Why Catholicism is so complex?

Question

I am not writing this to insult the Catholics but I think that being catholic is complex because their religion demands and requires too much from their followers. I have a grandmother who is catholic and she discards the rest Christian religions. The majority of my Uncles were Catholic, but they changed to Evangelism. My mother was raised catholic but she changed to an evangelist also, but it was mainly because of me. I almost was baptized catholic but for certain reasons that don't have to do with religion it didn't happened. My father was in the Army someplace else, I had a aunt and neighbors who decided to bring me to their Evangelic Church, and my mother ended there without any pressure.

I have been attracted to Catholicism, but for many reasons I don't convert because even converting is a problem. I don't like the idea of confessing my sins, which are like deep and intimate secrets to a stranger, so I guess that would make me sin more because I would lie.

Praying while counting Rosary Beads is like a challenge also. The First Communion. Having to learn all of the prayers, and all of the Saints. Having to take some special classes to get married. Those are a few examples.


Islam is like the second complex religion. They have to get on their knees and pray like 5 times a day. I am not saying my religion is better than the others. I just feel that Catholicism demands to much, and if I convert to Catholicism, in order to be a good one I have to follow everything they said which is too much for me, and I feel more comfortable being an Evangelical.

It would have been easier if I was raised Catholic.

Answer 1

>>>I am not writing this to insult the Catholics but I think that being catholic is complex because their religion demands and requires too much from their followers.

The world has grown darker too, with more empty promises, and false philosophies.

>>> I have a grandmother who is catholic and she discards the rest Christian religions.

She shouldn’t. The Catholic Church recognizes all who are baptized in Christ as brothers and sisters in the Lord. (CCC817-819) and she doesn’t discard truth no matter where it is found.

>>> The majority of my Uncles were Catholic, but they changed to Evangelism. My mother was raised catholic but she changed to an evangelist also, but it was mainly because of me.

I hope they have not become anti-Catholic, which is often the case. Converts to Catholicism can still revere their former faith, because they are not required to renounce something that has been enriched. Why do Catholics who leave become anti-Catholics, while converts to Catholicism are not anti-anything? Have you noticed?

>>>I have been attracted to Catholicism, but for many reasons I don't convert because even converting is a problem. I don't like the idea of confessing my sins, which are like deep and intimate secrets to a stranger, so I guess that would make me sin more because I would lie.

The only thing that is stopping you from being Catholic is a lack of understanding. That is what RCIA is for. You have from Sept. to Easter to learn and decide. There is no pressure. Confession is not a torture chamber of guilt and shame, but a shower for the soul, a dive into the sea of God’s mercy and forgiveness. Don’t learn about Catholicism from Hollywood. Confession of sins to the priest began with God commanding the Jews to do it, it is NOT a Catholic invention. Confession of sins to the priest is all over the bible, but is denied by 16th century opinions that tried to abolish the priesthood.

Praying the rosary is an optional devotion. You don’t HAVE to recite it. I wish Protestants would get that much right. It is worshipping God while doing a bible study. We pray scripture declaring the Incarnation (God come in the flesh) while meditating on the main parts of the Bible, generally speaking. The rosary is Christ centered, not Mary centered. God chose Mary to enter the world so coming to Jesus according to God’s design shouldn’t surprise anyone but somehow it does. Jesus condemned VAIN REPITITION, he did not condemn ALL repetition, but in fact, did it himself. http://www.scripturecatholic.com/vain_and_repetitious_prayer.html

Brows these: Pillar of Fire, Pillar of Truth http://www.catholic.com/library/Pillar.asp

http://www.phatmass.com
http://www.phatmass.com/directory/

Answer 2

Odd, I actually find it very easy to follow.

I converted to Catholicism and spent from August to March in RCIA classes, one or two nights a month. Not to much to ask - how many times a month do you go out with your friends?

Confession is not to a stranger, it is to your parish priest - I consider my priest a friend, but that could be because I actually know him.

