I used to be Catholic but I am considering switching..?

Question

I have been Catholic all my life and am getting ready to be confirmed. All of the sudden i realized that I disagree with a lot of the things that the church believes in. I'm really torn because I've done a lot of work to prepare for confirmation but I don't want to seem fake. I know there is a world of religions to explore and I'm just so stressed I don't know what to do...any advice?

Answer 1

Advice? Yes--slow down! This is a huge step in your life and making a big decision in the heat of confusion is never a good idea.

Your parents--believe it or not--do love you, and so does Christ's Church. It sounds like your catechesis has been absolutely horrible, and that's brought you to a crisis of faith. Oftentimes, it's those moments that will bring us closest to Christ when Satan pulls out all the stops to push you away from God. He is the master of confusion and the father of lies; don't be quick to make huge decisions in the midst of his best efforts to pull you away from Christ.

And remember, there is so much that is not understood about the Catholic Church by other denominations, so please don't look for expert advice on the Faith from anyone but a good and faithful Catholic. If anyone giving you advice thinks that Catholics aren't Christians that's a red flag right there...you know better.

But it's time to slow things down, PRAY--asking the Father for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in the name of Christ Jesus--and talk with your folks. They've been in your shoes and have the wisdom and experience to help you get through this time. Keep in mind, too, that this moment in your life will be something that *they* will have to answer for on their dying day as well, so it's not just you. The family of God is all tied together. At the very least, call up a priest that you know and talk with him. They are the true experts on the Faith and they don't want to see anyone standing up for a Sacrament that they aren't 100% ready for.

It will be ok. Just log off the message boards and get some face time with people that you love and trust.

One last thought to leave you with: if being saved is so easy as others would have you believe, why did Christ choose to die on the Cross for it?

As Catholics we can confidently say, "I have been saved, I am being saved, and I hope to be saved."

Blessings,
Jennifer
ps--I'm a Confirmation teacher and I've seen this before. (((Trust Jesus)))

Answer 2

If you leave you will be turning your back on salvation. The Roman Catholic church is the 'only ark of salvation'. What do you disagree about? Maybe the following website will help.
Educate yourself about your doubts. Ask a good Catholic or read some good Catholic books. Dont go with your doubts to non-Catholics because they may give you a wrong interpretation of what Catholicism is about.

The Roman Catholic church is the only church created by Our Lord Jesus Christ in the year 33 and true to His promise has withstood the test of time and will stay firm on the rock of Peter (Pope ) till the end of time. All other religions are man-made and do not offer salvation. Stay on the narrow path. It is difficult but the end is heaven where our focus should be.

Maybe you could email me. Im not too knowledgeable but can try to help.

http://www.olrl.org/apologetics/

All the best.

Answer 3

Pastor Billy says: your question is incomplete. You need to mention what it is you are at odds with. What is the doctrine causing you trouble. Perhaps you aren't really at odds with being Catholic at all, only what you think it to be that happens a lot even Catholics are not always familiar with everything the Church teaches or why it is taught. It is your duty to make sure you understand what you disagree with completely.

There are several anti-catholics posting answers here to your question and they have the greatest desire in making sure you leave but not for any right reason. I say you need more time but not more excuses. Because religion has been removed from secular institutions and education young people are greatly influenced by novel ideas which are counter to our Christian faith and ancient Christian mysticism.
I suggest you really open up and start talking to people in your Church who can answer those questions causing you stress and disagreement. Perhaps you'll discover with more in depth explanation no disagreement and no stress after all.

Answer 4

Honey, I'm in high school myself...I'm guessing you are?

In the first place, you cannot recieve confirmation - it would be sinful - so you are right there.

Also, I'd love to talk to you about this, if you're willing. My email is Charlie_800AD @ yahoo.com

God bless!
Sofia

I guess I really should add some more to this...it's really not fair to ask you to email me, a complete stranger.

The lady below me has good advice - follow it, especially about praying and talking to a priest.

However, if the priests you know cannot answer your questions, cannot explain why the Church teaches what it does and why all Catholics are required to believe it, I would call an FSSP priest and talk to him. It's unfortunate but true that even some priests do not know the Faith so very well, and this particular order teaches its seminarians thoroughly.

If you need to do that (I hope you won't), keep in mind that they are going to be very busy because this is Holy Week. There are phone numbers here: http://www.fssp.com/main/uscan.html

I hope this helps you a little, and God bless!

