 
Catholic_to_LDS said:
I was raised Catholic by my mother. I went to CCD, received First Communion,and attended Catholic school for 2 years. While I was not alowed to be confirmed a memeber, I went through all the classes, invertviews, service projects, and attended the mass. We moved 3/4 of the way through my 8th grade year. My mother then begain to attend a Methodist church with her new husband. I did attend mass with her parents during summers and I attended a few since becoming an adult.

I converted to the LDS faith at 21 and have served a mission for the church. I am now a 36 year old mom and am happy at my choice of faith. BUT… several times I have come across Catholic members who are concerned that I am not going to heaven. I was once quoted by someone…" Once a Catholic, always a Catholic" . I have never told someone that they are wrong in a choice of Christian faith. I always took it apoun myself to learn as much about a faith as possible. How can I tell someone that they are wrong when I don’t understand their beliefs. Yet many times good meaning Catholics are quick to point out how wrong I am.

On reading several of the formums, you have sited books on LDS beliefs that I wouldn’t send anyone to. Many of them don’t take the time to fully research our beilfs. (BTW… we don’t believe we are going to be God’s over other worlds… it’s not in scriputre. And yes we use and believe the Bible.)

Am I going to hell as so many of my Catholic friends say? Many of the beliefs are the same and many are different. I have even gone to a priest to voice my concern and he was more interested and worried over my children having not been baptised in the Catholic church.
Click to expand...
Christ established the Catholic Church on Peter around 2000 years ago entrusting the Deposit of Faith to it. It is the only Church given authority to directly by Christ.
He did not establish any other Church. As such the way to Christ who is our only salvation is through his Church.
Christianity is the only true religion and the Catholic Church is the only one which has the fullness of truth. Protestants are our separated brothers and sisters. The communities they belong to have only some of the truth and the Catholic Church will welcome all of them back.
On the other hand Mormons are part of a FALSE religion and are not even Christians.
By definition a Christian is someone who believes Christ is God and is baptised by running water in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Mormons do not believe that.
Also Mormonism was founded by a mere man, in fact by a crazy guy involved in the occult.
 
Good Morning and thank you for your responses. I thought I would address two things that were statedthat are incorrect. 1st- If I left the LDS church this min, and never returned; I would never be told that I was going to hell. In fact we are told to be respectful of those of different faiths. I would never say to any other Christian “You are going to hell.” That is for God to decide not man. I was trying to understand the Catholic faith on those leaving the church to worship in another.

2nd- We are baptized by immersion. Here is what is said," Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of The Holy Ghost. Amen" (DC 20:73) The person is then fully immersed.

I could defend the Catholic faith just as well as the LDS on basic issues. I am trying to not hurt my freinds feelings. Maybe I missed a teaching that they belive that I am going to hell for leaving the Catholic faith. Please don’t “bash” another person’s faith without doing research on it first. I would never do that to you.

I personaly believe in a Godhead: God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. I believe that we all fall short and must recieve baptizim in the name of Jesus Christ to enable us to return to the presence of God our Father.

Please help me to understand my friends (one of which is a nun and taught me in school) beliefs. I don’t want to pass judgement on them before I understand the reasoning behind their comments.

Thankyou for your help.
 
Hi and welcome, Catholic to LDS!

Here’s what your friends are worried about. To leave the Catholic Church while understanding exactly what you are doing constitutes (objectively) the mortal sin of schism. A mortal sin separates you from God and if unrepented at death, results in punishment in hell for eternity. Your friends don’t want that to happen to you.

Here comes the “but.” A mortal sin requires three things - that the action be seriously wrong (leaving the Church is), it must be fully understood to be seriously wrong (only you and God know that), and it must be done with full consent (only you and God know that).

God is perfect in both justice and mercy. There is no fooling Him. When the time comes for you to die and be judged, He will take into consideration exactly how well you understood what you did when you left the Church and how much actual control and consent you had when you left. Your friends and I can’t begin to know those things. To a degree, you might not even fully know. But God does, and He loves you and will judge fairly.

Betsy
 
Catholic_to_LDS said:
Good Morning and thank you for your responses. I thought I would address two things that were statedthat are incorrect. 1st- If I left the LDS church this min, and never returned; I would never be told that I was going to hell. In fact we are told to be respectful of those of different faiths. I would never say to any other Christian “You are going to hell.” That is for God to decide not man. I was trying to understand the Catholic faith on those leaving the church to worship in another.

