What brought you here??

[OxygenMan]

thank you and you a quite the fast reader!!
But I guess you need to be, right?!

Hah, my family have always told me I read quick. I’m not sure why, I never did anything special to be able to. Guess it just came naturally.

 

[JamesCaruso]

I am wondering what brings non Catholics to a website about Catholicism? This question is basically for non Catholics. Are you here to convert us Catholics? Are you here to find out more about the Catholic Church? Are you here to simply talk theology with other Christians?

What is your reasons for stopping by? I am very interested in knowing people’s reasons for coming here.

Everyone PLEASE be respectful of one another!

I’m here because I gave up my sports forum for Lent, and came across this forum. Since I like to talk about Catholic issues, both to help others and to get answers for myself, this forum was a good fit.

 

[cheezey]

Good question! I am coming here from a Hare Krsna background. This is the theology that I call home. The religion, itself, is very amiable to other beliefs, which is helpful. Basically, I am trying to learn about Catholicism. Let me put it this way, if I was going to recommend Christianity to someone, or even to myself, it would be the Catholic faith. For about three years I have been consuming pretty much a strict diet of Catholic literature. For anyone interested, the book that has helped me the most is, The Life of St. Gemma Galgani by Fr. Germanus. You ask, “Why stop by?” Seriously, how can one not stop by? I mean, stop dead in one’s tracks. Stop and admire. Stop and pay my deepest, heartfelt respect. Stop and worship. This is because there IS so much to deeply admire here. And I have certainly not come here to convert, or argue. By the way, if anyone in this audience is not sure who or what Krsna is, here is one of my favorite pictures. Krsna is standing with Radha. Krsna is God. This picture has been painted from descriptions of the Lord found in the ancient and holy scriptures of India, such as, The Brahma Samhita. - not from somebody’s speculation.

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/282850_10152396544905375_1383456274_n.jpg

Very much enjoy learning of your culture and beliefs.Been reading of it for several years. Thank you for coming here!!

 

[cheezey]

On Good Friday 2010, I could not sleep, as usual. I flipped through channels and arrived at the live airing of the Veneration of the Cross.

from Rome, that is!!

 

[MartinJordan]

Nothing fancy to tell for me, but I wanted to strengthen my faith and learn more from other Catholics and how others looked at the Catholic church.

Must say it is probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. Love how this place is run.

Oh dear…this was for non-Catholics. So much for my reading comprehension.

MJ

 

[JamesCaruso]

I found this place because on another forum I was always getting into discussion of religion and morals, and googling for answers made me aware of this website.

 

[aidanbradypop]

Hmmm, how to state this in chronological order.
Have been interested in religion for most of my life, how and why people believe what they believe. I can now say that this subconsciously and probaly came from wondering the same of myself without fully realizing it til recently.
Jesus has always been The One for me.
I have had many difficulties in the last dozen years and I know it is Him that keeps me going. But I now want and need to know why if possible. At least a clue.
On Good Friday 2010, I could not sleep, as usual. I flipped through channels and arrived at the live airing of the Veneration of the Cross. I casually thought, as I always had, why wasn’t this done when I was a kid? (Protestant) I mean He died for us. I never understood how they/we could leave out one of THE most aspects of Jesus. The Homily was great. “Truly, this Man was the Son of God.”
Brought me to tears. Then I said to myself far less casually, He died for us. He really died for us. And brutally. How can this not be observed as such?
And so my interest in religion became a bit more centered on the faiths of Protestants and Catholics and their differences. Why the differences are and how they came to be. I learned much. And I read from one of my favorite authors, a Catholic priest, who I’ve been reading for years, before even thinking of Catholicism, “Find a reason for your Faith.”
The veneration of the Cross made me say “OK.”
I persisted with finding information in books and on-line as my life is more challenging than I can bear. One day, I typed in “Catholic doctrines” and here I am.
I love it, and it is overwhelming but compelling learning.
I also realize that those last two lines were all you wanted…
My first meeting with the RCIA director is this Sunday. I cannot proceed with this quickly anymore, But I shall do my best.
Forgive my length. I am very isolated and, well, there’s always someone here at CAF.
I am trying so diligently not to fall into a pile of tears, but that is soooo very challenging and I often fail. CAF helps much.

