How many of you get confused as to what denomination you are actually in?

[Cis.jd]

I've identified as a Catholic for many years and am always ready to defend my faith. However, I sometimes question if I'm truly Catholic.
I've taken so many "what denomination are you" online polls, and each of them indicate I'm more aligned with Anglicanism than Catholicism. Anglicanism leads by just a hair.

I know that online polls may seem insignigicant to many of you however as I evaluated myself, I just feel caught in a dilemma about what side of faith I actually am. I do have things about the Catholic church that I just never could believe in.

My skepticism about being fully Catholic stems from three main issues:

1. The Holy Eucharist: I struggle to believe the Eucharist is the literal body and blood of Christ without scientific evidence, though I see its biblical significance and feel incomplete without it at Mass.
2. The One True Church: I view the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Coptic Orthodox churches as equally valid branches of the one true church, rather than believing the RCC is the only one. We are pieces of the 1 true church.
3. Canonization of Saints: While I believe in the communion of saints, I'm skeptical about the canonization of some post-biblical saints, like Carlo Acutis. It sometimes seems more like an award system than a proven recognition of holiness.

Because of this, I guess i'm in a state of confusion and I'm wondering if any of you have gone through this or are going through this as well?

 

[FaithT]

I used to question which Denom I belonged in. I was raised Catholic, left, returned, left and now I’m back. I think I’ll probably stay because I miss too many things about the RCC when I’m elsewhere. I just had to learn to pay attention more during Mass. Especially during the homilies.

 

[Valletta]

I've identified as a Catholic for many years and am always ready to defend my faith. However, I sometimes question if I'm truly Catholic.
I've taken so many "what denomination are you" online polls, and each of them indicate I'm more aligned with Anglicanism than Catholicism. Anglicanism leads by just a hair.

I know that online polls may seem insignigicant to many of you however as I evaluated myself, I just feel caught in a dilemma about what side of faith I actually am. I do have things about the Catholic church that I just never could believe in.

My skepticism about being fully Catholic stems from three main issues:

1. The Holy Eucharist: I struggle to believe the Eucharist is the literal body and blood of Christ without scientific evidence, though I see its biblical significance and feel incomplete without it at Mass.
2. The One True Church: I view the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Coptic Orthodox churches as equally valid branches of the one true church, rather than believing the RCC is the only one. We are pieces of the 1 true church.
3. Canonization of Saints: While I believe in the communion of saints, I'm skeptical about the canonization of some post-biblical saints, like Carlo Acutis. It sometimes seems more like an award system than a proven recognition of holiness.

Because of this, I guess i'm in a state of confusion and I'm wondering if any of you have gone through this or are going through this as well?

People have different struggles, I saw a poll and it surprised me how many doubted the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Science can't prove the Holy Trinity or that Abraham, Moses, and Jesus existed nor many other aspects of the faith. I believe all of what Jesus said, and a study of John 6 and the original Koine Greek makes it clear to me what Jesus was saying. Likewise I have an understanding that Melchizedek as the first High Priest offered mere bread and wine as sacrifice, and Jesus fulfilled what was in the OT by offering His Body and Blood under the appearance of bread and wine. It is Catholic teaching that all Christians are members of the Church, we say others lack the fullness of the faith. Eastern Orthodox are extremely close to us if you had a checkoff system of everything we believe. For public recognition of a saint the Church requires a thorough examination of the facts that can take many, many years, such as the testimony of medical experts for miracle healings. There are, of course,many saints among us who are not recognized here on Earth. People are free to make suggestions for improvement.

