I'm posting this to other Catholics, not to others. I would make this a caucus thread, but I would have to snip a little too much out of it for the story to make sense.
It is not posted out of disrespect for any other confession. If you are going to criticize Stanley for converting or me for posting, please remember the RM rules on Ecumenical threads.
Beautiful. Thanks for posting it.
Thank-you and God Bless.
While this is a nice story I am always disappointed to not read about the realization one is a sinner and in need of salvation.
The quote that jumps out to me:
When you become a catholic you find lots of new ways of feeling guilty.
From former catholics I've talked too....no truer words have been spoken.
I always thought Christianity was about forgiveness.....not finding new ways to feel guilty.
When he is lost for words....why not turn to Christ??....if He's his friend.
When the seas get choppy...why not turn to Christ??...if He's his friend.
He went from being a child acquainted with Christianity into the bosom of Marxism and found out it was false and then returned to Christianity after finding out its truth for life and the redemption of one’s soul. Blessings to him on his conversion from Marxism to Christianity. (no matter which ‘flavor’)
Lots of testimonies and stories on both sides... and plenty of people on bot h sides!
Our faith is in Christ, not ANY organization, if we are indeed followers of Jesus Christ (i.e.: Christians!).
“What have I gained that’s unique to Catholicism? Two things. First, structure. When you become a Catholic, you become a part of something much bigger than yourself. I can go to any place in the world and am guaranteed to find a church where there will be a Mass that I will understand and can take part in.”
While this may be meaningful to the author, it is not Biblical. The diversity of Christian expression in worship is one of the treasures of the Christian faith - in music, praxis and form.
It is worth noting that the church is nowhere described as monolithic in the Scriptures, except in faith.
“The second thing I draw from Catholicism is hope. The consolation of the sacraments. I know that no matter how bad things get, I can always go to Confession, take part in the Mass and set things right again. Every day is a whole new day. And every day offers the chance for salvation. In every second of every hour there is a Mass being said. With each Eucharist, we relive the sacrifice of Jesus.”
While this author may find personal meaning in these statements, I can not find them in the Scriptures. There is only and gloriously the once for all sacrifice of the blood and life of Christ, received by faith and expressed afterwards in actions.
[From the Religion Moderator’s home page: “Contrasting of beliefs or even criticisms can be made without provoking hostilities. But when in doubt, only post what you are “for” and not what you are “against.” Or ask questions.”]
This just doesn’t fall under ecumenical. You can’t just post to Catholics here, like Protestants just can’t post to Protestants. There was an article a few weeks ago, I recall, having to do with some Protestant belief, but one line mentioned the Catholic Church, so it was changed from a caucus to an open thread.
I've always thought of Catholicism as a mixture of idolatry and polytheism, that masquerades as a monotheistic faith. This guy essentially admits it.
I can attest to that -- I've been for mass in the US, Canada, Ireland, UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Poland, India, Bahrain, Italy, Greece, Czechia, Hong Kong, etc in myriad languages and I'm always surprised at how much I can follow. The commonality, the universality, the catholicity is a comforting environment to pray to Our Lord