Thank you for reading…

Thank you so much for sharing. Glad to have you here!

Nothing fancy to tell for me, but I wanted to strengthen my faith and learn more from other Catholics and how others looked at the Catholic church.

Must say it is probably one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life. Love how this place is run.

Oh dear…this was for non-Catholics. So much for my reading comprehension.

MJ

Thanks for sharing

 

[andrewstx]

I can’t remember what brought me here to begin with.

The beginning of the end of relationship with Roman Catholicism is this:

I was a very devout Catholic, so devout in fact that that I tried to join a congregation of religious, who accepted me initially but it went downhill. I was reading the National Catholic Reporter while the rest were reading the Wanderer and the National Catholic Register.

Just a bad mix. At the end of my postulancy I was not allowed to become a novice and the only reason given was I didn’t get enough votes in chapter. That’s it no reason was given. I had given up a job and moved 1,000 miles and I was deeply hurt.

After that I became Russian Orthodox, but I still think Catholic.

I kind of feel the church left me rather than I left the church.

 

[cheezey]

I can’t remember what brought me here to begin with.

The beginning of the end of relationship with Roman Catholicism is this:

I was a very devout Catholic, so devout in fact that that I tried to join a congregation of religious, who accepted me initially but it went downhill. I was reading the National Catholic Reporter while the rest were reading the Wanderer and the National Catholic Register.

Just a bad mix. At the end of my postulancy I was not allowed to become a novice and the only reason given was I didn’t get enough votes in chapter. That’s it no reason was given. I had given up a job and moved 1,000 miles and I was deeply hurt.

After that I became Russian Orthodox, but I still think Catholic.

I kind of feel the church left me rather than I left the church.

I am so sorry this happened to you. I know too little to even guess why this would happen; it still doesn’t seem right at all. My prayers are with you.

 

[andrewstx]

I am so sorry this happened to you. I know too little to even guess why this would happen; it still doesn’t seem right at all. My prayers are with you.

Thank you Cheezey

 

[JamesCaruso]

I can’t remember what brought me here to begin with.

The beginning of the end of relationship with Roman Catholicism is this:

I was a very devout Catholic, so devout in fact that that I tried to join a congregation of religious, who accepted me initially but it went downhill. I was reading the National Catholic Reporter while the rest were reading the Wanderer and the National Catholic Register.

Just a bad mix. At the end of my postulancy I was not allowed to become a novice and the only reason given was I didn’t get enough votes in chapter. That’s it no reason was given. I had given up a job and moved 1,000 miles and I was deeply hurt.

After that I became Russian Orthodox, but I still think Catholic.

I kind of feel the church left me rather than I left the church.

What keeps me and will always keep me in the Catholic Church is the Holy Eucharist and Mary. I know that the practice of Catholicism is not the following of any particular personality or priest, but the following of Jesus Christ Himself and the infallible teaching authority of his Church. What particular Catholics or groups of Catholics do is a reflection on them, not on the Church I love. The Church is not all the people, the Church is all the people who truly follow Jesus, His teachings and the guidance in those teachings provided by His Church, and by that I don’t mean some local priest or even bishop, but the Magisterium of the Church. If you still think Catholic, it’s because in your heart you’re still Catholic. Take a second look, but this time, don’t look at the human side, don’t look at particular personalities-- look at the spiritual side, look at the Holy Spirit presiding over the the teaching of faith and morals, look at the great Mother of God wrapping her mantle around the truly faithful, and if you must look to the human side, look at the heroic Catholics who endure every manner of persecution and suffering for the sake of Jesus and His Church. I really think you should give it another try, because your heart is already here, and if your body doesn’t get back here soon, it will tear you apart.

