Paganism and Catholicism?

Question

I like both faiths I like Paganism because it is fun and the gods help me but it is very lonely and I have to practise behind my mothers back. I like catholicism because it has huge churches and I can go to mass every week so I feel like I am part of community but I feel like my spirit is hollow and christ as my saviour dosnt make sense as a phrophet sure but not as god. so how do I choose?

I am an ex-muslim following catholicism is a piece of cake I can follow the rules easy but It dosnt make much sense

Answer 1

You can not truly experience Christ if your heart is in Paganism, So I would say that you do not even know how great Jesus can be and what a difference He can make in your life

Answer 2

I totally understand. Me, I have been both. I was raised Roman Catholic but was a practising Pagan for 12 years. In the end, neither felt right for me and at 37 I became an Anglican.

Bigger is not always better. And while big Catholic churches may be comforting it can be due to familiarity. I don't know where you are but where I live (Toronto, Canada) the Pagan community has become sizeable, though practices vary from tradition to tradition.

As for choosing - you don't have to do it immediately. Talk to your priests - both Catholic and Pagan. Use the link below to find more pagans in your area. Look to your heart but having more knowledge will help in the process.

Spiritual community is a whole other matter. In the end, my community of friends proved to be strong enough to accept my choices. My friends and priests at my Anglican church accept my Pagan past without question and my Pagan friends (many are priests and priestesses in a variety of traditions) have accepted my return to Christianity [with some joking that I never really left it].

And how you look to G-d(s) now can change as you age. I like my friend Rev. Matthew's comment on faith (see the second link - yes he's an Epis. Priest but he's cool - the man did his seminary thesis on 2 graphic novels)

In the end, it is all about respect.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

Choose Jesus Christ. I really don't have the time to delve in all of this, so if you are really earnest, check these scriptures out. KING James Version: From my findings the catholic church started the mode of baptism, Mattew 28:19 using the titles Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, in the year 325 A.D. The true form of baptism in the "name of Jesus Christ",33A.D. Others scriptures include Mk.16:16; Lu.24:47-49(in his name)
Jn.3:3-5; Acts 2:38, Ro.6:3; Eph.4:5; 1Pt.3:20-21; 1Co.3:11; Eph.2:20; De.6:4; Mk.12:28-34; 1Tim.3:16; 1Jn.5:7; Ja.2:19; Rev.1:8;

Answer 4

There you have it. The conundrum that afflicts many people and you are not alone. Truth to your beliefs vs. need to be part of a community vs. making your mom happy. MANY people don't believe in their church at all but because of where they live, not participating in Christianity results in social punishment (essentially). The more I found out about how the Bible was fashioned and the stories made up, the less connected I felt to Christianity. My suggestion is to participate with your Mom until you have moved out of the house. Then participate only when you feel like it.

I don't happen to believe in an all-powerful God (or Goddess), which is sometimes an issue with pagan folk either, but to each their own.

Answer 5

When catholics/orthodox pray and venerate before images of saints,it's same as a Hindu/Animist praying/worshiping his Gods.Your blunt denials doesn't change the reality.Read Exodus 20:3-5,1 Corinthains 10:14,Revelations 9:20,21:8 to understand what God means by Idolatry and it's eternal punishment.

Answer 6

if you look at most christian religions you will find some of the rituals and such are routed i paganism. I think it is funny that chritians will put up a tree at christmas....this comes from the yule time in pagan times. notice that christ was born during the pagan season of yule. Pagans were ousted by christrians yet took some of their rituals....go figure.

you choose what you want and don't hide it. You need to worship the you are comfortable.

Answer 7

Woadhunt or is it toadhunt, we have the second surname in our lineage somewhere... anyways , to answer your question, faith is not a sort of entertainment so if you are looking for entertainment then probably a disco would do but if you are looking for a more meaningful life then you may try and learn what the Catholic Church asks you to do to avoid sin and to be in closer union with God then your emptiness will start to fill and you will be joyfull.

Answer 8

TRy santeria it is a nice mix of both religions. If Paganism is truly your calling then there are many wonderfull groups and people out there who are more than willing to teach and share what they know. You don't have to go it alone uless you want to.
Bright Blessings to you and your family.
I hope that you choose the right path for you and not what is right for everyone else.

Answer 9

I say do what ever makes you happy. I was an in the closet pagan while still living with my mom, but once I was out of her house I was free to do what I wanted. And if you want to hook up with other pagans in your area you can try going to websites such as www.meetups.com and www.witchvox.com.

Answer 10

Why choose one? Try looking up Brujería... it's a nice mix of both.

Or Voudoun... also a nice mix of the two...

Edit: You might need the Babel Fish to help you find information, but here's a good page for Brujeria.

http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?tt=url&trurl=http%3A%2F%2Fhtml.rincondelvago.com%2Fhistoria-de-la-brujeria_frank-donovan.html&lp=es_en&.intl=us&fr=yfp-t-501-s

Answer 11

get some proper religious education that teaches you about the Church being the bride of Christ and it is NOT just community---Jesus is God and if you give him the chance and quit breaking the Commandments by having other Gods before him, he will show you.....Go to confession and stop going to communion until then---you are committing a grave mortal sin when you do this