im a 13 year old catholic im thinking of becoming a buddhist?

Question

should i become a buddhist
i have not had my 1st communion

Answer 1

I am Zen Buddhist and I believe that you should follow your heart. The Buddhist faith doesn't try to discourage followers, but rather wants followers to make an informed choice. This faith is all about learning to find inner enlightenment and finding compassion for others. Believe it or not, you can still keep your catholic beliefs and become Buddhist. Basically because this religion works as a philosophy and can tie in with other religions to show you a more peaceful and beneficial way to perceive life and live it to the fullest. I wish you the best of luck on your journey to wisdom. If it happens to lead you here, we'll be waiting. If it leads you somewhere else, peace and compassion be with you.

Answer 2

To question what is put in front of you is very forward thinking for one of your age. Continue to question. Don't let yourself get trapped into anything. Parents are going to be an issue as soon as the communion thing comes up. Start reading, define your own beliefs, follow your heart. There are many religions out there. Relgions stretch all over the globe; Christianity, judaism, Native American spiritualism, buddaism, Islam, south american; Incan, Mayan, Aztec, Vodoun, santeria, palo mayombe, the variety of pagan religions, Zoroasterism, and many more. I believe that there is a fundamental ruth that underlies all relgions and that in some way they are all truth corrupted by man but the fundamentals remain true. I am still searching, it takes time, but Isn't God worth it? It is a truely free and openminded person to question what is put infront of them. Join the ranks of the controversial- those who said the world was round - I think it was Copernicus. They were looked down on for being different, but in the end they found the truth and changed the world.
Parents may be the most difficult obstacles, no one wants to be ostracised from their family, I would try pawning off as a phase... they seem to fall for that and leave you alone. Once you have given your beliefs some rough definition and evidence and logic to back them up, you can then try to make them understand and they will either accept you or not. You are a free thinker, they generally come from other free thinkers.

Bravo... it took me an additional 5 years to get up the gumption to start searching.
Good Luck

Answer 3

The Bible is the best source of truth that we have. As you read it pray to the one true creator God and He will guide your mind. Some of the teachings of the Catholic church are different than what is found in the Bible. Many of the Buddhist teachings are also different than those in the Bible. It is safest to stay with a religion that is true to the Bible. That religion is the Christian religion. However, within the Christian religion there are a number of denominations. To decide which denomination most closely follows the Bible start by using the 10 commandments (Exodus 20) in the New King James Bible or NIV Bible. Then look carefully at the official beliefs or teachings of each of the denominations and you will find the church you should join.

Answer 4

this is quite something for a 13 year old to wish to look into Buddhism
i would highly recommend it not because i wish you to leave your faith but i feel the Buddhist teachings are something that a lot of people could learn from even if they do not wish to belong to that particular religion
research it , study it , ask questions from those already Buddhists
also think of reasons why your own faith isn't what you wish .. because its a huge step to take without serious thought
but i wish you well on whatever journey you take and somehow i feel its going to be a beautiful one :o)

Answer 5

Oh, don't change religions entirely. Just go non-denominational.

The problem with following a particular denomination is that it becomes less about the faith and more about being a good Catholic/Baptist/Methodist/Mormon/(insert your own denomination here). We start paying more attention to man's word rather than God's word.

At least you're not considering Scientology....

Answer 6

I am not Christian or Buddhist so let me give you my opinion

I think that you should stay in your current religion for the mean time (unless of course you are in physical danger).

I took a serious religious change when I was 18 and I only started to think about it when I was your age. Trust me now is not the time to rock the boat. Learn about Buddhism if that makes you happy but in the mean time stay where you are.

Answer 7

Interesting. I think you should discuss this with your priest, and also a spiritual leader from the buddhist community (I don't know what they're called). why haven't you had your first communion? You are past the usual age.

Answer 8

You might want to give Jesus a chance first.

Or read about Thomas Merton. He was a Trappist monk who became a Buddhist and remained a Catholic: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Merton

With love in Christ.

Answer 9

NO! Don't join any religion. I sincerely advice that you pray and ask God to help you and bring you to the right church. A church is not a building but it is composed of people, united together by one faith in one God.
Before I became a christian, I was so confused because I've so many friends who shared with me about their own religions but I only wanted to know the true God. So I prayed and asked for signs and I chose christianity, not bonded by a religion but it's all about a deep personal relationship with Jesus. And now I have peace, joy and security.
God bless you. :)

Answer 10

I think you are looking for spirituality instead of religion...and while I was raised roman catholic I have found more peace by doing my own search for what spirituality seemed to "be me". I follow the "old ways" of Native American spirituality..but for each of us there is something out there. You just have to research and then with each one find out what speaks to you spirit and heart.