Why did you convert to Catholicism?

[Monica4316]

I was baptized many times myself taking a low view of Baptism, every time I joined a denomination I got re baptized. My Dad observed once to me that once seemed enough if you believed and the rest I had ave me an extra bath for that day minus the soap

The animosity that the conversion will create will depend on how committed the people are. Me and my mom had many arguments about it but before she passes we were better. If I could have it to do all over again I would have never converted and not strained my relationship with my parents.

Converting to the Catholic Church is a very big decision with many consequences evaluate them carefully.

that’s true, it’s a big risk in some ways, but I do think it’s worth it

it’s not like switching denominations…

I think one good way to avoid arguments that I’ve found (through making lots of mistakes…lol) is to not reply to the person if they are upset/angry, but wait till they are calmer… and then, calmly, explain your point of view, and be open to understanding their view as well.

 

[historyb]

For me at the time is was not worth it, I wish I had that time back and would do things differently. That’s just me though

 

[Monica4316]

hmm… I think maybe converting to Catholicism is not the same as changing denominations though… I was non denom Protestant before, and I almost became Methodist, and Pentecostal. Those would have been changes for me, but Catholicism is like a different world lol. The reason I said it’s worth it in this case, is because of the Sacraments.

 

[7_Sorrows]

i was brought up in the episcopal church - baptized and confirmed. i actually wanted to become Catholic as a teenager.

it didn’t happen though for another 40 years. i guess i always felt the Catholic church was the true Church and the other churches were wrong.

i always felt like something was missing when i would go with friends to their protestant churches.

most of the time i stayed away from church.

if i could have been allowed to be Catholic at a young age, maybe my life would have been different.

i still struggle, but not as much as i did out of the Catholic church.

 

[Cat]

hmm… I think maybe converting to Catholicism is not the same as changing denominations though… I was non denom Protestant before, and I almost became Methodist, and Pentecostal. Those would have been changes for me, but Catholicism is like a different world lol. The reason I said it’s worth it in this case, is because of the Sacraments.

Catholicism isn’t a denomination, it’s the Church of Jesus Christ.

When you join any other denomination, you become a member of ONE church fellowship in that denomination, e.g., First Methodist Church, or Friendship Baptist Church. But you are NOT a member of Second Methodist Church across town, or Christ the King Baptist Church in the state next to your state.

But when you join the Catholic Church, you are a member of the Catholic Church, and that means that you are part of ANY Catholic Church parish in the entire world.

Isn’t that cool?!

 

[kage_ar]

I converted because it is true, it is real.

I’d suggest you google the “Coming Home Network” and visit the forums over at www.catholic-convert.com to talk to many who have made this journey.

 

[Matariel]

I am considering conversion-really considering it. I just want to know why people have converted. For me, so far, it’s been like walking in a desert. I believe that the Holy Spirit has lead me to this point. My parents are both somewhat supportive if not cautious. They are both Protestant and it works for them. Just not for me. It’s almost a preferred way of worship on some counts and on others it’s this peace that I have about my decision even if I don’t understand it fully right now. My Pastor’s might not understand and no doubt they will try to dissuade me-I wouldn’t blame them though since they’ve known me since I was 12. I do remember one night at church when a family friend prayed for me and what has stuck out since then is what she said, “Kristen, your mantle will be different than that of your parents.” I have remembered that ever since. It has been true. I am leaving to go teach English overseas. Because of this, I am hoping that my conversion can be completed quickly. Until then, I’ll be going to Mass as often as I can with my hands crossed over my chest as I go up for a blessing for Communion. I don’t know why I love it. I just do. Can’t explain it completely with scripture. But it’s just this knowing that, for me, this is right. So any stories especially from more of the Pentecostal denominations would be appreciated. The support and encouragement on this forum has been great.
Please and thank you.

Why did I convert to the Catholic Faith? Because I believe in Christ, and because the holy Catholic Church was founded by Him 2,000 years ago, is of apostolic and divine origin, is the true Church of God on Earth, and has remained intact and alive for 2,000 years-- and Christ has promised that it always will. And because Catholicism answers problems that Protestantism simply can’t answer, has the Eucharist, and the fullness of the Christian Faith. Protestantism is a mixture of Christianity and human ideas, whereas the Catholic Church is promised to be guided into all truth, and protected by God Almighty. In Protestantism, there is no definitive truth, because everything is up for grabs. People all come up with mutually contradictory doctrines and have no higher authority to go to to resolve the issue, thus further splintering and dividing into thousands of different denominations and sects-- all teaching different versions of Christianity.

