Why Not?

[jakasaki]

Friend,

Why aren’t you a Catholic?

Well dear friend PJM,

I was born into an Eastern Orthodox family, raised that way, never thought of questioning it, not because I could not or would not… so I’m happy with it. Like yourself and many others who are proud to be Catholic, I am proud to be EO.

1/2 of my family is EO
1/2 of my family is Catholic

Have a great week!

 

[lil_flower_luv]

Well dear friend PJM,

I was born into an Eastern Orthodox family, raised that way, never thought of questioning it, not because I could not or would not… so I’m happy with it. Like yourself and many others who are proud to be Catholic, I am proud to be EO.

1/2 of my family is EO
1/2 of my family is Catholic

Have a great week!

Great answer! :clapping:

 

[Publisher]

Did you do any research on the Catholic Faith? Why are you on Catholic Answers?
God Bless!

Yes, I did study concerning the Catholic church. My aunt converted to Catholicism when I was a child. I have read articles and read some “apoligetics” about the Catholic church…but I simply didn’t find it’s claims compelling enough to throw my lot with them.

I am on Catholic Answers to seek a better understanding of those who follow Catholicism. I wanted to better "flesh out’ my own understanding and get a clearer view of Catholic belief. And to hopefully dispell some beliefs held by Catholics toward non-Catholic Christians.

 

[jakasaki]

Great answer! :clapping:

Thank you kindly!

 

[rinnie]

When we bought our house we got cable for the first time. I used to watch Christian TV and laugh at it thinking I could use my faith against them. They presented a clear concise description of Christ and His word. The faith I had followed from birth was not holding up to the light of biblical truth. I was challenged greatly. I asked the priest who married us some questions and he could not answer them. That was 21 years ago. I learned more about God and the bible in the six months after than in the 28 years before. I only look forward now to life with my Lord and Savior.

Let me get this straight, you are saying because you asked a Priest a question he could not answer that is why you left the Catholic Church

My guess would be you were Catholic, but I would have to be wrong. Because there is not one teaching of the CC that does not hold up the light of the Biblical truth:shrug:

 

[TheosisM]

can’t say I’m surprised at the outcome of this thread.

 

[rinnie]

Yes, I did study concerning the Catholic church. My aunt converted to Catholicism when I was a child. I have read articles and read some “apoligetics” about the Catholic church…but I simply didn’t find it’s claims compelling enough to throw my lot with them.

I am on Catholic Answers to seek a better understanding of those who follow Catholicism. I wanted to better "flesh out’ my own understanding and get a clearer view of Catholic belief. And to hopefully dispell some beliefs held by Catholics toward non-Catholic Christians.

You may be able to dispel some beliefs held by Catholic People toward Non- Catholic Christians but you will never be able to dispel Catholic teaching. I will tell you that straight up right now. So if you are here to persecute the RCC I cannot stop you. But you will never dispel it! There is not one teaching that goes against the gospel of God.

I told you Publisher the CC is the Living CHrist and is led by the Holy Spirit. There is no dispelling to be done. The RCC fullness of the Truth. I cannot make you believe, nor follow you have free will. But if you wanna take a shot at my Church I will defend My Dear Lord and Savior.

 

[lil_flower_luv]

Yes, I did study concerning the Catholic church. My aunt converted to Catholicism when I was a child. I have read articles and read some “apoligetics” about the Catholic church…but I simply didn’t find it’s claims compelling enough to throw my lot with them.

I am on Catholic Answers to seek a better understanding of those who follow Catholicism. I wanted to better "flesh out’ my own understanding and get a clearer view of Catholic belief. And to hopefully dispell some beliefs held by Catholics toward non-Catholic Christians.

I see. Thank you for answering!

 

[Publisher]

You may be able to dispel some beliefs held by Catholic People toward Non- Catholic Christians but you will never be able to dispel Catholic teaching. I will tell you that straight up right now. So if you are here to persecute the RCC I cannot stop you. But you will never dispel it! There is not one teaching that goes against the gospel of God.

