I was baptized as a Catholic and as a child I attended mass every once in a while. I when to RE, but stopped after I got my first reconciliation. My mom says that when I was little I was very religious. I would cry to her, "why don't we ever go to church?" and if we passed a religious statue I would want to stop and pray. As I got older church seemed much more boring to me. I didn't feel the spiritual connection. I haven't gone to a Catholic mass in years.
Lately I have been going to my friend's church. It is a very small non-denominational Christian church. There is a lot more energy and they focus a lot on a personal relationship with the Lord. I really like it there, but I'm not quite sure if I want to leave my Catholic faith. What should I do?
2007-11-20 09:53:19 · 57 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Bobby-I've been to 3 or 4 Catholic churches and they all had the same type of mass.
2007-11-20 10:01:28 · update #1
Fireball-I found that very rude. I stopped going to Catholic church because I lost interest since it was so boring and I didn't feel any connection when I was there.
2007-11-20 10:09:25 · update #2
My dear, I think you have answered your own question. You are drawn to the Spirit of the Lord...in your friends Church.
I'm not sure why you'd be leaving the "Catholic" faith, per se. If you are growing your relationship with the Lord and you have found a Spirit filled Church in which you can do that, what is the problem?
I'm confused...
2007-11-20 09:58:42 · answer #1 · answered by Salvation is a gift, Eph 2:8-9 6 · 2⤊ 5⤋
The reason Mass got "boring" to you is because your education into what was going on was stopped short. It's very obvious that you don't really understand what happens at Mass -- Jesus becoming physically present in our midst! -- nor what the purpose of Mass is -- to worship God, not to interest ourselves -- or you would not have found yourself without that "spiritual connection" that you crave.
So what I think you need to do is get some more education about Catholicism before you chuck it. Take a class or read some good books, like "What Catholics Really Believe" and "Rome Sweet Home" and even "Catholicism for Dummies."
Catholicism is all about a personal relationship with Jesus. That's the sole purpose of the sacraments. Of course, you quit after receiving your first reconciliation, so you don't know the joys and graces that come from the Holy Eucharist and Confirmation, but just because you didn't experience it yourself doesn't mean it's not there.
Catholic Mass is a LOT different than your average non-denominational, because we're Christ focussed. We don't care if the music is what we enjoy listening -- we care that the lyrics are biblical and spiritually inspiring. We don't care if people show a lot of energy or not -- we care that they make the sacrifice to show up and worship the Lord, whether they feel like it or not.
Does the small non-denominational Christian Church have Jesus *physically* present in the Eucharist? No.
Does the small non-denominational Church even offer communion every week? How about every month? I've been to some that only do it twice a year!
Does the small non-denominational Church provide a system of confession and absolution where you can safely confess your sins to God and receive a penance that will help you grow closer to Christ (there's that personal relationship with Jesus stuff again)? Hardly likely!
How focussed is the non-denominational Christian Church on making worship that is pleasing to God instead of pleasing to the congregation? In my experience (my husband was in a Christian band and was a highly sought worship leader, so I've been to many, many of these services), they use worship to please the audience (yes, audience) and to work them into an emotional state to prepare them for a 30 minute sermon that's all about them, not Jesus.
Catholicism offers you many more ways and much more assistance in building that personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
2007-11-21 02:55:53 · answer #2 · answered by sparki777 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I suggest finding a Traditional Latin Mass. In a lot of people's opinion, including mine, the revisions to the Mass after Vatican II were not well conceived or well implemented, the result being a service that resembles a Protestant church service, only more boring. You probably know that the Pope recently liberalized the TLM and reaffirmed its legitimacy.
Please check it out. Experiencing the traditional mode of Catholic worship might make all the difference. Remember that this was how Catholics worshipped for many, many centuries, until a mere 40 years ago.
Also, check out the Catholic Answers website if you have any questions about Catholic doctrine compared with Protestant.
2007-11-21 04:34:30 · answer #3 · answered by Agellius CM 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pastor Billy says, you must first answer this question... Did Jesus create a Church?
This is not about whether the service vs. Mass has more energy, or even how we define "personal relationship". This is not about going to the church you feel most comfortable as all the first apostles didn't feel comfort while being martyrd for the faith. This is not about giving in to your heart as others have instructed and tailor making the church to your own desires and liking.
If Jesus created a Church you must discover it and join.
I'm Catholic and I say you owe yourself more than a temporal emotional experience, you owe yourself the truth. Be open to truth and you will discover a "personal relationship" with Jesus by learning your Catholic faith completely before leaving it for something less.
Start listening to Catholic radio and discover what is First Christianity. Many of us leave Catholicism only to return realizing there is no substitute.
addendum: def'n of religion - Christianity, people posting answers are confusing the terminology of denomination with religion, Catholicism is the religion of Christianity and yet is never a denomination. Denomination-hood has been the development of Protestantism which continually divides and sub-divides into new sects as communities split over doctrinal issues and personality conflicts.
