Converting from Catholic to Protestant

[Lotar]

Bruce, it's supposed to be "Doh!"

I just wanted to chime in too

 

[Plan 9]

"Duh" is sort of like the equivalent of "Errr" or "Saywhat" to others.

"Duh" means "stupid", I'm afraid.

 

[Lanakila]

Many of us have never, ever watched the Simpsons. I was saying duh long before the Simpsons came on tv, and it was rude then, and its rude now. I remember saying duh to my mother when she told me something, and getting in lots of trouble for being rude.

 

[Lanakila]

More like, of course you idiot. In the language of the times when I was using it Planny.

 

[ej]

Bruce, you're making a fool of yourself.

If you want to discuss elements of different Christian doctrines, you should choose something which: (a) is true (b) you know something about and (c) is actually a discussion point and not a bizarre attack.

I attend a Catholic Church, yet I am not in full agreement with Catholic doctrine - partly because I believe it puts man before God. However, I would infinitely prefer the fellowship of a person who is open-minded and exudes love and Godliness, than a person who is critical, aggressive and inappropriate as you are here. I also attend a Protestant Church... I don't agree with 100% of their doctrine either, but they are wonderful Christian people, as are my Catholic friends and fellow parishioners.

There are plenty open-minded and generous members here who are willing to take part in humane discussion... without wanting to criticise, I must admit that it has crossed my mind that you may have lost perspective of the reason you are here, and the reason you seek Christian fellowship at all.

Peace be with you

 

[Terri]

Well, I would just like to remind all of you that are feeling guilty what God says on the subject:

RO 8:1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

God doesn't condemn you so STOP doing it to yourselves!!

Finchuck I would encourage you to read Galatians and Romans over and over as many times as you can to help you realize just how FREE in Christ you are.

Finchuch this is my prayer for you:

EPH 3:14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

 

[finchuck]

I'm still unclear about the confessional and its importance. Am I forgiven of my sins as a Catholic if I don't go to Confession?

This is the biggest obstacle for me with the Catholic Church. I admit that I'm not a practicing Christian, but I want to be as good of a Christian as I can be given the circumstances of my life. I want to be able to have a relationship with God, even if I don't go to Church at this time in my life or confess my sins to a priest.

I seek forgiveness, guidance, faith and a relationship with God. My faith is very "raw" at this point. Like I said above, up until about a month ago, I never even considered religion to be a part of my life at all. This really is all new to me.

 

[ej]

I'm still unclear about the confessional and its importance. Am I forgiven of my sins as a Catholic if I don't go to Confession?

You're going to get some different answers here, finchuck

Personally, I know that Catholicism is the closest I will get to Christ's Church. But I freely admit that it is imperfect, and irreparably so through history. The doctrine of confession is one which I find difficult to accept and understand.

In a word.. yes. God DOES forgive your sins without going to confession. Confession is an earthly representation of sin repentance, IMHO. Similarly, water baptism is an earthly representation of baptism of the Holy Spirit.

 

[Metanoia02]

I'm still unclear about the confessional and its importance. Am I forgiven of my sins as a Catholic if I don't go to Confession?

This is the biggest obstacle for me with the Catholic Church. I admit that I'm not a practicing Christian, but I want to be as good of a Christian as I can be given the circumstances of my life. I want to be able to have a relationship with God, even if I don't go to Church at this time in my life or confess my sins to a priest.

I seek forgiveness, guidance, faith and a relationship with God.

finchuck,

As I have said before, PLEASE ask these questions in the One Bread One Body Forum. Due to the restriction of this forum we are no able to answer you directly. From what you have written, I think we can help you better understand confession as well as any other question you might have about the Catholic Church.

 

[Plan 9]

More like, of course you idiot. In the language of the times when I was using it Planny.

Yes, you have defined it exactly right, Lanakila.

 

[Benedicta00]

I'm still unclear about the confessional and its importance. Am I forgiven of my sins as a Catholic if I don't go to Confession?

This is the biggest obstacle for me with the Catholic Church. I admit that I'm not a practicing Christian, but I want to be as good of a Christian as I can be given the circumstances of my life. I want to be able to have a relationship with God, even if I don't go to Church at this time in my life or confess my sins to a priest.

