Faithful Catholic answers sought. . . .?

Question

How important is it to you that the person you date is Catholic?
Here's why I ask. I'm a faithful Christian. I seriously dated a Catholic and attended mass with him regularly for over a year. I understand the problems that arise when you are considering marriage. I learned alot about he Catholic faith during that time. I even helped him to grow stronger in his faith during that time. When we first started dating he told me that he was Catholic and I didn't even blink. He told me that he had encountered alot of predjudice in the past. I said I was only concerned about whether he was a faithful Christian person, and I still mean that. Later, in the relationship, he treated ME as if I was less of a Christian because I was not Catholic. I understand having a preference for Catholics, but don't you feel that the MOST important issue is whether or not a person is a truly FAITHFUL Christian?

Just so that there are no misunderstandings: I did not try to "save" him" because Jesus did that on the cross. I also did not try to convert him. I respected his faith and hoped that he could respect mine, but alas, he was unable to do so.

Answer 1

Yes, the most important issue is whether or not a person is a faithful Christian, but different people may have different ideas of what it means to be a truly faithful Christian.

To the Catholic, being a faithful Christian may mean that they go confess their sins to a priest on a regular basis, they attend Eucharistic Adoration, the seek the intercession of Mary and the saints as part of their prayer life, and they pray the Rosary.

There are some Catholics that believe that if a person does not do these things, then he or she is not a good Christian. There are some Christians that say that none of these practices are compatible with Christianity.

To me a truly faithful Christian is one who tries to emulate the actions of Jesus in the Bible. He or she comforts the distressed, gives food to the hungry, clothes the naked, visits those who are ill and are shut in, and most importantly forgives those who have done him or her wrong.

I think it is difficult for two people of different faiths to be married because there is the vrey real possiblity of separation between the two because of differing faiths. A trly sucessful marriage is one inwhich the unity between the man and woman is the same as the unity between God and the beliver.

When it comes to marriage, a non-Catholic does not have to promise to convert to Catholicism. The only thing that is asked of the non-Catholic is that the Catholic be allowed to teach the children the Catholic faith.

Answer 2

I'm currently dating someone who isn't Catholic, and we're managing quite nicely. But I'm from a heavily Italian Catholic background, and it would admittedly be nice to have someone who believed like I do. I was taught in Catholic school to stick with my own kind, especially in important matters like marriage. It's good that you consider yourself a faithful Christian, but do realize that the Roman Catholic Church is a somewhat closed institution. For instance, unless you convert, you'll never be able to take Communion at a Catholic church, and that's just a fact of life. Catholics are often very concerned with tradition, and while a generalized sense of faithfulness is a wonderful thing, Catholic tradition is worth a lot more (I'm speaking about the opinions of hardline Catholics here, and not about the more liberal ones). Some Catholics, particularly older ones, tend to believe that the Church contains all things necessary for salvation, and don't see other churches as even being valid. If your date feels this way, then regardless of how faithful you may be, he may still consider you to be not only in error, but a member of an apostate church, particularly if you happen to be Protestant.

Answer 3

I'm not a Catholic, but I wanted to answer anyway.

I agree with what you're saying. Being a follower of Christ is what's important, not what kind of church you go to. I think a lot of Catholics are way too loyal to their church, regardless of the fact that many of their traditions are not Biblical. But some Catholics are really awesome Christians, and they don't place such importance on the Catholic church, they just personally enjoy it. I've talked to some pretty awesome Catholics recently.

I think anyone who thinks they are better Christians because they're Catholic need to remember some very important things:

We are all part of the body of Christ.
God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Studying the Bible can answer so many questions about church doctrine!

I don't understand why a few differences in beliefs matter. I am a non-denominational Christian, and I don't care if someone's beliefs differ from mine slightly. I don't think less of them. I just continue to seek the Word to clarify things for me - and I talk to those who are more knowledgable.

