if you question the existence of Jesus, how can you, or CAN you still call yourself a Catholic?

Question

My friend and I were discussing religion and beliefs and she said that she questions if Jesus ever existed. She also is against some of the fundamental beliefs of Catholicism, ie she believes abortion should be legal in all cases. I personally don't see how someone can call themselves a Catholic, or even a Christian for that matter if you question the keystone belief that iChristianity is based on: Jesus' existence. Please discuss.

I forgot to mention that, yes, she is adamant that she still considers herself a non-practicing Catholic in spite of the fact that she's not sure that Jesus existed.

In essence, what I'm asking is, if you don't believe in what an organized religion believes in and preaches, how and/or why would you still call yourself a part of that religion?

Answer 1

There are people out there that grew up in a family or an environment that subscribes to a certain religion or belief system, and still feel comfortable saying they are "Catholic", "Christian", "Muslim" or whatever, even though they now question or doubt altogether the very principals that their religion is based on. Obviously your friend has embraced ultra liberal values not in agreement with Catholic belief, and must have forgotten or, maybe she is just simply ignorant of the precepts of the Catholic faith. So sadly, she may tout beliefs that are not in accordance with Catholic teaching while saying she is Catholic for the reason I stated in the beginning.
The only real dangers here are the false messages she is sending by her words and example to others who may not know what the Catholic Church stands for, or to those who are looking for an excuse to put down the Catholic faith, siting hypocrisy. However, I do not feel that it is worth it to fight or ruin a friendship over it. What this person need is gentle persuasion to come around to believe the true doctrines of her faith which she admits she no longer practices but chooses to claim. If gentle persuasion, first by your example and your love, does not work, then pray for her and still love her. Prayer in faith truly is the catalyst that sparks Gods power on earth. If we pray for the souls who have strayed from their belief in Him, God will bring them around in His own way and time. By not condemning her, you can help God do this. After all God has sent His very own beloved son, Jesus to suffer and die for our sins that would otherwise have prevented us from being saved . So I do not believe that He would turn His back on a lost sheep. It is true that He is called the "Good Shepherd" for that very reason. Love in Christ Jesus.

Answer 2

Neither the Jews, nor Christians, nor Muslims, question Jesus' existance. Jesus did indeed walk the Earth some 2,000 years ago. Anyone wishing to be taken seriously is not going to challenge this historically verifiable fact.

Divinity of Jesus? Some will question this.

Apparently, your friend does not believe in the Divinity of Jesus. However, she must like His teachings or else she would have nothing to do with Christianity. This is probably why she still consider's herself a Catholic.

To your friend, Jesus must be nothing more than a good man. Jesus proclaimed Himself the Messiah, and proved it through a number of miracles. If your friend does not believe this, she is, in essence, calling Jesus a liar. If one cannot believe everything that Jesus said, why believe in any of it?

Now, a word on abortion. Abortion, by it's very nature, is a blatant violation of God's Will, Plan, whatever you want to call it. No one is born "by accident". We are here because God planned us before the beginning of time as we know it. We all have a Divinely Inspired Purpose as unique as we are to fulfill. An abortion interferes with the fulfillment of God's Will.

Your friend, if she wishes to be counted amongst Catholics, MUST eventually come to accept the Truth that a human being exists from the moment of conception. An abortion exstiguishes a human life, period. There are no morally acceptable circumstances in which an abortion can be considered the morally proper course of action. The mother's womb is meant be the safest place in the universe for unborn human beings.

Your friend remains a Catholic, only so long as she is honestly trying to understand the Truth behind the Church's unwavering stance on abortion.

Sure, with enough imagination, your friend might come up with circumstances that sound morally proper, but those circumstances will have to entail so many elements as to make it nearly impossible.

Do not accept anedotes/theory as evidence against the Absolute Morality of the Catholic Church.

If your friend wants to be truly Catholic, she must learn Catholic beliefs and practices. Try to get her to read the Catechism of the Catholic Church, especially the parts having to do with abortion and whatever other beliefs she is struggling with.

Above all, don't forget to pray.

Answer 3

Matthew 19:9 is in all Bibles and most Protestant denominations permit re-marriage if one spouse committed adultery (because adultery breaks the marriage bond). You are making a reasonable assumption that the JWs are pointing their finger at Catholicism for not allowing divorce on the grounds of adultery. However, about a third of JWs were born into that religion, a third were Catholics, and the rest were either irreligious or Protestant. They actually hate Protestantism just as much as they do Catholicism. They say every religion apart from their own is going to be destroyed by God at Armageddon, so don't take it too personally! Perhaps you could find it in your heart to pray for JWs, that they will stop pointing their finger at everyone else so much and start to concentrate on the person of Christ instead? Wouldn't that be lovely?

Answer 4

It is very natural and healthy to question your faith. She is not lacking any amount of Christianity by being unsure about her knowledge of God. Through the process of questioning we often learn and grow in our faith.

The fact that she agrees with abortion does separate her beliefs from the Catholic church. The Catholic church is very Pro-Life in all forms. They are against contraceptives (though many Catholic families seem to ignore this fact) and do not believe abortion is an option in any case.

Answer 5

If you question the existence of Jesus then you can not call yourself Catholic or any form of Christian (except maybe JW's).

The second part of the Nicean Creed "I believe in Jesus Christ. . ."

Answer 6

Is this another Catholic profiling question?

I don't think this friend exists.



We believe (I believe) in one God, the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, and born of the Father before all ages. (God of God) light of light, true God of true God. Begotten not made, consubstantial to the Father, by whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven. And was incarnate of the Holy Ghost and of the Virgin Mary and was made man; was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate, suffered and was buried; and the third day rose again according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of the Father, and shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead, of whose Kingdom there shall be no end. And (I believe) in the Holy Ghost, the Lord and Giver of life, who proceeds from the Father (and the Son), who together with the Father and the Son is to be adored and glorified, who spoke by the Prophets. And one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. We confess (I confess) one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for (I look for) the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen."

Answer 7

Your friend is very ignorant of what a Christian is. A Christian is a follower of Christ. If she doesn't believe that Christ existed, then she cannot follow Christ and therefore, cannot be a Christian.

Answer 8

I think that is called searching. Everyone does it at one time or another and it is quite normal. If you do not question your faith and your beliefs and look for answers to those questions, how will you ever grow and become more firm in your faith?

Answer 9

For some the organization become more important than the truth.

Answer 10

*Questions* are bad??? Glad I like science, where questions about anything and everything are truly *vital*!