What are the reasons I should (or shouldn't) become Catholic?

[AgnosTheist]

All who went before Jesus were originally non-believers. You are in excellent company. Even spending 5 minutes with Him is a blessing. I suggest taking a bible and just reading in His presence. Miracles have happened.

Christ’s peace be with you.

OK! OK! Since Christianity is such a great & ancient religion, I’ll give it another try. My catholic aunt would be overjoyed when I ask her about how I can participate in a holy hour. As soon as I get a date I would need one of your email addresses so I could send you proof. Christine, I prefer having yours since this was your idea.

 

[jmcrae]

OK! OK! Since Christianity is such a great & ancient religion, I’ll give it another try. My catholic aunt would be overjoyed when I ask her about how I can participate in a holy hour. As soon as I get a date I would need one of your email addresses so I could send you proof. Christine, I prefer having yours since this was your idea.

YAAAAY!!! :extrahappy: :extrahappy: :extrahappy:

- Sorry - I’m getting all excited, now.

 

[Janet_S]

OK! OK! Since Christianity is such a great & ancient religion, I’ll give it another try. My catholic aunt would be overjoyed when I ask her about how I can participate in a holy hour. As soon as I get a date I would need one of your email addresses so I could send you proof. Christine, I prefer having yours since this was your idea.

Congratulations! This is the best thing you could do.

I came to this decision (for the same reason you gave) 8 years ago, and I’ve never regretted it.

Give it another try; there may be more to it than you think.

 

[jimmy85]

may i remind you again that truths are not necessarily facts. sometimes ‘truths’ are just as substantial as opinions. this is certainly the case when you compare different religious truths side by side.

catholics have their truths. evangelicals have their truths. jews have their truths. and muslims have theirs.

However, all this “truths” cant be right, becuase some of their “truths” are contradictorys with another “truths”, and the truth is only one, and it dosent have any contradictions. Therefore there must be just one truth. Even if people call every religion a single and different truth, it is a wrong term.

 

[Contarini]

What happens are not really a case that “fulfills what they believed as Catholics”, rather they often get to keep some very basic CC beliefs, trash the rest and adopt a different point of view.

Sure. My point is that often their new beliefs seem to leave some holes that Catholicism filled. Hence one anti-Catholic felt the need to write a book called The Catholic Undertow. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that there is no “Protestant undertow,” but I don’t see it working in the same way.

We can invite notself into this, she was a catholic turned buddhist. What exactly do you want to know? How buddhist truths fulfilled her? Or how their old CC beliefs were fulfilled through buddhism?

Since I believe there is only one truth, I don’t distinguish between the two. I’m not interested in merely psychological “fulfillment,” but in the fullness of truth. My point is that a convert from Protestantism to Catholicism can sincerely say that Protestantism pointed to the fuller truth of Catholicism. I don’t know how a convert from Catholicism to Buddhism would put it, and I’m happy to hear from notself or anyone else on that point. Given that dispelling illusion is an important part of Buddhism, I suspect that a convert to Buddhism would think that many Christian beliefs were illusions rather than pointing to something real. But I shouldn’t speak for a convert to Buddhism–and the reason I mentioned Buddhism is that this tradition does have a similarly rich, multi-layered account of the universe.

Edwin

 

[AgnosTheist]

However, all this “truths” cant be right, becuase some of their “truths” are contradictorys with another “truths”, and the truth is only one, and it dosent have any contradictions. Therefore there must be just one truth. Even if people call every religion a single and different truth, it is a wrong term.

Agreed, but then how can anyone objectively tell which ‘truth’ is right/factual? There is just no way. Until then its all just a matter of personal taste & preference.

 

[jimmy85]

Agreed, but then how can anyone objectively tell which ‘truth’ is right/factual? There is just no way. Until then its all just a matter of personal taste & preference.

Well the doctrine of catholicism believe that God himself died for the sins of mankind.
The Catholic believe gives a meaning for the life, for death, for pain, for all our human myseries.
It is not a religion that only claim that a God created them and leaved mankind with all this myserys , but the very same God was completely human in every aspect exept sin.

That is what the book of Job is about. If God had only created us then if we were in the situation of Job that represents the human myseries, We would critize God and even we could look him as bad, becuase of our myseries. However God had all those human myseries and gave us a reason why to carry on even in the worst circumstances.

if you read the gospel you will find out that Jesus had all the human myseries expet sin, he had depresion tentation every kind of pain , he was very poor. So this gives hope and a meaning to people that are under those difficult situations.

and that is the meaning for the human myseries that reason cant properly explain.
there is a huge diference in a God that gave it all for the love of mankind, and a God that only created us.
the diferent religious traditions have some meaning as well, but I think the fullness of the truth is in realizing that God loved us to the extreme, and that gave us a reason/answer for all our human myseries, that happen to us.

The Book of Job depicts very well this case scenario that can befallen to anyone of us, and the need of a God that not only created us, but that showed his love to the extreme and that gives a more clear reason/answer for all our normal human myseries.

