Alright, so I'm Roman Catholic and live in the south which is never really good. Within 20 miles of where I live, there are two catholic churches. One is really political which I don't like and the other is really cold. By cold, I mean the church is made entirely out of concrete. The walls, floors, and pews are just unpainted concrete which gives it a kind of dungeon feel. Would it be wrong to switch religions so I can go to a church with a more comfortable social and political environment? If I do that, should I switch to that denomination?
2007-08-25 09:55:17 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
no it won't be wrong if you do that just pray and ask god to guide you, and send you where he wants you to be. and don't feel bad because i changed denomination'e 3 times and know ia'm realy happy i found what i was looking for. every one treat each other with love kindness care about you; you can wear what ever you want whit out people looking at you funny or talking about you. and the services are powerful up-lifted and pretty ministered and i also feel comfortable.. good luck and i hope you find what you are looking for. god bless!!!
2007-08-25 14:01:52 · answer #1 · answered by Rosalinda 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You would switch churches because you don't like the looks? My friend, that's not a good reason. Maybe you should try and learn more about Catholicism, and how important the Mass is. I can't express how heavenly it is to someone who cannot recognize it.
I live in the South too, and down here Catholics gotta know their stuff. I don't particularly like the looks of my church either, and my priest is hard to understand. But yet, I love being Catholic and I love the Mass. Why? Because I know that JESUS is made physically present during the consecration. I know that 2000 years of Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture, the Church has a wisdom like know other. I know that the saints, my relatives, and Mary are always interceding for me. There is such a richness in the Catholic Church, why on earth would you want to abandon it? Like I said, I live in the south, I don't like the architecture of my church, and I can't understand my priest. But yet through the grace of God and prayers of others I have persevered through the tough times, times which always lead to something better.
2007-08-25 16:16:47 · answer #2 · answered by lawlzlawlzduck 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is nothing wrong with switching denominations in Christianity, unless the denomination you're a part of becomes upset. Then its usually a good thing you left it. As for a more comfortable social and political environment, those are decent reasons to switch churches, but more importantly follow what God is trying to tell you. Pray about it and see what happens.
And if by comfortable political environment, you mean more accepting of controversial material, then think and pray over that too.
2007-08-25 10:10:25 · answer #3 · answered by Scott S 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i wonder what kind of 'environment' the apostles and the early church met in? The catacombs were dark and dank and underground.
Politics? Think about the discussion and councils about whether to let the gentiles in.
While it is nice to be in a pleasant spot, that is not what the faith is about. Jesus never promised it would be pleasant or easy. It is in those circumstances that great spiritual good can come through prayer for those involved in church politics (do you think other denominations don't have politics?) We can offer up our physical discomfort as a prayer for those who suffer greatly - such as the dying or those imprisoned for their faith in countries like China. Our faith has become so candy coated, feel good, fluff that we forget that it is a meaty, radical faith that Christ taught. "Keep salt in you."
Instead of leaving, make it better. Pray for them at those parishes, connect with the needy of the parish through a St. Vincent de Paul conference or a local food bank, visit the homebound or incarcerated and bring the Eucharist (who would want to give that up?). Let your suffering in this situation make you sensitive to the suffering of the older person in a nursing or care home who has given up everything to live in often bleak circumstances. Can not the Lord be with them there?
Offer to help decorate the bleak parish, write a note to the pastor telling him a nice coat of paint would enhance the parish, chip in to buy some lovely cross or stained glass. Join the parish council, join the prayer groups, the Bible studies, the adult religious education programs, the Lenten soup dinners, etc. One person can change the whole political landscape. It can be you, one connection/one smile at a time.
There is some spiritual fruit here for you if you dare to grasp at it.
2007-08-25 16:14:08 · answer #4 · answered by amazed 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You see. That is the difference between Catholic Christians and non-Catholics.
Non-Catholics switch churches as often as they change their underwear. This is not how Jesus wanted it.
Only the Catholic Church has a valid priesthood and the True Eucharist, as Jesus intended it. ("Do this in memory of me.") Catholics know what we have, and we know what a treasure and blessing our faith is. When Catholic Christians discover the truth of our faith, we will never leave the Catholic Church.
Yes, you can go to another church, but I guarantee you that you will return home to the Catholic Church. When you do, be sure to go to Confession so that you may worthily receive the Body of our Lord.
2007-08-28 08:18:49 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Denominations aren't squat.
A church's focus is to be on the Lord and His will for that congregation. So, one needs to be in a church where they are at home, where they can serve, where they are "in tune" with the vision and mission of that local congregation and politics take a far back seat to what is important - the people of the congregation and the community.
2007-08-25 10:02:23 · answer #6 · answered by TroothBTold 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I was raised Catholic and went through 12 years of Catholic school. I raised my children Catholic too, but as the years went by, I no longer felt comfortable in the church. I've been going to a Christian church and even went through being baptised. I feel so much closer to God and going to this church makes me feel joyful. You dont have to change into their religion, but I think it's important to feel comfortable in the church you attend.
2007-08-25 10:03:26 · answer #7 · answered by phlada64 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, it's not wrong to switch churches or denominations.
These buildings are simply different ways to worship the
Lord. Different people like to worship different ways and
there is something for everyone out there, so you can be
happy in your style of worship of the Lord. What would be
wrong, is to drop out. Please don't do that. Visit a few
different places, after you've prayed the Lord to lead you
to the one, and stick with one that uses the Bible as it's
sermons, people are friendly, music pleases you, and is
warm and not cold. God Bless.
2007-08-25 10:09:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, I don't think it is wrong. going to a different church is still in the christian religion. I go to three different churches and they are all different denominations, but they still teach the same messages. I feel comfortable in all of them. So no, it is not wrong to switch denominations.
2007-08-25 10:14:13 · answer #9 · answered by unicorneledhwen 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
"We are to feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church, or in any other, or in no church at all, wherever we find them."
If you are chosing a church for social and political reasons, you need to rethink why you go at all.
2007-08-25 11:10:14 · answer #10 · answered by Isolde 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