F
for_eternity
Guest
I was a catholic, but fell away. So I guess I might fall into this catagory. So my answer is…
MARY.
MARY.
- Status
M
Mad_Amos
Guest
Truth.
J
J.W.B
Guest
www.catholic answers.com, Dave Armstrong, and the Holy Spirit as He drew me to Himself.
M
MistyF
Guest
Technically, I’m not converted yet. But in my heart, I am. I’m taking the RCIA Inquiry classes, and when the Catechumen classes start in September, I will take those. My hope is to be baptized at Easter 2006.
That aside, the reason I am converting is rather complex. I started off asking my Catholic boyfriend questions about Pope John Paul II when he first got sick. During that time, I decided that I needed to heal from my JW upbringing, and took a look at the bible so I could prove to myself that even according to the bible that they believe in, they are wrong (which I did!).
Also during this time, my boyfriend asked to be sure I would allow him to have our (future) children baptised and learn the Catholic faith. I agreed, and then looked up stuff about why. I found myself reading about religion 3 to 5 hours a day, mostly Catholic stuff. When I started thinking maybe there was something to having faith in God, I totally resisted the idea that the Catholics would have it right. LOL. But in trying to prove that they are wrong, I proved that they were right.
So, the thing that changed my mind, if I can put a finger on it, was the Apostolic Succession and/or the fact that the Catholics are the ones who determined what books the bible consisted of.
But, as I learned in RCIA, the reason I am here is because God called me, and I answered.
That aside, the reason I am converting is rather complex. I started off asking my Catholic boyfriend questions about Pope John Paul II when he first got sick. During that time, I decided that I needed to heal from my JW upbringing, and took a look at the bible so I could prove to myself that even according to the bible that they believe in, they are wrong (which I did!).
Also during this time, my boyfriend asked to be sure I would allow him to have our (future) children baptised and learn the Catholic faith. I agreed, and then looked up stuff about why. I found myself reading about religion 3 to 5 hours a day, mostly Catholic stuff. When I started thinking maybe there was something to having faith in God, I totally resisted the idea that the Catholics would have it right. LOL. But in trying to prove that they are wrong, I proved that they were right.
So, the thing that changed my mind, if I can put a finger on it, was the Apostolic Succession and/or the fact that the Catholics are the ones who determined what books the bible consisted of.
But, as I learned in RCIA, the reason I am here is because God called me, and I answered.
C
candrew
Guest
I haven’t converted yet, but hopefully I’ll come into the Church in 2006.
As to why I wish to convert, I have two reasons, besides that the Holy Spirit was probably tugging me around.
Authority.
And the Blessed Sacrament.
As to why I wish to convert, I have two reasons, besides that the Holy Spirit was probably tugging me around.
Authority.
And the Blessed Sacrament.
S
Sgt_Sweaters
Guest
Funny; I had the same kind of thing. I thought for a while that I just happened to “prefer” a higher liturgy than I knew from growing up. Thought that was just how I could get in touch with God, like some people could do in a lower church setting. I was shocked to realize that I was drawn to the liturgy because it is true, rather than just “nice!”
S
Sgt_Sweaters
Guest
from The Catholic Church and Conversion by G. K. Chesterton:
H
Helen_HansenPye
Guest
So many reasons
*]JRR Tolkein and his fabulous writings
*]A high Anglican upbringing (by myself, my parents weren’t into it)
*]Read the Bible, who can argue against the Church founded by Jesus
*]A love of history
*]I wanted a Church that honoured women
*]I walked in took a breath and felt “I belong here”
D
DaveD
Guest
I was raised as a Southern Baptist. I lost faith completely after I left home. Mainly because of all of the inconsistancy that the doctrine of scripture alone brought to my theological table.
As a consequence, In the Air Force and in college I was exposed to philosophies, scientific theories, life events, that I was simply not spiritually prepared for. I became very angry at christianity as a whole because I felt I had been decieved. I actively pursued all the existential, relativist, left wing phiosophies I could find, to learn more about the way the world “really” was. I hungered to debate with anyone and find truth no matter what it was. I was anti-religious. I thought religious people were wasting the only time they were going to have before they ceased to exist at death. I thought we were nothing more than machines and that the Bible and the Jesus I had loved and grew up on were nothing more than lies fabricated to explain the world and form political alliances. I did not understand the problem of evil and I thought that the Christian idea of God was evil because he created hell and predestined souls to go there… I didn’t understand anything of the doctrines of love and free will. I did not believe in God anymore. I was bitter and jaded.
After a few years like this I finally discovered that some kind of intelligence must have at least began creation of the universe because something cannot come from nothing. Where did the big get its substance? How did the big get the bang, If there was in the beginning nothing? There must be something to create everything from the nothing. This led down a road I don’t have time to detail.
I was walking in Sant Fe NM one day. I was on a business trip and had completed my work. It was downtown Santa Fe. I saw a woman praying. I thought, “I wish I could have faith like that.” I sarcastically prayed, “whatever you are, thanks for leaving me a book!” “I hope I find it sometime during this life.” I hope I know what it means when I do." “Ridiculous.” But I really wished I had never not lost God. I missed the way my life was as a child. And I dispaired at how dark and hopeless it had become. I allowed myself to hope that the God that created everything had given us at least some kind of direction.