2nd- We are baptized by immersion. Here is what is said," Having been commissioned of Jesus Christ, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of The Holy Ghost. Amen" (DC 20:73) The person is then fully immersed.

I could defend the Catholic faith just as well as the LDS on basic issues. I am trying to not hurt my freinds feelings. Maybe I missed a teaching that they belive that I am going to hell for leaving the Catholic faith. Please don’t “bash” another person’s faith without doing research on it first. I would never do that to you.

I personaly believe in a Godhead: God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. I believe that we all fall short and must recieve baptizim in the name of Jesus Christ to enable us to return to the presence of God our Father.

Please help me to understand my friends (one of which is a nun and taught me in school) beliefs. I don’t want to pass judgement on them before I understand the reasoning behind their comments.

Thankyou for your help.
Click to expand...
What does that mean? Are you saying that Jesus is NOT God?
 
The fact that you care means something, why would it matter to you or anyone within the LDS community?
 
The LDS theology regarding the Trinity is indeed different than the orthodox Christian belief. I am certain of this as I obtain information from LDS sources not from biased resources. You say that you believe in the Bible but you cannot reconcile that belief with Jesus’ words that His Church would withstand the gates of the netherworld when you claim the Great Apostasy.

Now this thread could veer into a theolgical debate and we, as Catholics, can show you why the LDS is not the Church founded by Christ or we can just answer your initial question: Am I going to hell because I left the Catholic Church?

No one here this side of eternity knows who is going to hell. That’s it on that. But if you truly believe that the LDS is the TRUE Church founded (restored) by Christ then you would have to caution those who left LDS. I don’t buy the statement that we “respect” other religions. We respect people but not necessarily their choices. Jesus asked the most profound question in Scripture," Who do you say that I am?" The answer to this can vary but Jesus cannot. Yes, Jesus loved all of the Jewish sects of His time and He still loves the Jews of today but that does not undermine His being truth and that His very essence cannot change with differing beliefs.

So, are you wrong in leaving the Catholic Church? From my Catholic perspective in knowing that Christ founded our Church I would have to say yes. Do I respect you as a person and one who fervently loves God? Yes. Would I EVER say to you that you are going to hell? Absolutely not. And finally will I pray that the Holy Spirit will guide you back to the fullness of truth? Of course.

Matthew 16:18 cannot provide room for a Great Apostasy and your King James bible could never have been translated by an apostate Church yet you accept it a inspired text. Even the canon of Scripture was ackowledged during the time of the “Great Apostasy”. Think about these things and may God bless you. You have great courage coming here and I very much respect you for that… teachccd
 
Thank you all for the insights. I do understand the basic differences. I mentioned to one of my Catholic freinds that I had posted here. She IM’ed me that she couldn’t believe that I did. She went on for atleast the next 5min outlining how and why I was going to hell. Sigh…I hope that all of your advise and insights help. And she is family.🤷
 
Catholic_to_LDS said:
Thank you all for the insights. I do understand the basic differences. I mentioned to one of my Catholic freinds that I had posted here. She IM’ed me that she couldn’t believe that I did. She went on for atleast the next 5min outlining how and why I was going to hell. Sigh…I hope that all of your advise and insights help. And she is family.🤷
Click to expand...
Family can be fun!! Keep me in your prayers as I will you. (and not because I think that you are going to hell —utter nonsense) I wish that I could be as sure as your family friend that I was going to heaven. I’ll let God be the judge…Peace… teachccd 🙂
 
If you don’t believe Catholic teaching, why would teaching on salvation, hell or any other issue be of interest to you? No the Church does not teach anyone automatically goes to hell. Yes it is one of the gravest sins a Catholic can commit to reject the faith, the technical word is apostasy, but like all grave sins, for the individual to be guilty and merit the punishment, they must know fully the gravity of the sin and decide fully and freely to commit the sin. A minor by definition has not the knowledge and ability to give full free will consent in a matter such as this which is voluntary excommunication,

Why would anything in Catholic teaching torment you at all if you fully and freely accept all Mormon teaching?

If it does torment you, is it not possible that you have not, in fact, fully accepted Mormon doctrine, and in fact is it not also possible, since you ask, that you do not know enough about Catholic doctrine to accept or reject it? If that is the case, and if your doubts are strong enough to use the word “torment” would it not be a service to yourself on many levels to ask for instruction in Catholic doctrine from a Catholic priest, or his delegate?
 
