Where do you start?

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thesearch

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I want to learn and start to believe in God. I don’t really. No religion has ever been satisfying enough for me to do anything but just read about it. But my husband is a christian. He’s a pentacostal. He doesn’t go to church because he thinks churches (especially pentacostal) are just for politics and where we come from, thats very true. I know he does pray, he doesn’t use the Lords name in vain etc. I also know that he has nightmares and fears of me going to hell because I don’t believe. It tears me up inside, knowing that this bothers him so much. After all my research and study in religion, if I was to choose a christian one, it would be catholicism because its very hands on and tons to learn. But where do I start? Like I said, DH doesn’t go to church, so I don’t think I could convince him to go with me, but I’m scared to go by myself. I think I will take that step a little later, when I’m more comfortable.

Also, my personal views are not that of a catholic. I truly think abortion is heinous and Ive talked friends out of it. But I don’t think homosexuality is wrong. I mean, I would never do it, but who am I to tell my gay friends that they are going to hell? I don’t agree with that. I think people are responsible for their own actions. I think birth control is responsible. Especially if you are in a situation where having a child would bring harm to the child development and potential. So how do I do this?

Personally, from all the forums I joined, (this is based on personal experience not fact) I find that protestants are very snarky about their religion. Its more of a clique whereas I find catholics very understanding and actually willing to help. But I know I don’t fit in…
 
The Holy Spirit must be working in you for you to be asking all these important questions. I hope you will follow His lead and that He will eventually lead you to the Catholic Church (the spotless Bride of Christ made up of “spotted” sinners!).

You said you have done some reading on religious matters; that is good. I would recommend to you the following:
  • The Bible — the word of God Himself, like love letters from the Holy Spirit. I would not start at the beginning of the Old Testament; it might be intimidating if you are a beginner. Start with one of the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, or Luke) to get to know Jesus, His actions, and His teachings. My personal favorite is Luke, but any one of the three would be great.
  • Try to pray. Give yourself a few quiet minutes each day. Ask God to reveal His truth to you. Tell Him what you need, what is bothering you (He already knows, but like a loving Father, He wants to listen to you). Then just listen quietly for a little while. The book of Psalms in the Old Testament is also a good way to get started in prayer. Browse through and find a psalm that reflects how you are feeling (happy, sad, sorrowful, needy …), read it slowly, and let God speak to you through it.
  • Try to become aware of God’s presence in the everyday events of your life — the beauty of nature, in the people around you, etc. A good book to help put you in this mindset is The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence (a 17th century monk whose words are as relevant today as when he wrote them).
  • Your concerns about Catholic teachings on homosexuality, birth control, etc. are shared by many people, including many Catholics. The problem is, most people don’t understand the reasons behind these teachings (I had these same questions years ago, and chose to ignore some of them because of my ignorance). It turns out that they actually make a lot of sense if you study them. An excellent place to start is the book Good News About Sex & Marriage by Christopher West.
Feel free to Private Message me if you have questions you don’t feel like asking publicly.
 
Welcome to CAF, thesearch! :tiphat:

yes, I am agreed with PhilotheaZ
the Holy Spirit must be working in you for you to be asking all these important questions.
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Thank you for the excellent advice, PhilotheaZ.
I am sure there would be more great advices coming.
 
Welcome to the forum 👋!

The Catechism of the Catholic Church is a great reference for Catholic belief since it is put out by the Magisterium (the Vatican).

But for a simpler book to begin with try Catholicism for Dummies (just a funny title, no reflection on you or anyone else who is seeking to learn about the Church 😉 ).

And, try the library right here on the Catholic Answers website. There are articles on every topic you could wish to read about! 🙂
 
Della, I will look up the catechism, but I have already read catholicism for dummies AND an idiots guide to catholicism. Like I said, I’ve read alot about it, I just lack the conviction to actually start applying what I’ve learned to my life. But thank you for the reading suggestions!
 
Searcher, I was in a similar situation and simply talked to my wife. She surprised me and willingly accepted investigating Catholocism. As it turns out, we’re both very happy with it (and apparently it is with us) and we’re in the process of joining the church.

I know it’s a simplistic approach, but just do it. Simply go to church on a Saturday evening or Sunday morning. Some of the churches here (Minnesota) have daily mass, maybe even all of them. (Remember I’m new at this.) The weekend masses will have more people and are very impressive. Don’t think about it as jumping off a cliff, just as taking a single step forward.

If your husband wants to go, that’s great. If he doesn’t, leave him home to the Blue Jays, but you go.

I hope you enjoy it.
 
thesearch said:
Della, I will look up the catechism, but I have already read catholicism for dummies AND an idiots guide to catholicism. Like I said, I’ve read alot about it, I just lack the conviction to actually start applying what I’ve learned to my life. But thank you for the reading suggestions!
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Hello thesearch,

My life has changed when I discovered love from God. That love was initiated by helping the poor. Through the poor, I recognize Jesus - He is among them.
 
thesearch
I want to learn and start to believe in God.
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Hello and welcome to the forum.

Your desire to start believing in God, may be God drawing you to Himself.

To know God, the best thing to do is to go directly to God. Open your heart to Him and ask Him to come into your life. Make an offering of yourself to God.

Then, pick up a Bible and begin to read it. Don’t worry about where or what your reading. Don’t even worry if you don’t understand it. At this point, you are merely making yourself available to God. Pray for the gift of faith.

God will at some point reveal Himself to you, however that may be. It may be through nature, Scripture, or another person or a feeling of His Divine Presence within. You merely have to be open to Him. However, when it happens, you will have no doubt about God.

As the saying goes, “let go and and let God.”

Praying for You
Jim
 
May God’s peace, love and mercy be with you!

Welcome! You are special…God loves you dearly and is drawing you to Himself!

The Catholic Church recognizes homosexuality as a disease and teaches us to reject the sin (homosexual/impure acts) but not the sinner. All people whether single, married, religious, heterosexual or homosexual are ALL called to holiness - a chaste and pure life filled with God’s love.

Be not afraid to answer God’s call, to follow Christ, to respond to His most awesome and amazing endless love, to search for His Truth.

We never know when Our Good Lord Jesus will come and take us so it is important to start that process of knowing Him so that we may love and serve Him better in this life and enjoy the life to come in heaven with God for all eternity.

Just remember, you are not alone on this journey in search for God. You have Our Blessed Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary, all the angels, saints, holy souls in purgatory to help, protect and guide you.

We entrust you to Our Blessed Mother Mary ever Virgin who will lead you closer to her son Our Lord Jesus Christ. She is the express route to the heart of Jesus.

God bless! We are constantly praying for you and for all!

Blessed be Jesus and Mary!
 
Great suggestions from everyone!

Welcome to the Forums and God bless!

The beginning for me was all about prayer and lots of it. Nothing formal at first, but just a turning to God and asking Him to make Himself known to me. Reading the Bible, and the words of the Lord, are also a wonderful way to open the heart. He will get “under your skin” and you may find yourself stopping by a Church one day for reasons you can’t explain.
 
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