Answer 5

Just as I would encourage you to learn about a new faith before you embrace it, I'd encourage you to learn about your Catholic faith before you leave it. I have disagreements too, but they aren't sufficient for me to leave. If you are looking for perfect agreement, you won't find it. Indeed, any religion that encourages you to stay exactly as you are is pretty much a worship of one, and that one is yourself.

At the same time, if you are not ready for Confirmation, don't go through with it. You can always complete it later if you decide to do so. Call it a period of discernment.

Yes, I am Catholic and I'm telling you to do this because I want you to live with integrity, which means that your heart and mind are in agreement. I'd rather have someone who is alive in Christ through a Protestant church than just going through the motions at Catholic Mass. In the former you do a great deal of good, in the latter you do no one any good, least of all yourself.

A final note - just because "there is a world of religions to explore" doesn't mean they're all worth exploring. Take time to read, study, meditate, pray (if you believe in it) and most of all to grow. Keep a journal and reflect. Take time for silence, that solitude in which you connect with yourself and with the Lord.

Catholicism is meant to be a lifelong process of growth because it sees salvation as a lifelong process; likewise, don't expect a quick fix from your conversion elsewhere.

Answer 6

Seems like you're in a tight spot, Why don't you pray to know the way to proceed. Although your parents might not like it , it might be a good idea to be honest with them. You might say that there are some things you have a hard time believing and that you need some theological space, so to postpone the confirmation, perhaps they might give you some leeway. With that being said I think the Christian church links advice that the other posters have given is a great idea. Blessings, May God light your way.

Answer 7

It would obviously depend on what exactly you disagree with. If you have general issues with the Church's authority in matters of doctrine, then you should definitely sit down and have a heart-to-heart talk with your priest. On the other hand, if you're generally comfortable with the Church's authority and are simply struggling with specific issues, that is probably not a good reason to throw away your confirmation.

Don't rush into anything. The Catholic Church's closest Protestant counterparts are in a bit of upheaval, and one thing the Catholic Church can definitely offer is *stability*. Don't be too quick to throw that away.


If you decide to explore Protestantism, I would make a couple of sugestions for you to look into:

* The Episcopal (Anglican) Church is extremely similar to Catholicism in their form of worship and their understanding of the sacraments. However, they are much more liberal on moral issues such as homosexuality.

* The Evangelical Lutheran Church is still quite similar in their form of worship, but have a slightly different understanding of the sacraments. They are not as liberal as Episcopals on moral issues, but still much more liberal than Catholics.

* The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (which is nationwide, not just Missouri) is a more conservative flavor of Lutheranism, similar to Catholics in a lot of ways, yet Protestantized.


All three hold to basic Potestant theology--in particular, that we are saved by grace through faith alone, and that we do not need to work our way out of Purgatory.

I would really suggest one of these three for you--if you get outside of these, you start getting into churches that have a dramatically different view of what it even means to be a Christian, and I'm guessing you don't need that. ;-)

Answer 8

I'd suggest you sit down and look at what you don't agree with. Take it one at a time. Ask yourself why you disagree, and then study why the Church teaches as She does. By examining yourself like this, you'll find the answers you need.

From personal experience, I'd hate to see you leave the Church. I wasn't Catholic all my life and when I finally discovered what She teaches two years ago at the age of 30, I finally found home.

Take your time and explore these things. You'll probably surprise yourself. The Church is home, and the more we learn about her, the better our lives will be.

God bless.

Answer 9

Read this and judge for yourself who it applies to,It is scripture and you cannot go wrong when using the word of God 1 Timothy 4:1-3. These scriptures were spoken over 2,000 years ago and they ring true today.At once they held the truth but they have fallen away and the candle stick removed.Read also Mark 16:16 and ask yourself how you believed when you were baptized.God is the only true God and He is speaking to you right now or you wouldn't be feeling as you do.Please let Him lead you to the old paths Jeremiah 6:16.

Answer 10

My mother grew up Catholic. As she went through highschool she would wonder "How do I know I'm going to heaven?" She was told that if she did good works then she would go to heaven.... but was that really enough proof or reassurance? not for her. That answer seemed like a maybe. She stopped going to mass after she graduated highschool and she met a Christian woman that led her to receive Jesus Christ into her life. She told me that once she received Christ she had an overwhelming love for those people around her and she started to live her life for God. Just so you know she is in Heaven now as she has passed away recently, but I know where she is and I'm going there too. If you want to become a Christian please go to this website www.wayofthemaster.com