Why Don't the want-to-be Catholics Convert?

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This is a very very hard one for me, and I have looked at the Catholic church for many years, but have been LDS since Oct 1971. Some things seem far fetched with both of them, but I have read several hundred Near Death Experiences, and many books since the1980’s.

All this hints at the possibility of my existing prior to birth, also the fact that no one is perfect upon death, and will take time in heaven to come to the full light of Christ, and this maybe called purgatory, a time of purification, since no one can die in the perfected state. If people on the earth have not forgiven you, even after your death, it will take time to gain the forgiveness of others, and of Christ’s forgiveness of your sins. This maybe anywhere from instant to taking some time to happen.

I compare the Mormon’s version of Heaven comparable to Purgatory, in that we all have to come to the full light of Christ.

I still attend both the LDS church, when the spirit wills me to go there, and on occation I will attend a MASS, but of course I stay seated when the Body and Blood are given to us.

I would have to say this is one of my favorite threads, on why there are still many hold-outs against some people becoming fully Catholic.

I believe that the CORE Beliefs of Christianity have never left the earth, including the sacrements, as indicated by the New Testament, but that the Physical churches have gone through some changes, in their overal practices.

Even today some churches do better at holding to the CORE Beliefs of christianity, than others do.

To find your church, may require people to set aside **material things, **as those things will not bring happiness, but will block the spirit from working in your heart, but may require much Prayer and fasting.

So you can see I’m stuck in a rut between faiths.
 
Converting is not as simple as the question implies. Many people will have huge family and peer presures placed upon them - as well as questions regarding their faith.

For myself who I suppose is a “wannabe,” I have to consider my wife who is an Anglican with leanings towards evangelicalism. I have to consider my children who are currently in an Church of England school and worship - along with me - in an Anglican church. Also my own Christian background has meant that I have many questions about Catholicism that need answering (many have been answered and have so far made perfect sense) Lots of people who have existed in non-Catholic churches will have pre-conceived and often negative ideas that will require some attention. I hadn’t realised how wrong people were about Catholics and how much I had been told that has been shown to be completely untrue.

To me, converting requires a huge change in my spiritual and social life. It require me to think and act differently particularly with regards to how to approach concept of position of Mary, transubstantiation, religious imagery etc. Becomming a Catholic for me requires a lot of deep thought and even more prayers. I NEED to know that God wants this for me, though I’m becomming more convinced that He does. In short it is a life changing experience and not one to be taken lightly.
 
changing said:
I’m a bit taken by the title “protestant wannabe catholics”.

Am I the only one who finds this title a bit unwelcoming?
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I find it condescending. I’m not so sure the spirit of the question is in keeping with St. Peter’s advice:

…Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect …

(1 Peter 3:15)
I’ll try to answer the question, though. For me it is a matter of logic and rational reason. I find it impossible that God would contradict Himself. If what the Roman Catholic church teaches appears to contradict what the Bible teaches, i can see only three possibilities:
  1. The Bible is wrong.
  2. The Roman Catholic church is wrong.
  3. I’m misunderstanding the Bible, or the Roman Catholic church, or both.
Until i know which of these is the truth, i cannot, with sincerity and a clear conscience, become a Catholic. I’m convinced that the Bible is correct and have ruled out number 1, but i’m investigating whether number 2 or 3 are correct.
 
For those whose panties are in a wad because of this title, know that the spirit of it is neither hateful nor condescending nor purposefully off-putting. I use the term ‘wanna-be’ in a lighthearted and affectionate way, lumping myself under that term (at least somewhat) and others here who have a great fondness for the CC and have actually considered converting, however briefly.

I realize that all those things are sometimes impossible to take from text - there are no expressions or tones of voice to guide you. But anyway - please lighten up. 🤷

It’s good to see that I’m not alone! It is somewhat of a “culture shock” in the eyes of Protestant fundamentalism. Also, my marriage has suffered enough because of church differences. It would definitely take absolute certainty that I was doing the right thing to put it through that kind of misery again. And yeah, I’m not completely convinced of certain doctrines either. I guess conversion really does take a very long process - a process of discovering and thinking and agonizing and getting frustrated and then starting it all over again.

Are my reasons selfish? Maybe at least partly. But I feel more whole, at least intellectually, if not spiritually, having been introduced to the real stories behind Catholic doctrines, to the Church Fathers, to Church history, and stories of miracles and things associated with the Church. All of these have served their purpose in answering the very question that prompted me to begin searching: Is Catholicism a cult? NO.