 

[Indifferently]

What keeps me and will always keep me in the Catholic Church is the Holy Eucharist and Mary. I know that the practice of Catholicism is not the following of any particular personality or priest, but the following of Jesus Christ Himself and the infallible teaching authority of his Church. What particular Catholics or groups of Catholics do is a reflection on them, not on the Church I love. The Church is not all the people, the Church is all the people who truly follow Jesus, His teachings and the guidance in those teachings provided by His Church, and by that I don’t mean some local priest or even bishop, but the Magisterium of the Church. If you still think Catholic, it’s because in your heart you’re still Catholic. Take a second look, but this time, don’t look at the human side, don’t look at particular personalities-- look at the spiritual side, look at the Holy Spirit presiding over the the teaching of faith and morals, look at the great Mother of God wrapping her mantle around the truly faithful, and if you must look to the human side, look at the heroic Catholics who endure every manner of persecution and suffering for the sake of Jesus and His Church. I really think you should give it another try, because your heart is already here, and if your body doesn’t get back here soon, it will tear you apart.

Every Christian will tell you his is the true faith.

 

[GaryTaylor]

Jesus Christ

 

[dontknow]

I’m born into the Catholic faith.

I come here to get a broader perspective from those that are not Catholic - especially the LCMS faith.

I do much more reading than posting these days.

 

[JamesCaruso]

Every Christian will tell you his is the true faith.

I beg to differ. Most will say that the slant their’s has best fits them personally. They beleive there is not one true faith. In fact, they often attribute Catholics’ saying theirs is the one true faith to be the epitome of arrogance. But it’s not arrogance; Scriptures and tradition prove it to my satisfaction. If a person of faith earnestly study with a heart and mind open to truth, I believe they will without exception find this to be true.

 

[Indifferently]

I beg to differ. Most will say that the slant their’s has best fits them personally. They beleive there is not one true faith. In fact, they often attribute Catholics’ saying theirs is the one true faith to be the epitome of arrogance. But it’s not arrogance; Scriptures and tradition prove it to my satisfaction. If a person of faith earnestly study with a heart and mind open to truth, I believe they will without exception find this to be true.

If they say that, then they have done little more than made up their own god. If people thought someone else’s religion was true, true then that is the religion they should be in.

 

[cheezey]

“Every Christian will tell you his is the true faith.”

Perhaps another thread is in order…

What brought people to this site and particular thread??

 

[JamesCaruso]

If they say that, then they have done little more than made up their own god. If people thought someone else’s religion was true, true then that is the religion they should be in.

I think you misunderstand me. No other Christian sect claims infallibility as to faith and morals. It is in that context that I say the Catholic Church is the one true church and no other Christian sect makes that claim.

 

[andrewstx]

What keeps me and will always keep me in the Catholic Church is the Holy Eucharist and Mary. I know that the practice of Catholicism is not the following of any particular personality or priest, but the following of Jesus Christ Himself and the infallible teaching authority of his Church. What particular Catholics or groups of Catholics do is a reflection on them, not on the Church I love. The Church is not all the people, the Church is all the people who truly follow Jesus, His teachings and the guidance in those teachings provided by His Church, and by that I don’t mean some local priest or even bishop, but the Magisterium of the Church. If you still think Catholic, it’s because in your heart you’re still Catholic. Take a second look, but this time, don’t look at the human side, don’t look at particular personalities-- look at the spiritual side, look at the Holy Spirit presiding over the the teaching of faith and morals, look at the great Mother of God wrapping her mantle around the truly faithful, and if you must look to the human side, look at the heroic Catholics who endure every manner of persecution and suffering for the sake of Jesus and His Church. I really think you should give it another try, because your heart is already here, and if your body doesn’t get back here soon, it will tear you apart.

If there were a parish of the Ruthenian Catholic church within driving distance I would be there in a heartbeat, but the nearest one is 400 miles away in a different state.

So I stay where I am.

 

[JamesCaruso]

If there were a parish of the Ruthenian Catholic church within driving distance I would be there in a heartbeat, but the nearest one is 400 miles away in a different state.

So I stay where I am.

Well, then I guess I was wrong. I read too much into your “thinking Catholic.” You obviously don’t feel you are missing anything by attending the Russian Orthodox church. I personally could not be a part of the disunion of the schism.