I'm A Catholic, Can You Convert Me?

Question

So often on these boards and in daily life to I experiece half-truths and generalizations smeared against my religion. Still, perhaps there is enough fact in the hate speech that I hear to give it some consideration! So, if you can provide enough SPECIFIC evidence for the truth of your religion, and the falsehood of mine, then it would give me an incentive to convert out of what some of you see as "the Whore of Babylon".

All I ask is that you be charitable and considerate in your responses. I want information, not really a debate or argument.

Answer 1

Your question gives a clear indication that, you already have information, what is lacking is understanding. Often, assocations, arrogance, avoidance, evasion and desires stop people from accepting truth.

Answer 2

PaulCyp, LOL! Great answer! LOL!

Look, I start to feel it too. Sometimes it can get overwhelming and they can even start to sound like they're making sense, but a simple review of the facts always sets the record straight. Protestants will spin you into an endless circle debating scripture, and that's because debating from scripture is easy. Any fool can pluck 1,000 verses and make them appear to mean anything they want.

What I do my best to do is step back and present the historical evidence of the Church. I step back and examine the historical origins of the protestant claims. Reviewing the facts, which is very simple, is done all the time, even by non-Christians (pretend ur a scientist doing religious research). You would find that the first books of the New Testament weren't written until years after Christ's death, that the canon of scripture took hundreds of years to form, and see all the documentation from the early Christians - the Church fathers - all testifying to the beliefs of the Catholic Church.

These are historical FACTS. To deny them would be like denying the American Civil War took place, or the French Revolution.

My last comment would be prayer. When it starts getting tough and troublesome, make sure you are devoted to prayer with God. When the dust settles and everything material fails, your trust in Him will get you through.

God bless.

Answer 3

As a lifetime USA citizen presently; I do not see the 'whore of Babylon' as being the Catholic Church. (I realize that some people presently believe that). I believe the beast (Rev. 17) is the USA.
Getting to the specifics of the above question; ' Can I Convert You'? My efforts are not to concert 'you', they are for all of us to grow in the Lord and avoid 'the enemy'. (Kinda like the watchman Ezekiel 3 & 33). Below is a partial letter I sent via US mail to the local diocese bishop. Feel free presently to tell me how to improve upon it.


Dear Bishop Melczik

First, I received your letter yesterday 7/6/2007. It mentioned that you ‘do not have record of having received’ my earlier e-mail; so I have printed it out and enclosed it.
When I sent the prior letter to your office; somewhat understanding the ‘Catholic’ mindset and structure, I did not expect you personally to ‘change’ things immediately. I did suspicion that since you would know (better than I presently) the Catholic hierarchy; you might either forward the document to the appropriate authority(ies), or advise me of the correct authority(ies) (Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith?) with the address (missing).
When I saw the inclusion of Protestant biblical scholars I admit I was somewhat surprised as I realize one of the differences between Catholic, and many ‘Protestant’ groups is the books that are rejected as ‘scripture’ by many ‘Protestants’ but accepted by Catholics currently. (The ‘Protestant’ group I grew up in rejected them too; but I now agree with the Catholics after reading the Bible and doing my own research recently).
I now believe there are presently seven (the congregation I grew up in, and perhaps down around to 3.5 for Catholics), (big picture) ‘differences’ between what the scriptures teach and what many people in the USA teach about the scriptures, this matter being one of them. The order of the books Genesis-Malachi would effect both of them.
Peace Be With You,
Jeff Springer

Answer 4

The way I'd convert you is to appeal to your skeptical side and intuition (if you are in touch with those faculties).

I believe Paul is the patron saint of the Catholic religion, right? Well, before Paul was Paul, Paul was Saul -- a Roman official who PERSECUTED christians. Saul had a "vision from God" and converted to Christianity. How convenient! Before I continue, lets talk about the life of Jesus for a moment.

Jesus was an activist against the Jewish church. Why? The people were more concerned with pleasing the church than the were pleasing God. Look at the new testament. Look how much Jesus spoke against the establishment. Why was he even ultimately crucified? The most obvious reason was because he went into the temple and caused a scene by turning over all the money tables.

Jesus understood that the church had far too much social control over the lives of the people, so much so that it radically interfered with the peoples ability to form a true, personal connection with God. If you truly read what happened, you will understand this. He was put to death because he threatened the church's control over the "faithful."

Lets return now, to our saintly Paul. What could cause a man who persecuted a people to suddenly switch sides and join them? Ever hear the saying: "If you can't beat them, join them?" Consider a few things. The results of Pauls efforts were the establishment of a new Church - a church of Christ. And where do you think this power was centered? Where is it centered today? In Rome.

