Should I go all in on Catholicism?

[Weebster]

I was raised Protestant, but I like how Catholicism requires effort beyond asking God occasionally for forgiveness

I would be deluding myself, but nihilism is depressing.

 

[symphony]

I don't know about Protestantism but Catholic's views on hell are pretty grim.

Oh. That reminds me, Catholicism teaches that suicide is a mortal sin so anyone who dies by suicide immediately goes to Hell, even if they were a Good Catholic in life.

 

[Weebster]

Oh. That reminds me, Catholicism teaches that suicide is a mortal sin so anyone who dies by suicide immediately goes to Hell, even if they were a Good Catholic in life.

Fuck. I would just play pretend then. Nice buildings and the Bible is interesting.

 

[Pluto]

I was raised as a Catholic and while I cannot speak highly of the theology, the one fond memory I have pertained to the congregation. It felt almost like a larger family, with a spirit of goodwill extended (at least in theory). My parents had no social skills to connect with other people so we never got any practical benefit out of it, but I wish there were some equivalent of that today. I am sure it would be a better way to meet people than godawful dating apps.

 

[Weebster]

I was raised as a Catholic and while I cannot speak highly of the theology, the one fond memory I have pertained to the congregation. It felt almost like a larger family, with a spirit of goodwill extended (at least in theory). My parents had no social skills to connect with other people so we never got any practical benefit out of it, but I wish there were some equivalent of that today. I am sure it would be a better way to meet people than godawful dating apps.

I was considering Islam but the Quran is all over the place and hard to follow. I wish Buddhism was more popular in the West

 

[indigomoon]

I'm Catholic and I would encourage you to talk to your local priest. He can give you some basic info and where to start. Go to a Mass on Sunday and see what you think. If you like it there are religious education classes called RCIA that you can sign up for that explains every aspect of the Catholic faith. I was Protestant until my late 20's and then converted. I found that I didn't believe in predestination that Presbyterians believed in and needed something else. Catholicism was the fit for me. I like the structure and the symbolism. It brings me closer to God. Find a parish that has activities that you might enjoy. I live in a small parish but we have a Bible study that works for me. And as far as suicide, I know that it is said that you will automatically go to hell but I just can't believe that God would send anyone there if you are in true emotional distress. Just my feelings on that for what it's worth. Message me if you have any questions.

 

[Weebster]

I'm Catholic and I would encourage you to talk to your local priest. He can give you some basic info and where to start. Go to a Mass on Sunday and see what you think. If you like it there are religious education classes called RCIA that you can sign up for that explains every aspect of the Catholic faith. I was Protestant until my late 20's and then converted. I found that I didn't believe in predestination that Presbyterians believed in and needed something else. Catholicism was the fit for me. I like the structure and the symbolism. It brings me closer to God. Find a parish that has activities that you might enjoy. I live in a small parish but we have a Bible study that works for me. And as far as suicide, I know that it is said that you will automatically go to hell but I just can't believe that God would send anyone there if you are in true emotional distress. Just my feelings on that for what it's worth. Message me if you have any questions.

I used to go to mass during the week. I was hesitant to join activities because I'm on disability and most adults write me off because of it.

 

[indigomoon]

I used to go to mass during the week. I was hesitant to join activities because I'm on disability and most adults write me off because of it.

I'm sorry that you feel this way. Don't let other adults dictate what you do. If you want to go to mass or some other group, do it. And if they are truly Catholic they will embrace you as you are. But as humans we tend to be shitheads sometimes. You will run across those that are. Just ignore them. If you lived near me I would not write you off. I hope you go, it brings me peace. I obviously struggle with my SI since I'm here but on my good days, I value my relationship with God. Message me if you ever want to talk. :)

 

[Chiisai]

Its your choice mate. Where your heart feels it belongs, so be it. The message of religion is universal, its the practice and the rituals that differ from every culture, geography, society and what else humans consider influential.

 

[Meretlein]

If you think that playing the part of a Catholic would be conducive to your recovery then why not?

Catholic confession is something I admire. A truly confidential confession, where else do you find that level of privacy?

 

[whatevs]

Head over to cozy.tv, it sounds like it's just what the doctor prescribed for your case.

(This comment is satirical. For context, cozy.tv is a content hub started by Nick Fuentes, a far right influencer that pretends to be catholic and touts Catholicism as a way to counter today's rotten zeitgeist. His audience is on the younger side.)

On a serious note, you can't fake it til you make it when it comes to faith. Just because you acknowledge the benefits of metaphysical belief systems doesn't mean you can choose one like you choose a pair of new shoes.

 

[DeepSlumber]

The late, great atheist Christopher Hitchens was asked if he had ever prayed. He replied, while reaching for a drink, "Once. I prayed for hard-on."

 

[Weebster]

If you think that playing the part of a Catholic would be conducive to your recovery then why not?

