Guidance sought

[MillieMallard]

Have namechanged. I’m a Catholic and am active in my church. I go to Mass regularly. I abide by the teachings. I have been listening to faith leaders from my own and other denominations and faiths online for some time now. I also have friends with other faiths, Christian denominations and general outlooks.

I need to talk to someone because I need to discuss some faith questions but I can’t talk to my priest. The reason for this is that I know him very well which sounds contradictory but as he is embroiled in my whole life, I need neutrality. Also, he is always so busy that I don’t want to be an inconvenience. There’s lots more to this but I don’t want to out myself. A key area though is that my friend’s partner is a leader in another faith and believes I am not saved because I am Catholic. I’ve listened to information from so many avenues that I’ve been overloaded in my quest for an answer and just would like someone neutral with some theological knowledge to talk to. Any ideas? Also I haven’t come in here to be slated by atheists as seems to happen on so many other forums. Please help with any useful suggestions. I feel desperate. I just don’t know where to turn.

[picklemepumpkin]

I'm happy to chat. I'm a lay leader in an Anglican Church. I don't have specific knowledge about Catholicism, but I'm reasonably experienced across the board.

Sorry you are having a tough time.

[MillieMallard]

Would you mind if I messaged you?

[picklemepumpkin]

Not at all. Can it wait until morning for my reply?

[MillieMallard]

That would be even better for me as it’s less pressure. Thank you so much you are so kind.

[FloralBunting]

Catholic here. Happy to see if I can be any help to you. I'm at work all day tomorrow, but I shall check in after 7 to see if you've responded. PMs also open.

[Vitalogy]

A key area though is that my friend’s partner is a leader in another faith and believes I am not saved because I am Catholic. What kind of person would say that to another, whatever their or your religion?

Any religion that teaches harm or threatens you if certain criteria aren't followed, then is it to be trusted?

[mostlydrinkstea]

Happy to talk. Priest in the C of E.

Some conservative Protestant groups see RCs as not saved. They would say I'm not either as women cannot be leaders of churches. Those who are saved will be very small group who are part of their denomination.

This is not a mainstream view. PM me or post here. I'm busy for the first half of today but will check in later.

[speakout]

You have my sympathies OP.

My mother has a similar dilemma. She is troubles with points of doctrine and looking for guidance.
Her own church tells her one type of "truth", and my sister ( Baptist) tells her that these "truths" are wrong, if not evil.

My mother is so confused and wants to be told the bottom line, but two christian sets of doctrine are in disagreement.

She asks my advice- but I am a witch so really not much help.

[Lessstressedhemum]

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, then you will be saved. Romans 10:9

Where does that say that you have to be a particular denomination? We all miss the mark and fall short regardless of which church we belong to. The important thing is not the flavour of our Christianity but that we have faith in the first place. Only very narrow, closed minded people with narrow oppressive faith believe as your friend's partner does.

[Vitalogy]

Only very narrow, closed minded people with narrow oppressive faith believe as your friend's partner does Isn't that what you've just done with the bible quote.

[speakout]

We all miss the mark and fall short regardless of which church we belong to.

I am glad I am not christian then.

[Jason118]

I feel sorry for you OP you've stumbled across the problem with faith(s) - with so many, some are bound to contradict others. IMHO this is why having no faith is best

[noego]

We are all on a spiritual path. All paths are individual. At some stage in our human life we come to crossroads on that path.
This is the time of questioning and introspection. The guidance you seek is within. The answers are not outside of you and certainly not found in religious dogma.
Seek the entity that observes all. It is within you. It is there you will find the answer.
What you are looking for, is where you are looking from.
Their are a million questions OP, but only one answer.
I wish you luck on your journey.
Om Shanti

[Jason118]

I'm not.

[mostlydrinkstea]

Can I suggest you talk to your priest? As a priest I'm really busy and I know the parish don't want to bother me with stuff but a really important part of my calling is to listen and talk to people about faith. I'd much rather do that than rotas!

[noego]

@Jason118

I'm not

What is it that makes you say that?

[FloralBunting]

Checking in earlier than expected. Hope you have managed to get some helpful advice from somewhere related to your issues. If you still want to post on the thread, then I'm still happy to help. Very familiar with other Christians thinking I'm an incorrigible heretic because of the Catholicism, do it's not unfamiliar territory to me.

[Jason118]

Neogo
The absence of any evidence to support that I am, simple really 

[noego]

@Jason118

What is it that wants evidence?

[speakout]

I echo Jason118 - we are not all on a spiritual path, and no need to be.
We can have happy fulfilled lives without a spiritual dimension It doesn't make our lives less worth living or less meaningful.

[noego]

@speakout

If you are not aware of the spiritual dimension then it would mean nothing to you.

[Jason118]

Not what, who

[Jason118]

There is no spiritual dimension, you've just made that up

[noego]

@Jason118

What or who! It doesn't matter. You didn't answer the question.

[noego]

@Jason118

There is no spiritual dimension

Are you absolutely sure? What evidence do you have to make such a statement?