Why would anyone want to become Catholic?

[Hellisreal]

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m a cradle Catholic and will be Catholic until I die, no matter what. The point is, with all of the things going on with the Church these days, (abuse scandels, big money payoffs, movies and tv trying to convince people that the Church is corrupt, etc, etc) if I weren’t already Catholic, what would make me want to become one? How about you? Would you do it again under todays conditions? Or would you head for the nearest feel-good mega church?

Abuse scandals dont rock my faith.
Actually nothing you listed here would.

Now, I am trying to see this outside of my POV and trying to be objective.

I would either still be a Catholic- or an agnostic if I came in now as a fresh slate.

Possibly the percentage would be:

Catholic 60 percent chance

Agnostic 40 percent chance

anything else-

NO CHANCE

 

[Teelynn]

When you walk into a Catholic church, the very first thing you see is the tabernacle. And in the tabernacle is Jesus Christ Himself. He is physically present. Almighty God Himself who created you and the entire universe is physically present in the tabernacle in a Catholic church. There is no where else where God Himself is physically present, except in a Catholic church.

:yup: :yup: :yup:

 

[RedSoxFan]

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m a cradle Catholic and will be Catholic until I die, no matter what. The point is, with all of the things going on with the Church these days, (abuse scandels, big money payoffs, movies and tv trying to convince people that the Church is corrupt, etc, etc) if I weren’t already Catholic, what would make me want to become one? How about you? Would you do it again under todays conditions? Or would you head for the nearest feel-good mega church?

I would always stay with the church. Given Hollywood’s and the media’s leftist views I would never take them seriously. As for the legitimate scandals all I would ask for was that it was dealt with propperly. The biggest thing about the Church is the truth behind it’s teaching. The bad apple doesn’t spoil this bunch.

 

[Debra_C]

Now don’t get me wrong. I’m a cradle Catholic and will be Catholic until I die, no matter what. The point is, with all of the things going on with the Church these days, (abuse scandels, big money payoffs, movies and tv trying to convince people that the Church is corrupt, etc, etc) if I weren’t already Catholic, what would make me want to become one? How about you? Would you do it again under todays conditions? Or would you head for the nearest feel-good mega church?

I became Catholic because Jesus revealed Himself to me in the Holy Eucharist. Now that this has happened for me, if there is no Eucharist, there is no Church. Therefore, I am Catholic.

As for the abuse scandals, I am no stranger to them. One hit the papers every few years as I grew up. None were blown into the media frenzy these in the Catholic Church have been recently, but they happen in all denominations. There is no Catholic monopoly on scandalous issues.

As for the feel good mega churches… I have no doubt of the presence of the Holy Spirit among those who worship there. I have seen it, felt it, known it myself. After all, Jesus did promise that wherever two or more are gathered in His name He is there. However, when that building is emptied of worshippers, it is just an empty building. In the Catholic Church, Jesus is there in the tabernacle, whether we are there or not. It is always a holy place. It is never empty. I know He is there with me even when I am alone. I can go there anytime and empty myself to Him, and He is there for me, physically present in the Holy Eucharist.

 

[JimG]

I have to be Catholic or nothing.

If I could not be Catholic, I could not join any other church.

 

[colettecop]

Why do I want to become Catholic? There are a lot of reasons, but one in particular that drew me first:

The Catholic Church does not “give in” to the ways of the world, like so many Protestant denominations do. Instead, it continues to uphold many Christian standards of morality that have, in recent decades, come to be considered old-fashioned or even politically incorrect and backwards. I’m thinking of issues such as abortion, contraception, and divorce.

Sadly, I think that it is these very morals are what keep a lot of people from joining the Church, much more than talk of scandals. Things like abortion, contraception, and divorce are SO common and accepted in our society that people just don’t want to give them up (people may think of them as “rights”), or even consider that they are wrong. After all, they may reason, the other Christians don’t have all those restrictive rules, so why do Catholics? At least that’s what some people may think – but IMHO, the history of these “restrictive rules” can really be an eye-opener, even for non-religious people.

