2006-08-19 11:37:00 · 16 answers · asked by paula_j86 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Catholics are nice :)
But we do have some rather specialized beliefs.
First, and most important, Catholics believe the bread and wine at communion turn into the body and blood of christ (unlike other protestant christians who just believe that is symbolic).
Second, Catholics celebrate other sacraments, such as Confession (tell your sins to the priest in order to be fully absolved therefrom - this is because our sins do not only hurt God, but also our fellow humans. God can forgive you your sins, but you also need to seek the forgiveness of the others that you have hurt to be fully foregiven, and the priest acts as the representative of the community in foregiving you).
Third, Catholics pray to Mary and the Saints for their intersession. We do not worship them (as some misguided fundamentalists think), but rather seek to emulate them and ask for their help - they are human like us, with their failings, yet found a way to live a holy life, and we can learn a lot from them.
There are other parts too, but if you find yourself sympathetic to these beliefs, then you may be suited to Catholocism. If you want to pursue it further, then find a parish near your home and schedule an appointment with the priest. You can enter into a program called RCIA (Rite of Catholic Initiaion of Adults) or a similar program, that will help you look inside yourself, understand what you believe, and understand what Catholics believe.
If you continue on with the classes and reach the end, convinced that you are indeed ready to become a member of the Church, you can be baptized & confirmed into the Church.
And we would welcome you with open arms!
God bless.
2006-08-19 11:43:02 · answer #1 · answered by JoeSchmoe06 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Before you decide to convert...... The Catholic church offers alot of structured learning of their beliefs, which is appealing to some and essential for others, but who is to say you need a particular church to love the lord and do his wishes? The old Catholic church was very controlling and manipulating all in hopes to own and run its people back in that time. That is a fact, look at the Spanish Inquisition...... I highly encourage you to visit many different religions, churches and research what they preach/teach, and see which one fits your lifestyle and more importantly, which religion suites your inner being..... your soul.
2006-08-19 11:52:21 · answer #2 · answered by Krazee about my pets! 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should know the answers to all your questions and concerns.
If you are interested in joining or just learning more about the Catholic Church, contact your local parish and ask about information about their RCIA Inquiry group.
You can go and ask any questions you want.
This is the first step in RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) but you can stop at any time.
There is no obligation to become a Catholic.
With love and prayers in Christ.
2006-08-19 16:10:04 · answer #3 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The first thing you should know is that YOU can't convert ANYONE! It is the work of the Holy Spirit. You can tell someone the truth but if you don't get the Holy Spirit involved you are just sharing your beliefs.
Thanks for asking.
2006-08-19 11:46:56 · answer #4 · answered by oph_chad 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hello Paula;
I was a Catholic for more than 45 yrs., I would suggest that you do not convert to this church. First, you will have to give allegiance to a foreign dignitary. Namely the Pope. The Pope is not only the spiritual leader of the Catholic church. But he is also the head of a sovereign country, the Vatican. The Vatican issues its own stamps, those assigned there have diplomatic immunity. The police and fire departments need permission to enter the grounds. Mail to and from the Vatican travels in diplomatic pouches, which cannot be opened or searched.
The papacy has NO Biblical support! There are NO qualifications listed for pope, as there are for deacons and elders. The papacy has a long, sorted unsavory history. Leading contenders for the papacy engaged in bribery, simony (selling of offices), murder, rape and many other crimes
Some examples. Pope Sergius III (904-911) obtained the office by murder. He lived with a woman named Marozia who bore him several illegitimate children.
Benedict VIII(1012-1024) bought the office of pope with open bribery. Innocent VIII (1484-1492) was the father of 16 children by various women. Another Alexander VI (1492-1503) named Rodergio Borgia. Won his election by bribery. Lived in sin with a woman of Rome, named Vanozza dei Catanei; and afterward with her daughter Rosa, with which he fathered 5 children. He lived in public incest with his 2 sisters and his own daughter, Lucretia, from whom it is said, he had a child.
These are only a few! The papacy claims direct decendency from Peter the Apostle. If you read the New Testament, there is NO record or indication that Peter was a pope, or in Rome for that matter.
Plus, the dogma and worship of and veneration towards Mary. Including their stance that she was a perpetual virgin. Not so!
Then there is the mass, and the so called mystery called "transubstantiation". Changing ordinary bread and wine into the body and blood of Christ. This flies in the face of Bible teaching and is far, far from the truth. Jesus and His disciples were not cannibals!
One does not confess their personal and private sins to a priest who, as a human is just as sinful as the penitent. The Bible teaches us to confess our sins to God only!.
These are just a few reasons why I would not convert to Catholicism. Find a church that reads, studies and practices what the New Testament teaches!
2006-08-19 12:37:14 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 3⤋
Catholic churches have a process, called Rite of Christian Initaition for Adults (RCIA), in which you learn what you need to know. If you go to pretty much any Catholic church and ask about RCIA, they will set you up.
2006-08-19 11:46:36 · answer #6 · answered by terraform_mars 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
First, before converting to any religion-you should check out 'cults' at www.apologetics.org.
2006-08-19 11:50:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am Catholic and I love it. It takes work, but I believe it's worth it. Do research, but make sure your sources are legitimate!!!!! If you have specific questions about this faith...you can email me...Greta_Katharine@yahoo.com I'll be glad to help you with anything =]
Greta
2006-08-19 11:46:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
DON'T !!!! I was raised catholic and went to a private catholic school for 9 years. It is a money whore house and they are a racist organization. Its all about the MONEY with them
2006-08-20 04:52:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
You should know that a lot of people will try to convince you that Catholicism is not a good religion, that it is not Christianity, not biblical, and that it is wrong to have a pope. Don't listen to them! The Church is not perfect, but the spirituality of the Church is so beautiful and incredibly fulfilling.
2006-08-19 13:55:39 · answer #10 · answered by soybean11 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