What was your biggest obstacle to Catholicism?

[7_Sorrows]

I had not been a practicing Christian for many years. When I began myquest to join the Church, the sex abuse scandal was Iin the news and continued for the next several years. I wasn’t sure about submitting to a church headed by the Pope and I didn’t see why annulments were necessary. I have been Catholic now for over 6 years and I agree with the Church teachings and I have no problem with Mary or the authority of the Pope and I believe they are working hard to not let sex abuse happen again. If I stopped being Catholic, I would revert to being a non-practicing Christian. By that I mean I would not belong to any church.

 

[Tommy999]

I can’t speak from my own experience since I’m a cradle Catholic, but I think the topics I hear about most from people in RCIA would include Mary, papal authority, and maybe Church authority in general. (In other words, “How dare they think they can tell me _____?” with the blank being filled by: I have to go to Mass every week, I shouldn’t use birth control, abortion is wrong, I can’t remarry after a divorce, my/my spouse’s previous marriage must be found null before the Church will recognize our current marriage, gay marriage is wrong, and perhaps a few others.)

Thanks for your perspective as an RCIA instructor, SuscipeMeDomine. It sounds like you have dealt with the issues and questions of many former Protestants.

 

[Tommy999]

Q: What was your biggest obstacle to Catholicism?
A: Just a little ignorance on my part, and that was ironed out well before first communion.

For the record, though I can go months without an adult beverage, I reserve the right to have a few glasses of wine after an awful day or in case of a wonderful celebration! Like someone getting married or the Superbowl.]

Hi esieffe;,
I don’t want to go off on a tangent with this thread, but I occasionally have a glass of wine with a meal and see no issue with it. While I can’t speak for Cat, I was speaking of drunkenness as being a bad Christian witness and didn’t mean to imply that being a teetotaler was the only option for a responsible Christian, although if alcohol is a problem that runs in someone’s family, abstinence sounds like a reasonable alternative for that person. Just my two cents.

 

[Tommy999]

I had not been a practicing Christian for many years. When I began myquest to join the Church, the sex abuse scandal was Iin the news and continued for the next several years. I wasn’t sure about submitting to a church headed by the Pope and I didn’t see why annulments were necessary. I have been Catholic now for over 6 years and I agree with the Church teachings and I have no problem with Mary or the authority of the Pope and I believe they are working hard to not let sex abuse happen again. If I stopped being Catholic, I would revert to being a non-practicing Christian. By that I mean I would not belong to any church.

Glad to see you were able to reconcile yourself to the Church and to its teachings, 7 Sorrows.

 

[CatholicSheila]

I answered my family but thinking on it they weren’t really an obstacle but a difficulty. As I’m not married it was just parents/siblings/extended family and on this occasion I decided to tell them to suck it. It was probably the first time in my life I didn’t do just what I was told. That gave me a lot of anguish given it was such a foreign idea but there was never any doubt that I’d do it.

Like Kendra, I try to emphasise with people who have the traditional difficulties but can’t really relate.

Coming from a pentecostal background I have no issue believing that God will speak to us individually. I was blessed enough that this is one occasion where God did exactly that. After hearing (and getting confirmation) that I was supposed to be in the Catholic Church all the usual obstacles just became learning experiences. I learned quickly that usually what the Church taught and what I thought she taught were two different things. At least in areas that were supposed to be problems.

My biggest obstacle to becoming Catholic was probably me. In finally having a faith which was my own I knew I’d have to change my behaviour. Given the state of my life at the time that was/is a huge endeavour. Thankfully I don’t think I realised just how big an endeavour at the time. Granted, that is something we all go through. I find it noteworthy because I was very used to the judgement that drove me away from the pentecostal church and expected it everywhere. Although the Catholic Church has many of the same “thou shalt not’s” I never felt judged but accepted despite them. I think that lack of judgement, whilst not saying my behaviour was okay, is what made me think it was doable.

I wish you the best of luck with your journey Tommy. I always enjoy your threads. I try to remember to say a prayer for you every time I read them.

 

[Cat]

Do protestants think we get drunk at Mass because we use wine?!

No, that’s not it.

Protestants actually see you (Catholics) get drunk outside of Mass.

That’s a stumbling block.

It’s even more of a stumbling block when Protestants see you laugh it off or try to excuse it, or use silly quotes along the lines of God making alcohol so that we can all enjoy life more. Protestants don’t comprehend that. They enjoy life to the max without any alcohol, and they can’t understand why anyone needs alcohol to enjoy all the good things that God has given us.

It’s not that Protestants are perfect or sinless. But drunkenness is strange and frightening to many Protestants because it’s just not part of many Protestant families’ experiences. Oh, I know, every Catholic knows at least one closet drinker/drunkard/hypocrite among their Protestant acquaintances, but the vast majority of Evangelical Protestants (I can’t speak for Mainline Protestants) don’t go near alcohol; some won’t even use medicines with alcohol. In 47 years of Evangelical Protestantism, I never met any Evangelical Protestants who drank alcohol ever. Most despised it just as I do.

