What religion should I be?

Question

I deeply enjoy the ceremonial portions of the Catholic Mass, and alot of the teachings. I cannot, however, get over the prejudice (in example towards gays. No, I'm not gay.). I feel God makes people a certain way and it is our job to love that person while on Earth, and the Lord will judge him when his time comes. I need to find a religion/church that meshes with my beliefs. I feel so lost not going to church any more. Can anybody give me a recommendation? Thank you!

Answer 1

"I need to find a religion/church that meshes with my beliefs."

It sounds like you want to make up your own religion, instead of what God has revealed. Jesus entrusted His flock to Peter (John 21:15-17); you'd be wise not to wander off, lest you be devoured by wolves. Stick close to the successor of Peter and listen to him.

Answer 2

Stay Catholic. Read the Catechism.

The church plainly teaches that Gays should be respected and loved and any act of violence against a gay person is sinful.

The church teaches that the homosexual act is disordered. The disordered act is sinful (rape by the way is not disordered, its intrinsically evil). A disordered act, like homosexual relations is not intrinsically evil, it may contain some good.

A disordered act may contain some good. An ordered sexual act has two components-procreative and unitive. A homosexual act (by a "married" couple) only fulfills the unitive act and is thus disordered. Likewise a heterosexual act must contain both components to be ordered. A one night stand fulfills neither and is at best disordered. Using artificial birth control removes the procreative aspect of the act and is disordered, i.e. sinful.

The catholic church calls its members to perfection, because Jesus called us to perfection (Be perfect as your heavenly Father is Perfect.) A homosexual person is called to chasity just like a heterosexual person is. Chasity intails the correct ordering of our sexual desires. That's why lust is sinful, because it is disordered, (and maybe completely evil).

The point is, we're not prejudice, we're stubborn. We'll not say something is good, if it's not--even if it offends some.

Stay Catholic. We're not prejudice, and God did not make gays that way, original sin (caused by Satan)did.

When God calls us home there will be no more sin. Only then will we know how God really made us.

Maybe we'll all be Gay :)

Answer 3

The Episcopal Church welcomes you! High Church Episcopalians like myself do all of the things that the RC's do, but we are more liberal in moral theology. We were the first Church to ordain a Black man, a woman, and now a gay Bishop.

Each parish is a bit different. Some are very high, some low. You will not like the low ones. The one I go to is broad, which means that both the high and low are there and balance each other. High church attend Mass, we do the "smells and bells", have confession, pray to the Saints, and even have monks and nuns. You will find that we are more open minded about women rights, etc. I too wanted to be an RC, but could not agree with their view of women, so I chose the Episcopal Church. It has been 30 years and I am very happy. It fits me well.

Answer 4

I'm afraid you're misinformed -- the Catholic Church does NOT hold prejudice toward gays.

Catholic teaching clearly tells us that people of a homosexual orientation are to be treated with dignity and respect.

Catholicism doesn't condemn gay people. It only condemns gay BEHAVIOR.

Many other religions have the same stance toward this issue.

So, it would be a horrible mistake to leave the Catholic Church because you think it's prejudiced against gays. It's not prejudiced against anybody.

The old "love the sinner, hate sin" stance is at work here.

.

Answer 5

Stay Catholic. The only issue you mentioned was homosexuality. Aren't you aware that there are gay Catholic organizations, such as Dignity? Connect with them. Go to Amazon and get the book "Why You Can Disagree and Remain a Faithful Catholic." Dissenting (disagreeing) is your right! You have to follow your conscience and no one has the right to kick you out of the church for that... If you're inclined, you can find some good liberal theologians to read... Hans Kung for example. Connect with other liberal Catholics. You're not alone.

Answer 6

You might find what you are looking for at a liberal Presbyterian, Episcopal (Anglican), or Lutheran church. They retain many of the rituals of Catholicism without the explicit prejudice towards gays. Some Presbyterian and Episcopal churches have even ordained gay people into the ministry.

Answer 7

Don't worry about a title to fit yourself under. If you believe in a god or not, then that's all that matters.

You don't have to go by the "rules" and believe everything that is shoveled down your throat. As long as you believe in something, that should be enough.

Titles complicate and divide people. If anything, believe in yourself. Don't worship yourself, but give yourself the courage and strength that any "higher being" can give you.

You can even just deny any religion and totally base yourself off of you concience. Do good because it is right, and don't do bad because it has concequences. Email me if you would like some help with believing in your own ideas.

Answer 8

Just saying a mass is not going to help We all must some day stand before God and face his final Judgement they no matter what church or what Religion we belong to I have kid brother who gay I never stop praying for him he think by killing a fruit will take him to heaven in John hen talk a getting about heaven If you want more info email me i will help

Answer 9

HI Betty,
Why do not you try to follow Hinduism it is most secular,tolerant,Oldest religion, it never restricts you like other religion, it gives you all spiritual freedom, you can criticize it and yet can learn it, you need not pray only Hindu gods to be Hindu, you can pray to Jesus,Allah and yet can be called as Hindu and enter Hindu temples.
Hinduism teaches you how to lead a perfect and peaceful life and never forces you to worship God. It says Humanity is first and Temple is secondary. I really say this is the only Secular and peaceful religion in the whole world.
You have to know more about Hinduism and i am sure you will follow it.

Answer 10

The Episcopalians would offer much of what you mention. The real presence would be there. Their national leader, a woman, has kind things to say about gays - almost an identical quote to what you have written.
And Episcopalian is a very close descendent from Roman Catholicism.