Why are you Catholic?

[Dymphna82]

Well, was born and raised Catholic. Then driftd into Agnosticism, got into the New Age stuff, then into Wicca. Spent half of my life in Wicca or solitary Pagan practice. Tried to join a coven, wound up co-leading my own group. Saw nothing but subjectivity and ego throughout it all. Watched my life turn a mess and everyone else’s, while we all ignored it going on because we were harmonious with nature, la dee da.

So in my mind, if I were to have become Protestant, it would have been like joining a slightly more organized coven.

I asked God to takeover my life, and he did. I then went to church and was welcomed back home. I went to confession. I cried the first few weeks I came back. I’m much better now.

I could never be an Atheist. It’s entirely unfathomable to me that there is no Creator. Being an Atheist would be the same as if I woke up one morning and decided I really want to date women. It’s just too abstract of an idea to me.

As for other religions, I believe if they were the right religions, they would provide the completeness and ease of joining that Catholicism provides. I also believe that if they were more right then their God would have established its church, rather than some guru or representative.

 

[AnneTeresa]

When I was Protestant I used to say: I am TIRED of baby food. I am TIRED of sermons that scream about being saved, being saved, being saved, but then never tell me how to BE a Christian… and in the Catholic Church I have found solid food. .

^ This times ten.

Where else is there the fullness of the truth, the sacraments, the saints, devotion to Mary, the depth of prayer, the proper understanding of Scripture?

 

[Nelka]

Why are you Catholic?

Because it feels right.
Because I want to be.
Because I enjoy it.
I could go on…

 

[nickybr38]

^ This times ten.

Where else is there the fullness of the truth, the sacraments, the saints, devotion to Mary, the depth of prayer, the proper understanding of Scripture?

I’ve been talking to Protestants and asking them candid questions. I was, quite frankly, alarmed by how many accept that their faith doesn’t have the fullness of truth! And yet they’re content… They truly believe no Church DOES have the fullness of truth so they’re content with nuggets here or there.

That just made me so sad. I was there once, and so my heart aches even more in memory of how frustrating that was.

 

[Bezant]

I would like to know what makes Catholicism The Truth. Why are you a Catholic. What is the proof that Catholicism is The Truth. What makes everything else false or inaccurate. This is a simple, yet complex question. I would prefer in depth answers. A smart Catholic is one who after looking at the big picture, and crossing off every other religion/philosophy/idea/concept, has come to the conclusion that Catholicism is The Truth. Why aren’t you a Sufi, a Sikh, a Kabbalist, an Agnostic, a Gnostic, a Shaman, a New Ager, a Muslim, etc. To sum everything up, WHY are you Catholic?

While I think you’re bringing up a good question, I disagree that to be a “smart Catholic” we should look at other religions before deciding our own is the right religion. Some people, like my sisters, don’t need to do that–perhaps they’ve more spiritual insight than I do.

With some reservations I trust Catholicism more than Protestant communities, which (with all due respect) often seem overtaken by nonsense or rather vulnerable to nonsense. I also see a great deal of potential in Catholicism. I like its practices.

I am not a Muslim because I don’t think the Quran is a divinely inspired book for humanity. And though the Quran has many similarities to the Bible, it’s too different for me to relate to it (i.e., praying towards Mecca; no alcohol; Ishmaelite covenant) Even if I were a Muslim, I don’t think I would be a Sufi – though I appreciate that Sufis try to look at orthodoxy in a different way.

I don’t know much about Sikhism.

I don’t know much about Kabbalah.

I was at one point agnostic. It didn’t make sense to me.

I don’t know much about Gnosticism.

Neither do I know much about New Age or Shamanism, but I know I would never be able to relate to it.

 

[Tridentine_Cat]

I was always a seeker.

I travelled through many false religions and heresies and never, ever stopeed seeking.

I never stopped asking questions - even now.

But the answers to my questions all led me to Traditional Catholicism.

 

[jonbhorton]

I was a non-church attending, non-denominational, non-praying, bible-disliking, nominal Christian… and then, one day, the Holy Spirit said: YOU HAVE TO BE CATHOLIC.

I listened. I signed up to join the Church almost immediately and I started to study.

The Spirit has moved in my life in ways I can’t even describe. I have found so much intellectual truth and food that I am overwhelmed.

When I was Protestant I used to say: I am TIRED of baby food. I am TIRED of sermons that scream about being saved, being saved, being saved, but then never tell me how to BE a Christian… and in the Catholic Church I have found solid food.

I went from believing I was the sole authority. Believing I could interpret the Bible without any help whatsoever. I went from the height of arrogance to the deepest depths of humility.

So… I am Catholic because it is the Church God called me to and I will remain Catholic because I have recognized that it is THE Church Christ established and THE Church that I have to be in. There is no jumping ship or changing my mind. This is it. If Catholicism is not true then Christianity fails.

PS: Might be important to note I had, through careful study, ruled out every Protestant denomination as lacking the fullness of truth long before the Spirit called me home.

Are we twins? Excellent post. I need say nothing more regarding this thread because Nicky has hit the nail on the head.

 

[SurlyMermaid]

Gread thread!

I think my reasons for joining have been nicely summed up by my brothers and sisters here.

Been a seeker. Belonged to many religions here and there.

At home and content now!

 

[potter_mp]

I am a Baptist PK and I know my father was much more intelligent than me, but still certain things bothered me or were not logical: 1) Authority - before > 1550 the Catholic Church was the Church of Jesus Christ, then the Protestant Denominations became the the Church of Jesus Christ and now we also have the non-denominational church who is also the Church of Jesus Christ, 2) Bible - who put it together and maintained it through the ages, 3) Protestant Interpretation of St. John Chapter 6, 4) Once Saved Always Saved.

I was out of town on a job and one night in a motel room I saw this Nun on the TV talking about sin. It blew me away because she sounded just like my father. It changed my life and I eventually found my answers.