I did meet a lot of gossips in Evangelical Protestant churches, and I think that if someone in the church was a closet drinker, we all would have known about it. But we didn’t. Either they are really really good at hiding their behavior, or I’m right, and people just didn’t drink alcohol.

And no one, Protestant or Catholic, can deny that drunkenness is a sin. You can argue that drinking alcohol is not a sin, but you can’t argue that drunkenness is OK.

I’m glad it’s not a stumbling block for all Protestants, but it was a HUGE obstacle for me, and that was the OP’s question.

 

[7_Sorrows]

No, that’s not it.

Protestants actually see you (Catholics) get drunk outside of Mass.

That’s a stumbling block.

It’s even more of a stumbling block when Protestants see you laugh it off or try to excuse it, or use silly quotes along the lines of God making alcohol so that we can all enjoy life more. Protestants don’t comprehend that. They enjoy life to the max without any alcohol, and they can’t understand why anyone needs alcohol to enjoy all the good things that God has given us.

It’s not that Protestants are perfect or sinless. But drunkenness is strange and frightening to many Protestants because it’s just not part of many Protestant families’ experiences. Oh, I know, every Catholic knows at least one closet drinker/drunkard/hypocrite among their Protestant acquaintances, but the vast majority of Evangelical Protestants (I can’t speak for Mainline Protestants) don’t go near alcohol; some won’t even use medicines with alcohol. In 47 years of Evangelical Protestantism, I never met any Evangelical Protestants who drank alcohol ever. Most despised it just as I do.

I did meet a lot of gossips in Evangelical Protestant churches, and I think that if someone in the church was a closet drinker, we all would have known about it. But we didn’t. Either they are really really good at hiding their behavior, or I’m right, and people just didn’t drink alcohol.

And no one, Protestant or Catholic, can deny that drunkenness is a sin. You can argue that drinking alcohol is not a sin, but you can’t argue that drunkenness is OK.

I’m glad it’s not a stumbling block for all Protestants, but it was a HUGE obstacle for me, and that was the OP’s question.

That is so shocking!!! I have never heard that about Catholics before. At least I got my laugh for the day!

 

[johnnyc176]

That is so shocking!!! I have never heard that about Catholics before. At least I got my laugh for the day!

I’m curious how one determines a ‘drunk’ person’s faith?

 

[7_Sorrows]

I’m curious how one determines a ‘drunk’ person’s faith?

lol

 

[Tommy999]

I answered my family but thinking on it they weren’t really an obstacle but a difficulty. As I’m not married it was just parents/siblings/extended family and on this occasion I decided to tell them to suck it. It was probably the first time in my life I didn’t do just what I was told. That gave me a lot of anguish given it was such a foreign idea but there was never any doubt that I’d do it.

Like Kendra, I try to emphasise with people who have the traditional difficulties but can’t really relate.

Coming from a pentecostal background I have no issue believing that God will speak to us individually. I was blessed enough that this is one occasion where God did exactly that. After hearing (and getting confirmation) that I was supposed to be in the Catholic Church all the usual obstacles just became learning experiences. I learned quickly that usually what the Church taught and what I thought she taught were two different things. At least in areas that were supposed to be problems.

My biggest obstacle to becoming Catholic was probably me. In finally having a faith which was my own I knew I’d have to change my behaviour. Given the state of my life at the time that was/is a huge endeavour. Thankfully I don’t think I realised just how big an endeavour at the time. Granted, that is something we all go through. I find it noteworthy because I was very used to the judgement that drove me away from the pentecostal church and expected it everywhere. Although the Catholic Church has many of the same “thou shalt not’s” I never felt judged but accepted despite them. I think that lack of judgement, whilst not saying my behaviour was okay, is what made me think it was doable.

I wish you the best of luck with your journey Tommy. I always enjoy your threads. I try to remember to say a prayer for you every time I read them.

Thanks for elaborating, CatholicSheila. I’m glad you have overcome and persevered through it all. I also appreciate your prayers.

 

[Tommy999]

Just a reminder:

This thread was intended to list – in general – what the main obstacles were to former Protestants when they were on the road to becoming Catholic.

If you would like to discuss one obstacle in more in depth – such as drinking alcohol – I would appreciate if you could do so on a separate thread. Thanks!

 

[czarlazar]

So, just curious; with all the above stated, what actually made you decide to convert, Czarlazar?

I was cradle Catholic, left, “shopped around” a bunch of protestant churches and was appreciative of their zeal but lacked the traditions and holiness of the church and god I was seeking. Seeing no alternative I returned, reluctantly to the Latin church. I later, joyfully, found the Orthodox church – which I viewed as the “old” Catholic church being unchanged and holding onto the truths I was seeking while also keeping the traditions. that’s my story.