I seek forgiveness, guidance, faith and a relationship with God.

Chuck,

Peace to you.

This is one of the biggest things we all deal with as Catholics, it is common so will you please post to us in OBOB before you make any finale choices because our feelings and emotions run high and low and we should not make choices based on what we feel but what we know.

Please come talk to us over there. There are many who can help or PM a Catholic to discuss. You are under no pressure or obligation to be Catholic if you post there but at least know fully what you are leaving behind. There is more that just confession you will be giving up.

 

[finchuck]

finchuck,

As I have said before, PLEASE ask these questions in the One Bread One Body Forum. Due to the restriction of this forum we are no able to answer you directly. From what you have written, I think we can help you better understand confession as well as any other question you might have about the Catholic Church.

K I'll do that. Thanks

 

[finchuck]

Here's the thread over there: http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=1201233#post1201233

 

[Benedicta00]

Finchuck,

I noticed your new and you have no blesssings so here is 5000, go and buy yourself a fancy avatar or something.

 

[Lotar]

I'm still unclear about the confessional and its importance. Am I forgiven of my sins as a Catholic if I don't go to Confession?

This is the biggest obstacle for me with the Catholic Church. I admit that I'm not a practicing Christian, but I want to be as good of a Christian as I can be given the circumstances of my life. I want to be able to have a relationship with God, even if I don't go to Church at this time in my life or confess my sins to a priest.

I seek forgiveness, guidance, faith and a relationship with God.

Now it's sounding like you want to convert to Protestantism because you don't want to go to church or be a practicing christian. I have to tell you that it doesn't work that way. The only true Christian is a practicing Christian. Protestantism isn't going to be any more accepting of that. You will get what you seek if you follow Him. You can't expect to convert to Protestantism, get "saved", and then go on with life as normal.

I don't know the exact dynamics of Catholic confession, you should probably go to thier forum to ask about that. But as far as I know, you need to confess to a priest, and if you die without confessing a mortal sin you go to hell, but everything else just racks you up time on purgatory.

Protestants don't have mortal and venial (sp?) sins, we believe that any are enough to **** you, but we also believe that you only need to confess directly to God, unless it is something habitual, and that His grace is sufficient in the "inbetween" times.

 

[finchuck]

What are these blessings? I've never been to a site like this... thanks tho!

 

[finchuck]

Now it's sounding like you want to convert to Protestantism because you don't want to go to church or be a practicing christian. I have to tell you that it doesn't work that way. The only true Christian is a practicing Christian. Protestantism isn't going to be any more accepting of that. You will get what you seek if you follow Him. You can't expect to convert to Protestantism, get "saved", and then go on with life as normal.

Yeah I know how it sounds. Right now I'm living on campus at a Catholic University, so if I want to head to church it would have to be that one. My weekends are consumed by family, friends, and being a mentor for a child w/special needs.

I know it's no excuse, but I'm still trying to find a niche.

 

[Plan 9]

Now it's sounding like you want to convert to Protestantism because you don't want to go to church or be a practicing christian. I have to tell you that it doesn't work that way. The only true Christian is a practicing Christian. Protestantism isn't going to be any more accepting of that. You will get what you seek if you follow Him. You can't expect to convert to Protestantism, get "saved", and then go on with life as normal.


Protestants don't have mortal and venial (sp?) sins, we believe that any are enough to **** you, but we also believe that you only need to confess directly to God, unless it is something habitual, and that His grace is sufficient in the "inbetween" times.

I can hardly wait for the "Eternal Security of the Believer" Christians to arrive!

 

[Lotar]

Yeah I know how it sounds. Right now I'm living on campus at a Catholic University, so if I want to head to church it would have to be that one. My weekends are consumed by family, friends, and being a mentor for a child w/special needs.

I know it's no excuse, but I'm still trying to find a niche.

Many churches have sunday night and wednesday night services, you should try checking it out. I'm sure there are churches nearby. Get your family and/or friends to go with you. When you become a Christian, you must put Christ first in your life, and sometimes that means spending less time with friends.

 

[finchuck]

So now I have something else to feel guilty about