I converted to Roman Catholicism AMA

[lightsandmirrors]

I was recieved into the Roman Catholic Church a few years ago, having previously been an atheist. Ask me anything and I will try to answer!

@AnnieOH1

Did you have any faith experience prior to being atheist?

What drew you to Christianity and specifically the Catholic church?

I was brought up in a atheist family (both parents of anglican background families) and went to very multicultural schools where there was a lot of exposure to lots of different faiths and their cultural traditions. Beyond that funerals and Church Parade at brownies was my only exposure to church.

What drew me to Christianity was the fact it was the dominant religion of my cultural background and I knew I would be welcomed at Church. What drew me the Roman Catholic Church specifically is a bit more complicated. But I think it mainly boils down to authority and the Church recognition of the importance of tradition. For example the Bible is a book which is open to lots of interpretations, they can't all be right, but how do you decide which one is? For a Roman Catholic you need to worry because because the church works it out for you and you trust that their knowledge of theology and philosophy and ancient languages and societies as good as a humans can be.

Thanks OP! I’m similar to you but have never been atheist.

How do you feel about all the cases of sexual abuse that have been covered up by the Catholic Church? The Priests responsible? The Magdalene laundries?

@GameofChess

Did you have road to Damascus experience?

No it was very gradual. Although when I was having doubts about the sacrifices I was going to have to make to go through with the decision to become Catholic I did have a bit of 'moment' in prayer which gave me the courage to follow through.

@MushMonster

So how did this happen? What made you believe in GOD? Why christianity? And why catholic? I am catholic I would say (I believe in GOD and was raised in a catholic family), but I do not stick to all rules or really go to church much. I am ok with gay marriage. Divorce better to be avoided, work on the marriage, but if there is no way, I am ok with it. Abortion, I will not judge anyone, but I would not be able to do it. Yet, for medical reasons it is 100% different to me. I cannot bear Ireland's approach, a woman died of an infection after her foetus was already dead and all! And mothers can be forced to risk their health or complete pregnancies that will never be viable. I am pro contraception. I would never forget them for turning a blind eye to child abuse.

OP, dud addopting a faith change any if your views on these sort of things?

Abortion has been legal in Ireland since the implementation of the 2018 Health Act.

I am Catholic and had a strong faith until my early 30s. For the past 10 years i have slowly grown away from my religion to the point i have a hatred for it. I admire you for having your faith.

No questions but just to say Congratulations from a fellow Catholic.

@KnightsofColumbusThatHurt

Why?

(Majorly lapsed 'cultural catholic' here!)

Hopefully some of my other answers touch on this a bit too, but I would also say that I found something beautiful in the rhythm of the liturgical year and comforting in the fact that where ever you go you can always attend Mass and it will be the same but different. It is a safe place where you can meditate and blend into the background if you want to.

I'd be interested in whether you've experienced any empirical evidence that made you change your mind?

Have you read or studied any Theology of the Body, the teachings of Pope John Paul the Great?

I find it makes those “sacrifices” you speak of make sense and very beautiful and really helps to answer a lot of societies questions and misconceptions about Catholicism.

And congratulations! God Bless x

What do you think of the Peace Giving at church? That is my favourite part

Appart of changing your believe in god, did you change any of your views on other things in life? Some examples have been mentioned

@ProudAuntie76

Have you read or studied any Theology of the Body, the teachings of Pope John Paul the Great?

I find it makes those “sacrifices” you speak of make sense and very beautiful and really helps to answer a lot of societies questions and misconceptions about Catholicism.

And congratulations! God Bless x

I can assure you that as a cradle Catholic, daughter of devout parents in a Catholic society, educated entirely at convent schools, I don’t suffer from any ‘misconceptiions’ about Catholicism.

@KnightsofColumbusThatHurt

What's your view on abortion and gay marriage?

What do you think of the way that the Catholic Church has handled child sex abuse, and why did you want in on an organisation that turned such a blind eye to men raping kids?

I believe in life from conception and the sanctity of the person so I believe that abortion is wrong. Despite all the difficult moral questions that brings, this is actually one of the 'controversial teachings I had the least trouble accepting because to me it made logical sense. I think civil gay marriage should be allowed and I would happily attend the wedding and support the relationship of a same sex couple. As I would a heterosexual couple who choose to 'live in sin', which is equally sinful. I do not however believe that the church should be forced to carry out gay marriages.

@KnightsofColumbusThatHurt

What's your view on abortion and gay marriage?

What do you think of the way that the Catholic Church has handled child sex abuse, and why did you want in on an organisation that turned such a blind eye to men raping kids?

I think the church has handled it badly and continues to do so, if less badly. I do believe they are trying to improve things. However, we are human we all make errors, it does not mean that the institution itself is at fault. Likewise abuse has been identified in so many other institutions, where it has been covered up and lied about. That doesn't mean I lose faith in all those institutions too.

You're not answering the difficult questions, @lightsandmirrors. The systematic and large-scale child abuse cover-ups. The treatment of women. Human rights abuses. The obscene wealth of an organisation that continues to ask for money from its poorest members - I'll never forget my wee granny being harrassed for payment for the mention of my grandad's name at mass on the anniversary of his death, when she'd already paid it.

It's a disgraceful institution. There are some good people in there, but overall, it's rotten and corrupt. I'm glad that people are deserting it in droves and can only hope that even more do so in future.

@BarelyMerry

What are you views on papal infallibility?

I don't really have one.

So your bland preference for the ‘something beautiful’ in the liturgical year trumps institutional corruption, sexism and the condoning and cover up of sexual abuse?

@Gingerkittykat

Why do you want to be part of such a patriarchal institution?

Do you agree with the churches stance on contraception?

how has your life changed since becoming Catholic?

It is a patriarchal institution but I wouldn't say it is one which doesn't value women. The church teaches women and men are different. Priests act in the person of Christ and he was a men, therefore men are priests and the Pope has to be a priest. I feel valued as a women in the church.

I agree to a point with the churches teaching on contraception. I have practised nap since being married, currently grappling with whether carrying out with that or possibly using a barrier method of contraception. I would not use any other methods though.

*nfp not nap

how do you feel about "Christ" basically hijacking the whole Mithras thing, then the Roman Catholics completely taking on the Zeus/Sunday thing? And the massive money/power grab eg St Francis of Assisi (really obscene - have you visited the basilica?)

Any comments at all on the child abuse the organisation that you are now supporting has/is carrying out? Does it matter? Do you care?

@Gingerkittykat

Why do you want to be part of such a patriarchal institution?

Do you agree with the churches stance on contraception?

how has your life changed since becoming Catholic?

Since joining the church I have become less selfish, more kind, I have valued myself more. I am at peace with my conscience.

Also I go to church every week and pray everyday, and turn to prayer when I come up against challenging situations or moments of joy and wonder.

@SpeedofaSloth

Cultural RC here, watching with interest. Why RC in particular, as opposed to CofE or another denomination?

As above. Solid answers to questions, it probably sounds mad to most people but there is something very comforting in knowing I don't have to go out there and try to do mental and ethical gymnastics on things. I just follow the churches teachings.

I was also very drawn to the Mass, and the teaching of the real presence of Christ in the eucharist. I was actually very drawn to the CofE but I didn't like their lack of clarity of teaching and the history of how the church came about and its nationalistic set up with the queen as supreme governor. I wanted an international church.

@CiderJolly

It’ll be because of a bloke most likely.

No I met my now husband before I converted. He is agnostic and of a nominally CofE family.

@thistimelastweek

Do you believe in transubstantiation?

Yes.