For more info you should read this encyclical about philosophy, that has to do with what we are discussing:
Fides et Ratio

 

[AgnosTheist]

Sure. My point is that often their new beliefs seem to leave some holes that Catholicism filled.

like what? can you give 3 examples?

I’m not interested in merely psychological “fulfillment,” but in the fullness of truth.

since ‘truth’ is subjective, would you be referring to intellectual satisfaction? (I consider ‘psychological’ as largely emotional)

My point is that a convert from Protestantism to Catholicism can sincerely say that Protestantism pointed to the fuller truth of Catholicism.

I agree. For much of what protestants do are already in catholicism. But there are more rituals and beliefs to learn in RCC. So one could say it’s the fulfillment of the other, but not the other way around. I don’t think that shows how one is truer than the other.

I don’t know how a convert from Catholicism to Buddhism would put it, and I’m happy to hear from notself or anyone else on that point. Given that dispelling illusion is an important part of Buddhism, I suspect that a convert to Buddhism would think that many Christian beliefs were illusions rather than pointing to something real. But I shouldn’t speak for a convert to Buddhism–and the reason I mentioned Buddhism is that this tradition does have a similarly rich, multi-layered account of the universe.

I sent her an invitation.

 

[po18guy]

So it would seem. There are also some priests I’ve encountered (rarely, but they are out there) who have brilliant minds, but don’t seem to have “heart faith” - they know all the right Catechism answers, but don’t seem to apply them to real life - they don’t seem to have very strong prayer lives.

One moment of crisis would be enough to convert these guys to whatever came along and filled the emotional void for them. What I pray for, on their behalf, is that when that moment of crisis comes (because they always do), it will be either the Charismatic Catholics, or the Rosary ladies, who take him in hand and get him through it.

Someone who TRUSTS God and places Him first in life. Priests stand in persona Christi when performing church duties, but remain as imperfect as Christ is perfect. They need daily prayer from us, as the world really does hate them. Additionally, we can do a lot of little things to let them know how much their life of devotion and service have been a help to us.

Christ’s peace.

 

[notself]

Hello,

In Buddhism there is truth. The truth is described in 4 parts called the Four Noble Truths.

There is suffering.
There is a cause of suffering.
There is an end suffering.
The way to end suffering is the Eightfold Path.

The last part, the Eightfold Path, is the most practical advice on living a moral, ethical, and examined life that has been devised by the human mind. In my opinion practical advice is scant or missing in most other religions.

I left Catholicism years ago for reasons I have discussed on other threads. Basically I could no longer believe in a God that needed to be worshipped. That just didn’t make sense. After many years I found an ethical and moral system with a transcendent goal that did not involve a God or a third party savior. Buddhists believe that each of us must save ourselves by moral action and by examining our own existence.

One can see similarities between Buddhism and Christianity when one compares Agape to Metta. Both are unreserved loving kindness to all of life. There is much that is different not only from Christianity but from all theistic religions.

What makes Buddhism true for me is the detail of the teachings of the Buddha. As I explore these teachings, I see an immediate impact on my life. As I meditate, I experience a realization of this truth.

In the end each of us feels we have the truth. But in my opinion the truth is like an elephant that is being described by a group of people wearing blindfolds each of whom is describing a different part. The goal of Buddhism is to take off the blindfold.

I hope this is what you were looking for, AngosTheist.

 

[po18guy]

may i remind you again that truths are not necessarily facts. sometimes ‘truths’ are just as substantial as opinions. this is certainly the case when you compare different religious truths side by side.

catholics have their truths. evangelicals have their truths. jews have their truths. and muslims have theirs.

Agnos, if this line of reasoning is correct, then truth is individual. This forces the point that Hitler, Stalin and Mao Tse Tung were all correct in what they thought and did, because they acted on what they absolutely believed to be truth. Notice how their “truth” was invariably self-serving? This is not truth.

The truth cannot contradict itself. Two opposing thoughts cannot both be true. If one is completely true, a differing thought cannot be. If one is 90% correct, it represents a portion of truth, but is not completely true.

Don’t let the corruption and moral relativity of this world cloud your thoughts! If facts are true, then truth is fact. There is no wiggle room here. Notice how “truth” and “fact” are often used to show something unconfortable, disquieting, or controversial? That is because our human nature causes us to flee from the truth. This is where denial and a host of other problems originate.

There is a Father of truth, and there is a father of lies. And, as Bishop Fulton Sheen famously quipped: “A lie is still a lie, even if everyone believes it. The truth is still the truth, even if no one believes it”

But keep seeking my friend, as all of us continue to seek the truth. Sometimes, we even succeed!

Christ’s peace.

 

[po18guy]

Hello,

In Buddhism there is truth. The truth is described in 4 parts called the Four Noble Truths.

There is suffering.
There is a cause of suffering.
There is an end suffering.
The way to end suffering is the Eightfold Path.

The last part, the Eightfold Path, is the most practical advice on living a moral, ethical, and examined life that has been devised by the human mind. In my opinion practical advice is scant or missing in most other religions.

