Why would anyone want to become Catholic?

[YinYangMom]

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

jabelltulsa;:

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

Careful there. I’ve heard that line used by the evangelicals. It always struck me as dangerous to rely on it because wouldn’t the Islamic extremists be able to claim the same? Certainly the world is fearful of them but I can’t imagine they’re doing something right.

My reasoning for remaining Catholic, and what I seem to hear from converts to Catholicism, is that the Eucharist matters most. Of course that comes only after one is granted the grace to comprehend the Real Presence, it seems.

 

[po18guy]

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

pmoo,
Beautifully said. Our faith is a life-long process of conversion. As much joy as you feel now, just wait for what the Lord has in store for you.

 

[jabelltulsa]

Careful there. I’ve heard that line used by the evangelicals. It always struck me as dangerous to rely on it because wouldn’t the Islamic extremists be able to claim the same? Certainly the world is fearful of them but I can’t imagine they’re doing something right.

That’s a very good point, but I meant to quote this in context that one can see that there is some merit to it.

Don’t get me wrong, here … hatred by the world doesn’t qualify a Church to be righteous.

Guardian’s post reminds me of Christ’s words is all.

 

[Jeanette_L]

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?

Becoming a Catholic is the hardest thing I’ve personally ever done. It requires a commitment and personal sacrifice that is not only hard to muster in the first place, but extremely difficult to stay with because you remember how much easier life was before this conversion.

But having said that, I can’t imagine me being able to convince myself after going through all of this, that’s it’s just not as important as I thought, and it would be all right to just pretend that this little episode of my life didn’t happen or mean everything.

The Truth was important enough to risk everything for, that importance will never go away. I’m sure there are some who have just not had the strength for some reason, to see it through till the end. I think a lot of people don’t understand the tremendous social pressure and familial pressure some people go through when they convert. It can feel as though you are going to break at any time. If people don’t completely abandon you, they often times try to wear you down with arguments and reconversion efforts. They would rather see you anywhere than the Catholic Church, anywhere! And I can imagine that this has a lot to do with why some people do not find the strength, or courage to not fall back, and I fully agree with you, they do indeed need our prayers.

 

[convert_2000]

i’m a protestant and i’ve been to feel good churches. i’d rather worship God than sing and dance to rock music at church. been there done, done that, don’t like it. i think that there is nothing wrong with what they do, and maybe there isn’t. but it just doesn’t sit well with me. i’m looking at the RCC as a possible home, even with what is going on. the way i see it, if the world hates the RCC, then it must be doing something right. as far as the abuses go, i also know that the catholic church is made up of people, and people sin, even priests. personally, if i was the Holy Father, i would have had those priests shot (my opinion that death is the only appropriate punishment for hurting a kid like that). i had talked to a nun and she said they were defrocked and exiled, i guess that will do. but you have to remember, church (irregardless of denom) is for sinners, not saints. remember, jesus said he came to heal the sick, the healthy need no healing

You stated my sentiments. Welcome home:thumbsup:

 

[po18guy]

i’m a protestant and i’ve been to feel good churches. i’d rather worship God than sing and dance to rock music at church. been there done, done that, don’t like it. i think that there is nothing wrong with what they do, and maybe there isn’t. but it just doesn’t sit well with me. i’m looking at the RCC as a possible home, even with what is going on. the way i see it, if the world hates the RCC, then it must be doing something right. as far as the abuses go, i also know that the catholic church is made up of people, and people sin, even priests. personally, if i was the Holy Father, i would have had those priests shot (my opinion that death is the only appropriate punishment for hurting a kid like that). i had talked to a nun and she said they were defrocked and exiled, i guess that will do. but you have to remember, church (irregardless of denom) is for sinners, not saints. remember, jesus said he came to heal the sick, the healthy need no healing

Amen and well said. The Lord gave you a seeking heart-one that is not satisfied until it possesses the full truth. Keep seeking and we’ll keep praying for you. Once you are home, you will be at peace, because your heart will rest in Him.

The peace of Christ be with you, now and forever.

 

[Teeliumtrozzle]

The saints.They are amazing.St. Padre Pio obviously had Instignia sent from Jesus.And St. Berneddettes body couldnt possibly be incurrupted if God didnt do it.And what about all the miracles performed by saints?Also, the Apparitians.The magic roses prove Gudepaile, the sun definitely proves Fatima.

 

[Maria_0027]

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 agree. I had the same question and hence how I found this forum. I was thinking about all the atrocities the roman catholic church has been responsible for over the centuries, why would anyone wish to be associated with it? The idea is repugnant.

 

[buffalo]

I agree. I had the same question and hence how I found this forum. I was thinking about all the atrocities the roman catholic church has been responsible for over the centuries, why would anyone wish to be associated with it? The idea is repugnant.

Human failures are indeed repugnant. However, the teachings and proposition the Church offers are good. The proposition is hard and many humans will not live up to them.

The Church is a hospital for sinners. Every one in it sins. The Church is a beacon to help reform our lives.

 

[mathematoons]

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?

As a former atheist, I found this amusing.

I became Catholic because I liked the teachings. They were so refreshing after seeing all the moral relativism in the world and being part of it. I knew there had to be a better way than what I now know to be the culture of death, and then I found that better way in the Church.

As for the sex abuse scandals, more kids are molested by teachers than by priests; should we stop sending them to school?