Catholic_to_LDS said:
I was raised Catholic by my mother. I went to CCD, received First Communion,and attended Catholic school for 2 years. While I was not alowed to be confirmed a memeber, I went through all the classes, invertviews, service projects, and attended the mass. We moved 3/4 of the way through my 8th grade year. My mother then begain to attend a Methodist church with her new husband. I did attend mass with her parents during summers and I attended a few since becoming an adult.

I converted to the LDS faith at 21 and have served a mission for the church. I am now a 36 year old mom and am happy at my choice of faith. BUT… several times I have come across Catholic members who are concerned that I am not going to heaven. I was once quoted by someone…" Once a Catholic, always a Catholic" . I have never told someone that they are wrong in a choice of Christian faith. I always took it apoun myself to learn as much about a faith as possible. How can I tell someone that they are wrong when I don’t understand their beliefs. Yet many times good meaning Catholics are quick to point out how wrong I am.

On reading several of the formums, you have sited books on LDS beliefs that I wouldn’t send anyone to. Many of them don’t take the time to fully research our beilfs. (BTW… we don’t believe we are going to be God’s over other worlds… it’s not in scriputre. And yes we use and believe the Bible.)

Am I going to hell as so many of my Catholic friends say? Many of the beliefs are the same and many are different. I have even gone to a priest to voice my concern and he was more interested and worried over my children having not been baptised in the Catholic church.
Click to expand...
If you truly beleive that LDS is correct why would you be in the least bit concermed.? From a Catholic standpoint the Cathecism states that Non_Catholics can be saved becuase of invincible ignorance. In you case it would not seem to be that is an excuse you could use. You were taught the faith, lived the faith and then walked away from it.

Again i am confused as , if you are so ceratin that LDS is correct, why you would care what any of us think. I think it is admirable for the Priest to be concerned that your children were being raised apart from the One True Church
 
I would like to thank those of you that helped me to understand a practicing Catholic’s view on this. It helped me to be less defensive of their comments. There are those of you who asked why would I care? Because it’s family and friends…I don’t want to misunderstand what they say.

Someone said that I should attend classes on the Catholic faith…I went to 4 classes as an adult. The one question that the priest could not back up nor show me reason for was “Why should we pray to a Saint?” He could not. This was one of 5 things that I found difficult to understand…proof in the scriptures. AHHHH, you say but how could I find that proof about the LDS faith you ask? I researched for 2 years using scripture, interviewing clergy, having “bible” proof meetings with the missonaries, and articles both from the church and from others before I made the choice to become a member of the LDS church.

BTW…the correct title for the church and members is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or LDS. I would never use nor think of a Catholic as Those Rosary People or any other term. If you are going to argue against the church, please use the correct term. Though Mormon is a common title, it’s used to cover many people who are NOT recognized as mainstream LDS.

That said, I respect your choice. I love learning from others of different faiths because I would be narrow minded if I didn’t. I would defend a Catholic and their right to their beliefs upto and including our Prophet. I wouldn’t be excommunicated nor “punished”. I am sorry that some very narrow minded LDS members have posted comments without respect nor knowledge of your beliefs.

I am always open honest and sincere discussion of Catholic history, doctrine, beliefs, etc. But if you are only going to argue…then are you helping or destroying a person’s view of your church and faith. I will be posting my question as to “why you pray to saints” in another post. If you would like to trulely help me to understand, then please,I have wondered since I was a child…help me to understand. Again, I don’t want to misunderstand a churches/person’s belief.

Thankyou.
 
Catholic_to_LDS said:
I would like to thank those of you that helped me to understand a practicing Catholic’s view on this. It helped me to be less defensive of their comments. There are those of you who asked why would I care? Because it’s family and friends…I don’t want to misunderstand what they say.

Someone said that I should attend classes on the Catholic faith…I went to 4 classes as an adult. The one question that the priest could not back up nor show me reason for was “Why should we pray to a Saint?” He could not. This was one of 5 things that I found difficult to understand…proof in the scriptures. AHHHH, you say but how could I find that proof about the LDS faith you ask? I researched for 2 years using scripture, interviewing clergy, having “bible” proof meetings with the missonaries, and articles both from the church and from others before I made the choice to become a member of the LDS church.

BTW…the correct title for the church and members is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or LDS. I would never use nor think of a Catholic as Those Rosary People or any other term. If you are going to argue against the church, please use the correct term. Though Mormon is a common title, it’s used to cover many people who are NOT recognized as mainstream LDS.