Rosaries are NOT a requirement of the faith, but I can tell you that it is one of the easiest prayers I have ever learned. It is also the greatest opportunity to meditate on the life of Jesus.

I think that if you are finding it complex, it is only because you want it to be complex. I would suggest attending mass a few times and talking to the Adult Formation Director at your parish. You will not be under any commitment to join the Church, but you owe it to yourself to at least find out what we are all about.

Pace e Bene
David

Answer 3

To be challenging is not the same as to be complex.
It's the original christianity it's been around ever since Jesus walked this earth.
Even the myriad protestant denominations themselves wouldn't be around if it wasn't for the Catholic Church but I doubt many of them would acknowledge that.
What I see as most wonderful in the Catholic Church is the Real presence of Jesus in the blessed Eucharist. You come so close to Him. And also the sacrament of confession (can be a bit scary sometimes though) the mercy and forgiveness of God in action. Jesus gave the apostles (ie now bishops and priests) the power to forgive sins the first day of His resurrection-read your bible and see for yourself.

I'll pray for you.

Answer 4

Looking back, I actually think Catholicism requires a little less of people - but not in a good way.

It's all pomp and circumstance. As long as you know when to stand, sit, and kneel, you'll be good. All that other crap - who remembers all that anyway?

Catholic church is stuffy and repetitive. Stick with something else if you want to get some emotion out of going to church. If I could say I liked church, I would say I liked Catholic church because it was so formal and people just left me alone.

Answer 5

Catholicism is complex because life is complex, and Catholicism is a way of living life. Don't be afraid at the work the Church asks you to do - the work gives life meaning and is ultimately fulfilling as no other religion can be. God bless.

Answer 6

>>>I don't like the idea of confessing my sins, which are like deep and intimate secrets to a stranger<<<

The sacrament of confession/reconciliation is one of God's greatest gifts to us.

One reason is that this is the way Christ "set up" a means for us to have our sins forgiven -- and to KNOW that they were forgiven.

"Whose sins you forgive are forgiven," Christ told His apostles (and by extension, today's priests). "Whose sins you retain, are retained."

Obviously, the apostles -- the priests -- cannot know which sins to forgive or to retain, unless the sinner tells them what the sins are.

It's not an easy thing to tell your sins to another person. But it teaches us a true lesson in humility -- which in the long run is very good for our moral development and character building.

In theory it's fine to say that we can just "go straight to God" -- but in actual practice, this only leads many people into a FAKE sorrow.

It's easy to "write off" our sins by simply "pretending" (even subconsciously) to "go straight to God." It's easy to convince ourselves that God has forgiven us, when all it really is, is a self-issued "get out of jail free card."

The act of confessing to a priest removes that undesired possibility.

Remember, too, that hearing confessions is something that all priests are highly trained to do. It's something that they always do (or at least should do) with total understanding, mercy, and desire to help us better ourselves.

I always feel GREAT whenever I've finished confessing my sins and done my penance for them. It's like getting something off your chest -- only stronger.

In fact, this sacrament is one of my favorite things about being Catholic.

The relief, the sense that I have truly been forgiven (without having to "fake it"), the real encounter that I have with Christ through His priest -- they are all an amazing part of being Catholic. For me at least.

.

Answer 7

The Law demands little, Love demands much. I am a Catholic and I find following my faith natural and easy. It does not seem complex to me.

Answer 8

No, it isn't so complex, I'm Catholic and it isn't so difficult, most of us don't use to confess, and in the case you need it, our priest don't see you and he cannot tell anything about what he have heard... (Years ago we have a problem with some priest in Euskadi in the north of Spain because the terrorists confessed with them and they said they couldn't say anything about that...)

Answer 9

Well, I don't really know why it is so "complex", like you say, but I have to agree with you . And another question I always had,(and I was brought up catholic) was, why do they do what they do?

Answer 10

You want simple?

Truth is simple.

Lies are complex.

2 + 2 still = 4, no matter what anyone else says.

Trust your mind, guard your heart.