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

[notself]

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?

Thank you.

I had no negative experience at all. I like Catholics and the Church. My whole family is still very devout. I just could not believe in a God that was supposed to be perfect but for some reason got lonely and decided to create life. After he created this life, he then demanded worship and obedience. I just couldn’t get my mind around it.

I was at Mass as usual and I looked up and no longer saw a sacrament. I just saw a very old ritual. It was like watching a play or watching National Geographic and seeing a unfamiliar practice of a foreign people.

I left the Church in my late teens. That was about 100 years ago.

By the way, may you have good results from your Holy Hour.

Metta
notself

 

[AgnosTheist]

By the way, may you have good results from your Holy Hour.

hey dont tell Ness that I’m trying this, alright?

and hey, how did your family react when you became buddhist? and how did you get into?

 

[jimmy85]

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.

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

AMEN!

Buddhism differ from catholicism. ok

Catholicism is the truth. that is what I think I dotn want to impose that to anyone
why is cahtolicism the truth? because it has the answers that are more suitable. “God loved mankind to the extreme” If you believe in a God that only created us and that dosent intervene I dont think that is any logical.
“The creator has to be with the creature”.

Even I dont conver in buddhism because the first nobel truth. “Life is about suffering”. is better explained in the christian doctrine, reconizing that God himself gave a meaning/answer to the suffering in life.

The fact that catholicism is the truth, dosent mean that God is away from everybody that is not a christian
he is with people of other religions. but all the religions are not the same.

understood?

bye

 

[Contarini]

I just could not believe in a God that was supposed to be perfect but for some reason got lonely and decided to create life. After he created this life, he then demanded worship and obedience. I just couldn’t get my mind around it.

No wonder, since that is not orthodox Christianity. Irenaeus insisted all the way back in the 2nd century that God created not because He was lonely, but out of pure generosity. Worship and obedience are not an arbitrary “demand” but the only proper response to God.

However, that is another subject!

Edwin

 

[notself]

hey dont tell Ness that I’m trying this, alright?

and hey, how did your family react when you became buddhist? and how did you get into?

Ness is dabbling in dualism again so he is not in a position to criticize another’s spiritual explorations. But, mums the word.

My family is semi-OK. The think this is just a phase I am going through and I will come wandering back. They do twitch a bit when the subject comes up.

I do not discuss Buddhism around the grand nieces and grand nephews. They will eventually figure out that I don’t attend Mass, but that’s a problem for another day and for their parents to explain.

 

[AgnosTheist]

No wonder, since that is not orthodox Christianity. Irenaeus insisted all the way back in the 2nd century that God created not because He was lonely, but out of pure generosity. Worship and obedience are not an arbitrary “demand” but the only proper response to God.

If worship and obedience wasnt a demand then why was it commanded that people love God with their utmost capacity?

If God wasnt lonely, why was he enticing people to join him or else? The conditions are even cheesy.

 

[Contarini]

If worship and obedience wasnt a demand then why was it commanded that people love God with their utmost capacity?

I said it wasn’t an arbitrary demand. It follows from our nature as created beings that we should love and worship the Being who is the source of everything we are, and indeed of everything that exists (which is to say of all goodness, since evil is not “something that exists” but a privation of the good that should be there).

If God wasnt lonely, why was he enticing people to join him or else?

We were talking about creation. Once human beings are created and have chosen to reject God, God graciously tries to woo us back. Again, not because He is lonely (though in this case we can speak of God grieving over us, since He does not like to see His creation ruin itself) but out of love for us.

My point was that creation was an act of pure generosity. God didn’t get anything out of it (except endless headaches, if I may speak in that way!).

The conditions are even cheesy.

I have no idea what specifically you are talking about.

Edwin

 

[po18guy]

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

This world wants us to believe that truth is subjective. Pontius Pilate was convinced of it when he asked Christ “Qui est veritas?” (what is truth?). So, it’s not a new idea, having been planted by the evil one long ago.

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.

Exactly our point! Catholicism is the fullness of truth-since truth exists in all of Christianity and in many other faiths-but not the whole truth. The “whole truth” is of paramount importance in our courts, when your freedom is at stake. Even more so when your soul is at stake.

I sent her an invitation.

Thanks! She really needs to be re-exposed to a faith which existed from all time, and whose Savior was predicted by the prophets. Bishop Sheen used that as THE test of truth-was it predicted only to come true? Since Buddha, Confucius, Mao, Tao, Muhammad, Watchtower, Mormonism, Shintoism et al were not predicted (other than by Christ as false teachings), they do not pass the test of truth.

You are on the right path-the fullfillment of God’s word. Numerous converts have expressed their opinion that other Christian churches were stepping stones to the complete truth.

As Christ, who was walking on the water said to Peter, “Come”

 

[AgnosTheist]

I said it wasn’t an arbitrary demand. It follows from our nature as created beings that we should love and worship the Being who is the source of everything we are, and indeed of everything that exists (which is to say of all goodness, since evil is not “something that exists” but a privation of the good that should be there).