At the very least I have my question answered. Like others, I’m not ready to convert now, though I thought I might be at one time a couple of years ago. And like others, I’m not quite sure exactly where I am spiritually. But I’ll never say never. You Catholics might be see me one day in your parish, totally messing up with Sign of Peace with incessant chatter as a leftover from my Southern Protestant days (heh - just teasing 😉 )
 
Robert902 said:
In reading The Bible, and in prayer, I have never been convicted by The Holy Spirit that Catholicism is the church of Jesus Christ that Paul wrote about in the Book of Acts. The foundation of the church was built on the apostles and the prophets Eph 2:20. Jesus Christ is the Head, and His elect comprise the body. The New Testament speaks of the bodies of Christians as “the temples of God.” 1 Cor 3:16-17
So to answer your question, I see no reason why God would want me to attend a Catholic church.
When Nicodemus asked Jesus what he must do to inherit the kingdom of God, He didn’t tell him he had to be Catholic, did He? All He told him he had to do was to be born again.
Why are you Catholic?

God Bless
Robert

God commands us to “test all things.”​

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Luke wrote the Book of Acts, sorry I inadvertantly said that it was Paul. Staying up to late I guess…
 
Socrates4Jesus said:
I find it condescending. I’m not so sure the spirit of the question is in keeping with St. Peter’s advice:

…Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect …

(1 Peter 3:15)
I’ll try to answer the question, though. For me it is a matter of logic and rational reason. I find it impossible that God would contradict Himself. If what the Roman Catholic church teaches appears to contradict what the Bible teaches, i can see only three possibilities:
  1. The Bible is wrong.
  2. The Roman Catholic church is wrong.
  3. I’m misunderstanding the Bible, or the Roman Catholic church, or both.
Until i know which of these is the truth, i cannot, with sincerity and a clear conscience, become a Catholic. I’m convinced that the Bible is correct and have ruled out number 1, but i’m investigating whether number 2 or 3 are correct.
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I can identify with you in your reasoning, and process of elimination. I might have narrowed things down a little bit more and have found that I must put my trust in one or the other…The Bible or The Catholic church. They can’t both be correct.
The Holy Bible was written by more than 40 human authors inspired by the Holy Spirit over a period of about 14 to 18 centuries. According to 2 Tim 3:16-17 all of the Bible was inspired by The Holy Spirit. The word “ïnspired” in Greek is theopneustos which means “God breathed.” The Apostle Peter wrote that Holy men composed the books as they were “moved” by The Holy Spirit. Also The Apostle Paul wrote to his student Timothy that all scripture was given by inspiration of God. The authors of The Bible wrote spontaneously using their own minds and experiences while influenced and directed by God.
“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thouroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim 3:16-17

God Bless,
Robert

1 Thes 5:21-22 “Test all things; hold fast what is good.”​

 
sandmountainsli said:
I am not a “wannabe” of any sort, I am a Congregational Methodist.
I would never convert to CC because I would FOREVER be banished from the Hugeaunot Society of America and most likely beaten and feathered by my family and friends.
WP
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some might view being feathered as a bonus.
 
Hi,

I have been studying Catholocism for a year now. I didnt have much knowledge about catholocism except some bad experiences I have had through my husband’s family(they are catholic)My hubby is a non-practiing catholic who could care less.

There were some doctrines/dogmas that shocked me that I never knew catholics to believe(Marian doctrine). As I have learned about catholic doctrine and dogma I have realized I dont belong in the CC because I could never reconcile some issues I have learned and truly believe to be wrong. Like others have said I could not convert in good conscience knowing I didnt believe much of what the CC teaches.😦
 
ALLFORHIM said:
Hi,

I have been studying Catholocism for a year now. I didnt have much knowledge about catholocism except some bad experiences I have had through my husband’s family(they are catholic)My hubby is a non-practiing catholic who could care less.

There were some doctrines/dogmas that shocked me that I never knew catholics to believe(Marian doctrine). As I have learned about catholic doctrine and dogma I have realized I dont belong in the CC because I could never reconcile some issues I have learned and truly believe to be wrong. Like others have said I could not convert in good conscience knowing I didnt believe much of what the CC teaches.😦
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I had much the same “problem” for a couple of years as I toyed with the idea of Catholicism. What finally brought me around was the realization that I was being disobedient. After all, there are several very difficult concepts presented to us by Christianity, including that of the Protestants. The virgin birth, the resurrection, miracles, etc. etc. As a Protestant I wasn’t having a lot of trouble with those teachings. I didn’t grasp them, of course, and still perceive them only “as through a glass, darkly.” But I was able to give my mental assent to them, to “believe” them to be true. So, looking at the few things of Christianity that the Protestants reject, like Marian devotions, the Assumption, the Immaculate Conception, Papal authority, and a few others, it occurred to me that I was being merely disobedient not to give my mental assent to these doctrines, as well as I do the others.