Catholic confession is something I admire. A truly confidential confession, where else do you find that level of privacy?

What happens if Catholics confess crimes?

 

[MrShino]

Oh. That reminds me, Catholicism teaches that suicide is a mortal sin so anyone who dies by suicide immediately goes to Hell, even if they were a Good Catholic in life.

'In the 1990s, Pope John Paul II approved the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which acknowledged the role that mental illnesses may play in suicide.[17]​ Regarding the effect of psychological disorders on a person's culpability, the Catechism states that:

Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide.[18]​

Despite the fact that historical Catholic doctrine (possibly influenced by the Baltimore Catechism which was used until the 1960s[19]​) generally considered suicide to be a mortal sin, the Catholic Church rejected this conclusion with the introduction of the Catechism of the Catholic Church,[20]​ which declared that:

We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives.[21]​

That being said, if you view it as a viable path for recovery and it helps you live a more virtuous and fulfilling life, I'd say go for it. I'm evangelical myself, and even though the importance of deeds are downplayed in the Protestant tradition in regards to salvation, it still plays a huge role in the believers life. The theology is more concerned with the notion that salvation is given by faith alone, but it still holds firm that good deeds and a better life follows as a fruit of this faith, the outworking of the Spirit being alive in the believer. For me, I was surprisingly given the inner conviction of faith during a sermon, and gradually my life took a different turn; giving up alcohol and cannabis abuse, as well as smoking and other bad habits. I didn't really focus much upon it, but it was the fruit of the new life I had been given. I had some of my best years after this conversion, with lots of good friends and encounters; really felt God leading me in many ways.

Evidently though, from me being here, life took a downturn after this. Not sure what happened really. One thing after another hit me gradually; physically, psychosomatical and mentally until the point it became unbearable and life seemed of no worth. I began to return to old habits and isolation - sleeping 12-14 hours a day. Perhaps God intended to reveal to me the terrible sufferings many people live through, letting me go through it myself, growing my empathy. I don't know.

I still believe in God, though, and currently writing my Master thesis in Theology - so if you have any questions I might be able to impart some insights and knowledge about the faith - feel free to write me. I can recommend reading the book of Job, it pertains to some of the issues of human suffering in depth.

'For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.' (Romans 8:18).

 

[WhiteDespair]

a rational case for faith

God = the superlative, that which is most high, that from which all other authority stems, consider as someone's highest and strongest value

Holy Spirit = The Good. The Beautiful. The True. idependent of religion

Son = Jesus Christ, Heracles, Thor, etc. benevolent divinity given Earthly vessel

Religion = community accepted rules and traditions

Miracle = statistical improbability

Resurrection/Reincarnation = transition from one state of being to another, rebirth into something anew, can take positive or negative direction, sad to happy or employed to unemployed, etc.

Heaven = society positively remembers you when you die

Hell = society negatively remembers you when you die

Unholy Spirit = The Evil. The Ugly. The False.

Satan = the superlative antithesis of God

Dragon = Roko's Basilisk, Anti-Christ, malevolent divinity given Earthly vessel

Prophet = speaker and professor of the Holy Spirit on Earth, divine inspiration stems from the "Eureka!" moment following contemplation and meditation

God's Will = acting in service of the Holy Spirit

Demoralization = severing your link to metaphysical or spiritual thought

Taqiyya - hiding your power level, acting and behaving in accordance with existing power structures for survival, practical application of "Render unto Caesar..."

Red Pill = the ability to think on a spiritual or abstract plane, not necessarily "forbidden knowledge"

Spiritual Warfare = resisting and combating demoralization

Word of God = instruction on how to serve the Holy Spirit

Voice of God = speaking with superlative authority, speaking with speech unsanctioned or unauthorized by the existing societal power structures

Pharisees = Earthly followers of the Unholy Spirit

Temptation = something which seeks to further demoralization

Hope = passive belief in future positive outcomes

Faith = active Hope applied in a positive vector

YinYang = amalgamation of Good and Evil within you, society, etc., accepting the Light and Darkness

Light = Red Pill, above

Darkness = Demoralization, above

Karma = representation of the effects of Good or Evil thought and/or action on materialist planes, Good action begets Good results, Bad action begets Bad results

Daemon = lesser spirit, psychological and emotional projection onto the environment to develop a metaphysical association with a material object, location, etc., "haunted house", the personified Soul of a thing

Soul = spirit, aura, etc., the metaphysical representation of you

Angel = benevolent Daemon

Devil = demon, etc., malevolent Daemon

Penance = self-inflicted punishment for Sin

Repentance = turning away from Sin, choosing to perform God's Will

Confession = not necessarily between two people, acknowledgement and acceptance of Sin

God's Forgiveness = the removal or lessening of guilt and shame from Confession

Revelation = "Eureka!" moment of metaphysical contemplation

Purgatory = ability to consider a metaphysical plane but not able to achieve interaction

Sin = behavior and thought in service of the Unholy Spirit

start with using these definitions when thinking about faith. they describe metaphysical concepts in materialist terms, to the best of my current ability. I'm sure I forgot a bunch. not really able to weave the definitions together atm

 

[Grav]

If you feel Catholicism will help then there's nothing wrong going in that direction. I'm married to a Catholic and will probably never convert, too much Baptist in me and other things, but when I do go with her on the big days I have no problems participating.

