Should I convert to this denomination?

[Taken]

You need to get updated Taken.
The bible is not a SIDE BOOK in Catholicism.

Never said such a thing!
Pay attention…the Catholics “side book” is THEIR BOOK of Doctrine called Catechism.

 

[Ronald David Bruno]

Right now I am non-denominational. I like Catholicism a lot because it has things that I feel other denominations are sorely missing: prima scriptura, communion, beautiful prayers to God and the saints, nice looking churches, a direct link to St. Peter, the Vatican, the Catechism which catalogs the denomination's teachings in one book, and one of my favorite things of all: the Rosary.

However there are a few things keeping me from converting to Catholicism.

• I do not believe that the communion wafers and wine literally become Jesus' flesh and blood.
• I strongly disagree with the belief that animals cease at death.
• Catholicism favors the theory of evolution (and contradicts their belief that animals, who allegedly don't have souls, are the ancestors of man).
• I find Pope Francis to be very disagreeable.
• I find it questionable that Latin is a holy language.
• The first pope St. Peter almost ran Christianity into the ground and it had to be saved by Paul.
• Though it would be nice if there was such a place, there is absolutely no verses in the Bible supporting purgatory and it kind of undermines Jesus' blood being shed for man's salvation.
• Catholicism has come to condemn the death penalty for murderers.
• The modern English translations of the Bible they use are filled with errors.

Aside from all this, I kind of want to formally convert to it. What are your thoughts? I feel kind of out of place as a non-denominational yet Catholicism is the only one I like. I have looked at all the other Western denominations and feel that they are just empty.

Also, sorry for all the edits.

There is ONLY ONE CHURCH, the Body of Christ, believers and followers of Christ. Faith is a gift from God. One does not convert to a denomination. The Holy Spirit converts the unbeliever into a believer.
The Catholic Church has some things to be admired, the beautiful artist paintings, cathedral glass, structures and even their liturgy. Some older Prostestant Churches also have adopted this beauty. This building, (unique in that it reflects similarities of the Old Temple that God instructed the Israelites to build), is not really the same. The physical Temple back then was where God dwelt. Now God dwells on the hearts of the believer. We are the Temple of the Holy Spirit.
I remember walking into Nortre Dame Cathedral. Wow, a spectacular sight and atmosphere that automatically puts you in a serene state of mind. It is meant to be a sanctuary, a house of God, inspiring prayer and worship. You enter and leave the world outside in a sense.
But worship is done everywhere because God is everywhere and within His children. Our prayers, worship, service, love of God and others, the kingdom of heaven, is not in some building. It is spiritual in nature so you really don't need the building or the fancy decor.
The disciples went to church out in a field or in a boat in the Sea if Galilee with Jesus, dressed in raggedly dirty clothing, smelling like fish. Can you imagine! Jesus washed their feet not just to show humility but because they were filthy.
Wherever you choose to worship and learn about God, pray about it, then just visit a full range of Christian churches in your area. You will just know when you find the right place, it will seem like home. And all those elements that you find disagreeable with, will likely not be there. No church is perfect. But trust the Holy Spirit to guide you.

 

[GodsGrace]

Why do you feel the need to be apart of a denomination???

Read scripture and ask for understanding. when you hear a preacher/teacher check for yourself if the message aligns with God's Word. Don't pluck one verse but actually read one book at a time verse by verse.

I don't believe many "christians" read for themselves, instead many will look at the quote of the day, do a devotional, listen to a sermon and that that as true. Truth is the Word of God whether "you" agree with it or not.

God does not lie and many don't know His voice. Many hear the voice of the enemy and think that is God. Don't be fooled.

Well, what makes you think those that believe as I do DO NOT do what you say above?

Why do you have Christian in quotation marks? Do you think that if a person doesn't read the bible they're not a Christian?

Why do you state all that you state and then say "truth is the Word of God whether "you" agree with it or not". ??

Well, let me ask you TheOneHeLoves:

WHAT IS THE TRUTH?

Is OSAS true?
Does God pick who will be saved as He planned from the beginning of time?
Is baptism real or is it a sign of something?
How about communion?
Is Jesus in there somehow or is it just a wafer?

 

[GodsGrace]

Never said such a thing!
Pay attention…the Catholics “side book” is THEIR BOOK of Doctrine called Catechism.

Went back and read your post.
Sorry for the misunderstanding.

 

[TheOneHeLoves]

Well, what makes you think those that believe as I do DO NOT do what you say above?