I told you Publisher the CC is the Living CHrist and is led by the Holy Spirit. There is no dispelling to be done. The RCC fullness of the Truth. I cannot make you believe, nor follow you have free will. But if you wanna take a shot at my Church I will defend My Dear Lord and Savior.

Peace to you Rinnie.

 

[Nine_Two]

I examined Catholicism after I left Protestantism and could not get past the idea of a single Bishop ruling over the entire church (and if you want to cite Matthew 16 for that, please be so kind as to quote as far as verse 23.)
I also have difficulty with the sheer amount of doctrine the Catholic Church has that has absolutely nothing to do with Christ or the Trinity - whether they are correct or not becomes irrelevent.
Finally, the idea that a man can be infallible under any circumstances makes me feel uneasy. I know the official party line and the very limited circumstances under which it applies and all that, but the mere fact it is there gets me. No man is perfect except Christ.

 

[jericho777]

Let me get this straight, you are saying because you asked a Priest a question he could not answer that is why you left the Catholic Church

My guess would be you were Catholic, but I would have to be wrong. Because there is not one teaching of the CC that does not hold up the light of the Biblical truth:shrug:

Not quite, I had some questions we had a small discussion, he was unable or unwilling and didn’t really seem to care. It sorta sealed the deal if you know what I mean.

For sure Jesus is God and died for our sins. But then all the man made rules, rituals and dogmas that are not in the bible really turned me. I know they were well intended but have nothing in common with biblical Christianity.

 

[gmcbroom]

As an catachumen of the Catholic Church, Maronite. Perhaps I can offer my take on this thread. It was begun with the simple premise of why not when it concerns the Catholic church and others choosing a different faith. Many have responded with their reasons why not. First, I must thank all who have thus far responded it truly isn’t easy to discuss religion, even today, too much blood has been spilled in the name of it. Lets start in the beginning (now keep in mind I’m still learning) The term Catholic was first coined by St. Ignatius in the early church in Antioch. This was after the Apostles. Catholic simply means Universal. Now the Catholic church is led and inspired by the Holy Spirit, It (the church) is Not The Holy Spirit. It would be more accurate to say the Catholic church is in the body of Christ, of which the Jesus is its head or high priest. I think it would be good for all of us to remember that. Also, also as the Catholic church has 22 suri iuris ie churches. Of which the Roman church is simply the largest. It shouldn’t be hard to understand why different churches would form over time. First with the various Schisms during the formation of the various doctrines and their disagreements, then with the disagreements over perceived abuses of power with in the churches. Now, if they follow the the teachings of Jesus Christ, and are baptized with the Trinitarian formula ie Father Son and Holy Spirit they are Christians in the body of Christ. There will always be those that attack any view that differs from there own. While I prefer the Catholic faith, I can’t condemn others whose views are different. I think that we should all be alittle more charitable when it comes to discussions such as these. My 2 cents.

 

[TedDC]

Hi Ted,

Thanks for the honest answer.

Is that because you don’t think they are true, or h fact that they are true true simply does not matter to you?

An can you be more specific?

I’m not sure if you’re intending to be sarcastic in your question, but I think my answer was quite clear: I do not believe many of the Church’s teachings.

Specifically (at least the major issues): transubstantiation, apostolic succession, papal infallibility, the whole idea of “binding and loosing” authority somehow being transferred to the present-day Church hierarchy, the requirement for confession to a priest.

 

[George_2007]

What I was trying to stress is this. We as Catholics believe Jesus and his Church to One. One IN BEING with God.

(I assume you meant your second sentence to end: “to be One.” Correct me if I am wrong)

This is deeply troubling and incorrect. I guess I could still be misunderstanding your statements, but I don’t think so. Somebody help me out here.

Where did you learn that the Church is one in being with God? The Church is the Mystical Body of Christ, but by no means does this mean that the Church is one in being with Jesus. You are making the Church a member of the Trinity, or maybe an additional nature of Jesus, or something equally bizarre with these statements.

Please provide some support for these statements.

 

[PJM]

=Publisher;6238919]If I’m wrong…you can yell at me “I told you so” from across the abyss.