That said, I respect your choice. I love learning from others of different faiths because I would be narrow minded if I didn’t. I would defend a Catholic and their right to their beliefs upto and including our Prophet. I wouldn’t be excommunicated nor “punished”. I am sorry that some very narrow minded LDS members have posted comments without respect nor knowledge of your beliefs.

I am always open honest and sincere discussion of Catholic history, doctrine, beliefs, etc. But if you are only going to argue…then are you helping or destroying a person’s view of your church and faith. I will be posting my question as to “why you pray to saints” in another post. If you would like to trulely help me to understand, then please,I have wondered since I was a child…help me to understand. Again, I don’t want to misunderstand a churches/person’s belief.

Thankyou.
Click to expand...
Something to chew on before you start the thread:

catholic.com/thisrock/1990/9007chap.asp
catholic.com/library/Praying_to_the_Saints.asp
catholic.com/library/Intercession_of_the_Saints.asp
catholic.com/thisrock/2000/0011sbs.asp
 
Catholic_to_LDS said:
(BTW… we don’t believe we are going to be God’s over other worlds… it’s not in scriputre
Click to expand...
Afraid not. In the big picture, it is the main building block of the Doctrine. It is not openly spoken of. I am not making fun, but along this line, the Mormons even claim to know the name of the planet that God the Father lives on along with his wife. I wont write the name for fear of ridicule of there faith.

But yes. It is pretty far out for us the relate to. I must say that I never met a Mormon I did not like and they are fighting a brave and hard fought battle over same sex marriage.
 
Catholic to LDS,
I am the father of a daughter who has converted to LDS from Catholicism. She is 35 and we have had quite a few talks about her faith. She converted when she was 17 or 18? maybe. She kept it a secret from me for quite a while. Anyway, I just want to say that since that time I have done extensive study about my own faith,Roman Catholic, and LDS. I can assure you that my daughter was not taught everything that one can read about LDS theology. In my discusions with her, I have brought up points I,ve read from LDS sourses, and she had not been taught these things. Needless to say, it makes discusions about religion very stressful. She has also been taught a lot of very ignorant ideas about Roman Catholic faith.
We don’t discus these issues very much these days. I love very much, she knows that. I do believe she loves God very much too. I pray for her all the time. I think that LDS had an emotional attraction for her that was like a magnet, and I believe that has clouded her judgement. She is an emotional kind of woman and tends to “go with her heart” on many issues.

I would be more than willing to discuss any Catholic/LDS issues with you. I would need to caution you though, one thing that can lead to a lot of confusion is the use of many common terms and names that have very different meanings for Catholic/LDS. As an example, Jesus Christ is God, means something different to LDS than to Catholics.

You can PM me if you want. I’m not a theologian, but I do try to understand.
 
Catholic_to_LDS said:
I was raised Catholic by my mother. I went to CCD, received First Communion,and attended Catholic school for 2 years. While I was not alowed to be confirmed a memeber, I went through all the classes, invertviews, service projects, and attended the mass. We moved 3/4 of the way through my 8th grade year. My mother then begain to attend a Methodist church with her new husband. I did attend mass with her parents during summers and I attended a few since becoming an adult.

I converted to the LDS faith at 21 and have served a mission for the church. I am now a 36 year old mom and am happy at my choice of faith. BUT… several times I have come across Catholic members who are concerned that I am not going to heaven. I was once quoted by someone…" Once a Catholic, always a Catholic" . I have never told someone that they are wrong in a choice of Christian faith. I always took it apoun myself to learn as much about a faith as possible. How can I tell someone that they are wrong when I don’t understand their beliefs. Yet many times good meaning Catholics are quick to point out how wrong I am.

On reading several of the formums, you have sited books on LDS beliefs that I wouldn’t send anyone to. Many of them don’t take the time to fully research our beilfs. (BTW… we don’t believe we are going to be God’s over other worlds… it’s not in scriputre. And yes we use and believe the Bible.)

Am I going to hell as so many of my Catholic friends say? Many of the beliefs are the same and many are different. I have even gone to a priest to voice my concern and he was more interested and worried over my children having not been baptised in the Catholic church.
Click to expand...
Repentance means turning away from, or developing a hatred for the sin in your life. It is an essential part of “believing” in the Son of God. Loving God with all your mind, soul and strength, serving others and loving your neighbor are all *part *of belief. This involves far more than just knowing in your head that Jesus existed and died for your sins.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” (John 3:16-18)

Read your New Testament and be at peace… “Believe” and be saved for sure!
 