Answer 4

Catholics are taught to marry only those who are Catholic. In the case where the future spouse is not, he or she (the non-Catholic) must convert to the faith (or at least make a solemn promise to do so).
The Catholic you dated was obviously not well-grounded in the faith, else he would not have looked down on you, but appreciated your efforts and shown you true charity, in assisting you to come to the true faith.
Jesus Christ established His Church on earth, which was (shortly thereafter) known as the Catholic Church; followers were know as Christians. The Church always taught that ther is "no salvation outside the Church."
The "Christian" churches of today were established by people who decided they knew better than God and everybody, and left the Church, to do as they saw fit. Those churches do not teach as Christ required; they only exist because of people who rejected the authority of the Church.
So, it does matter whether or not one is a member of Christ's Church, or a man-made one.

Answer 5

First i'm Orthodox yet i think of i can respond to countless the questions- i will state the Orthodox view. i've got self assurance it rather is considerable that I communicate approximately our perspectives- please do not supply me a thumbs down. a million. i don't understand to lots concerning to the Catholic view- the theory of transsubstiantion has some medieval philosophies approximately it however the Eucherest is the physique and blood of Christ besides as bread and wine on the grounds Christ suggested it became into so- the bread of life and interior the final supper basically one version has the in remeberence area so the physique and blood is top. 2.) a million Corinthians 15:fifty 5 the place, O loss of life, is your victory? the place, O loss of life, is your sting?" there is not any diffence between asking people who stay with the Lord and people who're in this international. The be conscious pray originaly in simple terms meant to ask - the early modern-day word pray tell. 3.) James 5:sixteen consequently confess your sins to a minimum of one yet another and pray ... Confess your faults one to a various, and pray one for yet another, that ye would be healed. the theory of a mortal sin isn't stumbled on interior the Orthodox church from my awareness there the Catholics interpret some verses as being a record of mortal sins- for us interior the Orthodox Church confession is in simple terms an aide in residing a extra Christ like life. considering the fact that any sin seperates us from God and that i might state that some one that commits a "severe sin" like homicide had some subject concerns they did not touch early sufficient. 4.) it rather is a controversy of the Schism. The Church became into initially devided into numerous patriarchates- (the Orthodox Church nonetheless is) each and every became into equivalent with a primacy of honor- meaning a senior bishop can call and preside over councils and centers whilst better than one Bishop is recent yet no unmarried Bishop has infallible authority it is the Church's colelctivly and the Holy spirit steps in as needed how is God's determination. interior the west whilst the Western Roman Empire fell the Papacy rose to capacity. 5.) i don't understand the stainless thought the two- it rather is a controversy that arose latter. The Catholic's have this thought that Mary needed to be freed from unique sin- interior the Orthodox church we do have self assurance that Mary became into the purest lady to ever stay yet like numerous persons became into born with the infliction of unique sin- Christ who's God might by potential of that fact be unfastened.

Answer 6

I was a Catholic. Now I am a born again believer. All that really matters is our relationship with Jesus. Not what religion we belong to or what church we attend. Hopefully he will come to understand that fact very soon.

Answer 7

Unfortunately it is to some. It was not so to me. We are all individuals and I am sorry that he was not strong enough in his faith to take that leap. I am however glad that he did this now instead of years after marriage.And yes I believe that being a Christian is more important in this matter.

Answer 8

Dear JoJo...
You have asked what I think, when you need to think about what you want.

But I shall share. My thoughts got a little rambly, but I shall submit them now.

As I age, as a Catholic on the edge of being non-Christian, I want someone to be compatable with me, like me for who I am, not try to 'save me' and be kind to me. and not really worry how "faithful" I am. In someways I am a little like a Jewish girl who I dated who left me to search for a "nice jewish fellow who is not too Jewish" In many ways she as a Jew was so much closer to much Catholic thinking than many of the Western "Christians"

This is probably easist found for me near the church or just on the outside. And the rites of the church give a certain comfort. Belief in them varies.

