Am I Catholic or Baptist???

JoeyMaroni95 said:

Hi I'm Joseph. Im 23, was born and raised Catholic but 2 years ago my dad was born again in a Baptist church, which is where my dilemma comes in... He wanted me to come and "experience the Lord". I wound up liking it and putting Catholicism aside. I made friends in this baptist church and they even hired me to play drums. I was a loner growing up so the thought of having a place to go with new found friends was a dream come true. My mom and grandma however are still devout Catholics. Looking back on these 2 past years, I used the Baptist church merely as a way to make friends only. Kibda like a social club for a lonely heart guy. I'm still catholic inside but I can't just walk away from these people.. I play drums and I fit in somewhere for the first time in my life. But my mom and grandma urge me to go back to mass with them. Recently something has just been telling me that the catholic church is where to be. When i was in high school I considered going to become a priest. My dad would be very disappointed in me if I just quit the baptist but in my heart I think Jesus is calling me to his church (I did my research and am convinced that the RCC is Christ's own church). I feel like I'm being pulled 2 different ways and I almost suffered a nervous breakdown thinking about it. What should I do?

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Catholic Theology is quite different from Baptist Theology so you need to go with the one that you believe in and your family needs to understand why so explain to them the things that you believe in that are causing you to make the decision, it is not a question that anyone else can decide for you.

JoeyMaroni95 said:

Hi I'm Joseph. Im 23, was born and raised Catholic but 2 years ago my dad was born again in a Baptist church, which is where my dilemma comes in... He wanted me to come and "experience the Lord". I wound up liking it and putting Catholicism aside. I made friends in this baptist church and they even hired me to play drums. I was a loner growing up so the thought of having a place to go with new found friends was a dream come true. My mom and grandma however are still devout Catholics. Looking back on these 2 past years, I used the Baptist church merely as a way to make friends only. Kibda like a social club for a lonely heart guy. I'm still catholic inside but I can't just walk away from these people.. I play drums and I fit in somewhere for the first time in my life. But my mom and grandma urge me to go back to mass with them. Recently something has just been telling me that the catholic church is where to be. When i was in high school I considered going to become a priest. My dad would be very disappointed in me if I just quit the baptist but in my heart I think Jesus is calling me to his church (I did my research and am convinced that the RCC is Christ's own church). I feel like I'm being pulled 2 different ways and I almost suffered a nervous breakdown thinking about it. What should I do?

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Do as God wills

I think you are Catholic at heart but that doesn’t mean you can’t hang out with other Christians from other denomination.

JoeyMaroni95 said:

Hi I'm Joseph. Im 23, was born and raised Catholic but 2 years ago my dad was born again in a Baptist church, which is where my dilemma comes in... He wanted me to come and "experience the Lord". I wound up liking it and putting Catholicism aside. I made friends in this baptist church and they even hired me to play drums. I was a loner growing up so the thought of having a place to go with new found friends was a dream come true. My mom and grandma however are still devout Catholics. Looking back on these 2 past years, I used the Baptist church merely as a way to make friends only. Kibda like a social club for a lonely heart guy. I'm still catholic inside but I can't just walk away from these people.. I play drums and I fit in somewhere for the first time in my life. But my mom and grandma urge me to go back to mass with them. Recently something has just been telling me that the catholic church is where to be. When i was in high school I considered going to become a priest. My dad would be very disappointed in me if I just quit the baptist but in my heart I think Jesus is calling me to his church (I did my research and am convinced that the RCC is Christ's own church). I feel like I'm being pulled 2 different ways and I almost suffered a nervous breakdown thinking about it. What should I do?

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Sounds like you know you are Catholic.

JoeyMaroni95 said:

Hi I'm Joseph. Im 23, was born and raised Catholic but 2 years ago my dad was born again in a Baptist church, which is where my dilemma comes in... He wanted me to come and "experience the Lord". I wound up liking it and putting Catholicism aside. I made friends in this baptist church and they even hired me to play drums. I was a loner growing up so the thought of having a place to go with new found friends was a dream come true. My mom and grandma however are still devout Catholics. Looking back on these 2 past years, I used the Baptist church merely as a way to make friends only. Kibda like a social club for a lonely heart guy. I'm still catholic inside but I can't just walk away from these people.. I play drums and I fit in somewhere for the first time in my life. But my mom and grandma urge me to go back to mass with them. Recently something has just been telling me that the catholic church is where to be. When i was in high school I considered going to become a priest. My dad would be very disappointed in me if I just quit the baptist but in my heart I think Jesus is calling me to his church (I did my research and am convinced that the RCC is Christ's own church). I feel like I'm being pulled 2 different ways and I almost suffered a nervous breakdown thinking about it. What should I do?