Why do you have Christian in quotation marks? Do you think that if a person doesn't read the bible they're not a Christian?

Why do you state all that you state and then say "truth is the Word of God whether "you" agree with it or not". ??

Well, let me ask you TheOneHeLoves:

WHAT IS THE TRUTH?

Is OSAS true?
Does God pick who will be saved as He planned from the beginning of time?
Is baptism real or is it a sign of something?
How about communion?
Is Jesus in there somehow or is it just a wafer?

Surveys, studies, life experience. People will say I am a Christian yet they will admit to not reading the Bible regularly. goggle it for yourself and see several results.

"Christian" to many will think that saying with their mouth that Jesus is God in the flesh and is our Savior, or that they were baptized as a baby, or that their mother and/or father was a believer that they are a Christian. many have not surrender to Jesus and allowed Him to be Lord over their lives. They love the idea of Jesus taking their sin but don't want to live within His commands. They will indulge in sexual sin, cheat/lie, get drunk/do drugs, talk with vulgar language, call good evil and call evil good, etc.

society today will say that there are over 2 genders, that love is love, abortion is not wrong, homosexuality is not a sin, all faiths lead to heaven
Yet scripture say sex is between a husband and a wife only, you should not have false idols, ...

God is sovereign so how can you say He does not know who will be saved. He is outside of time and the Book of Life is written. God chooses by His grace. From a human perspective we won't understand it. So Once Saved Always Saved is true John 10:29. someone may be following rules but if their heart is not surrendered then they are not saved. We only see external God looks internal.
Baptism of The Holy Spirit is real. He is a gift that is promised to His children.
Communion- is symbolic of acknowledgement of Him and worship and obedience. The bread does not become His body and the drink is not His blood. (also Jesus did not have wafer)

 

[Lambano]

I can't believe that Lambano.
God is not a God of confusion.
I believe He desires us to know Him, wasn't this one of the reasons for the incarnation?
A real revelation - and the final revelation.

Then we probably need to step back and reconsider how we get to "know the LORD". What we're doing now is what gave us the diversity of belief ABOUT the Lord.

 

[GodsGrace]

Then we probably need to step back and reconsider how we get to "know the LORD". What we're doing now is what gave us the diversity of belief ABOUT the Lord.

I don't understand what you mean.
What are we doing?
What has caused this diversity?
You think we on these forums have?

 

[GodsGrace]

Surveys, studies, life experience. People will say I am a Christian yet they will admit to not reading the Bible regularly. goggle it for yourself and see several results.

Can a person be Christian and never read the bible?

"Christian" to many will think that saying with their mouth that Jesus is God in the flesh and is our Savior, or that they were baptized as a baby, or that their mother and/or father was a believer that they are a Christian. many have not surrender to Jesus and allowed Him to be Lord over their lives. They love the idea of Jesus taking their sin but don't want to live within His commands. They will indulge in sexual sin, cheat/lie, get drunk/do drugs, talk with vulgar language, call good evil and call evil good, etc.

Agreed.
Some would like Jesus as Savior
but not Jesus as Lord.

Unfortunately for some....both are necessary.

society today will say that there are over 2 genders, that love is love, abortion is not wrong, homosexuality is not a sin, all faiths lead to heaven
Yet scripture say sex is between a husband and a wife only, you should not have false idols, ...

Agreed, even though you didn't finish the sentence (or at least, I missed it).

God is sovereign so how can you say He does not know who will be saved.

Did I say God does not know who will be saved?
Could you post my exact words because I don't believe this.
God knew from the beginning of time who would be saved.

He is outside of time and the Book of Life is written. God chooses by His grace.

Does God let US know HOW to be saved?
Or does He choose based on nothing at all except His own good pleasure?

From a human perspective we won't understand it.

Oh, but here we disagree.
I do believe the gospel allows us to know and understand HOW TO BE SAVED.
I do believe this is THE GOOD NEWS.
What do YOU believe the gospel is for?

So Once Saved Always Saved is true John 10:29.

I don't agree, but that's a topic for another day.
Maybe I was trying to make the point that we agree on some big basics,
but not on other basics....OSAS would be one of them.

someone may be following rules but if their heart is not surrendered then they are not saved. We only see external God looks internal.

Agreed.

Baptism of The Holy Spirit is real. He is a gift that is promised to His children.

Agreed.

Communion- is symbolic of acknowledgement of Him and worship and obedience. The bread does not become His body and the drink is not His blood. (also Jesus did not have wafer)

Many disagree with you, both in the CC and some Protestant denominations.