 

[Maria Billingsley]

People have different struggles, I saw a poll and it surprised me how many doubted the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Science can't prove the Holy Trinity or that Abraham, Moses, and Jesus existed nor many other aspects of the faith. I believe all of what Jesus said, and a study of John 6 and the original Koine Greek makes it clear to me what Jesus was saying. Likewise I have an understanding that Melchizedek as the first High Priest offered mere bread and wine as sacrifice, and Jesus fulfilled what was in the OT by offering His Body and Blood under the appearance of bread and wine. It is Catholic teaching that all Christians are members of the Church, we say others lack the fullness of the faith. Eastern Orthodox are extremely close to us if you had a checkoff system of everything we believe. For public recognition of a saint the Church requires a thorough examination of the facts that can take many, many years, such as the testimony of medical experts for miracle healings. There are, of course,many saints among us who are not recognized here on Earth. People are free to make suggestions for improvement.

Actually, denominations are a man made thing. Jesus Christ of Nazareth has only ONE Body. Be blessed.

 

[ozso]

I just consider myself Christian period. I feel at home in most any church. Provided there's not some oddball thing going on of course. I have no problem with attending Catholic mass. I think it's a bit sad though that I have to go through certain rituals and basically sign a contract so to speak to be exclusively committed to the Catholic church for life to fully participate. With most other Christian churches that's not the case as far as I know. I'd say in that sense the Protestant churches are actually universal compared to the Catholic (which means universal) church.

 

[Cis.jd]

People have different struggles, I saw a poll and it surprised me how many doubted the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist. Science can't prove the Holy Trinity or that Abraham, Moses, and Jesus existed nor many other aspects of the faith. I believe all of what Jesus said, and a study of John 6 and the original Koine Greek makes it clear to me what Jesus was saying. Likewise I have an understanding that Melchizedek as the first High Priest offered mere bread and wine as sacrifice, and Jesus fulfilled what was in the OT by offering His Body and Blood under the appearance of bread and wine. It is Catholic teaching that all Christians are members of the Church, we say others lack the fullness of the faith. Eastern Orthodox are extremely close to us if you had a checkoff system of everything we believe. For public recognition of a saint the Church requires a thorough examination of the facts that can take many, many years, such as the testimony of medical experts for miracle healings. There are, of course,many saints among us who are not recognized here on Earth. People are free to make suggestions for improvement.

I'm not making an argument but just sharing why some catholics, such as myself struggle with the faith in regards to the Holy Eucharist. Science can't prove the Trinity but the difference here is that Holy Eucharist is a physical object. It's just when it is said to be literal then it is hard not to demand evidence. If there is no physical change in this physical object, then it's hard to believe. It isn't about what Jesus said but what he actually meant. It's hard not to believe that Holy Eucharist is primarily spiritual rather than literal. I don't know.

 

[Lost4words]

Catholic and will never doubt that. I could never be confused about that.

 

[nalex1066]

I’m a born again Christian. Jesus died for those like me lost in sin of self.
He is my rock & salvation in Him will I trust.
I belong The the Worldwide Church of which God is the only head.
His spirit gives me life with a capital L.
Everything else is temporal, man made or otherwise.
I belong; until He says otherwise, to a body, congregation or church where The Word & Holy Spirit dwells.
‍♂️

 

[David Lamb]

When I became a Christian, many years ago now, I had no real idea about denominations, so I prayed for God's help in deciding which church to join. Through circumstances, He caused me to start attending services at a Baptist church. Although a new Christian, I immediately recognized that all the preaching was based on, and backed up with, Scripture. I have been a Baptist ever since.

 

[Valletta]

I'm not making an argument but just sharing why some catholics, such as myself struggle with the faith in regards to the Holy Eucharist. Science can't prove the Trinity but the difference here is that Holy Eucharist is a physical object. It's just when it is said to be literal then it is hard not to demand evidence. If there is no physical change in this physical object, then it's hard to believe. It isn't about what Jesus said but what he actually meant. It's hard not to believe that Holy Eucharist is primarily spiritual rather than literal. I don't know.