If it follows from our nature then why was there a need to issue a command to love God? That certainly implies that it is something that he wants or needs. How do you reconcile needs & wants with absolute perfection.

We were talking about creation. Once human beings are created and have chosen to reject God, God graciously tries to woo us back. Again, not because He is lonely (though in this case we can speak of God grieving over us, since He does not like to see His creation ruin itself) but out of love for us.

My point was that creation was an act of pure generosity. God didn’t get anything out of it (except endless headaches, if I may speak in that way!).

I have no idea what specifically you are talking about.

Hell. Absence of proof. Accidents of birth (born in catholicism, born into islam, etc). A muslim born into islam who rejects catholicism for absense of proof, has a much greater chance of landing in hell. I call that ‘cheesy’. That is not ‘wooing’. Had nothing to do with generosity.

 

[notself]

Contarini;

I said it wasn’t an arbitrary demand. It follows from our nature as created beings that we should love and worship the Being who is the source of everything we are, and indeed of everything that exists (which is to say of all goodness, since evil is not “something that exists” but a privation of the good that should be there).

If it followed from our nature to worship, then atheists would not exist.

We were talking about creation. Once human beings are created and have chosen to reject God, God graciously tries to woo us back. Again, not because He is lonely (though in this case we can speak of God grieving over us, since He does not like to see His creation ruin itself) but out of love for us.

My point was that creation was an act of pure generosity. God didn’t get anything out of it (except endless headaches, if I may speak in that way!).

Loneliness or some other need motivated the creative act. Why would a God have a need, even the need to be generous? You are talking a perfect being that is All. What caused the “itch” to create but a need or a desire for something else? Perfection has no need or desire.

I am not trying to dispute the truth of your beliefs nor am I trying to convert you to mine. I am just giving you one of my reasons for my disbelief in your truth.

May you find joy in your beliefs as I have in mine.

Metta
notself

 

[po18guy]

I just couldn’t get my mind around it.

We are the clay pot attempting to understand the potter. Can’t be done. It will lead you away. Oh, it already did…

By the way, may you have good results from your Holy Hour.

Your heart is still loving in its very nature. You are on a spiritual journey. I believe that God inspired you to search, so that you will have a revelation of truth and return to Him. There will be celebration in heaven when you do.

May Christ’s peace nurture and sustain you.

 

[po18guy]

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.

My concept os self originates in pain when I bang my head on something! Does the universe feel it, do you feel it, or just me? It is like the tree in the forest. We can spend our lives pondering why the tree falls, or why the forest exists, but to no avail. I have a self so that I can resist the urges to satify self. Those same urges lead you to Buddhism, right? Self exists, in completion, at the cost of everything else.

I guess that you can eliminate self, which eliminates all reason for being. We clearly have a self, as we exist separate from all else on earth, even though we are dependent upon it. However, the self is a creation of a higher power, otherwise why would the billions of ‘selves’ in this world all seek the same things? Our DNA reveals a common origin, which implies a single source. Self is not the origin, it is the poduct.

Having no guidance system of its own, it seeks outward guidance, Catholics and all Christians are lead to the Creator, which lends sense to the created self. However, we know that we are imperfect and so, seek perfection. It is not to be found on this earth, so must be sought out elsewhere. It is in the spiritual realm that we can go in search of perfection.

And, it is there that we find our loving, Creator God.

Christ’s peace to all.

 

[jstew]

It is Christ and Christ alone whom gives everylasting life!
This is true. Through his Body Blood that he spoke of CLEARLY in John 6. This is found in the Catholic CHurch.

God’s plan for your eternal salvation is to place your everything in HIS hands and live out your life accordingly for HIS glory!
The fullness of this is found in His Church.

All of the answers for John 6 can be found in the words of Peter at the end…
I never new John 6 asked questions that needed answers. My question for you would be, why would he repeatedly say that you must eat His fles and Drink his blood if that is not what he intended???

67 Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also wish to go away?”
68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life;
69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

Now does Peter talk about the bread? NO!
Hello, I wanted to direct your attention to the reason the others turned away. They could not accept that Christ was telling them that they must eat His Flesh and drink His blood to have everlasting life. HE repeated this many times. If He intended this to be a mere symbol then He would have called them back. His words for everlasting life had just been spoken. And the Eucharist is found only in the Catholic Church
He addresses what the others left over, the divinity of Christ, Peter heard the message that one would be saved by BELIEVING in Christ as He had taught in this discourse.
Amd he believed in the wordss Christ spoke of in Ch 6

This event opened because the crowd wanted PROOF, a SIGN, and so they asked for food.
Jesus made the transition to the manna because of the demand of the crowd for food to prove what he said.
This dialogue is on faith without signs , it is on being saved by faith.

Jesus Christ is the fullness of truth and in that fullness only can we truly be set free.
The Bible itself stated that the Church is the bullwark and pillar of truth. The catholic Church is the Only Church that can trace its foundings to Christ.