Are you going to hell? Can not say…that is between you and God…however I can tell you that abandoning the Catholic Church for any other Church…much less one that is not even Christian, is a grave and serious matter. Most people are members of other faiths, because they are ignorant of what The Catholic Church is…The One True Church and no one has told them otherwise and they certainly weren’t educated to know this is the case and you can not be born into schism…therefore, they are in separated out of ignorance or birth but truly feel like they are following God to the best of their abilities…
Then on the other hand, there are fallen away Catholics…You were given the fullness of truth and were able to receive The Most Blessed Sacrament…and you turned your back on it and walked away…this is the most offensive thing you can do. Like I said, whether or not you are going to Hell, that is between you and God…but by turning your back on Him and His Church, you are guilty of very grave and serious sins. Do you realize you are not a member of a Christian Church anymore??? God Bless and I wish you the best…I will pray that you return to the fullness of Truth…
Catholic_to_LDS said:
I was raised Catholic by my mother. I went to CCD, received First Communion,and attended Catholic school for 2 years. While I was not alowed to be confirmed a memeber, I went through all the classes, invertviews, service projects, and attended the mass. We moved 3/4 of the way through my 8th grade year. My mother then begain to attend a Methodist church with her new husband. I did attend mass with her parents during summers and I attended a few since becoming an adult.

I converted to the LDS faith at 21 and have served a mission for the church. I am now a 36 year old mom and am happy at my choice of faith. BUT… several times I have come across Catholic members who are concerned that I am not going to heaven. I was once quoted by someone…" Once a Catholic, always a Catholic" . I have never told someone that they are wrong in a choice of Christian faith. I always took it apoun myself to learn as much about a faith as possible. How can I tell someone that they are wrong when I don’t understand their beliefs. Yet many times good meaning Catholics are quick to point out how wrong I am.

On reading several of the formums, you have sited books on LDS beliefs that I wouldn’t send anyone to. Many of them don’t take the time to fully research our beilfs. (BTW… we don’t believe we are going to be God’s over other worlds… it’s not in scriputre. And yes we use and believe the Bible.)

Am I going to hell as so many of my Catholic friends say? Many of the beliefs are the same and many are different. I have even gone to a priest to voice my concern and he was more interested and worried over my children having not been baptised in the Catholic church.
Click to expand...
 
If you really, truly researched Catholicism, you would have discovered or the priest would have been able to tell you we Pray for the Intercession of the Saints…we don’t pray to them as they are God…you could say we pray THROUGH them…we ask them to take our prayer petitions to God and since we KNOW that saints are in Heaven with God, what better people to ask to pray for our intentions…it is no different then calling all your friends and family and asking them to pray for you, because you just took a full blood panel and you are waiting for the results to come in and you hope everything is normal.
Catholic_to_LDS said:
I would like to thank those of you that helped me to understand a practicing Catholic’s view on this. It helped me to be less defensive of their comments. There are those of you who asked why would I care? Because it’s family and friends…I don’t want to misunderstand what they say.

Someone said that I should attend classes on the Catholic faith…I went to 4 classes as an adult. The one question that the priest could not back up nor show me reason for was “Why should we pray to a Saint?” He could not. This was one of 5 things that I found difficult to understand…proof in the scriptures. AHHHH, you say but how could I find that proof about the LDS faith you ask? I researched for 2 years using scripture, interviewing clergy, having “bible” proof meetings with the missonaries, and articles both from the church and from others before I made the choice to become a member of the LDS church.

BTW…the correct title for the church and members is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints or LDS. I would never use nor think of a Catholic as Those Rosary People or any other term. If you are going to argue against the church, please use the correct term. Though Mormon is a common title, it’s used to cover many people who are NOT recognized as mainstream LDS.

That said, I respect your choice. I love learning from others of different faiths because I would be narrow minded if I didn’t. I would defend a Catholic and their right to their beliefs upto and including our Prophet. I wouldn’t be excommunicated nor “punished”. I am sorry that some very narrow minded LDS members have posted comments without respect nor knowledge of your beliefs.

I am always open honest and sincere discussion of Catholic history, doctrine, beliefs, etc. But if you are only going to argue…then are you helping or destroying a person’s view of your church and faith. I will be posting my question as to “why you pray to saints” in another post. If you would like to trulely help me to understand, then please,I have wondered since I was a child…help me to understand. Again, I don’t want to misunderstand a churches/person’s belief.

Thankyou.
Click to expand...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top