for Catholics: what made you stay in the Catholic Church?

Question

despite of the things people say against your Church? what makes you steadfast?

the reason why i'm asking is because i want to become a Catholic too, but i'm having uncertainties because of the people around me. is there a way for me to study in full depth the Catholic doctrines? i want to know for myself the truth about your Church. thank you so much.

thank you, epostle11, i feel very much welcomed. and thank you for the very informative sites. :-)

Answer 1

There are lots of excellent web sites to read about the Catholic Church, but they can only go so far.

I recommend face to face discussion with real people, in normal human conversation. That is how it has been done for 2000 years, so it must work. Just make an appointment to see the priest, he will probably put you in the RCIA class for instruction. Anyone can do this and no commitment is required, and there are no fees.
I could give you 20 web sites, but here is some of my favorite.

http://www.catholic.com/

http://www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/a.html

http://www.phatmass.com/ <
http://www.bringyou.to/apologetics/philos.htm

http://socrates58.blogspot.com/

Welcome home :)

Answer 2

The more you grow in love for the Church, the more you will find yourself growing in love for Christ. That has been my experience as a Catholic for the last 11 years (since my baptism). Those who stay close to the Church and love the Church will be drawn closer to Christ and love Him more and more. This is what the Catholic Church is and the reason why she exists: to bring us to Christ, to give us Christ. There is no other ultimate reason for remaining a Catholic. Christ founded His Church to bring His Grace into human hearts, and the Church does that admirably.

God bless you on your journey! Do not become discouraged by all the Catholic-bashing that you hear around you (in the media, on the internet, etc.). The important thing is to seek the Truth, to seek God. If you do that with a sincere heart, then one day you will discover the joy of being a child of God and a member of His Church.

You are in my prayers, my dear friend.

Answer 3

I was raised a Catholic but when I became old enough to choose for myself I looked around and found that the Catholic Church answered my questions best.

I am not swayed by unfounded attacks.

Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus, they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Mark 5:11-12)

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.

Answer 4

It took me almost 50 years to discover the divine truth of the Catholic Church, and there is simply no better way to salvation.

If you're truly interested in the Catholic faith, send me an email with a shipping address and I will send you a free Catholic Resource CD that contains the best Catholic literature from all the ages, the Bible, the Catholic Catechism, beautiful music and artwork, a collection of traditional Catholic prayers, the writings of all the early church Fathers, and much, much more.

You can never learn enough about God's truth, and God's complete truth subsists only in the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church he personally founded for our salvation.

Answer 5

I suppose I have stayed in the Catholic Church because I believe it is the Church Jesus (the Son of God) founded. I also believe the Catholic Church administers the spiritual food we need to make it to heaven (namely, the Eucharist) -we need the grace from the Eucharist to help us avoid sin and grow in faith, hope and charity. And further, I believe the Catholic Church has the correct interpretation of scripture. There are other reasons, but these are the big ones that I am able to think of at the moment.

Answer 6

A church with close to 2 thousand year history has pretty much fielded all the aswers that end up on this service. I agree with their contextual view of the bible. I agree with their theology and doctrine. Remember protestant America historically has been a catholic basher. We have the Papa to point to, who do they got? Catholic means "Universal" and universal it is. Yes there's been some regrettable things done, but the same can be said for the protestants, muslims, etc. We don't like to judged by our past, but this world is quick to condem and slow to forgive.

Check out the catholic catechism or go to New Avent on the internet, where you can ask your questions. Or if you wish you may contact me..I'm a 3rd Order Trinitarian (non religious).

Answer 7

I wish I could tell you something really awesome and enlightening, but for me it has been a step by step journey, and along the way, great contentment. Not without pitfalls, as any journey, but one that lends dignity and meaning to life. I cannot claim to be as steadfast as others, however, I consider myself like a dog in loyalty to this wonderful institution.

However, the wood is old
the wind is strong
the fire is coming

Whatever is out there, this church will withstand it, for its foundation is the Rock.