A true mark of God's Christian community is oneness and this is not a mark of any non-denominational Protestant community. The majority have fall into a type of indifferentism where everyone has the truth and no truth is the same. At best what you get in the Protestant non-denom culture is a tolerance of mixed beliefs while never seeking absolute truth amongst the fellowship.
this program is just right for you
http://www.ewtn.com/journeyhome/index.asp
2007-11-20 09:58:20 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
Follow what you believe is right for you only you can make that judgement. i am catholic also
i too loved church as a child and as i grew up i too found it boring so didnt particularly appreciate my parents forcing me when i didnt want to go. however today i am truelly grateful that they cared enuf to "force" me as a youngster.
Knowing my father will question us kids on what we learnt from the sermon i paid attention when it came to the readings and what the priest had to say about it. if us kids said "i dont know" it was proof enough to dad that we didnt pay attention in church and "all hell will break loose" LOL. one of dad's favourite saying to us was "i dont care how many degrees you have if you dont know God then your opinion means sh*t to me". dad was fanatic in His defence of the Catholic Church
as a catholic i can only encourage you to rediscover the love you had as a child. your older and wiser now its your choice.
for me after many years of wandering (church hopping) and wondering whether the Catholic Church (as we claim) really is the true Church that Christ established 2000yrs ago i was convinced because of the disrespect other christians have towards the Eucharist.
The Eucharist is central to the Catholic faith.
Only the Catholic Church has the FULLNESS of TRUTH. In your "wanderings" you will hear many falsehoods that go against what you believe already as a catholic. If your faith is not strong you will be swayed by well meaning but deluded individuals and may very well come to view the Church through their eyes.
as you can probably tell fron R&S many non-catholic christians do not accept a catholics own definition on what a catholic actually believes. Many christians teach the Catholic Church as evil and that is the basis of their preaching and teaching.
i encourage you to talk to a priest and learn more about the faith you were born into. whatever you decide now in your search for the TRUTH i am confident you will find your way back home eventually.
God bless
Edit: just want to draw your attention to pastor billy's answer. its great advice.
and i can assure you once you accept the Catholic Church as His Church, mass will no longer be boring far from it!! You will find it exciting and know the Peace and JOY you seek is in the Eucharist.
2007-11-20 13:15:54 · answer #5 · answered by Orita 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You should do what you "feel" is best. Personally, I love being catholic. I love everything from my religion, including the Virgins and the Saints. I attended a Christian church when I was little (my mom's friend asked her to go with her to the Christian church like 3 times) and personally I did not like it, and neither did my mom. I understand you can feel doubtful, but try to be strong on your beliefs. Whatever you decide to do is fine, because both the Catholic and Christian religions believe in God.
Good luck on your decision!!!
2007-11-20 10:09:38 · answer #6 · answered by princeza_divina7 1 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Maybe you should have a private meeting with both the new preacher and a Catholic priest and ask alot of questions and see which one more closely relates to what you believe.....personally I am Christian (Baptist) and I am somewhat curious about the Catholic religion except that they pray to Mary... and I can't find anywhere in the Bible where it says to pray to Mary...only that you should not pray to anyone except the Lord....just have to see what feels right for you and keep a relationship with the Lord no matter which building you show up at!
2007-11-20 09:59:45 · answer #7 · answered by kim 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Do both. God doesn't care where you go to church. He is very tolerant when it comes to religion, because all religions practice the worship of him. I am a catholic, a member of the Knights of Columbus and still watch Joel Osteen every Sunday. I go to Pentacostal or Bible based churches because I like the music and energy. I also go to strip bars and massage parlors. And still,I have a positive relationship with the Lord. The Lord appreciates what you do and never judges you,no matter what church you go to. You never ever have to give up your faith and you are welcome in any church.
2007-11-20 10:02:43 · answer #8 · answered by hoobadooba 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You are a Christian if you are a Catholic, and you may attend any church you want to, but you should NOT take communion in that church unless you want to 'give up' taking the Eucharist in the Catholic church. Since you don't go to a Catholic church, though, you may take communion, but if you decide later to go back to a Catholic church you MUST give a 'personal confession' and be forgiven before you can take the Eucharist ...
2007-11-20 09:57:09 · answer #9 · answered by Kris L 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Catholics are Christian, but I think that it would be best for you if you keep going to your friend's church. You can make your relationship with the Lord stronger and really try and focus on having stronger faith. You haven't gone to Catholic Church or mass in a while, so why return once you have found something that you like? If you love Jesus and want to become closer to Him, keep going to the non-denominational church. God is all that matters and that is all you should focus on in Church. God bless.
2007-11-20 09:59:27 · answer #10 · answered by * 6 · 2⤊ 4⤋
Follow your heart.
Many Christian Churches today are far more Biblical than the European Catholic Churches are.
It's about discovering Christianity, God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit.
One of the better known former Catholics who is a Christian minister today is the Reverend Jesse Duplantis.
There are examples of Catholics becoming Christians and Christians becoming Catholics.
It's an individual choice.
2007-11-20 10:05:50 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 3⤋