Should I?....?

Question

Become Catholic? I used to be when I was younger, I was baptized and everything. Then my parents decided to become portestant. Since I'm turning 17, my dad says I can choose between being Catholic and staying Protestant. I really like my current church, but I went to a Mass last weekend I and I enjoyed that too. The thing is, if I went back to Catholic church, I'd have to take Catechism, since I didn't finish it. What should I do?

Maybe I didn't clarify this...I'm not so much looking for a "church" to go to. But a better way to grow in my faith. Besides, church isn't the building, it's a meeting of people professing their faith.

Answer 1

My suggestion is that you go back to the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church has the fullness of Christian doctrine. We have all of the sacraments and all of the tradition and custom that has been handed down the centuries. We have the communion of saints.

There is not way that you can completely participate in the Body of Christ than the Catholic Church.

Ignore those who say that Catholics are not Christian or are not Biblical. The catholic Church put the Bible together.

Answer 2

I praise your father for being open-minded. Realize the Catholic Church is the largest religion in the world for a reason; divine providence has made it so because it is the source of truth.

The apostle Paul writes, “And every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47) When the Sanhedrin were contemplating what to do with the apostles Gamaliel gave sound advice: If what they have planned and done is of human origin, it will disappear, but if it comes from God, you cannot possibly defeat them. You could find yourselves fighting against God! (Acts 5:38-39) Roman Catholicism not only is the dominant religion of the world; scripture also assures that Christ’s Church will not become (dogmatically) corrupt (Ephesians 5:27 & Mt 16:17-19).

I think having good Catholic references is essential. I recommend the following: Pocket Catholic Dictionary by Fr. Hardin; The Baltimore Catechism; The Catechism of the Catholic Church on cd by Harmony Publications; An Imitation of Christ by Thomas A Kempis; and a Catholic Bible.

There are also many good movies based upon actual historical events. These movies will provide historical background, inspiration, and quick realization of how divine providence has made the Roman CatholicChurch the largest religion in the world. I recommend the following movies:

SONG OF BERNADETTE;
THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY;
THE SCARLET AND THE BLACK;
FATIMA.

If you took a Bible course and discovered what SCRIPTURAL TYPOLOGY is you would be amazed. If you knew what SALVATION HISTORY was in the Bible you would understand. If you recognized DIVINE AUTHORITY you would know that there has to be someone in authority to reveal the "secret" truths God has given. If you research all those phrases you will begin a journey of discovery that will last a life time.

We have a saying in Catholicism: the New Testament is hidden in the Old and the Old is revealed in the New. There are many mysteries contained in the Bible that I have been amazed at discovering for the past 20 years and there is a whole lot more. St. Jerome said: Ignorance of Scripture is ignorance of Christ. The whole Bible is about our SALVATION: Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ fulfilled over 300 prophesies in the Old Testament about the Messiah you can discover 50 of them in cd's IT IS WRITTEN.

WHEN YOU HAVE BEGUN TO DISCOVER THESE THINGS YOU WILL KNOW IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HAVE BEEN WRITTEN BY MAN. Jesus (a historical figure along with others in the Bible that are not fictitional characters) by fulfilling just 50 prophesies makes the odds of doing that 10X135 power! An astronomical figure that could not have been achieved by human means.

The thing that might shock you and others is that SATAN used scripture to tempt Jesus. So, too Satan will use scripture to trip us up from following the true faith. This is why there has to be DIVINE AUTHORITY that passes from the Old Testament to APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION in the New Testament. This is why someone cannot Authoritatively pick up a Bible and correctly interpret it nor can there be millions of interpretors to HOLY SCRIPTURE. There can only be one!

Answer 3

I think you should study out what the bible says. It is the word of God. I grew up catholic only to later discover that there are many things that the catholic church teaches that go against scripture. Such as praying to Mary or praying to saints.(1Tim2:4-6, Jn 14:6)

They also believe the pope to be infallable and that his command is equal to scripture.

They forbid preists to marry which is in opposition to scripture as well.(1Tim 4:2-4)

I still have many friends and family who are catholic and I am greatful that I learned a basic faith in God growing up in the catholic church, but I would plead with you to study out the word of God and let that guide you in this decision.

As I did you might feel like you don't know where to start in reading the bible. It is usually not greatly encouraged in the catholic church, perhaps because the bible contradicts many church teachings?
I would be happy to email you scriptural answers to any questions you might have on the subject

Answer 4

I don't think you are aloud to say "What should I do?" someone on here has patented it..hahaha
If you were raised Catholic you will probably feel more comfortable going to a Catholic Mass, when getting the other sacraments you can decided if you want to be confirmed while you get reacquainted with the church, then you can make whatever choice is best for you.

Answer 5

The question is not which church service you enjoy more or whether you need to take catechism class. The question is which church is teaching the bible more correctly. I'm not going to argue for one side or the other. But what you can do is pray about it and see where you think God is leading you. Don't make a quick decision based on feeling...actually listen for God's wisdom in your heart.

Answer 6

I'd stick to the religion you go to now. The Catholic masses are so very boring and long winded. I once told that to a priest to explain why i no longer go to church. Besides in my case I've decided that you don't need to go to church to believe in god. And I also don't think it should be mandatory to give the church money. I work too hard to give anybody 10% of my earnings.

Answer 7

Try out Atheism first, before you decide!

I was raised Episcopalian form (conscious recollection) to 16. Fortunately/Unfortunately I'm scientifically minded/inclined. I starting reading the like of Carl Sagan, Bertrand Russell, Albert Einstein, etc... And couldn't stomach religion any more. This worked out great because my priest told me, with all my questions, I'd be better off seeking the answers I was looking for elsewhere.

Answer 8

Decide your faith on more than attending mass. Make sure the faith you choose works with the beliefs you use in your life. If you really like a faith, going through classes would not seem like an obstacle in choosing that faith.

Answer 9

Depends on the rules you want to follow. No artficial birth control in Catholics. No divorce. No remarriage unles the previous spouse is dead. No interpretation of religious things, the Pope has the one, only and final say.

It's up to you as to what rules you want to live under. You break the rules you end up in hell, pergatory or get removed from the church body (excommunicated).

Answer 10

If you were Baptized Catholic...you're still a Catholic. You've just left the Church for a while but it would be good to come back and to learn what your Catholic Faith really is.

If you were baptized in the Catholic Church I don't think you would have to attend RCIA classes to come back in...but it wouldn't hurt to learn all you can.