My words are not “easy”…they are part of my faith experience. I have found nothing yet to contradict the belief that He is Faithful and Just and His Mercy is made new each day. “For I am persuaded that neither death nor life nor angels nor principalities,nor things present, nor things to come, nor height nor depth nor any created thing shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.”…

“For I know Whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him against that day.”…but then they are just “darn easy words to claim before it happens”…I hold to the words just the same…they’re not my words…but they are Good Words…

***The key word in your response which I fear you don’t fully comprehend is the word “JUST”

Indeed God actually MUST BE, [has no choice but to be] “just and fair.” BUT not as to what you and I freely choose to accept but rather what is in fact fair and just in the eyes of God; who will by virtue of the very arrtibutes WILL JUDGE all NOT ON WHAT WE ALLOW OURSELVES TO KNOW,NO! BUT ON WHAT GOD HAS PROVIDED OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO KNOW, ACCEPT OR REJECT

That friend, is how Divine Justice must be and certainly will be applied.***

And thanks for the offer to “yell” at you, but that’s not my role, not my decision. Just sharing how God will decide, so you too can decide.

Love and prayers,

Pat

 

[Jars_of_Clay_1]

Friend,

Why aren’t you a Catholic?

For a number of reasons of which I think if I posted here - would be hurtful to many Catholics. I have no desire to hurt anyone here.

 

[Publisher]

***The key word in your response which I fear you don’t fully comprehend is the word “JUST”

Indeed God actually MUST BE, [has no choice but to be] “just and fair.” BUT not as to what you and I freely choose to accept but rather what is in fact fair and just in the eyes of God; who will by virtue of the very arrtibutes WILL JUDGE all NOT ON WHAT WE ALLOW OURSELVES TO KNOW,NO! BUT ON WHAT GOD HAS PROVIDED OPPORTUNITY FOR US TO KNOW, ACCEPT OR REJECT

That friend, is how Divine Justice must be and certainly will be applied.***

And thanks for the offer to “yell” at you, but that’s not my role, not my decision.** Just** sharing how God will decide, so you too can decide.

Love and prayers,

Pat

I must admit…I am not privy to the whole workings of the mind and will of God as you are. In my time here at CAF I’ve read over and over that no one knows the fate of another’s soul…they must have overlooked your deep insight on the matter however…you are to be commended…bless you.

I’ll “take my chances” and believe and trust my own experience with God and trust in His steadfast love and mercy…the mercy which endures forever…then to divest myself of my own good judgement… “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” and allow myself to follow your counsel. As I mentioned before…I am not concerned about “the next life”…it will take care of itself. I will trust in the One who knows me best and loves me most…I’m in very Good Hands, but I thank you for your concern, even though I feel it is very misplaced.

Peace to you Friend

 

[Hypatia]

Trinity (which would be enough all on it’s own)

Incarnation (which, again, would be enough all on it’s own)

and the story of the ‘resurrection’ of Jesus (not b/c it is a miracle story that no one would conceivably believe if you told it to them today, but b/c such a superstitious story is so fundamental to Christianity that if you deny it there is no longer any reason to be Christian)

 

[cheese_sdc]

Trinity (which would be enough all on it’s own)

Incarnation (which, again, would be enough all on it’s own)

and the story of the ‘resurrection’ of Jesus (not b/c it is a miracle story that no one would conceivably believe if you told it to them today, but b/c such a superstitious story is so fundamental to Christianity that if you deny it there is no longer any reason to be Christian)

I always get a chuckle when a member of one religion blasts another for being “superstitious”.

 

[rinnie]

Not quite, I had some questions we had a small discussion, he was unable or unwilling and didn’t really seem to care. It sorta sealed the deal if you know what I mean.

For sure Jesus is God and died for our sins. But then all the man made rules, rituals and dogmas that are not in the bible really turned me. I know they were well intended but have nothing in common with biblical Christianity.

No, Really I don’t understand. I mean I understand that you did not feel the Priest and you connected on a spiritual level, but for me that would never have me change from my faith.

And I have no idea about the Man made rules you are talking about. Unless you mean that Jesus was truly God and Truly Man. We must be talking about different churchs or something But I am glad that you are at peace. And I will pray that you can someday return.