Just my :twocents: I apologize if I offended anyone or said something foolish . . . I have a lot to learn about the Catholic Church!

 

[bankerdavid]

Thanks for all the replys. I do believe that in spite of everything, our Church has a future. The Holy Spirit gurantees it. There have been scandels in the past, and the Church has survived and grown in the process. I believe this will happen now. I’m am still proud to be Catholic.

I think this is proof that the RCC is the Church of Christ, being guided by Him.

 

[kquinn]

My initial response upon reading your post title was" “How could anyone NOT want to become Catholic?” → my answer was “I did ”. The Church has the fullness of the faith, we have the Eucharist, we have the saints and our mother as intercessor, we have unbroken apostolic succession from Peter! We have the literally thousands of years of great minds and writings. And sooo much more!

Rien, I agree with jc. I’m so sorry you have not seen the renewal of the faith. I have never met anyone who left the Church (the idea truly saddens me) and knew what it was that they left. Those leaving do not know their faith, or do not wish to conform their desires/urges/ideas of how life should be to the teachings of God. We are called to know our faith, to be ready to give reason for our Hope at all times! I think if anything, Catholic laity is lax in our desire to know our faith (I know I suffered from this), to read the teachings of the Church and in doing so we will understand that the Church has reason for her teaching.

I can list so many reconciliations to the Church (original converts) and those who have come back after absence → aside from Scott Hahn, and all are highly intellectual: David Currie, Curtis Martin, and check out David Sri, Tim Gray. So many that never left(ex): John Paul the Great, Mother Teresa, and Pope Benedict XVI. And so many friends (including myself) that were brought to the Church because of her Truth!
I honestly believe (and I do not mean to offend anyone) that anyone who truly searches for the truth will find the Church. As Catholic’s, let us do what our late holy father urged us : let’s change the world. I can’t even begin to describe the beauty I’ve found here.

God bless!

PS In response to scandals, the percentage of sexual abuse cases filed in non-Catholic organizations is far higher than those in the Church…but as (I believe) GK Chesterton said, the only acceptable discrimination left in this country is that against Catholics (I am paraphrasing).

 

[Roger_Wissinger]

First: It’s the church founded by Christ on Peter. All others were founded by man.

Second: No matter what faith tradition you have, or which church you attend, the Catholic faith simply has more. More Holy Spirit, more Body and Blood of Christ, more variety of ways to worship, more races, and nationalities-in fact the whole world!

Third: Leaving the Catholic (Universal) church because of the scandals is like Peter, James and John walking away from Christ because of Judas. He sold Christ out, then committed suicide. Talk about a scandal!

Fourth: Which church does Satan come against the most? This is clear indication that the truth dwells within it.

Fifth: Take a fresh look at the church after you stop watching TV, cancel your newspaper, etc. It’s amazing how refreshing it now appears!

Sixth: Turn off the non-demoninational and secular radio stations and listen to Catholic radio. Your attitude will do a 180.

Resist Satan with all of your heart, all of your soul, all of your strength and all of your mind, just as you must love the Lord in the same fashion.

The peace of Christ to all.

AMEN

 

[mark_a]

Sadly, I think that it is these very morals are what keep a lot of people from joining the Church, much more than talk of scandals. Things like abortion, contraception, and divorce are SO common and accepted in our society that people just don’t want to give them up (people may think of them as “rights”), or even consider that they are wrong. After all, they may reason, the other Christians don’t have all those restrictive rules, so why do Catholics? At least that’s what some people may think – but IMHO, the history of these “restrictive rules” can really be an eye-opener, even for non-religious people.

Just my :twocents: I apologize if I offended anyone or said something foolish . . . I have a lot to learn about the Catholic Church!

Your :twocents: is pure gold!! You hit the nail on the head.

An observation about Catholics who leave the Church (myself included) is that their morality fails first, then they leave the Church.

We stop attending weekly mass and then always, always, always, we somehow find a way tp justify our immoral behavior
and stop going to confession. Once we have satisfied ourselves that mass and confession are no longer needed, its over.