 

[buffalo]

As for the sex abuse scandals, more kids are molested by teachers than by priests; should we stop sending them to school?

Ahhh - you bring up an interesting point. Think the media will go after public school teachers with the venom they went after the Church? Think the fact that it is mostly homosexual acts going on here will matter to them? Nope - it will get a free pass because they want to advance the homosexual agenda.

 

[Maria_0027]

Human failures are indeed repugnant. However, the teachings and proposition the Church offers are good. The proposition is hard and many humans will not live up to them.

The Church is a hospital for sinners. Every one in it sins. The Church is a beacon to help reform our lives.

I’m not talking about human failures, nor am I against faith. Im talking about the roman catholic church and what it represents. The violence, oppression and manipulative terrorism, destruction of whole civilisations and unique architecture - countless crimes they are responsible for over the many centuries are unrivaled by any other organisation. How is it they still have loyal minions? Why would anyone wish to be associated with this?

 

[VeritasLuxMea]

I joined the Church in 2005, and to be honest, the scandal that went on did not even cross my mind.

For me, the thing that drew me to the RCC is that there was an answer for any question I had. I am a very intellectual person, and my Southern Baptist church was just shunning me for asking questions.

That’s so interesting. I was always shamed for asking “too many questions” as a young Catholic. I was told I “think too much.” I always thought Protestants tended to be better with that?

 

[tee_eff_em]

I agree. I had the same question and hence how I found this forum. I was thinking about all the atrocities the roman catholic church has been responsible for over the centuries, why would anyone wish to be associated with it? The idea is repugnant.

Why would anyone want to resurrect a 4 year old thread just to fire a scatter shot?

:ehh:
tee

 

[ivory]

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’m becoming a Catholic even with the hostile environment towards Catholics in the world today. Why? Because I came to believe in the truth of the Catholic Church. Everything makes sense. The Real Presence is a nice touch too.

 

[Maria_0027]

Why would anyone want to resurrect a 4 year old thread just to fire a scatter shot?

:ehh:
tee

Sorry mate, didnt realise there was a expiry date on these things. I Don’t think you can really call my comment a scatter shot either since I am directly addressing the question in the title of this thread. I understand that you would rather shut your eyes tight and just continue to be spoon fed.

 

[blueangel05]

I come from an Irish Catholic family on my mom’s side but, my (step)-father’s family is Baptist and so I was raised Baptist. Southern Baptist to be more exact and a lot of them, don’t get me wrong there are some good ones, use their faith like an excuse for everything. It’s really annoying when someone says, “Oh that’s not very Christian-like…” And then goes and does something completely opposite. I’ve known more Catholic families to be more “genuine”, so-to-speak, than any other faith I’ve come across.
I have considered converting to Catholicism, for many reasons, since 7th grade but, I’m just now getting around to the RICA. I was going to start it last year but, I had gotten mixed information. So, I’m starting it soon.

 

[joshrp]

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?

True joy is in the Catholic Church. A King leads a kingdom. A Shepherd leads His flock. A Faith guides the faithful. God is not my Father, He is our Father. God loves us so much that He tells us how to live with Him. And He does not ask each of us to be His only child. He asks us to be part of His family. He gives us mothers and father to teach us what He has taught them. He gives us a Church to teach us what He has taught Her saints over time. Religion is about a relationship. God ate a communal meal with His Apostles at the institution of the Eucharist. He did not go out to a romantic restaurant on separate dates with each of them. He teaches us what He wants from us. The Church is not teaching us what to do, the Church is teaching and elaborating upon what Christ invites us to do.

I don’t even bother defending the Church against all the scandals. The Church did nothing wrong. The Church is the bride of Christ. It is people who were not authentically Catholic and obedient to Christ’s Word who do these things. Am I supposed to tell Christ that His bride is a whore because of things that we did? If we were perfect we would not need a Church. God created a Church because He knew we cannot know how to live without His instruction. His Church’s teaching and sacraments are changeless and eternal, but they are revealed in time and in history. The Church is eternity unfolding in history.

 

[tee_eff_em]

I Don’t think you can really call my comment a scatter shot either since I am directly addressing the question in the title of this thread. I understand that you would rather shut your eyes tight and just continue to be spoon fed.

Oh, of course it was.

Perhaps you can be more specific* about all the atrocities the roman catholic church has been responsible for over the centuries? Because, you know, we all agree on what those are let alone that they exist. Just like we all agree that the roman catholic church represents violence, oppression and manipulative terrorism, destruction of whole civilisations and unique architecture.

(* But you might want to start a new thread for the new topic)

tee

 

[Maria_0027]

Oh, of course it was.

Perhaps you can be more specific* about all the atrocities the roman catholic church has been responsible for over the centuries? Because, you know, we all agree on what those are let alone that they exist. Just like we all agree that the roman catholic church represents violence, oppression and manipulative terrorism, destruction of whole civilisations and unique architecture.

(* But you might want to start a new thread for the new topic)

tee

This is not my ‘opinion’ - I’m referring to well documented facts. I’m very surprise you need clarification on this. There are too many to list, some more heinous than others, however look it up yourself. Start with the Crusades and The Inquisition. But there is a tonne more. Look at the exile of the Jews and the destruction of the Inca civilisation, the Hutu and the Tutsi genocide… Read the Law Code of Justinian, and papal bulls that sanction violence and oppression. To start.