So what am i?

Question

i was brought up as a roman catholic, and like most people had the religion drummed into me until i could repeat it parrot fashion. in my teens i rebeled against it, mainly because of teenage angst, but also because i had conflicts with what i was taught and what i saw. as i grow older i find myself questioning my decision, i do believe in some of the teachings, the ten commandments for instance, i try to live a moral life and teach my children to do the same, however i can't reconcile this with organised religion, i don't believe that i have to go to church every sunday to be a good catholic, i feel that as long as i treat people with respect and manners then i am a reasonable person, and proffesing being part of any religion doesn't enhance that. i wouldn't call myself a catholic as such, but neither would i call myself a christian, i doubt i'm an atheist, so what am i?

sorry for waffling, but after reading so many comments on this site, i find myself argueing for atheist as well as catholics/ christians, am i just an argumentative bugger?

Answer 1

It sounds like you are searching.
Instead of posing this question to the masses, who are going to give you every answer imaginable, try asking yourself some questions.

What is it you want out of life? Purpose? Pleasure?
Are you looking for truth? Do you want to know if there is a deeper meaning to life?

You seem to still be clinging to some old beliefs. Why? Why is it important to you to be moral, or to teach that to your children?

A lot of people who grow up in the church have a problem with "organized religion" but still find themselves searching for something. Maybe what you want is not a set of rules to follow, but a deeper sense of purpose.

Do you actually believe there is a God, and if so, do you think that He cares how you live your life? Do you feel like He is a part of your life in any significant way, or is He just keeping an eye on you to make sure you don't screw up?

--These are questions only you can answer.

I wish you luck on your journey.

Answer 2

I don't think that you have to go to church to be a true Catholic/Christian. Do you believe in Jesus Christ as God or the Son of God? If you answered yes, then you are either a Catholic or Christian. Now you can pick a sect, or not. You can just be what ever you want to be.

And you don't have to believe in Jesus to be a good person. It sounds like you do the right things, but the teachings of your childhood have you questioning yourself.

My suggestions (and I always get thumbed down for this) is to read as much about all the different religions as possible. Read the Tao, read the Bible (which you already have) read the Torah, read the Koran, read up on Buddhism. Only once you have educated yourself on all your options can you make an educated decision.

Just be yourself.

There is a saying that I really love:

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience, we are spiritual beings have a human experience.

Answer 3

I think you're like me. You were born and raised Catholic, you saw the evil and hypocracy in the church but you still believed in God and the basics. Now you have to go from there and ask yourself if you still believe in Jesus. You need to read the gospels before you decide that. When I read them I realized Jesus definitely was who He claimed to be and they really spoke to my heart. Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater so to speak. Don't give up on believing in Jesus just because you have left that Church. He is alive and has a plan for your life.

Answer 4

Some would say an agnostic. I would say you are like most people in the world, seeking answers to things when we aren't even sure of the questions.
Surely, to live an honest, moral life is more important than identifying with any particular religion?

Answer 5

Sounds to me as if your on the verge of discovering that Do Unto Others encompasses all the commandment and moral values that you yourself value from your upbringing. That being a good person is its own reward and has nothing to do with any religion.
Maybe Agnostic.

Answer 6

You're a half-fast Catholic.
You want to belong to the club, but you don't want to follow the club rules.
I wouldn't call you a Christian, because you seem to think that treating people nice, and living a moral life is sufficient to gain you an assumed goal of eternal life.
I don't mean to be abrupt, or offensive, but you don't seem to be anything. Not Atheistic...not even Agnostic.
You believe, but you've decided to follow your own ideas about God, worship, and life. (You should read the story of Cain and Abel in Genesis 4. Cain's thinking was a lot like yours. You are indeed waffling about all of it because you don't want to conform.

Like another respondant said, "all I see ..."
In this short description of your situation, you used personal pronouns 27 times! You are just too self-absorbed.
Religion isn't about you, it's about God. And from your background, it is about Jesus Christ and what He has done for you on the cross. All paths do not lead to heaven. At the very least, follow a Biblical path if you don't like religion being foisted upon you. Go find a nice Bible Study group to attend that has an affiliation with a well-respected local Christian Church.

I'd be willing to bet that your chilrden know more about waffling than they do about Jesus.

Answer 7

You're a prodigal. I don't know much about organised religion, we do a very good line of disorganised religion in my church.... doubts and questions and moving on from what you once thought are all okay....

Answer 8

You, my friend, are what is called "undecided". You want to stay clean, but that opium is just so tempting to you.

I'd say you should just forget about the pope, try to live a good life, and call yourself an atheist.

Answer 9

Having been there and done that...
Christianity is not about our religious denomination.
God is not interested in what you are.
He wants you to know who you are.
You are His, a man of God.
Religion helps us to know about God,
Relationship lets us know Him personally.
You believe He is your Savior, now make Him Lord.
If you are unsure about that, make sure of it.
You were sealed by His Spirit when saved.
Let Him rule your life, decisions and beliefs.
His Spirit and His word are all you need.
Abide in Him, and He will abide in you.
Welcome to the great adventure!
Life is too short to miss the real thing.
May God bless and light your path.

Answer 10

It sounds like you're an agnostic. Agnostics don't know what to believe when it comes to a higher power, and are generally left to do as they please and believe what they want. I'm an agnostic, with a very similar background as yours, and I follow most if not all Christian teachings.