What's happening is indeed spiritual and mystical, when you eat His Body and drink His Blood. You are united with Jesus at the very moment at Calvary. I understand it can be hard to believe the Jesus loves us so much He humbles himself in such a manner. Now to me, I'm a math oriented science guy, and why the different forces hold us together, and objects together, in what we term a "physical form" yet with a mind and soul no one understands, we are indeed miracles of God's creation. We are mysteries, and the Eucharist is a mystery:

"Calling her children about her, she [the Church] nourishes them with holy milk, that is, with the Infant Word…The Word is everything to a child: both Father and Mother, both Instructor and Nurse. "EAT MY FLESH," He says, "AND DRINK MY BLOOD." The Lord supplies us with these intimate nutriments. HE DELIVERS OVER HIS FLESH, AND POURS OUT HIS BLOOD; and nothing is lacking for the growth of His children. O incredible mystery!" St. Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-216 A.D.) (Instructor of Children 1:6:42,1,3)

As to what Jesus really meant, remember Jesus, the Lamb of God, linked the Passover to the Last Supper, the first mass. In the Passover the Jews were to eat the lamb else the Passover was not complete. As I mentioned, a study of the Greek in John 6 shows that when the Jews questioned Jesus about really eating his Body, Jesus became more emphatic. In John 6:50-53 the Koine Greek word used for "eat" are forms of "phago."

John 6:50 Greek Text Analysis

biblehub.com

The Jews find the words of Jesus hard to believe, in John 6:54 forms of the word "trogein" or "trogo" begin to be used for "eat." "Trogein" means to chew, or to gnaw. John 6:54 Greek Text Analysis
Jesus makes it clear that He is speaking literally about eating His flesh.

 

[Cis.jd]

Catholic and will never doubt that. I could never be confused about that.

I know. It's a struggle. I normally just say to myself that "I just don't know".. and I look at the other churches such as the Orthodox and even Lutherans who also believe in the Holy Eucharist the same way, so it does let me know there is much deeper truth that I am just not getting.
I want to believe it but I have to just be honest that I am a "Thomas" when it comes to it.

 

[Cis.jd]

What's happening is indeed spiritual and mystical, when you eat His Body and drink His Blood. You are united with Jesus at the very moment at Calvary. I understand it can be hard to believe the Jesus loves us so much He humbles himself in such a manner. Now to me, I'm a math oriented science guy, and why the different forces hold us together, and objects together, in what we term a "physical form" yet with a mind and soul no one understands, we are indeed miracles of God's creation. We are mysteries, and the Eucharist is a mystery:

"Calling her children about her, she [the Church] nourishes them with holy milk, that is, with the Infant Word…The Word is everything to a child: both Father and Mother, both Instructor and Nurse. "EAT MY FLESH," He says, "AND DRINK MY BLOOD." The Lord supplies us with these intimate nutriments. HE DELIVERS OVER HIS FLESH, AND POURS OUT HIS BLOOD; and nothing is lacking for the growth of His children. O incredible mystery!" St. Clement of Alexandria (c. 150-216 A.D.) (Instructor of Children 1:6:42,1,3)

As to what Jesus really meant, remember Jesus, the Lamb of God, linked the Passover to the Last Supper, the first mass. In the Passover the Jews were to eat the lamb else the Passover was not complete. As I mentioned, a study of the Greek in John 6 shows that when the Jews questioned Jesus about really eating his Body, Jesus became more emphatic. In John 6:50-53 the Koine Greek word used for "eat" are forms of "phago."

John 6:50 Greek Text Analysis

biblehub.com

The Jews find the words of Jesus hard to believe, in John 6:54 forms of the word "trogein" or "trogo" begin to be used for "eat." "Trogein" means to chew, or to gnaw. John 6:54 Greek Text Analysis
Jesus makes it clear that He is speaking literally about eating His flesh.

Yes.. but does this mean it's literal or more like spiritual? Spiritual I can understand, but the literal part (that it physically becomes his physical body/blood) is where my skepticism or agnosticism on it starts to click. I mean, I do see these verses but was Jesus literal on it?
Your post is a great explanation and I will copy paste this and read it several times as well as try to do better research on it, but I just feel like I need to be honest with my struggle on this part of the faith.

I don't think my agnosticism on the Holy Eucharist is an actual factor for me to leave the church, but I don't think I can be accepted by the Church as a catholic because of the lack of faith on this.