I do want someone who believes in God. Less so in how.

I know that there are many cultural differences in how one will express their faithfulness and experences of God. And as such then the notion and criteria of a "faithful" christian gets confused. and will have to be sorted out if important to either side.

Even when I was more quote "faithful"...I loved a pastor's comment that when someone once was pounding him with "your wrong, your wrong" and he said .."no, I strongly believe that it is a matter of faith and that if there is a right or wrong we will only see it at Judgement day and through grace we hope that we all will be forgiven for our differences and misunderstandings"

Catholic thinking is so much more eastern than western.

Notice that the binary logic has been removed for a more Zen like logic of transendence? Thomas Merton found so much alike in Zen that he got in trouble with his superiors.

And I get tired of various other sects trying to "save" me or tell me that the catholics are evil or bringing the anti-christ or something else equally stupid and when bristled I used to counter attack .. and then often regret it because I do think that is not Christian. But human. alas.

It must be recalled that It has only been since 1965 (Vatician II) that the Catholic church became more protestant than some of the protestent churches .. and many older catholics want to go back to an idellic 1940s or 1950s fictional Catholic church. .. where by the way .. just about everyone who were not Catholic
were going to go to Hell.

In my parents day .. Bible reading was discouraged. and to a certain extent today Bible reading is never encouraged as much as it is in the Baptist groups. I was taught that it was Best if the Bible were Sung .. but that almost never happens.

Part of that outward appeaence of being "faithful" will revolve around bible reading and interpretation. And this might bother you or your friend.

one interesting thought...compare and contrast.
a Baptist children's song.. "I stand alone on the rock of god .. bible" vs Catholic thinking .. where I cannot remember a children's song... the rock of god is Peter .. and it is best if two or more pray in his name.

It would be easiest if when you ran into another Catholic .. that you sign up. and shuffle along .. most who are there dont' believe EVERYTHING that is taught .. much to Rome's dismay. and perhaps yours.

You might be able to get him to shuffle along with you. I would do that for almost all Anglicans, some Methodists, and maybe a First Baptist, but most of the other kinds .. no, or evangeicals after the way I have been treated.but never say never.

and that one one of the many key differences between the various non catholic faiths and the catholics .. they want to keep believers "in the boat" so they will tollerate quite a wide variation in belief and even some non-belief esp if it is not a scandle.

You may have already found that most Catholics who shuffle with the croud worry off and on about god, worry off and on about Christ and usually not anywhere near as "faithful" sounding as you might like. And they probably arn't. A Catholic's faith can and often will ebb and flow, and yet they will continue to shuffle along.

And things like the catholic Pre-Cana excercises or something like them might help you flush out yours and his belief systems before things got too serious.

I actually don't think you completely DO understand the preference for Catholics for other Catholics but you are beginning to. there are little cultural speed bumps. a note like this might help, and you might want to hang out there alone without your friend to pickup what you an on your own.

I did not really understand various Baptists until I had my nose rubbed in it. Fr. Greeley actually has a great book entitled "how to save the catholic church" that has many little examples of how people live their lives differently and look at God differently from a Protestent vs a Catholic point of view .. and a not bad book called "the bishop at sea" which has some points. And I love the novels of Fr. Greeley who talks about the diffiulties of being an adult Catholic in today's world.

But in my daily life I see many more Southern Baptists attack the Catholics .. and sometimes they know what they are talking about, and sometimes they don't, but it does not seem to be in the spirit of Christ.
also related to being "faithful"
I also remember one interesting afternoon... where I was once asked .. "do you think Christ died for YOUR sins" and I answered "no I think Christ died for our sins .. mankinds sins .. yours and mine.. and as such then we can be forgiven" .. a key shift in thinking.

some other points...
It is Catholic Confirmation that is most like Baptism (actually a re-baptism) where a procolomation of faith has been made. It is NOT required, and not all have done it.

I could go on, but am perhaps not answering the question anylonger.

blessings.