Answer 8

Pastor Billy says: Howdy, good thing I showed up. please see any of my question-answers. I've been a life long Catholic and the reason I didn't leave is simply because I've discovered the truth about it. All the answers have some truth about them even the ones telling you not to join. For example Catholics do pray to Mary however Catholics do not give Mary godly worship as that would be heresy and against the Christian teaching of Holy Trinity One God. Let's not forget Trinity is a Catholic doctrine borrow by non-Catholic Christians so it is impossible to say Catholics worship a false god in Mary simply because Mary is not God or proclaimed as such in any Catholic doctrine. Mary is prayed to simply because all those in heaven are still members of the body of Christ. We Catholics believe as the Christian creed of the early centuries proclaim, "we believe in the communion of saints"

There are many who misunderstand Catholicism simple because they've been taught Catholics are on the outside of Christianity by their own faith tradition. This of course is the second greatest lie told them, the first being once saved always saved doctrine.

Truth is never changing once I discovered truth taught in Catholicism (which almost seems never ending) there was no reason to leave and who is truth but Jesus. All the arguments of anti-Catholics just fall away and vanish. You'll discover the arguments against Catholicism are, well, extreme weak, fragile they don't hold water. Catholicism has depth like no other Christian community can offer. It is the fulfilment of Judaism. There is a natural progression from Judaism to Catholicism, from Old Covenant to New Covenant. I encourage you to keep up your examination and please use any of the good source sites below.

Edit: Some extra advise for Paul

1. God doesn't call us all saints, show me that in the bible. Paul might use the term saints but Paul understands we must run the good race.
2. The Pope doesn't make saints, God makes saints the Pope merely acknowledges God's work in others. There are many unknown saints keep that in mind that is why we have All saints day on the Catholic calendar you're being obtuse Paul. Those proclaimed saint by the Catholic Church is done only after close examination of the person's life. This is were we get the term 'devil's advocate' from anything that might disqualify a person from sainthood is looked into.

3. Notre Dame is a secular university today. Paul makes it very clear as a non-catholic he was not restricted from going there. There is a secular faculty and therefore this is not a private university restricting views to what is orthodox Catholicism. It is no wonder he is very confused about what Catholicism teaches.

4. how many Churches Paul did God create? 2, 3, 4? no only 1 and that includes those in heaven with him now. The reason we can pray (ask) saints in heaven to pray for us is simply because Jesus created only one Church and we are one body of Christ. Any other structure would make Jesus a monster. Jesus is the one head and we are the one body. Something extra, there is absolutely no Catholic doctrine that forces Catholics to ask the saints in heaven to pray for us. Just like on earth Christians are not forced by any Christian doctrine to ask others physically alive to pray for each other. The number of times I've hear "I pray straight to Jesus" would drive you crazy but the truth of it is these same people ask many many other people to pray for them and therefore they don't pray 'only' to Jesus as they ask others for intercessory prayer also.

final notes: the most important reason of all Jesus is there

Answer 9

Just remember the difference of books between the Catholic church and some others.

Catholic bible has 73 books in it
eg, King James bible has 66 in it

Great comment Mr. paulywog, but why when most pray they say "O Jesus..", by doing that you basically prefer Jesus to god.

Numbers 23:19 "God is not a man, that he should lie,
nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill?"
+
Jonah 3:10 "When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened."

Answer 10

I have been a steadfast Catholic, because, first it is the true religion established by Christ. The pope today has a direct lineage to St. Peter, the first head of the Catholic church. It is like President George Bush today has a direct historical lineage to George Washington, the first president of the USA.
Second, which is most important, the Catholic Church, teaches us righteousness, love, peace, kindness, generosity and harmony, with God, ourselves and our fellow human beings regardless of race or creed. Christ has taught us to love God first, with all our might and all our love, and secondly to love our neighbors or fellowmen as we love ourselves.