My obstacle was I had never truly learned facts about the Catholic religion. Mainly the fact that the Holy Catholic Church cane be traced back to Simon Peter as the first Pope.

Well I disagree (as most Orthodox would). Linus was the first Pope, and if anything, you could claim that Rome was founded by Peter AND Paul; but not JUST Peter and Peter WAS NOT the Pope. Rome is *an *Apostolic throne, not *the *Apostolic throne. It is also interesting to note that Peter did in fact found the throne of Antioch, which is ironically, Orthodox.

Not a random guy who disliked the Catholic religion and decided to start his own.

I am not sure who that random guy is in reference too, so I can’t really respond to this.

 

[lax16]

No, that’s not it.

Protestants actually see you (Catholics) get drunk outside of Mass.

That’s a stumbling block.

It’s even more of a stumbling block when Protestants see you laugh it off or try to excuse it, or use silly quotes along the lines of God making alcohol so that we can all enjoy life more. Protestants don’t comprehend that. They enjoy life to the max without any alcohol, and they can’t understand why anyone needs alcohol to enjoy all the good things that God has given us.

It’s not that Protestants are perfect or sinless. But drunkenness is strange and frightening to many Protestants because it’s just not part of many Protestant families’ experiences. Oh, I know, every Catholic knows at least one closet drinker/drunkard/hypocrite among their Protestant acquaintances, but the vast majority of Evangelical Protestants (I can’t speak for Mainline Protestants) don’t go near alcohol; some won’t even use medicines with alcohol. In 47 years of Evangelical Protestantism, I never met any Evangelical Protestants who drank alcohol ever. Most despised it just as I do.

I did meet a lot of gossips in Evangelical Protestant churches, and I think that if someone in the church was a closet drinker, we all would have known about it. But we didn’t. Either they are really really good at hiding their behavior, or I’m right, and people just didn’t drink alcohol.

And no one, Protestant or Catholic, can deny that drunkenness is a sin. You can argue that drinking alcohol is not a sin, but you can’t argue that drunkenness is OK.

I’m glad it’s not a stumbling block for all Protestants, but it was a HUGE obstacle for me, and that was the OP’s question.

Cat - I’m a Catholic and a non-drinker and agree with your post. Where I live it actually impedes friendships.

 

[SAVINGRACE]

For me it wasn’t one thing it was the fact that there was SO MUCH to know about the church. It was overwhelming. I spent a year devouring huge books on Catholicism before I did RCIA and was advised by my RCIA instructor to stop. She said the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.

The best advice I received from my RCIA instructor is that it is “MY responsibility to fulfill my obligations as a Catholic in the future and not to overdo it, focus on the basics first. No-one is going to spoon feed you or hold your hand or force you to do anything.”

All the ingredients are provided for you. It was up to me. I decided I would not be a Sunday only participant or an observer vicariously participating by reading what was happening in the Parish every Sunday in the Newsletter. I WANTED to be a part of parish life.

I focussed on the essentials first, understanding the Sacraments and attending Mass.

Then I volunteered for our Diocese with Rosies food van for the homeless.

I also joined a parish Group who meet weekly to discuss/debate and give presentations with Q&A on the Catholic faith observed by our Priest or RCIA facilitator. This was the most rewarding and knowledge building activity for me as a new Catholic.

During this time I listened to the shows for non-Catholics on Catholic Answers Forum radio podcasts and learned so much. A lot of my own questions were answered by Jimmy Akin, Tim Staples or one of the other guests of the radio show.

I didn’t read the “heavy” stuff from the Catholic bookstores anymore because it was too much (for me). Information overload can be too much to process and detrimental. I mean I was reading Pope Benedicts books and most of it went over my head because of the Catholic theology and references.

Next year I intend to enroll at the Institute of Faith Education to do a Basic Theology Course.

My advice to new converts is become part of the parish life, don’t just attend Mass. Don’t overdo it like I did. Focus on basics first.

 

[7_Sorrows]

For me it wasn’t one thing it was the fact that there was SO MUCH to know about the church. It was overwhelming. I spent a year devouring huge books on Catholicism before I did RCIA and was advised by my RCIA instructor to stop. She said the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.

The best advice I received from my RCIA instructor is that it is “MY responsibility to fulfill my obligations as a Catholic in the future and not to overdo it, focus on the basics first. No-one is going to spoon feed you or hold your hand or force you to do anything.”

All the ingredients are provided for you. It was up to me. I decided I would not be a Sunday only participant or an observer vicariously participating by reading what was happening in the Parish every Sunday in the Newsletter. I WANTED to be a part of parish life.