A better question is, why wouldn’t anyone convert to the Catholic Faith, save ignorance or bias?

(Oh, yeah, and technically the Church is not a denomination-- it’s predenominational, and it isn’t divided into denominations like Protestantism is.)

 

[historyb]

A better question is, why wouldn’t anyone convert to the Catholic Faith, save ignorance or bias?

Maybe because they are not convinced it is the true church

(Oh, yeah, and technically the Church is not a denomination-- it’s predenominational, and it isn’t divided into denominations like Protestantism is.)

Your right, but it is just as divided on the inside

 

[Matariel]

Maybe because they are not convinced it is the true church

Hm. I don’t understand that. I mean I kind of understand where the Eastern Orthodox churches are claiming to collectively be the true Church as opposed to the Catholic Church, but it all breaks down with Photius and Michael Cerularus (sp.). And Protestantism? Well, it’s just unreasonable to me as far as that issue. Afterall, St. Paul condemned schism and division in the Bible, and also people calling themselves followers of a particular teacher, such as “I follow Apollos” or “I follow Paul”, and yet you have divisions of Protestants all teaching different versions of Christianity, calling themselves after the names of their founders and their founders’ doctrines.

Your right, but it is just as divided on the inside

The Church is fully in institutional, historical, doctrinal, and creedal unity. Same Mass, same Seven Sacraments, same doctrines everywhere, all 22 Rites.

Any supposed Catholic who is at odds with Catholic teaching or doctrine is in impaired communion with the Church as a whole, and is forbidden from partaking Communion. The human part of the Church remains weak and fragile, but the promises of Christ empower this 2,000-year-old Church, which is of divine and apostolic origin. That’s why I left Protestantism for Catholicism… Protestantism, you cannot find a real authority to tell you what’s right and wrong definitively, because there is no one to look to. Just you and your Bible. But then the next person and his Bible are just as valid. And then who resolves the competing interpretations? Jesus said, “take it to the Church”, but in Protestantism, depending on what “church” you pick, you’ll get an array of different answers. Jesus simply couldn’t of meant that, because it would mean nothing. “Everyman’s interpretation for himself” doesn’t work, there has to be a definitive source of interpretation, because not all truths are contained in the Bible.

 

[mardukm]

I am considering conversion-really considering it. I just want to know why people have converted. For me, so far, it’s been like walking in a desert. I believe that the Holy Spirit has lead me to this point. My parents are both somewhat supportive if not cautious. They are both Protestant and it works for them. Just not for me. It’s almost a preferred way of worship on some counts and on others it’s this peace that I have about my decision even if I don’t understand it fully right now. My Pastor’s might not understand and no doubt they will try to dissuade me-I wouldn’t blame them though since they’ve known me since I was 12. I do remember one night at church when a family friend prayed for me and what has stuck out since then is what she said, “Kristen, your mantle will be different than that of your parents.” I have remembered that ever since. It has been true. I am leaving to go teach English overseas. Because of this, I am hoping that my conversion can be completed quickly. Until then, I’ll be going to Mass as often as I can with my hands crossed over my chest as I go up for a blessing for Communion. I don’t know why I love it. I just do. Can’t explain it completely with scripture. But it’s just this knowing that, for me, this is right. So any stories especially from more of the Pentecostal denominations would be appreciated. The support and encouragement on this forum has been great.
Please and thank you.

I became Catholic because I discovered that EVERY bad thing I had learned about Catholicism turned out to be either misconceptions of Catholic teaching, or outright lies. You see, I had previously only depended on NON-Catholic sources to inform me of the Catholic Church. Once I learned about Catholicism from the horse’s mouth, I discovered the Truth.

Blessings,
Marduk

 

[historyb]

Hm. I don’t understand that. I mean I kind of understand where the Eastern Orthodox churches are claiming to collectively be the true Church as opposed to the Catholic Church, but it all breaks down with Photius and Michael Cerularus (sp.). And Protestantism? Well, it’s just unreasonable to me as far as that issue. Afterall, St. Paul condemned schism and division in the Bible, and also people calling themselves followers of a particular teacher, such as “I follow Apollos” or “I follow Paul”, and yet you have divisions of Protestants all teaching different versions of Christianity, calling themselves after the names of their founders and their founders’ doctrines.

