What I need to believe to convert

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bingabinga

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Hi everyone,

I come from a protestant background, my spouse is Catholic, my children are Catholic. I regularly attend mass with my family.

I think it would be good, in many ways, for me to convert to Catholicism since I am attending church there, and I share an affinity with much of what the Catholic church is about, if, what they are mainly about is the creeds. But, I also may dissent in some ways from the majority of Catholics when it comes to certain beliefs. One example would be some of the beliefs concerning Mary. I personally don’t think she was perpetually a virgin. i am open to that possibility, i guess, but I dont’ really believe it.

Or, another example, the Eucharist. I am fine with saying that the Eurcharist IS the body and blood of Jesus. I am probably not going to describe it in terms of Substance and Accident, but more along the lines of an extremely special mystery and miracle of God’s.

Or, another example, the Pope. I have a lot of respect for the office, I will seriously consider the words that come from that office, but I do also have a critical mind, and I will exercise my conscience about things.

Now, I don’t really want to get into an argument about the finer points of any of these particular examples. I do however, want to know, for you, what beliefs are necessary to be considered a truly Catholic person? Or, from another standpoint, do you think someone with my misgivings and hesitancies could convert with integrity and be welcomed by the church?
 
Scripture tells us about a man who’s son is possessed and how the man comes to believe in Jesus.

Then the boy’s father cried out, “I do believe, help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)

The boy’s father makes a concious decision to believe, and then admitting that it is not easy, cries out to Jesus for help with those things that are difficult. This is what our Church teaches us about our faith, that it is a concious decision to believe, and that God will help us with the rest.

It’s not a matter of understanding, nor of feeling comfortable, but like the man in Mark’s Gospel, of making a concious decision to believe, of simply accepting the teachings of the Church, because they are the teachings of God. .

If you will accept the teachings of the Church, and if you will then ask God to help you understand those things which are difficult to accept, and place the matter completely in His hands, then there is surely a place for you here, and in heaven.

-Tim-
 
TimothyH said:
Scripture tells us about a man who’s son is possessed and how the man comes to believe in Jesus.

Then the boy’s father cried out, "I do believe, help my unbelief!" (Mark 9:24)

The boy’s father makes a concious decision to believe, and then admitting that it is not easy, cries out to Jesus for help with those things that are difficult. This is what our Church teaches us about our faith, that it is a concious decision to believe, and that God will help us with the rest.

It’s not a matter of understanding, nor of feeling comfortable, but like the man in Mark’s Gospel, of making a concious decision to believe, of simply accepting the teachings of the Church, because they are the teachings of God. .

If you will accept the teachings of the Church, and if you will then ask God to help you understand those things which are difficult to accept, and place the matter completely in His hands, then there is surely a place for you here, and in heaven.

-Tim-
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I agree. This is about developing your relationship with Christ, not about what your family is doing. God is all about recognizing the truth of where we are.
 
bingabinga said:
Now, I don’t really want to get into an argument about the finer points of any of these particular examples. I do however, want to know, for you, what beliefs are necessary to be considered a truly Catholic person? Or, from another standpoint, do you think someone with my misgivings and hesitancies could convert with integrity and be welcomed by the church?
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Talk to the Pastor of your Parish. Srsly, these days it depends on the Pastor. Or just start going to RCIA and see what’s what.
 
bingabinga said:
Hi everyone,

I come from a protestant background, my spouse is Catholic, my children are Catholic. I regularly attend mass with my family.

I think it would be good, in many ways, for me to convert to Catholicism since I am attending church there, and I share an affinity with much of what the Catholic church is about, if, what they are mainly about is the creeds. But, I also may dissent in some ways from the majority of Catholics when it comes to certain beliefs. One example would be some of the beliefs concerning Mary. I personally don’t think she was perpetually a virgin. i am open to that possibility, i guess, but I dont’ really believe it.

Or, another example, the Eucharist. I am fine with saying that the Eurcharist IS the body and blood of Jesus. I am probably not going to describe it in terms of Substance and Accident, but more along the lines of an extremely special mystery and miracle of God’s.