I left Catholicism years ago for reasons I have discussed on other threads. Basically I could no longer believe in a God that needed to be worshipped. That just didn’t make sense. After many years I found an ethical and moral system with a transcendent goal that did not involve a God or a third party savior. Buddhists believe that each of us must save ourselves by moral action and by examining our own existence.

One can see similarities between Buddhism and Christianity when one compares Agape to Metta. Both are unreserved loving kindness to all of life. There is much that is different not only from Christianity but from all theistic religions.

What makes Buddhism true for me is the detail of the teachings of the Buddha. As I explore these teachings, I see an immediate impact on my life. As I meditate, I experience a realization of this truth.

In the end each of us feels we have the truth. But in my opinion the truth is like an elephant that is being described by a group of people wearing blindfolds each of whom is describing a different part. The goal of Buddhism is to take off the blindfold.

I hope this is what you were looking for, AngosTheist.

Thus, Buddhism is self-centered and Catholicism is God-centered. Tell me, is your life your own? Who gave it to you, and who takes it back?

 

[AgnosTheist]

I left Catholicism years ago for reasons I have discussed on other threads. Basically I could no longer believe in a God that needed to be worshipped. That just didn’t make sense.

was there any negative experience that played a role your becoming disinterested in the idea of a worship-hungry God?

and uh, can you share with us at what age you made this conclusion?

What makes Buddhism true for me is the detail of the teachings of the Buddha. As I explore these teachings, I see an immediate impact on my life. As I meditate, I experience a realization of this truth.

In the end each of us feels we have the truth. But in my opinion the truth is like an elephant that is being described by a group of people wearing blindfolds each of whom is describing a different part. The goal of Buddhism is to take off the blindfold.

I hope this is what you were looking for, AngosTheist.

Thank you.

 

[AgnosTheist]

Well the doctrine of catholicism believe that God himself died for the sins of mankind.
The Catholic believe gives a meaning for the life, for death, for pain, for all our human myseries.
It is not a religion that only claim that a God created them and leaved mankind with all this myserys , but the very same God was completely human in every aspect exept sin.

How is that any truer than what Buddhists say about their religion?

 

[jimmy85]

Thus, Buddhism is self-centered and Catholicism is God-centered. Tell me, is your life your own? Who gave it to you, and who takes it back?

Personately I really like buddhism, my best freind is a former catholic that converted to buddhism. If I would practice any religion appart from catholicism I would practice the buddhist moral, that has to do a lot with catholicism.

I believe that people cant practice catholicism if they have no faith in it, and we should respect that, so it is a normal thing to chose something else. besides buddhism resembles in many aspects to catholicism in his moral.

 

[AgnosTheist]

Agnos, if this line of reasoning is correct, then truth is individual. This forces the point that Hitler, Stalin and Mao Tse Tung were all correct in what they thought and did, because they acted on what they absolutely believed to be truth. Notice how their “truth” was invariably self-serving? This is not truth.

I never said that every version of truth is correct. Secondly I was referring to religious truths, things that are completely unverifiable. In that sense all religious truths are just promises.

 

[jimmy85]

was there any negative experience that played a role your becoming disinterested in the idea of a worship-hungry God?
?

gosh dude u live in asia n u know nothing about buddhism.

How is that any truer than what Buddhists say about their religion?

I dont really like to compare religions. I respect other religions and they are not about comparing themselves, but my believe, understanding and my opinion about this is that catholicism is truth , that dosent exclude buddhism cause they make part of that truth becuase of their moral values and good doctrine. buddhism is a religion that follow the will of God of loving your neighbor.

I certainly disagree in some points of it like for example in catholicism everybody is saved by God, and in buddhism it differ, they believe one can achive enlgihtement by their own means.

However If you look closely both religions have the same goal that is to be better people, even if they differ in believes or dogmas. they agree in loving the neighbor , and that is a catholic principle.

 

[notself]

Thus, Buddhism is self-centered and Catholicism is God-centered. Tell me, is your life your own? Who gave it to you, and who takes it back?

Cute statement. The answer from the Buddhist perspective is there is no self to be centered on. Self is a concept useful for discussing things, “That is my car”, but when you look really closely, you cannot locate the self.

Form is not self.
Feeling is not self.
Perception is not self.
Mental Formation is not self.
Consciousness is not self.

The concept of self arises from these five aggregates; form, feeling, perception, mental formation, and consciousness.

Where then is self? You might say that Buddhism is not self centered.

Perhaps you would care to define your self.

 

[AgnosTheist]

gosh dude u live in asia n u know nothing about buddhism.

i dont know how my question gave you that impression. but i do admit i know little about it. I was from the Philippines, not Thailand. Buddhists are extremely rare from my part of Asia.

but my believe, understanding and my opinion about this is that catholicism is truth

so its really just a matter of opinion. for you catholicism is truth, for a muslim islam is truth. to each his own.

However If you look closely both religions have the same goal that is to be better people, even if they differ in believes or dogmas. they agree in loving the neighbor , and that is a catholic principle.

AMEN!

 

[AgnosTheist]

Where then is self? You might say that Buddhism is not self centered.

Actions speak louder than words. When I saw buddhist monks burn themself as a form of protest, that immediately told me that their religion is not about the self.