If this doesn't leave an unsettling feeling in the very depths of your soul, its because you refuse to really evaluate what is going on. What is the more likley explanation: that God spoke to Saul and he had a genuine change of heart? Or that Saul manipulated his opponents by assuming the identity of Paul, so that he could ensure that the Romans maintatined social control over the people.

Jesus taught that we should go through HIM to make a connection with God. Where the hell does this Pope guy come into play? Did Jesus say, "In the event that I am not around, I will make sure to leave a guy on earth through which you can replace devotion to me and my father?"

By all means, believe in God. Believe in Jesus. But for Jesus' sake, develop your OWN relationship with them. Don't rely on what other people want you to think or believe. Find them in your heart on your own. If you focus on what Jesus taught, you will know that is what he wanted for people -- not for them to fall under the control of a new church.

Answer 5

Since you've already read the numerous arguments some of us present here against Catholicism, I don't think it would help you for me to reiterate what you've already read -- so how about if I suggest you try something? Read what the EARLY church writers wrote about their beliefs. Noticably absent will be: statues (whether prayed to or not); Mariology, including the Immaculate Conception, her assumption into Heaven, her status as "co-redemptrix" and title of "Queen of Heaven;" infant baptism for salvation (see further comments below); transubstantiation; the perpetual re-sacrifice of Jesus via the Mass; a celibate priesthood separate from the laity; etc. These were all unknown concepts to the earliest Christians. When you put the Roman Catholic Church's claim to be the "first church" into the proper perspective, you'll see that nothing could be further from the truth. Doesn't it make sense that "Apostolic tradition" would be reflected in these early writings? The fact that they are not should tell you something.

The other day, Father K (whom I love dearly and respect A LOT) posted a question about baptism and quoted Hippolytus, who stated that infant baptism is an Apostolic tradition. I pointed out to him that, when one examines the ENTIRETY of the rest of the document containing Hippolytus' teaching on this subject, the truth becomes clear: Hippolytus was a pagan, who introduced destructive heresies into the church, claiming them to be Apostolic tradition. Here are only two of the numerous heresies:

1) Remember the story about Apostle Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch? Hippolytus states that the Apostles taught a person can only be baptized after three years of Biblical instruction. Yet, Philip baptized the eunuch immediately.

2) Hippolytus wrote the Apostles taught that eunuchs couldn't be baptized. Yet, Philip baptized the man without question.

(Hippolytus also taught that, by Apostolic tradition, all adult baptisms were to be performed in the nude, with the entire congregation present!) My point is, why would you trust any religion that's based on "traditions" written by men who contradict the Scriptures? Truthfully, the first "Catholic" writers arose during the time of Origen. It's only then that we see concepts like "original sin."

To get you started, here's a link to the early writers: http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01.html Take a week or so and read through it. Actively look for Roman Catholic doctrine; then, contemplate what it means that you see nothing that the priests have taught you. PLEASE NOTE: the source I've pointed you to is primarily Roman Catholic; therefore, this translation reads "Catholic" where it should read "catholic." I trust you understand the difference.

Answer 6

As long as you treat people right, it makes no difference to me how you format your worship of God or what all the intricacies of your specific beliefs are.

I think Catholics do a lot of good in this country, helping the poor and campaigning for social justice. I don't believe all the same things that you do, but I don't see why you need to be "converted" to anything.

Answer 7

It is impossible to convert you. You don't want to honestly question your faith, you follow it without question. Or, what questions do arise, you write off to religious catch-alls. God's will, god's trials, the bible says, the priest says, etc.

And I'm not judging, if it works for you cool. But in order to "convert" from religion, one has to be willing to challenge that faith, weigh it against logic, research it's histories (and not the shiny bible versions...real history), and form one's own conclusions. Until you're willing to do that, you aren't going to convert.

Also, in response to half-truths and generalizations, that is a two way road. However, the christian church is notorious for spreading the very same things.

Answer 8

My Dear Friend,

I would implore you NOT to convert to another religion regardless of what others say. Rather, let love rule your life, which you can do in the Catholic Church. God loves everyone at all times because God is love and love knows no limits. If I could convert you, I would convert you to love. That is it. We could follow the Holy Spirit's voice and realize that religion never did matter. We have always been God's children. God love us so much.

sending love,

Answer 9

Your conversion is based on what you want to do. If it is worth your time to find falsehoods in your faith...for yourself and not based on what others say then it is worth your time to explore other faiths and with your own forethought decide to convert.
I am a Muslim, I am a Muslim because of my own free will but I went searching. I owe credit to a person that guided me but my reversion was of my own free will, as an example.

Answer 10

That's Gods job not mine. by the way it doesn't matter what religion you choose only that Christ is your one and only savior. Him and Him alone is what you need. His forgiveness, His presence in you and knowing Him and Gods word is all that is needed. I was raised Catholic, it wasn't for me I had problems with things they tried to tell me were the truth. But that is me, if you are happy there stay .