 

[hungry_ghost]

I was considering Islam but the Quran is all over the place and hard to follow. I wish Buddhism was more popular in the West

If you like Eastern mysticism, there is Eastern Catholicism, and Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

Edit: whoops, I accidentally deleted my other response.

The church teaches that those who commit suicide may not always be accountable for their actions, due to not being in a stable frame of mind.

Either way, mercy is up to God's discretion. It's not up to humans to condemn others.

 

[Pluto]

Just want to add, it's good to see some Christian voices in here. Makes it less of an echo chamber. What do we think of the problem of evil?

 

[NeetAccount1]

I was considering Islam but the Quran is all over the place and hard to follow. I wish Buddhism was more popular in the West

https://old.reddit.com/r/streamentry is interesting.

 

[motel rooms]

What happens if Catholics confess crimes?

Nothing, especially if they're priests who molest children.

 

[cooldude420]

Are you looking for catholicism or are you looking for a set moral framework and worldview?

 

[motel rooms]

If you like Eastern mysticism, there is Eastern Catholicism, and Eastern Orthodox Christianity.

Eastern Orthodox Christianity & Eastern Catholicism don't have more in common with "Eastern mysticism" than "regular" Catholicism. What does the Russian Orthodox Church have to do with the mystic traditions of India & the Far East? It despises & demonizes them.

The message of religion is universal

Nope. That's never been the case. Taoism doesn't have the same message as Christianity. Buddhism has very little in common with Islam. There are about 4,300 religions in the world today & they have all kinds of messages. Not all religions are fundamentally about love & peace, that's a hippie delusion.

 

[Chiisai]

Eastern Orthodox Christianity & Eastern Catholicism don't have more in common with "Eastern mysticism" than "regular" Catholicism. What does the Russian Orthodox Church have to do with the mystic traditions of India & the Far East? It despises & demonizes them.



Nope. That's never been the case. Taoism doesn't have the same message as Christianity. Buddhism has very little in common with Islam. There are about 4,300 religions in the world today & they have all kinds of messages. Not all religions are fundamentally about love & peace, that's a hippie delusion.

Wrong. A simple reference to prove is Taoism believes in Karma,
In the Christianity's/Roman Catholicism's Bible specifically Galatians 6 "Whatever you sow, so shall you reap.". That itself shows similarity of context. If you've studied or atleast read theology and other historical religion studies, you'll know.

 

[motel rooms]

Wrong. A simple reference to prove is Taoism believes in Karma,
In the Christianity's/Roman Catholicism's Bible specifically Galatians 6 "Whatever you sow, so shall you reap.". If you've studied or atleast read theology and other historical religion studies, you'll know.

So, the belief in karma is the fundamental message of Christianity? Only someone who knows very little about existing & extinct religions would make the claim that "the message of religion is universal"...

 

[Chiisai]

So, the belief in karma is the fundamental message of Christianity? Only someone who knows very little about existing & extinct religions would make the claim that "the message of religion is universal"...

It is not the entirety of it but sure is similar and part of the teaching no? No matter how much you nitpick on the difference of beliefs and practices just to prove your claim, I know what I have read, studied, and have believed. Feel free to believe what you want to believe. So be it. I Still stand by what I believe.

 

[motel rooms]

I know what I have read, studied, and have believed. Feel free to believe what you want to believe. So be it. I Still stand by what I believe.

I know you still stand by what you believe. I'm more than aware that both of us are actually talking to ourselves rather than to each other. Feel free to believe that things are much simpler than they actually are if that eases your suffering. We all deserve some comfort.

I'm just having this conversation to distract myself from the urge to hook up with yet another sinful stranger. JFC, he's almost my age & he called me daddy. I'm 40! Can't you see I work out & still have all my hair, fucker?! FML

 

[OldDrummer]

I was raised Protestant, but I like how Catholicism requires effort beyond asking God occasionally for forgiveness

I would be deluding myself, but nihilism is depressing.

Raised Catholic myself. If I was into Christianity, I'd gravitate more towards Protestantism myself.

There appears to be less nonsensical pageant involved with Protestantism.

 

[Weebster]

Raised Catholic myself. If I was into Christianity, I'd gravitate more towards Protestantism myself.

There appears to be less nonsensical pageant involved with Protestantism.

I like the pageantry