Or, another example, the Pope. I have a lot of respect for the office, I will seriously consider the words that come from that office, but I do also have a critical mind, and I will exercise my conscience about things.

Now, I don’t really want to get into an argument about the finer points of any of these particular examples. I do however, want to know, for you, what beliefs are necessary to be considered a truly Catholic person? Or, from another standpoint, do you think someone with my misgivings and hesitancies could convert with integrity and be welcomed by the church?
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This all comes down to this: Do you believe that the Catholic Church was established by Jesus Christ to teach the Truth about faith and Morals and to administer His sacraments? This is what was defined in the Great commission in Matthew 28: 18-20.

If you can bring yourself to accept that the Church is divinely inspired then all the other questions will melt away over time as you begin to understand that you should trust what it teaches over your own opinions. Afterall, how can anyone know more than the church about salvation if its divinely inspired.

As a thought exercise, let’s go through your specific issues. The Church says that Mary is a perpetual virgin. Why does it say this and why does it matter? Because it is the truth that was passed down for 2000 years. Why do you think she isn’t? What is your particular insight that would cause you to doubt what the Church teaches.

The Eucharist is the Body and Blood of Jesus. Why? Because he told us so. How? That is a mystery. It is sufficient to simply believe that Jesus told us the truth. Afterall, if you believe Jesus is God, then you have to believe what he says, right?.

AS for the Pope’s authority, and with it the Church’s. The Pope teaches what he has been taught. He clarifies and applies existing doctrine to new situations. He is protected from error by the Holy Spirit on issues where he speaks for the Church. Why would you doubt what he says? Are you more learned or inspired? Granted, sometimes things the Pope says might not sound right at first. In these cases, you have two choices. You can assume you are right and the Pope is wrong. Or you could assume the Pope is right and you are wrong and search out for better understanding. I think the wisdom in the second choice is fairly obvious.
 
There are those far more eloquent than I that can explain these things. Read Scott Hahn’s book, ROME SWEET ROME.

Read up, my man! Hey! It’s just your…* soul*…😉
 
bingabinga said:
Hi everyone,

I come from a protestant background, my spouse is Catholic, my children are Catholic. I regularly attend mass with my family.
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👍
I think it would be good, in many ways, for me to convert to Catholicism since I am attending church there, and I share an affinity with much of what the Catholic church is about, if, what they are mainly about is the creeds. But, I also may dissent in some ways from the majority of Catholics when it comes to certain beliefs. One example would be some of the beliefs concerning Mary. I personally don’t think she was perpetually a virgin. i am open to that possibility, i guess, but I don’t’ really believe it.
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Most converts have the same difficulties. It takes a year in RICA for just an overview and then the deeper realities about Mary become clear. It’s like the math chalkboard in a university class. Nobody can fully grasp all those squiggles without a slow progression.
Or, another example, the Pope. I have a lot of respect for the office, I will seriously consider the words that come from that office, but I do also have a critical mind, and I will exercise my conscience about things.
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As you should.
Now, I don’t really want to get into an argument about the finer points of any of these particular examples. I do however, want to know, for you, what beliefs are necessary to be considered a truly Catholic person? Or, from another standpoint, do you think someone with my misgivings and hesitancies could convert with integrity and be welcomed by the church?
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You are entitled to a free conscience, but you are obligated to inform it, especially when it involves seeking the truth.
 
paul_c said:
Afterall, how can anyone know more than the church about salvation if its divinely inspired.
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What if the church isn’t inspired. I mean, we are all fallible, correct? You could be wrong about the church being inspired.
 
Everything that we believe about Mary is Christological. Mary always leads us to her Son, always, and in studying the teachings of the church about Mary, you will grow in knowledge of Jesus.

The other items on your list of concerns can easily be addressed in a RCIA class. You have not decided to convert just by taking the classes, so please do sign up soon. You will really enjoy the experience, even if you decide not to convert.
 
bingabinga said:
Hi everyone,

I come from a protestant background, my spouse is Catholic, my children are Catholic. I regularly attend mass with my family.