Then I thought for the first time, “maybe he didn’t leave me just a book.” “Maybe he left me a Church?” Just then, around the corner rose a Catholic steeple. I wandered inside.
The rest is history.
As a consequence, In the Air Force and in college I was exposed to philosophies, scientific theories, life events, that I was simply not spiritually prepared for. I became very angry at christianity as a whole because I felt I had been decieved. I actively pursued all the existential, relativist, left wing phiosophies I could find, to learn more about the way the world “really” was. I hungered to debate with anyone and find truth no matter what it was. I was anti-religious. I thought religious people were wasting the only time they were going to have before they ceased to exist at death. I thought we were nothing more than machines and that the Bible and the Jesus I had loved and grew up on were nothing more than lies fabricated to explain the world and form political alliances. I did not understand the problem of evil and I thought that the Christian idea of God was evil because he created hell and predestined souls to go there… I didn’t understand anything of the doctrines of love and free will. I did not believe in God anymore. I was bitter and jaded.
After a few years like this I finally discovered that some kind of intelligence must have at least began creation of the universe because something cannot come from nothing. Where did the big get its substance? How did the big get the bang, If there was in the beginning nothing? There must be something to create everything from the nothing. This led down a road I don’t have time to detail.
I was walking in Sant Fe NM one day. I was on a business trip and had completed my work. It was downtown Santa Fe. I saw a woman praying. I thought, “I wish I could have faith like that.” I sarcastically prayed, “whatever you are, thanks for leaving me a book!” “I hope I find it sometime during this life.” I hope I know what it means when I do." “Ridiculous.” But I really wished I had never not lost God. I missed the way my life was as a child. And I dispaired at how dark and hopeless it had become. I allowed myself to hope that the God that created everything had given us at least some kind of direction.
Then I thought for the first time, “maybe he didn’t leave me just a book.” “Maybe he left me a Church?” Just then, around the corner rose a Catholic steeple. I wandered inside.
The rest is history.
A
anon49823460
Guest
Dave, great post.
Thanks everyone for sharing your stories!!
Thanks everyone for sharing your stories!!
A
AmberDale
Guest
I converted because I found truth. I found Jesus. I am closer to Jesus now then I ever was before in my old church. Without him I was lost. I’m still lost in many aspects of my life (i.e. finances and health) but I know through him all things are possible. If I need comforted I just go to mass and the holy Eucharist. If I need pray I pray for out Blessed Mother to pray for me.
The other night I prayed that I would have a better relationship with the Blessed Mother and her Son. She is bringing me closer to him. Spiritually I am very happy.
I love this church.
The other night I prayed that I would have a better relationship with the Blessed Mother and her Son. She is bringing me closer to him. Spiritually I am very happy.
I love this church.
R
RyanL
Guest
I was a cradle Catholic, but I practiced my faith in very inconsistant ways and did not fully submit to the authority of the Church. It wasn’t until I married a Baptist and she started demanding biblical answers that I re-discovered my faith. When she made me go to an NFP class (she hates birth control for the health reasons, among others), that was the deal clincher. I discovered the answers to the questions I had been asking, and through the help of observant Catholics I have found my true home. So…Convert? No. Revert? Big-time!
RyanL
RyanL
S
scylla
Guest
I am a revert who was once infected with the idea of all churches being ok as long as you have a good relationship with Jesus Christ.
Once I started using my mind that God gave me I saw the inconsistancies in approaching religion in this way. Looking at religion this way is more a matter of convenience than following God. It makes you look for the Church that makes you feel good, or where your friends are, or whatever you desire more is the Church you belong to.
I decided to not be so selfish and look for what God would want me to do. I rediscovered the truth of the Catholic Church, as I investigated every objection fell away as the Church had to answers to each one. I just had to look at it with an attitude to do God’s will, not mine.
It was real difficult to throw away prejudices, but in the end I coming to the Church is the best thing I have ever done. I truly understand how it feels to be free now and to have joy in knowing I am in the Church that Jesus Christ founded.
To paraphrase GK Chesterton, being Catholic free’s me from the slavery of being a child of my age in religion. I can now read Augustine, Ignatius, Polycarp, Eusubius, Jerome, etc… and it all fits.
The Truth led me back. It sets you free.
God Bless
Scylla
Once I started using my mind that God gave me I saw the inconsistancies in approaching religion in this way. Looking at religion this way is more a matter of convenience than following God. It makes you look for the Church that makes you feel good, or where your friends are, or whatever you desire more is the Church you belong to.
I decided to not be so selfish and look for what God would want me to do. I rediscovered the truth of the Catholic Church, as I investigated every objection fell away as the Church had to answers to each one. I just had to look at it with an attitude to do God’s will, not mine.
It was real difficult to throw away prejudices, but in the end I coming to the Church is the best thing I have ever done. I truly understand how it feels to be free now and to have joy in knowing I am in the Church that Jesus Christ founded.
To paraphrase GK Chesterton, being Catholic free’s me from the slavery of being a child of my age in religion. I can now read Augustine, Ignatius, Polycarp, Eusubius, Jerome, etc… and it all fits.
The Truth led me back. It sets you free.
God Bless
Scylla
- Status