Once I got to that point, I was able to give my assent to everything the Church teaches. For me, it was and is about obedience and humility.
 
Allweather said:
I had much the same “problem” for a couple of years as I toyed with the idea of Catholicism. What finally brought me around was the realization that I was being disobedient. After all, there are several very difficult concepts presented to us by Christianity, including that of the Protestants. The virgin birth, the resurrection, miracles, etc. etc. As a Protestant I wasn’t having a lot of trouble with those teachings. I didn’t grasp them, of course, and still perceive them only “as through a glass, darkly.” But I was able to give my mental assent to them, to “believe” them to be true. So, looking at the few things of Christianity that the Protestants reject, like Marian devotions, the Assumption, the Immaculate Conception, Papal authority, and a few others, it occurred to me that I was being merely disobedient not to give my mental assent to these doctrines, as well as I do the others.

Once I got to that point, I was able to give my assent to everything the Church teaches. For me, it was and is about obedience and humility.
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Yeah I get where you are coming from. Thanks:D I dont know where your beliefs were in regards to the bible, but I do put the bible above tradition and I do believe in sole authority of the bible so you see where I am coming from. But I am enjoying learning about catholocism. If anything it makes my brain expand:D Although sometimes I feel like my head will explode:eek:
 
While I am interested in early Christian history and the development of the early Christian church, I find no compelling evidence that the Catholic Chuch is “the one true chuch”.

It is not a matter of that becoming Catholic is “too much trouble”, I just don’t have a compelling reason to do so.

While the RCC has adopted a vision of itself and detailed a “sacred history” for itself, I don’t find it answers my needs of spiritual development.

I appreciate the ritual and liturgy of the CC/OC and those groups that have their roots in the style of worship. I appreciate the mysticism and join with it in searching for a faith that truly makes a difference in each of our lives, but I just don’t accept it’s claims.

For me the sacred story of the “orthodox” branch of Christianity doesn’t answer some of my deepest questions…I am here because I seek to gather a more complete understanding of a faith tradition many who have identified themselves as “Protestant” have.

I am drawn to the Religious Society of Friends with it’s witness of the Light of Christ Within and it’s simple spirituality.

In our Meetings for Worship, I am drawn into the Presence, real spirtual food and drink for my soul.

I appreciate the early churches historical development, while I find the “orthodox” voice was the loudest and had the most followers…I don’t necessarily see it as the “most authentic”.

There’s nothing insidious about it…for me I have found the best understanding of the message of Jesus of Nazareth in a compilaton voices of those who would follow him.

I can appreciate your theology of the Mass, it has great beauty, but it doesn’t meet my needs.

I’m not a “wannabe” Catholic by being here…I am a Seeker of Truth. I am satisfied with the One I trust in…“I am pursuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him against that day.”…if what you believe brings you peace, and compells you to show kindness and mercy and speak with grace and compassion…I would say we seek the same things then…and for me…that is enough.
 
Allweather said:
I had much the same “problem” for a couple of years as I toyed with the idea of Catholicism. What finally brought me around was the realization that I was being disobedient. After all, there are several very difficult concepts presented to us by Christianity, including that of the Protestants. The virgin birth, the resurrection, miracles, etc. etc. As a Protestant I wasn’t having a lot of trouble with those teachings. I didn’t grasp them, of course, and still perceive them only “as through a glass, darkly.” But I was able to give my mental assent to them, to “believe” them to be true. So, looking at the few things of Christianity that the Protestants reject, like Marian devotions, the Assumption, the Immaculate Conception, Papal authority, and a few others, it occurred to me that I was being merely disobedient not to give my mental assent to these doctrines, as well as I do the others.

Once I got to that point, I was able to give my assent to everything the Church teaches. For me, it was and is about obedience and humility.
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With all respect to your comment, we are commanded to test all things. 1 Thess 5:21-22. God tells us that in His word…The Bible. Consequently the standard for that test must be The Bible KJV. Unfortunately, so much of Catholicism, just doesn’t pass the test. “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.” 2 Tim 3:16-17.
I don’t normally use secular information, but this quote by Mark Twain seem so approptiate here. “In religion, peoples beliefs and convictions are in almost every case gotten at second hand, and without examination.”
Remember, The Bible came first!

God Bless,
Robert

God commands us to test all things. 1 Thess 5:21-22​

 
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