 

[Lost4words]

I know. It's a struggle. I normally just say to myself that "I just don't know".. and I look at the other churches such as the Orthodox and even Lutherans who also believe in the Holy Eucharist the same way, so it does let me know there is much deeper truth that I am just not getting.
I want to believe it but I have to just be honest that I am a "Thomas" when it comes to it.

Pray about it my friend. God will help.

God bless you

 

[Yarddog]

I've identified as a Catholic for many years and am always ready to defend my faith. However, I sometimes question if I'm truly Catholic.
I've taken so many "what denomination are you" online polls, and each of them indicate I'm more aligned with Anglicanism than Catholicism. Anglicanism leads by just a hair.

I know that online polls may seem insignigicant to many of you however as I evaluated myself, I just feel caught in a dilemma about what side of faith I actually am. I do have things about the Catholic church that I just never could believe in.

My skepticism about being fully Catholic stems from three main issues:

1. The Holy Eucharist: I struggle to believe the Eucharist is the literal body and blood of Christ without scientific evidence, though I see its biblical significance and feel incomplete without it at Mass.
2. The One True Church: I view the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Coptic Orthodox churches as equally valid branches of the one true church, rather than believing the RCC is the only one. We are pieces of the 1 true church.
3. Canonization of Saints: While I believe in the communion of saints, I'm skeptical about the canonization of some post-biblical saints, like Carlo Acutis. It sometimes seems more like an award system than a proven recognition of holiness.

Because of this, I guess i'm in a state of confusion and I'm wondering if any of you have gone through this or are going through this as well?

I was raised a Baptist but unbaptized into my 20's. After an suicidal episode God came and revealed himself in a whole new light and showed me just how much he loves mankind.
I asked how I needed to keep from falling into self pride and he told to be baptized and fellowship with other Christians and showed me he wanted me to be baptized in the Catholic Church. I had argued against the Church at Rome with Catholics and thought I would have a difficult time obeying but did as he asked.

As I began to study what the Church actually teaches, instead of what I had been told it teaches, I saw the Church in a new light. In reading the letters of St. Ignatius I could read just what the Apostles had taught to their disciples. It was clear that they had taught that the Eucharist was the actual body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. I was also instantly healed of the flu upon receiving the sacrament.

I would advise you to read what the Catholic Church actually teaches of what the Church is rather than believe it teaches we are not all part of the body of Christ.

 

[ozso]

Yes.. but does this mean it's literal or more like spiritual? Spiritual I can understand, but the literal part (that it physically becomes his physical body/blood) is where my skepticism or agnosticism on it starts to click. I mean, I do see these verses but was Jesus literal on it?
Your post is a great explanation and I will copy paste this and read it several times as well as try to do better research on it, but I just feel like I need to be honest with my struggle on this part of the faith.

I don't think my agnosticism on the Holy Eucharist is an actual factor for me to leave the church, but I don't think I can be accepted by the Church as a catholic because of the lack of faith on this.

I wouldn't be surprised if quite a lot of Catholics feel the same way and don't let anyone else know. As for me, I'm willing to accept it without trying to figure it out. If Jesus can turn water into wine and walk on water, two impossible things that can't be figured out, what isn't possible when it comes to physical elements?

 

[Valletta]

Yes.. but does this mean it's literal or more like spiritual? Spiritual I can understand, but the literal part (that it physically becomes his physical body/blood) is where my skepticism or agnosticism on it starts to click. I mean, I do see these verses but was Jesus literal on it?
Your post is a great explanation and I will copy paste this and read it several times as well as try to do better research on it, but I just feel like I need to be honest with my struggle on this part of the faith.

I don't think my agnosticism on the Holy Eucharist is an actual factor for me to leave the church, but I don't think I can be accepted by the Church as a catholic because of the lack of faith on this.