Same with Catholicism, though you’ll deny it. I deny at the present that the RCC is anything special

The Church is fully in institutional, historical, doctrinal, and creedal unity. Same Mass, same Seven Sacraments, same doctrines everywhere, all 22 Rites.

Any supposed Catholic who is at odds with Catholic teaching or doctrine is in impaired communion with the Church as a whole, and is forbidden from partaking Communion. The human part of the Church remains weak and fragile, but the promises of Christ empower this 2,000-year-old Church, which is of divine and apostolic origin. That’s why I left Protestantism for Catholicism… Protestantism, you cannot find a real authority to tell you what’s right and wrong definitively, because there is no one to look to. Just you and your Bible. But then the next person and his Bible are just as valid. And then who resolves the competing interpretations? Jesus said, “take it to the Church”, but in Protestantism, depending on what “church” you pick, you’ll get an array of different answers. Jesus simply couldn’t of meant that, because it would mean nothing. “Everyman’s interpretation for himself” doesn’t work, there has to be a definitive source of interpretation, because not all truths are contained in the Bible.

First I was in the RCC for ten years and I know just how divided it is and secondly even in the RCC it’s still every man though you all try to make it not look that way. The only difference between Catholicism and Protestantism is that Protestants admit their diversteity Catholics refuse to do so under a guise that they are united, which couldn’t be futher from the truth.

The authority you look for is Scripture because they are God breathed and since you brought it up, you need to prove not all truth’s are in the Bible. But since we shoouldn’t derail the thread futher maybe not here. I am not a Catholic anymore because of all the extra Bibical things in Catholicism

 

[Matariel]

Same with Catholicism, though you’ll deny it. I deny at the present that the RCC is anything special

Catholics have the same creed, same Mass, same seven Sacraments, same Pope, and are all part of the same insitutional body known as the Catholic Church. I fail to see how this could describe Protestantism.

First I was in the RCC for ten years and I know just how divided it is and secondly even in the RCC it’s still every man though you all try to make it not look that way. The only difference between Catholicism and Protestantism is that Protestants admit their diversteity Catholics refuse to do so under a guise that they are united, which couldn’t be futher from the truth.

All Catholics that are in good standing with the Church agree on all the same doctrines that are a part of the deposit of Faith. This could never describe Protestantism, which is a collection of denominations and sects arising from a 16th century religious/politcal movement known as the Protestant Revolt/Reformation.

The authority you look for is Scripture because they are God breathed and since you brought it up, you need to prove not all truth’s are in the Bible.

Simple. The Bible never states when ensoulment occurs, or when war is just, or specifics about any number of situations in life; the Bible is all true, but doesn’t contain all religious truth in the universe. As far as Sola Scriptura, Protestants’re the odd men out; neither the Catholic Church, nor the Eastern Orthodox churches, nor Judaism believe in the Protestant notion of Sola Scriptura.

But since we shouldn’t derail the thread futher maybe not here. I am not a Catholic anymore because of all the extra-Bibical things in Catholicism.

We should elsewhere; I’m no longer a Protestant, because it is not in accord with the Bible, the early Christian account of Christianity, and because its “cafeteria attitude” towards faith, and mostly because of its denial of the presence of Christ in the Holy Eucharist, and because it simply isn’t the Jesus’ Church. And a host of other reasons, but…

we’ll save this for another thread.

 

[JustaServant]

It amazes me every time we have a poster talking about converting to the Catholic faith, a Protestant comes out of the woodwork to try to convince them otherwise.

 

[JustaServant]

Catholicism isn’t a denomination, it’s the Church of Jesus Christ.

When you join any other denomination, you become a member of ONE church fellowship in that denomination, e.g., First Methodist Church, or Friendship Baptist Church. But you are NOT a member of Second Methodist Church across town, or Christ the King Baptist Church in the state next to your state.

But when you join the Catholic Church, you are a member of the Catholic Church, and that means that you are part of ANY Catholic Church parish in the entire world.

Isn’t that cool?!