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The answer is in your heart.

If you believe Scripture is the final Judge in spiritual matters go Baptist but if you think the 'Church' determines those things go Catholic.

(Actually these days it's a big hodge-podge in both camps lol.)

JoeyMaroni95 said:

I did my research and am convinced that the RCC is Christ's own church

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If this is what you believe -- that the RCC is Christ's own church, in a way that the Orthodox and Protestant churches are not -- then I think that makes you Catholic. Still, as @Tigger45 observes, there's no reason you can't hang out with Baptists, in addition to attending your own Catholic church. There's much that you can learn from Baptists. At their best, they study Scriptures thoroughly, and they emphasize making a personal commitment to Christ (rather than just drifting along with what other people believe). These elements can enhance your own Catholic faith.

Is there any way you can attend both churches, by picking two weekend services that are at different times? That way, you can keep your Baptist friends and your music, and still be nurtured by the sacraments and teachings of the Catholic church, which I sense is your church home.

JoeyMaroni95 said:

My dad would be very disappointed in me if I just quit the baptist but in my heart I think Jesus is calling me to his church (I did my research and am convinced that the RCC is Christ's own church). I feel like I'm being pulled 2 different ways and I almost suffered a nervous breakdown thinking about it. What should I do?

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These two churches are about at opposite poles when it comes to the spectrum of Christian denominations, so one has to wonder where you would find yourself if your father had chosen some other one. And then, too, part of your problem concerns the pull of other family matters, not just theology.

However, if you have bought into the Roman Catholic claim that Christ founded that church to the exclusion of all other Christian churches, you probably are more a Catholic than a Protestant of any kind. BUT I would urge you not to make your choice of church be based on a feeling that you might become a Catholic priest. It is not impossible that you could, of course; but I hope you keep that out of your decision about which church to belong to.

JoeyMaroni95 said:

Hi I'm Joseph. Im 23, was born and raised Catholic but 2 years ago my dad was born again in a Baptist church, which is where my dilemma comes in... He wanted me to come and "experience the Lord". I wound up liking it and putting Catholicism aside. I made friends in this baptist church and they even hired me to play drums. I was a loner growing up so the thought of having a place to go with new found friends was a dream come true. My mom and grandma however are still devout Catholics. Looking back on these 2 past years, I used the Baptist church merely as a way to make friends only. Kibda like a social club for a lonely heart guy. I'm still catholic inside but I can't just walk away from these people.. I play drums and I fit in somewhere for the first time in my life. But my mom and grandma urge me to go back to mass with them. Recently something has just been telling me that the catholic church is where to be. When i was in high school I considered going to become a priest. My dad would be very disappointed in me if I just quit the baptist but in my heart I think Jesus is calling me to his church (I did my research and am convinced that the RCC is Christ's own church). I feel like I'm being pulled 2 different ways and I almost suffered a nervous breakdown thinking about it. What should I do?

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First off, you might start to think of yourself as a "Christian" rather than a particular denomination of Christianity. I don't think it's actually necessary to "quit" one or the other church. You're welcome to enjoy them both as the Spirit moves you.

I was baptized as a Catholic, I grew up in the Lutheran church, but I find myself closer to the Quaker form of Christianity as I've gotten older. I've attended various churches over the years, and they've all had their benefits and their drawbacks IMO. I'm typically more attached to the community within the church rather than the specific dogma of the denomination frankly.

I still attend various Christian churches depending on where I'm located at any point in time. I attended a Catholic Church last summer while I was visiting my daughter in Missouri and I took communion there. It felt quite normal actually although it was the first time I'd attended a Catholic church in many years. I still felt the Holy Spirit present within that church and that community and they welcomed me with open arms.

Christians come in many flavors. I don't believe that one is required to restrict themselves to a single denomination unless that is their choice. You don't have to walk away from anyone although some may choose to walk away from you if that's is their choice, but then it's their decision not yours.