 

[Roger_Wissinger]

Of all the people that I’ve talked to that came from other denominations to the Catholic Church, they say they would never go back. Their here to stay.

 

[Debra_C]

Of all the people that I’ve talked to that came from other denominations to the Catholic Church, they say they would never go back. Their here to stay.

It’s not even that I won’t go back… I can’t go back. It’s just too empty. I’d never be able to sit there eating those little crackers and grapejuice without crying over what I’m missing.

 

[Jeanette_L]

Of all the people that I’ve talked to that came from other denominations to the Catholic Church, they say they would never go back. Their here to stay.

AMEN!!!

People who leave Catholicism, usually, from what I’ve seen, have never bothered to invest of themselves and learn their faith before they abandon it. They are looking for something emotional, a better feeling (which can never be trusted), and most of the time they are looking for leniency, because they don’t want to morally be held accountable in some areas where Protestant and non-denoms differ with the Catholic Church.

But, people who take the time to convert to the Catholic Church are a completely different species. They usually have to make great personal sacrifice to come home. It is not just a matter of casually walking away and wandering into something else, or wanting something easier. Becoming a Catholic is not easier, not something you do lightly, so the convert to it comes with a real committment to the idea that the Catholic Church is the only place they can go, they have seen it all, studied it all, and know that Truth resides in Catholicism. And Truth has become the only important thing.

So, people who leave aren’t running to Truth, they are running to emotionalism and an easier life. The people who come to the Church, come because they have no other options, God has not left them any other.

 

[pmoo]

Of all the people that I’ve talked to that came from other denominations to the Catholic Church, they say they would never go back. Their here to stay.

Not only would I not go back, but there is really nothing to go back to. My church didn’t even have ‘pretend’ communion. It was just our preacher ranting and raving about Hell. He really used to scare the you-know-what out of me. I agree with the other poster who said it would be too empty. I cry in mass now because I am so moved; I feel the spirit of Jesus, but I’d be crying from pain or boredom if I returned to my ‘dry as dust’ church (as my sister calls it). It took me a long time to find ‘home’, and now that I have, why would I leave?

 

[Debra_C]

Not only would I not go back, but there is really nothing to go back to. My church didn’t even have ‘pretend’ communion. It was just our preacher ranting and raving about Hell. He really used to scare the you-know-what out of me. I agree with the other poster who said it would be too empty. I cry in mass now because I am so moved; I feel the spirit of Jesus, but I’d be crying from pain or boredom if I returned to my ‘dry as dust’ church (as my sister calls it). It took me a long time to find ‘home’, and now that I have, why would I leave?

I’m glad to know I am not the only one. The Consecration and the Eucharistic Prayers bring tears to my eyes almost every time. And to find the Truth, it really is like coming home. How could anyone want to leave? I changed my life so drastically in the process of becoming Catholic, I don’t feel like the person I was before even exists now.

 

[Contarini]

Sadly, I think that it is these very morals are what keep a lot of people from joining the Church, much more than talk of scandals. Things like abortion, contraception, and divorce are SO common and accepted in our society that people just don’t want to give them up (people may think of them as “rights”), or even consider that they are wrong. After all, they may reason, the other Christians don’t have all those restrictive rules, so why do Catholics? At least that’s what some people may think – but IMHO, the history of these “restrictive rules” can really be an eye-opener, even for non-religious people.

Unfortunately the two things work together. It is natural to believe that a person or group holding up high moral standards should set a particularly good example in practice. And this reasonable human expectation has been excessively heightened by our culture’s redefinition of “hypocrisy” to describe any falling short of one’s announced standards. Our culture is particularly merciless on people who “don’t practice what they preach.” The sight of the Catholic Church denouncing what many people in our culture consider minor or harmless “sins” (the scare quotes reflect not my views but those of the culture in general) while apparently winking at extremely grave sins by its own clergy has had a devastating effect on the Church’s credibility. (I don’t think this is actually anything new–people have always been able to point to something of this sort, and this is just the latest wave.)