Yes. This was my point...that we don't agree on some "big basics".

So we have you and I....
two Christians....
and we agree on 2 out of 5 (if I counted correctly - no guarantees!).

How could this be?

 

[Taken]

Went back and read your post.
Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Okay, TY…it happens…All good. God bless you.

Glory to God,
Taken

 

[TheOneHeLoves]

Can a person be Christian and never read the bible?

Agreed.
Some would like Jesus as Savior
but not Jesus as Lord.

Unfortunately for some....both are necessary.


Agreed, even though you didn't finish the sentence (or at least, I missed it).

Did I say God does not know who will be saved?
Could you post my exact words because I don't believe this.
God knew from the beginning of time who would be saved.


Does God let US know HOW to be saved?
Or does He choose based on nothing at all except His own good pleasure?


Oh, but here we disagree.
I do believe the gospel allows us to know and understand HOW TO BE SAVED.
I do believe this is THE GOOD NEWS.
What do YOU believe the gospel is for?


I don't agree, but that's a topic for another day.
Maybe I was trying to make the point that we agree on some big basics,
but not on other basics....OSAS would be one of them.


Agreed.


Agreed.

Many disagree with you, both in the CC and some Protestant denominations.

Yes. This was my point...that we don't agree on some "big basics".

So we have you and I....
two Christians....
and we agree on 2 out of 5 (if I counted correctly - no guarantees!).

How could this be?

Correction on my part...God does know who will be saved, pardon me for that error in typing.


what I was trying to say is that we can't understand God and His ways and reasoning to the fullest.

Yes we are saved by GRACE through faith. We know how we are saved ... But we don't know what God knows.

 

[GodsGrace]

Correction on my part...God does know who will be saved, pardon me for that error in typing.

No problem.
If God didn't know who would be saved, He would be missing one of the omnis!

what I was trying to say is that we can't understand God and His ways and reasoning to the fullest.

Agreed.
I just think we could understand enough to know how He wants us to be in this life,
and to show us how to save our soul for eternity. I think we could at least know that.

Yes we are saved by GRACE through faith. We know how we are saved ... But we don't know what God knows.

We'll never know what God knows. Maybe not even when we get to heaven....
But we can know that we are saved by God's grace through our faith.
Agreed.

 

[Jericho]

My wife is Catholic; I'm non-denominational. Being married to a Catholic requires some compromises, so about two years ago, I went to my first Catholic mass. I have gone to many more since then. My experience is they are much more subdued than what I'm used to. The service is very formulaic, and they don't deviate from it much. They have a lot of traditions and rituals I would consider to be extra-biblical. And apparently, they don't like non-Catholics taking communion even if they're Christian. I don't get that, but whatever. We have the same core beliefs but differ on certain theologies. It doesn't do anything for me personally but to each their own.

 

[AcadianaRanger]

It is up to you and I can recommend praying about it and hear what God has to say about it. If you do wish to convert to Catholicism, then you can go to your local Catholic parish and register for RCIA classes. I’m Catholic myself and Catholicism is a beautiful religion. However, I would pray about it before making this decision. If you want to, you can talk to the Priest at the parish about your interest in Roman Catholicism.

I would recommend attending Mass at your local Catholic parish before enrolling in RCIA. You are not required to be Catholic to attend Mass, but if you are not Catholic, you are not allowed to receive communion (you can still wait in the communion line, cross your arms over your chest with both hands on shoulders, are receive blessings from the Priest). Chances are, nobody is going to pressure you to convert.

My advice is don’t listen to all the anti catholic posts. These are people who would rather be arrogant and judge others and not take the time and make a sincere effort to humble themselves, keep an open mind, and learn more about the faith. It is best not to acknowledge their existence and ignore them. The bottom line is only God should be the judge of whether a person is saved or not, not other humans.

 

[Lambano]

I don't understand what you mean.
What are we doing?
What has caused this diversity?
You think we on these forums have?

You're asking the right questions.

 

[PossibleThrowawayAccount]

So do many traditional catholics.
He's creating a lot of controversy and some priests are also waiting for a new Pope.

Glad I am not the only one. I know he is doing his best and don't doubt his holiness, but I feel like a lot of what he has said in the past goes against our faith.

The CC does not have a doctrine on what happens to animals after death.

I wish it would though, but then again it would probably teach against it unfortunately.

This is incorrect and I'm beginning to doubt your sincerity.