I focussed on the essentials first, understanding the Sacraments and attending Mass.

Then I volunteered for our Diocese with Rosies food van for the homeless.

I also joined a parish Group who meet weekly to discuss/debate and give presentations with Q&A on the Catholic faith observed by our Priest or RCIA facilitator. This was the most rewarding and knowledge building activity for me as a new Catholic.

During this time I listened to the shows for non-Catholics on Catholic Answers Forum radio podcasts and learned so much. A lot of my own questions were answered by Jimmy Akin, Tim Staples or one of the other guests of the radio show.

I didn’t read the “heavy” stuff from the Catholic bookstores anymore because it was too much (for me). Information overload can be too much to process and detrimental. I mean I was reading Pope Benedicts books and most of it went over my head because of the Catholic theology and references.

Next year I intend to enroll at the Institute of Faith Education to do a Basic Theology Course.

My advice to new converts is become part of the parish life, don’t just attend Mass. Don’t overdo it like I did. Focus on basics first.

That sounds like good advice.

 

[McCartney]

celibate priests
questionable moral history (Ustaše and so on)
Separation of bread and wine
lack of wine in some communion services
Sex abuse scandals (cover up, abuse of children, etc)
Papal infallibility
Immaculate Conception
Statues in worship
lack divorce
“legalistic” framework
Stealing of eastern Christians to the submission of the Pope
Use of lay ministers in all aspects of Church life (communion, funerals, etc)
Lack of balance of power (no one to check the power of the Pope)
Purgatory
Original Sin
Filioque
Too philosophical -Summum bonum
Cataphatic theology
etc, etc, etc,

The question was for those who CONVERTED to Catholism not for those who wanted to do a Catholic bashing. I am sorry that you feel that way about the one true Church.

 

[Vanez]

I was cradle Catholic, left, “shopped around” a bunch of protestant churches and was appreciative of their zeal but lacked the traditions and holiness of the church and god I was seeking. Seeing no alternative I returned, reluctantly to the Latin church. I later, joyfully, found the Orthodox church – which I viewed as the “old” Catholic church being unchanged and holding onto the truths I was seeking while also keeping the traditions. that’s my story.

Well I disagree (as most Orthodox would). Linus was the first Pope, and if anything, you could claim that Rome was founded by Peter AND Paul; but not JUST Peter and Peter WAS NOT the Pope. Rome is *an *Apostolic throne, not *the *Apostolic throne. It is also interesting to note that Peter did in fact found the throne of Antioch, which is ironically, Orthodox.

I am not sure who that random guy is in reference too, so I can’t really respond to this.

The question was for those who CONVERTED to Catholism not for those who wanted to do a Catholic bashing. I am sorry that you feel that way about the one true Church.

McCartney,

Reading more comments on this thread is suggested to avoid offense. Czarlazar has written that comment above, hence I quoted it

 

[Nelka]

None for me as I was a child, I always like the Catholic Church, we were members of the Salvation Army, I was so pleased when my mum told me she was converting.

 

[Tommy999]

Thanks to all who participated in the poll and who made comments. Very interesting. I appreciate the insights.

 

[Tommy999]

For me it wasn’t one thing it was the fact that there was SO MUCH to know about the church. It was overwhelming. I spent a year devouring huge books on Catholicism before I did RCIA and was advised by my RCIA instructor to stop. She said the only way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time.

The best advice I received from my RCIA instructor is that it is “MY responsibility to fulfill my obligations as a Catholic in the future and not to overdo it, focus on the basics first. No-one is going to spoon feed you or hold your hand or force you to do anything.”

All the ingredients are provided for you. It was up to me. I decided I would not be a Sunday only participant or an observer vicariously participating by reading what was happening in the Parish every Sunday in the Newsletter. I WANTED to be a part of parish life.

I focussed on the essentials first, understanding the Sacraments and attending Mass.

Then I volunteered for our Diocese with Rosies food van for the homeless.

I also joined a parish Group who meet weekly to discuss/debate and give presentations with Q&A on the Catholic faith observed by our Priest or RCIA facilitator. This was the most rewarding and knowledge building activity for me as a new Catholic.

During this time I listened to the shows for non-Catholics on Catholic Answers Forum radio podcasts and learned so much. A lot of my own questions were answered by Jimmy Akin, Tim Staples or one of the other guests of the radio show.

I didn’t read the “heavy” stuff from the Catholic bookstores anymore because it was too much (for me). Information overload can be too much to process and detrimental. I mean I was reading Pope Benedicts books and most of it went over my head because of the Catholic theology and references.

Next year I intend to enroll at the Institute of Faith Education to do a Basic Theology Course.

My advice to new converts is become part of the parish life, don’t just attend Mass. Don’t overdo it like I did. Focus on basics first.

I agree. Sounds like solid advice. Much appreciated, SAVINGRACE.