In other words, it’s not just that people are sinful and don’t want to be called to a higher moral standard, or that people are righteously indignant at the Church. It’s a combination of the two. People don’t want to be told that their lifestyles are sinful, but if they are going to hear this message they demand to hear it from someone (or some institution) with an exemplary record on the moral issues they they already recognize as important. This is no doubt self-serving. But it’s understandable.

Edwin

 

[pmoo]

I’m glad to know I am not the only one. The Consecration and the Eucharistic Prayers bring tears to my eyes almost every time. And to find the Truth, it really is like coming home. How could anyone want to leave? I changed my life so drastically in the process of becoming Catholic, I don’t feel like the person I was before even exists now.

I’m not the same as I was before either! Before, I considered myself to be a good Christian, but I cannot believe the things I did as a ‘good’ Christian and the things I didn’t do, but should have I mean, Catholicism really does require a sacrifice, but there should be a sacrifice. It really isn’t possible to be a Christian and make no changes in your life. It’s even just little things like paying attention to the speed limit (something I rarely did), or trying to find ways to help others, or just consciously making time for prayer. Here’s a funny example. I got a free ticket for popcorn the other day at the movie but it was only valid for that day; however, I’d just eaten lunch so I didn’t want to use it that same day. In the past, I would have saved that coupon to use on another day as the candy counter employees are too busy to notice. The next time I went to the movies, I did briefly think about it, I just couldn’t do it because I knew it was not valid, so I threw it out …Pray for me that I can continue to become a better person

 

[Amethyst]

People who leave Catholicism, usually, from what I’ve seen, have never bothered to invest of themselves and learn their faith before they abandon it. They are looking for something emotional, a better feeling (which can never be trusted), and most of the time they are looking for leniency, because they don’t want to morally be held accountable in some areas where Protestant and non-denoms differ with the Catholic Church.

Well, maybe; but recently there have been some very public Catholic converts who have reverted to their birth faith, or converted to yet another tradition. It’s tempting to believe those who lose faith are shallow or looking for a rush; because then I can tell myself that it won’t happen to me.

Better I should pray for those who have lost their faith; and pray that God preserve me in mine. After all, I once fervently, ardently believed false teachings; why couldn’t I fall again?

 

[pmoo]

AMEN!!!

People who leave Catholicism, usually, from what I’ve seen, have never bothered to invest of themselves and learn their faith before they abandon it. They are looking for something emotional, a better feeling (which can never be trusted), and most of the time they are looking for leniency, because they don’t want to morally be held accountable in some areas where Protestant and non-denoms differ with the Catholic Church.

But, people who take the time to convert to the Catholic Church are a completely different species. They usually have to make great personal sacrifice to come home. It is not just a matter of casually walking away and wandering into something else, or wanting something easier. Becoming a Catholic is not easier, not something you do lightly, so the convert to it comes with a real committment to the idea that the Catholic Church is the only place they can go, they have seen it all, studied it all, and know that Truth resides in Catholicism. And Truth has become the only important thing.

So, people who leave aren’t running to Truth, they are running to emotionalism and an easier life. The people who come to the Church, come because they have no other options, God has not left them any other.

You’ve made a good point and it reminds me of a bumper sticker I once saw that read, "I’m not perfect, I’m forgiven.’ That was really the motto I heard all my life in the Protestant church. We were taught salvation by grace - accept Jesuc as your savior and all sins are forgiven. This makes it very easy to do whatever you want because there is no accountability. Christ’s crucifixion is perceived as a blanket pardon for all sins ever committed. Being a Catholic is a daily committment and a constant renewal of faith (the Eucharist) and a constant act of penitence (confession). For me (maybe I was just a bad Protestant), my faith was just one part of me, but Catholicism has seeped into all aspects of my life. Before, I pretty much did whatever I wanted as I was ‘saved’ and therefore ‘forgiven’ but now I work at doing what is right. There must be a simpler way to say all this, but obviously it’s eluded me

 

[jabelltulsa]

if the world hates the RCC, then it must be doing something right.

Quoted for Truth!!

And let me add … John 15 “If the world hates you, realize that it hated me first”