Even more than that, we now belong to what I like to call the ‘Church of all ages’. The same Church of the Saints for 2000 years, not just since the Reformation. It is also very personal. WE are responsible for our spiritual growth, not the people we ‘fellowship’ with, not the preacher, WE are. That changes perspective and brings out of the person very quickly how serious they are about the Faith.

 

[piejesu]

Like so many others mine is a long story, which might have it’s time and place, but in a nutshell it was the compulsion to embrace revealed truth. For me that revolved around the very real and substantial presence of Christ in the Eucharist.Understanding, that the very same Lord Jesus who had made Himself known to me as Lord and Savior in the context of Evangelical Pentecostalism, was truly present, body, blood, soul, and divinity, in the Eucharist; that was the clincher. When someone now asks me, “do you know Jesus?”, I have to chuckle a little to myself as I say, “you have no idea!”.

 

[Monica4316]

Catholicism isn’t a denomination, it’s the Church of Jesus Christ.

When you join any other denomination, you become a member of ONE church fellowship in that denomination, e.g., First Methodist Church, or Friendship Baptist Church. But you are NOT a member of Second Methodist Church across town, or Christ the King Baptist Church in the state next to your state.

But when you join the Catholic Church, you are a member of the Catholic Church, and that means that you are part of ANY Catholic Church parish in the entire world.

Isn’t that cool?!

yea that’s pretty cool

I never meant to imply that the Catholic Church is a denomination though!! I actually meant the opposite, - that converting to Catholicism is *not *like changing denominations. Sorry if I was unclear

Your right, but it is just as divided on the inside

no… it is not

cause the official teachings are not divided. What you call division just comes from some Catholics not following the real Catholic teaching.

But there is only one official set of teachings… set of doctrines… not many.

Protestant churches, however, all teach different things.

God bless

 

[banished]

It amazes me every time we have a poster talking about converting to the Catholic faith, a Protestant comes out of the woodwork to try to convince them otherwise.

Getting back on topic: I am not a Protestant, and I think that CuriousGril should think it over twice before going against her mother’s wishes. Lets face it, the Catholics do not hold the patent on Jesus, like a few legalist here on the Internet would have us believe. There are incompatible differences between the two lifestyles because of John Wesley coming over here to America and setting down a few rules for a Christian Life. Off the top of my head, he reserved Sunday as the Lord’s day, forbid arguing during a business transaction, forbid Worldly games, forbid drinking, forbid gambling, and among other things defined Grace as being more idealist in nature than what the Catholic Church teaches. Like, most Protestants in America believe that Grace is obtained through living a Christian life as outlined my Wesley. Now mind you, I have never set foot into a Methodist Church, and I only know what my late wife told me.

Okay, now compare that lifestyle with sucking-up a few beers at the Fiesta, drinking with a Priest at the Catechism Appreciation Dinner, and playing Bingo in the Church Hall. I enjoyed every minute of the social life while I was a member of that Parish, but I still think that CuriousGril should listen to what her mother is saying? The two lifestyles are just not compatible.

Richard

 

[JustaServant]

Okay, now compare that lifestyle with sucking-up a few beers at the Fiesta, drinking with a Priest at the Catechism Appreciation Dinner, and playing Bingo in the Church Hall. I enjoyed every minute of the social life while I was a member of that Parish, but I still think that CuriousGril should listen to what her mother is saying? The two lifestyles are just not compatible.

So Catholics have the corner on sin? Is that what you’re saying? The DEVOUT Catholics I have come across have just as much a distaste for sin as any devout Protestant.
I believe CG is of age to make up her own mind.

 

[historyb]

It amazes me every time we have a poster talking about converting to the Catholic faith, a Protestant comes out of the woodwork to try to convince them otherwise.

No a Christian, who knows the hurt caused by conversion to something that uses extra Biblical elements. I was a Catholic for 10 years and I would advise anyone to think it over before they start breaking one of the commandments. In this case Honor you Father and Mother something I didn’t do and caused much hurt.

I wish my parents were still alive, no more than that I wish I never did any of what I did.

 

[historyb]

no… it is not

cause the official teachings are not divided. What you call division just comes from some Catholics not following the real Catholic teaching.

But there is only one official set of teachings… set of doctrines… not many.

Protestant churches, however, all teach different things.

God bless

On paper it appears so, in reality it is not. Just look at this forum, no the fantasy of the RCC being united is just that - a fantasy. The RCC is just as dived internally as Protestant appear to be externally.