2007-05-01 11:48:21 · 19 answers · asked by asking 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Don't want answers like "you shouldn't." Just am sincerely interested in the good things.
2007-05-01 11:56:12 · update #1
Catholicism is not just another christian denomination. The Roman Catholic church is the only divinely instituted church which has maintained its direct continuity from the time of Christ and the apostles, to the present day.
The first Pope was St. Peter and his direct successor is present day Pope Benedict XVl. Direct continuity !!! As Christ Himself promised..... that His church would stay firm on the Rock of Peter (the Papacy) till the end of time. In no other man-made church or religion is salvation possible or guaranteed as in the Roman Catholic church founded by Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. This is one important reason that you should become Catholic.
Go to the following link. It will convince you that you have made the right choice.
http://www.olrl.org/apologetics/
2007-05-02 05:06:06 · answer #1 · answered by Pat 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If we wish to locate the Church founded by Jesus, we need to locate the one that has the four chief marks or qualities of his Church. The Church we seek must be one, holy, catholic, and apostolic.
The Church Is One (Rom. 12:5, 1 Cor. 10:17, 12:13, CCC 813–822)
Jesus established only one Church, not a collection of differing churches (Lutheran, Baptist, Anglican, and so on). The Bible says the Church is the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:23–32). Jesus can have but one spouse, and his spouse is the Catholic Church.
His Church also teaches just one set of doctrines, which must be the same as those taught by the apostles (Jude 3). This is the unity of belief to which Scripture calls us (Phil. 1:27, 2:2).
Although some Catholics dissent from officially-taught doctrines, the Church’s official teachers—the pope and the bishops united with him—have never changed any doctrine. Over the centuries, as doctrines are examined more fully, the Church comes to understand them more deeply (John 16:12–13), but it never understands them to mean the opposite of what they once meant.
The Church Is Holy (Eph. 5:25–27, Rev. 19:7–8, CCC 823–829)
By his grace Jesus makes the Church holy, just as he is holy. This doesn’t mean that each member is always holy. Jesus said there would be both good and bad members in the Church (John 6:70), and not all the members would go to heaven (Matt. 7:21–23).
But the Church itself is holy because it is the source of holiness and is the guardian of the special means of grace Jesus established, the sacraments (cf. Eph. 5:26).
The Church Is Catholic (Matt. 28:19–20, Rev. 5:9–10, CCC 830–856)
Jesus’ Church is called catholic ("universal" in Greek) because it is his gift to all people. He told his apostles to go throughout the world and make disciples of "all nations" (Matt. 28:19–20).
For 2,000 years the Catholic Church has carried out this mission, preaching the good news that Christ died for all men and that he wants all of us to be members of his universal family (Gal. 3:28).
Nowadays the Catholic Church is found in every country of the world and is still sending out missionaries to "make disciples of all nations" (Matt. 28:19).
The Church Jesus established was known by its most common title, "the Catholic Church," at least as early as the year 107, when Ignatius of Antioch used that title to describe the one Church Jesus founded. The title apparently was old in Ignatius’s time, which means it probably went all the way back to the time of the apostles.
The Church Is Apostolic (Eph. 2:19–20, CCC 857–865)
The Church Jesus founded is apostolic because he appointed the apostles to be the first leaders of the Church, and their successors were to be its future leaders. The apostles were the first bishops, and, since the first century, there has been an unbroken line of Catholic bishops faithfully handing on what the apostles taught the first Christians in Scripture and oral Tradition (2 Tim. 2:2).
These beliefs include the bodily Resurrection of Jesus, the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist, the sacrificial nature of the Mass, the forgiveness of sins through a priest, baptismal regeneration, the existence of purgatory, Mary’s special role, and much more —even the doctrine of apostolic succession itself.
Early Christian writings prove the first Christians were thoroughly Catholic in belief and practice and looked to the successors of the apostles as their leaders. What these first Christians believed is still believed by the Catholic Church. No other Church can make that claim.
2007-05-01 11:55:13 · answer #2 · answered by SpiritRoaming 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋
First off, don't let anyone tell you that Catholicism is different from other Christian denominations. People just think it's different because it is a lot more traditional. So it's STILL a Christian denomination.
Ok. That's out of the way. A lot of people become Catholic because they are searching for something deeper. That's what my mom did.
Some people become Catholic because it was the beginning of the Christian church, that's fine, too.
Another big reason is the Eucharist. A lot of Christian denominations believe that the Eucharist is NOT Jesus, but a symbol of Jesus. As Catholics, we believe that is IS Jesus. (His spirit, that is. We are not cannibles.)
I'd say, do some research on it. Check out one of the churches in your town. Whatever you do, it is YOUR choice and God loves you either way!
2007-05-01 11:59:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Try reading Surprised by the truth book 1,2 and 3 by Patrick Madrid OR Scott Hahn, Rome sweet home. If you can get hold of Why do Catholics do, will be great too. The reason why you should become a Catholic is The One Truth Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.
2007-05-01 13:06:53 · answer #4 · answered by Sniper 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Think about it this way. Why are you questioning what you are going to be? Being a Catholic is a statemetnt of saying I believe In God and Jesus and the Holy Spirit. You believe in the True Presence and believe that Mary is the Immaculate Conception and that she was Virgin and Mother. You also believe in eternal life. Many ppl will try to talk u out of it but if they did researche and talked to a priest, deacon, bishop or any Catholic religious or study Catholisicm they will find that it will make sense. Talk to someone Catholic about it and God will lead you through!!!
God ♥s you very much!!!
God bless
♥ Godsvbgirl
2007-05-01 11:58:41 · answer #5 · answered by ♥ Angie ♥ 3 · 4⤊ 0⤋
You should only become a Catholic because you feel it is the right thing for you to do.
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.
2007-05-01 16:41:17 · answer #6 · answered by imacatholic2 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should become a Catholic only if you truly want to. Don't let anyone persuade you to do it. My mom is Catholic and my dad was Protestant when they got married. My mother never tried to talk my dad into converting. He did become a Catholic 38 years after they married, but it was totally his choice.
I was born and raised a Catholic, so I'm used to the traditions and the mass, but it's not everyone's cup of tea. If you enjoy going to mass and feel like Catholicism is for you then go for it. If you're hesitant, you might want to give yourself some time to mull it over.
2007-05-01 11:57:50 · answer #7 · answered by puppylove 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Catholicism still maintains the symbolism that speaks to the process of transcendence so it is better than the trite emotionalism or platitudes of protestant groups. But, don't stop there, read and learn what is at the bottom of all religions, what Christ's passion was really about. It is only one approach to eternal "aliveness" but it can work for you if you search.
2007-05-01 11:55:51 · answer #8 · answered by MysticMaze 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
God's call is for each of us to know His truth, His Church. He calls us to be one body in Christ. This is why He gave us the Church. In Her, we find the fullness and beauty of God's infinite love and truth. She has 2,000+ years of history and wisdom to teach us. I don't think I'll ever learn it all, lol.
Is there anything in particular you have a question about, or want to learn more about? Email me anytime. I'd be glad to help.
God bless.
2007-05-02 09:16:18 · answer #9 · answered by Danny H 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sorry, I can't help but post that I was Catholic, for the first 30 years of my life. I finally woke up and left the church. The Catholic church is a power / money hungry organization that believes in controlling the masses, plus I don't like the way women are treated.
You can still be a Christian and not join the Catholic church....
2007-05-01 11:58:55 · answer #10 · answered by coyote 3 · 1⤊ 7⤋