You can go to mass sometimes with your grandparents and still play the drums with the Baptists. It's allowed. I don't think you'll be judged based on the dogma of the church(es) you choose to attend, but rather how you've treated others in your life. Loving everyone is typically a great policy to follow.

JoeyMaroni95 said:

Hi I'm Joseph. Im 23, was born and raised Catholic but 2 years ago my dad was born again in a Baptist church, which is where my dilemma comes in... He wanted me to come and "experience the Lord". I wound up liking it and putting Catholicism aside. I made friends in this baptist church and they even hired me to play drums. I was a loner growing up so the thought of having a place to go with new found friends was a dream come true. My mom and grandma however are still devout Catholics. Looking back on these 2 past years, I used the Baptist church merely as a way to make friends only. Kibda like a social club for a lonely heart guy. I'm still catholic inside but I can't just walk away from these people.. I play drums and I fit in somewhere for the first time in my life. But my mom and grandma urge me to go back to mass with them. Recently something has just been telling me that the catholic church is where to be. When i was in high school I considered going to become a priest. My dad would be very disappointed in me if I just quit the baptist but in my heart I think Jesus is calling me to his church (I did my research and am convinced that the RCC is Christ's own church). I feel like I'm being pulled 2 different ways and I almost suffered a nervous breakdown thinking about it. What should I do?

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Personally, I would not be a catholic, there are just too many unbiblical doctrines in the church. Like praying through Mary, and the saints. Purgatory etc. For me I almost see the catholic church as a cult of Christianity. The bible is the basis for faith, and if a church does not teach what the bible teaches then it should not be considered a church.

I'd recommend calling yourself Christian, attending both, and finding out what each really believes.

disciple Clint said:

Catholic Theology is quite different from Baptist Theology so you need to go with the one that you believe in and your family needs to understand why so explain to them the things that you believe in that are causing you to make the decision, it is not a question that anyone else can decide for you.

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Agreed. Being Catholic is not something you claim like you would a nationality. @JoeyMaroni95 If I were to ask you why you are Catholic and not Baptist, would you be able to provide a rational answer other than you were born and baptized Catholic?

JoeyMaroni95 said:

Hi I'm Joseph. Im 23, was born and raised Catholic but 2 years ago my dad was born again in a Baptist church, which is where my dilemma comes in... He wanted me to come and "experience the Lord". I wound up liking it and putting Catholicism aside. I made friends in this baptist church and they even hired me to play drums. I was a loner growing up so the thought of having a place to go with new found friends was a dream come true. My mom and grandma however are still devout Catholics. Looking back on these 2 past years, I used the Baptist church merely as a way to make friends only. Kibda like a social club for a lonely heart guy. I'm still catholic inside but I can't just walk away from these people.. I play drums and I fit in somewhere for the first time in my life. But my mom and grandma urge me to go back to mass with them. Recently something has just been telling me that the catholic church is where to be. When i was in high school I considered going to become a priest. My dad would be very disappointed in me if I just quit the baptist but in my heart I think Jesus is calling me to his church (I did my research and am convinced that the RCC is Christ's own church). I feel like I'm being pulled 2 different ways and I almost suffered a nervous breakdown thinking about it. What should I do?

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How about forgetting denominational labels and just being a disciple of Christ? This is, at bottom, what it means to be a Christian. Can you be Christ's disciple in a Baptist church? Absolutely! Can you be a disciple of Christ in a Roman Catholic church? Yes. You can be a disciple of Christ if you attend no church at all, really. But, here's the important question, it seems to me: In which church will you be better encouraged in your fellowship with Christ? Which church will help you go deep with your Saviour? I'm sad to say not every Baptist church will do this for a believer (a confession I make as a Baptist). But being married to a former Catholic, I can tell you this is just as true - if not more so - in Catholic churches. So, what to do, eh? I think as you make walking closely with God, enjoying daily fellowship with Him, your top priority, your question will resolve itself quite naturally.

I would urge you to be careful who and what you call Jesus' Church, by the way. The Church is not found solely in any one denomination. It is not Baptist or Catholic or any other particular denomination but exists within all of them, constituted of people who love Christ and live for him.

With time you will know what path to follow, research both and let your heart speak

IMHO, sounds you're Catholic: young and wanting to "fit in" and socialize, whole reason you became a pretend Baptist. Personally, I have "died" to a social life. I hope your friends don't betray you.