Truly the Holy Eucharist is the actual physical Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. The three leaders of the Protestant reformation all came up with different ideas that differed from that fact, and there are I don't know how many different views today in Protestant denominations. When I enter a Church or go to adoration I know Jesus is really physically there. Almost always I say the words silently in my head "My Lord and my God" as I genuflect. I would definitely read the Catechism and the Church fathers on the subject, and I think the best thing you can do is pray upon it, before the Blessed Sacrament, and ask the Lord to let you know if He is truly physically present. As the way prayer goes, some times you are suddenly enlightened and sometimes it takes a long time.

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I've identified as a Catholic for many years and am always ready to defend my faith. However, I sometimes question if I'm truly Catholic.
I've taken so many "what denomination are you" online polls, and each of them indicate I'm more aligned with Anglicanism than Catholicism. Anglicanism leads by just a hair.

I know that online polls may seem insignigicant to many of you however as I evaluated myself, I just feel caught in a dilemma about what side of faith I actually am. I do have things about the Catholic church that I just never could believe in.

My skepticism about being fully Catholic stems from three main issues:

1. The Holy Eucharist: I struggle to believe the Eucharist is the literal body and blood of Christ without scientific evidence, though I see its biblical significance and feel incomplete without it at Mass.
2. The One True Church: I view the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Coptic Orthodox churches as equally valid branches of the one true church, rather than believing the RCC is the only one. We are pieces of the 1 true church.
3. Canonization of Saints: While I believe in the communion of saints, I'm skeptical about the canonization of some post-biblical saints, like Carlo Acutis. It sometimes seems more like an award system than a proven recognition of holiness.

Because of this, I guess i'm in a state of confusion and I'm wondering if any of you have gone through this or are going through this as well?

Nope. I can't say that I've gone through a state of confusion on ideas of doctrinal nature, especially over any of those for which there is no certainty or there is evidence of misinterpretation.

Since we're addressing these terms on a Philosophical level, and being that this is the Christian Philosophy and Ethics forum rather than a Formal Theology forum, my two-pennies is to just pick whichever Trinitarian church you feel most at home in and attend there, whether it's Catholic or Anglican. And have some peace about it.

 

[FaithT]

Truly the Holy Eucharist is the actual physical Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. The three leaders of the Protestant reformation all came up with different ideas that differed from that fact, and there are I don't know how many different views today in Protestant denominations. When I enter a Church or go to adoration I know Jesus is really physically there. Almost always I say the words silently in my head "My Lord and my God" as I genuflect. I would definitely read the Catechism and the Church fathers on the subject, and I think the best thing you can do is pray upon it, before the Blessed Sacrament, and ask the Lord to let you know if He is truly physically present. As the way prayer goes, some times you are suddenly enlightened and sometimes it takes a long time.

Another suggestion is to read about the scientifically tested Eucharistic Miracles. That helped me.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Yes.. but does this mean it's literal or more like spiritual? Spiritual I can understand, but the literal part (that it physically becomes his physical body/blood) is where my skepticism or agnosticism on it starts to click. I mean, I do see these verses but was Jesus literal on it?
Your post is a great explanation and I will copy paste this and read it several times as well as try to do better research on it, but I just feel like I need to be honest with my struggle on this part of the faith.

I don't think my agnosticism on the Holy Eucharist is an actual factor for me to leave the church, but I don't think I can be accepted by the Church as a catholic because of the lack of faith on this.

God could make the chair you're sitting on the body of Christ. However, Christ gave us bread and wine for us to eat and drink, which God the Father transforms into Jesus body and blood. The accidents remain bread and wine.

Also, various miracles of the Eucharist turning into flesh and blood have taken place over the centuries, so obviously God
is showing that the real presence of Christ exists in the Eucharist.

Lastly, read the scripture account

The Lord’s Supper.
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, “Take and eat; this is my body.”
Then he took a cup, gave thanks,* and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you,
for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins.
Matthew 26:26-28

The Church celebrated the Eucharist since Christ established the sacrament.

 

[doughtz]

I've never bothered to align to a denomination but I'd be interested in taking the quizzes to see where I align.