Identity as a Catholic

[LongingForLight]

I wish it were more of my identity than it currently is . . . which I guess means that it is part of my identity now. But not nearly as much as I want it to be.

 

[TexasCatholic]

I'm in RCIA right now, and assuming I do go through with it, I will be Catholic. However, I still believe that I will identify myself as a CHRISTIAN.... and if further questioned, I might specify Catholic. To me, Christians is what we are... Catholic is the Church. It has always disturbed me that Catholics refer to themselves as Catholics first and not as Christians... whereas as a Baptist or a Methodist, I was always a Christian.... if questioned further, I might say "well, I go to a Baptist church..."

I'm a Christian.

-Michael

 

[Carrye]

So many good responses! My threads are never this successful.

The reason I asked was actually addressed most specificially by Thereselittleflower. I was wondering if there'd be a difference between Catholics and Protestants. It seems that there most definitely is. And that, to me, is very interesting.

It has always disturbed me that Catholics refer to themselves as Catholics first and not as Christians... whereas as a Baptist or a Methodist, I was always a Christian

I think I understand where you're coming from Michael, but I would just respond to say that for the longest time (much longer than there's been a Protestant v. Catholic issue), Christianity was equal to Catholicism; they were one and the same. To be Christian was to be Catholic.

I personally find it interesting to get such strong responses from Catholics that "yes, my Catholicism defines me". And I would have to agree. For me at least, it is not simply Christianity that defines my intentity, but it is Catholicism - fully, completely, and substantitively that determines who I am. Without Catholicism, I am not Carrie.

'Tis quite interesting to this little Catholic.

 

[lionroar0]

Ddddddddddiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttttttttttttttttttttttttoooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[thereselittleflower]

I'm in RCIA right now, and assuming I do go through with it, I will be Catholic. However, I still believe that I will identify myself as a CHRISTIAN.... and if further questioned, I might specify Catholic. To me, Christians is what we are... Catholic is the Church. It has always disturbed me that Catholics refer to themselves as Catholics first and not as Christians... whereas as a Baptist or a Methodist, I was always a Christian.... if questioned further, I might say "well, I go to a Baptist church..."

I'm a Christian.

-Michael

Hi Michael . . . I know how that seems . . . but perhaps your perspective will chagne somewhat as it did for me . . . I just found that I considered myself Catholic . . . And so I don't use the term "chrsitian" to refer to myself much any more . . . I think this is because to be Catholic means to be Christian in the fullest sense of the word . . . It does not diminish in any way my sense of being a Christian . . it takes it to its fullest sense possible . . .

To say one is Catholic means they are Chrsitain with EVERYTHING that goes along with it . . not simply picking and chosing what one wants and discarding everything else . . . .

It means to be Christian with no division. It means to be Christian as were the early Christians, holding to the fulness of faith as they did.


I would say though that how I would refer to myself in conversation would be dependent on who, what and where . , . but in my heart, to consider myself to be anything other than Catholic would be to consider myself to be one who holds to less than the fulnes of faith Christ died to give us . . ..


"Christian" has become too ambiguous a word, with so many claiming the name, including groups who are definitely NOT Christian!! To say you are Catholic immediately removes any ambiguity!


Peace in Him!

 

[Addaperle]

Is your Catholicism a part of your identity, of who you are?

I'm a lil slow... and not a regular poster anymore... so this is a little late... but yes, very much so. It's not just a little add-on that I deal with when I go to Sunday Mass, it's part of who I am, of the way I live and of what I preach when I'm on Mission.

 

[geocajun]

as I good friend of mine says "Catholicism isn't something you DO, but rather it is something you ARE."

 

[Epiphanygirl]

as I good friend of mine says "Catholicism isn't something you DO, but rather it is something you ARE."

This is how I feel too.
My faith has shaped every aspect of my life, well at least most of it! I find that when I am making decisions, I rely on my Catholic teachings to help guide me.
As a wife, I try to follow the guidelines of being a good wife.
To my friends and relatives, I try to set a good example both in teaching and professing, but most of all living the Faith. And when I err, which is a lot, my faith stabilizes me and makes me whole again (through confession than recieving the Eucharist)
The older I get, the more I realize just how much our Catholic faith has given to me, how it has shaped all my views in life, now it is time to give back and share with others.
Yes, the Catholic faith is very much a big part of my identity.

 

[ZooMom]

as I good friend of mine says "Catholicism isn't something you DO, but rather it is something you ARE."

Exactly.

 

[jukesk9]

Yup.

 

[krstlros]

I agree totally.

 

[DanielLionsDen]

Yes, it is certainly is part of my identity. It shapes more and more how I think and feel and generally live my life

But sometimes I feel as if I have two identities as almost all of my friends aren't Catholics and don't go to church. I find it hard to "be Catholic" with them and say "I'm not going to the pub, because I'm going to church" for example. (I always choose church over the pub btw!) Therefore they don't see me as being Catholic & I feel that I have two identities. And I'm not sure I like it.


Does anyone else experience this?

 

[Brother Charlie]

Yes, it is certainly is part of my identity. It shapes more and more how I think and feel and generally live my life

But sometimes I feel as if I have two identities as almost all of my friends aren't Catholics and don't go to church. I find it hard to "be Catholic" with them and say "I'm not going to the pub, because I'm going to church" for example. (I always choose church over the pub btw!) Therefore they don't see me as being Catholic & I feel that I have two identities. And I'm not sure I like it.


Does anyone else experience this?

I know I do!

 

[CeeBee]

definitely