Sacrements give people a false sense of hope, it is in true faith that we are saved!

I have recieved many of our sacraments and believe me, I have never had a false sense of Hope, but a multitude of graces bestowed on me

 

[Janet_S]

There’s a guy on this forum who was a Buddhist for 20 years. You can find one of his posts here:

forums.catholic-questions.org/showpost.php?p=1910084&postcount=59

Also, here is the conversion story of a former Buddhist (a Buddhist philosophy professor), now Catholic:

The Unexpected Way: On Converting from Buddhism to Catholicism (Paperback) by Paul Williams (Author)

amazon.com/Unexpected-Way-Converting-Buddhism-Catholicism/dp/0567088308

 

[qui_est_ce]

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.

As I said, I want to do it at the same time. I think you can email throught this site, by clicking on the member’s name, and then send email. I am not blocking emails from this site.

 

[contramundum7]

It is an irrational system that has subjected millions to mental slavery.

The irrational system of the world (run by Satan) has subjected millions to slavery of all sorts… mental & otherwise. I was miserable and lost while in that system. I am now still (sometimes) miserable, but not lost. When i remember some of the good things i had whilelost, i sometimes wish - at least for a split second - that i wasn’t so “into Jesus” But then i remember that this life isn’t supposed 2b one long picnic. Jesus said we would be hated and persecuted and that we would have 2 pick up and carry our crosses…
does’nt sound like much of a picnic…

Jesus also said there are few who will be saved. Even to those who performed miracles in his name he said “Away from me, i never knew you…”

 

[jmcrae]

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

That Jesus Christ lived, died, and rose again from the dead is not a myth - it is history. It’s just as historical as your own life, death, and ultimate resurrection on the Last Day.

Buddhism and other religions rely on mythology and moral fables to make their points.

The God of the Catholic Church, by contrast, makes His points by acting in and through history - through real events. In the retelling of these events, we learn the things that our God would have us know.

 

[contramundum7]

Hello,

In Buddhism there is truth.

Even in paganism, there is “truth”. There is truth everywhere. But the whole and absolute truth ofGod (or at least what is necessary for us to know) is revealed trhough the successor of Peter, the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church. OK, now that I’ve heard the metal door of your mind closing…

I am sure that while you were Catholic, you never experienced the Real Presence, or if you did, not for very long… If you had, you wouldn’t have left… In that Presence (in the Church 24/7) is where whole and Absolute truth abides… “I will be with you always, evne to the end of the age.”

(by the way, i agree with you about not being able to love a God who needs to be worshipped. But the Church doesn’t teach that God NEEDS to be worshipped. He doesn’t NEED anything from us… We need something from Him…).
Anyway…
Buddha didn’t die for anyone… to save anyone from their sins. He was selfish like the rest of us humans. He was not divine. In face, he abandoned his wife and child to find “enlightenment” … Jesus didn’t shirk responsibility to start just another religion… Jesus chose Hell (the Cross) in order to save us… to form us into the image of God so we couldgo to Heaven and be with Him forever… Jesus is Truth Incarnate… and Love Incarnate… He rejects no one… though many reject him…

 

[notself]

Even paganism, there is truth. There is truth everywhere. But the whole and absolute truth ofGod isrevealed trhough the Roman Catholic Church. OK, now that I’ve heard the metal door of your mind closing…

I am sure that while you were Catholic, you never experienced the Real Presence. If you had, you wouldn’t have left… That is where whole and Absolute truth abides…

(by the way, i agree with you about not being able to love a God who needs to be orshipped. But the Church doesn’t teach thatGod NEEDS to be worshipped. He doesn’t NEED anything from us… We need something from Him…).

Buddha didn’t die for us to save us from sin. He was selfish like the rest ofus. He abandoned his wife and child to find “enlightenment”… Jesus didn’t shirk responsibility to start just another religion… Jesus chose Hell in order to save us… to form us into the image of God so we couldgo to Heaven and be with Him forever…

Thank you for your thoughts. I recommend you read the book The Buddha by Karen Armstrong for a clear picture of the life of the Buddha and the part his family played in his life.

One of the most famous teachings of the Buddha was given by him to his young son Rahula. The Buddha’s wife and aunt became bhikkhunis (nuns) his son and cousins became a bhikkhus (monks). He did leave his family but he did not abandon them. They joined him in the Sangha (monastic life)

 

[Contarini]

Buddha didn’t die for anyone… to save anyone from their sins.

No, but he died rather than be rude to a poor man who was offering him hospitality. At least that’s the story!

He was not divine.

I don’t think Buddhists would disagree there–certainly not Theravada Buddhists!

In face, he abandoned his wife and child to find “enlightenment”

A number of saints abandoned their families–St. Alexis and St. Francis, just to name two (admittedly they weren’t married). And Jesus explicitly told us to “hate” our fathers, mothers, wives, children, etc., in order to be His disciples.

I think this line of argument is useless and quite unfair to Buddhism.

Edwin