No, don't worry. If I were to attack Catholicism I would do it openly because it is not liked very well on this site. I initially called this thread "Why I refuse to conver to Catholicism" which would have made you question my sincerity even more. I changed the title because I don't really refuse and actually kind of want to.

What I was referring to when I said that was how Peter tried to teach that only Jews could convert to Christianity and how he believed that baptism and circumcision were an absolute necessity for salvation, whereas Paul taught that anyone could convert and that baptism and circumcision were things you SHOULD do but didn't necessarily have anything to do with salvation.

Which ones?
Which errors?

Some Churches use the NASB translation which has a few flaws. One of the translators backed out because he feared he was committing a horribld sin.

Some Churches and the Vatican use the NAB which was even criticized bt Catholics (Cringey Notes in the Catholic New American Bible)

I like the Revised Standard Version a good bit but it is not without its own problems (some versions use "Maiden" instead of "Virgin", removal of some verses, etc.)

I think it would be a good idea to convert to Catholicism....they don't change what they teach every few years.

I will try to look into it.

 

[GodsGrace]

You're asking the right questions.

I'm thinking of quitting posting.
Started out for the fellowship many years ago...
But I don't see any anymore.
I see too much bad doctrine and divisiveness.
Not what Jesus wanted.
: (

 

[GodsGrace]

It is up to you and I can recommend praying about it and hear what God has to say about it. If you do wish to convert to Catholicism, then you can go to your local Catholic parish and register for RCIA classes. I’m Catholic myself and Catholicism is a beautiful religion. However, I would pray about it before making this decision. If you want to, you can talk to the Priest at the parish about your interest in Roman Catholicism.

I would recommend attending Mass at your local Catholic parish before enrolling in RCIA. You are not required to be Catholic to attend Mass, but if you are not Catholic, you are not allowed to receive communion (you can still wait in the communion line, cross your arms over your chest with both hands on shoulders, are receive blessings from the Priest). Chances are, nobody is going to pressure you to convert.

My advice is don’t listen to all the anti catholic posts. These are people who would rather be arrogant and judge others and not take the time and make a sincere effort to humble themselves, keep an open mind, and learn more about the faith. It is best not to acknowledge their existence and ignore them. The bottom line is only God should be the judge of whether a person is saved or not, not other humans.

Great advice.
I forgot about the blessing option at Communion.

 

[Lambano]

And apparently, they don't like non-Catholics taking communion even if they're Christian. I don't get that, but whatever.

I have attended Mass a few times. A Baptism, a Confirmation, and a Funeral Mass. The Eucharist has a different meaning to Catholics, and even the Reformers had disagreements about what it means. This is from catholic.com:

What Is the Eucharist? Catholic Answers Guide

@PossibleThrowawayAccount, if you're serious about becoming Catholic, I do recommend you research things like this.

 

[amigo de christo]

Right now I am non-denominational. I like Catholicism a lot because it has things that I feel other denominations are sorely missing: prima scriptura, communion, beautiful prayers to God and the saints, nice looking churches, a direct link to St. Peter, the Vatican, the Catechism which catalogs the denomination's teachings in one book, and one of my favorite things of all: the Rosary.

However there are a few things keeping me from converting to Catholicism.

• I do not believe that the communion wafers and wine literally become Jesus' flesh and blood.
• I strongly disagree with the belief that animals cease at death.
• Catholicism favors the theory of evolution (and contradicts their belief that animals, who allegedly don't have souls, are the ancestors of man).
• I find Pope Francis to be very disagreeable.
• I find it questionable that Latin is a holy language.
• The first pope St. Peter almost ran Christianity into the ground and it had to be saved by Paul.
• Though it would be nice if there was such a place, there is absolutely no verses in the Bible supporting purgatory and it kind of undermines Jesus' blood being shed for man's salvation.
• Catholicism has come to condemn the death penalty for murderers.
• The modern English translations of the Bible they use are filled with errors.

Aside from all this, I kind of want to formally convert to it. What are your thoughts? I feel kind of out of place as a non-denominational yet Catholicism is the only one I like. I have looked at all the other Western denominations and feel that they are just empty.

Also, sorry for all the edits.

Would you like the short answer or the long answer to your question .
Most do not like long answers .
But bear with me anyway .
The short answer is a resounding , NO .
the Long answer is a resounding , HECK NO .
But know this , peter was never the first pope . Peter never behaved as did a one of the popes i ever read about did .
Stay well dug in the scripture my friend .

 

[Marvelloustime]

Brother @amigo de christo is spotted.