I think it would be good, in many ways, for me to convert to Catholicism since I am attending church there, and I share an affinity with much of what the Catholic church is about, if, what they are mainly about is the creeds. But, I also may dissent in some ways from the majority of Catholics when it comes to certain beliefs. One example would be some of the beliefs concerning Mary. I personally don’t think she was perpetually a virgin. i am open to that possibility, i guess, but I dont’ really believe it.

Or, another example, the Eucharist. I am fine with saying that the Eurcharist IS the body and blood of Jesus. I am probably not going to describe it in terms of Substance and Accident, but more along the lines of an extremely special mystery and miracle of God’s.

Or, another example, the Pope. I have a lot of respect for the office, I will seriously consider the words that come from that office, but I do also have a critical mind, and I will exercise my conscience about things.

Now, I don’t really want to get into an argument about the finer points of any of these particular examples. I do however, want to know, for you, what beliefs are necessary to be considered a truly Catholic person? Or, from another standpoint, do you think someone with my misgivings and hesitancies could convert with integrity and be welcomed by the church?
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Why do you accept the beleifs you now hold?
And why/how do you hold them to be truthful?
 
William_C said:
What if the church isn’t inspired. I mean, we are all fallible, correct? You could be wrong about the church being inspired.
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Faith is a decision, to be sure. And that should be arrived at with reason. So what is the reason I believe the Church is inspired? Because Jesus established it and said he would be with it until the end of the age. If you believe Jesus is the son of God and you believe what He said in scripture and if you follow the doctrines back through time through the early church fathers then you too will come to believe that the Church is divinely inspired and once you come to that conclusion, you must also conclude that a divinely inspired church is to be trusted
 
William C;9747210h:
Quote:
Originally Posted by snarflemike View Post
Or the bible. Now what?
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Thanks for admitting you could be wrong.
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You came to an erroneous conclusion.
he didn’t admit that he could be wrong, he simply pointed out that we all have a basis of belief.
 
paul_c said:
Faith is a decision, to be sure. And that should be arrived at with reason. So what is the reason I believe the Church is inspired? Because Jesus established it and said he would be with it until the end of the age. If you believe Jesus is the son of God and you believe what He said in scripture and if you follow the doctrines back through time through the early church fathers then you too will come to believe that the Church is divinely inspired and once you come to that conclusion, you must also conclude that a divinely inspired church is to be trusted
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Faith is a gift from God.
 
Warandpeace said:
Faith is a gift from God.
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It is, but we have free will and intellect as well and it is our choice whether to accept the gift of faith or to resist it. God does not force himself on us. He invites us to share in his love. Some accept that invitation, others don’t
 
paul_c said:
Faith is a decision, to be sure. And that should be arrived at with reason. So what is the reason I believe the Church is inspired? Because Jesus established it and said he would be with it until the end of the age. If you believe Jesus is the son of God and you believe what He said in scripture and if you follow the doctrines back through time through the early church fathers then you too will come to believe that the Church is divinely inspired and once you come to that conclusion, you must also conclude that a divinely inspired church is to be trusted
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How do you deal with all of those who have done just that and arrived at the conclusion that your church isn’t divinely inspired?
 
paul_c said:
You came to an erroneous conclusion.
he didn’t admit that he could be wrong, he simply pointed out that we all have a basis of belief.
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I’m sorry, but his statement is an admission that he could be wrong.

Do you think that it’s not possible for him to be wrong? What about you? Is it possible you are wrong?
 
William_C said:
How do you deal with all of those who have done just that and arrived at the conclusion that your church isn’t divinely inspired?
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I continue to point them in the right direction because if they study enough, they will come to the full knowledge of truth
 
William_C said:
I’m sorry, but his statement is an admission that he could be wrong.

Do you think that it’s not possible for him to be wrong? What about you? Is it possible you are wrong?
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I’m wrong about a lot of things to be sure but I’m betting my soul that the Church teaches the Truth about Jesus and salvation. There is no greater testimony you can give because your soul is all that you have when you die.
 
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