Christianity QA

Question:

What do you want to know? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was brought up a Catholic. However, in my early twenties I was converted to the religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses. After becoming disillusioned with this religion some fifteen years later, I found myself hating all religions. The mere mention of Christianity turned my stomach and to some degree it still does today.  Yet, I feel that it is time to look again at the church that I grew up in. I don’t understand what is compelling me to do this. I have absolutely no relationship with God and it was only through idle curiosity that I found this news group. Having read some of its messages, the bickering and insults that are traded show me that nothing has changed. My only hope is that this message will find its way to someone who can help me in my quest. So, if you know how I can find out about the church and what it teaches today then please email me. I can’t say that I will return to Catholicism but I will say that I will approach it with an open mind and an honest heart. Sonny

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Yet, I feel that it is time to look again at the church that I grew up in. I don’t understand what is compelling me to do this. I have absolutely no relationship with God and it was only through idle curiosity that I found this news group.

I suggest that what’s "compelling" you to do this is the call of the Holy Spirit. You may think you have no relationship with God, but maybe he thinks otherwise. Maybe a quiet prayer would help clarify things. Aq. Share what you know. Learn what you don’t.

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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I was brought up a Catholic. However, in my early twenties I was converted to the religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses. After becoming disillusioned with this religion some fifteen years later, I found myself hating all religions. The mere mention of Christianity turned my stomach and to some degree it still does today.  Yet, I feel that it is time to look again at the church that I grew up in. I don’t understand what is compelling me to do this. I have absolutely no relationship with God and it was only through idle curiosity that I found this news group. Having read some of its messages, the bickering and insults that are traded show me that nothing has changed. My only hope is that this message will find its way to someone who can help me in my quest. So, if you know how I can find out about the church and what it teaches today then please email me. I can’t say that I will return to Catholicism but I will say that I will approach it with an open mind and an honest heart. Sonny

There are a vast number of websites that explain in detail the Catholic faith. You may want to look at www.catholic.com which is the cyber-home of Catholic Answers, or perhaps www.ewtn.com which provides an almost overwhelming amount of information. The Catechism of the Catholic Church is found online at http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/ccc.html and the Catholic Encyclopedia at http://www.newadvent.org/cathen You should find the answer to just about any conceivable question you may have at these sites. God bless and hurry home.

Response:

: So, if you know how I can find out about the church and what it : teaches today then please email me. I can’t say that I will return to : Catholicism but I will say that I will approach it with an open mind : and an honest heart. : Sonny

Hey there Sonny, God Bless you and keep you!  I know, a little maybe, how you feel.   Not in the same note, but definitely on the same wavelength!  LOL   Remember, though, once baptized, always baptized, and although you "went away", you are still considered "of the Church".   A "lost lamb" as it were!  :o) Anyway… There are some good sites on the Internet that could give you the basics. http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/index.htm The New American Bible http://www.cin.org/ The Catholic Information Network I’d also suggest talking to the local parish near you.  Also, they have something these days called RCIA, and you can actually take classes, like a "refresher", but not be "obligated" to attend.  I wrote this out for my mailing list last week, serendipitously enough!  I’m so glad, too, because now I have the information handy for you. RCIA = Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is a way of responding to people who come to the Catholic Church with their questions- What is the Catholic faith? What do you believe? What do you do? Why do you do it? What is it all about? It is a series of discussions and sacraments by which interested persons gradually gain information and insight, and finally, may choose to become members of the catholic Church. Some come to see whether they want to become Catholic. Others (non-Catholics married to a Catholic) came to better understand the faith of their Catholic spouse, or to seek specific answers to certain questions about the Catholic beliefs. Still others, practicing Catholics, come to review and update themselves in their faith, or to complete their initiation into the Catholic faith by receiving the sacrament of Eucharist (Holy Communion) and Confirmation.  (if for some reason they were never completed) I found a nice page that explains it very well: http://members.aol.com/tombecket/ts_rcia.htm The RCIA draws its model from the "catechumenate" of the ancient Church. Becoming Christian in the early days of the Church involved a sharp break with the surrounding culture. New Christians entered into the joy of new life and a life-sharing community of faith, but also entered into a way of living which demanded deep commitment and entailed great risks. In the modern world, our faith also demands deep commitment — our beliefs and the beliefs of our society are often in tension. The Church revived the catechumenate — embodied in the RCIA — because new believers in the modern world need careful preparation and caring support as they enter into the mysteries of Christ and the commitment of Christian living. God bless you, Sonny

Response:

: I was brought up a Catholic. However, in my early twenties I was : converted to the religion of Jehovah’s Witnesses. After becoming : disillusioned with this religion some fifteen years later, I found : myself hating all religions. The mere mention of Christianity turned : my stomach and to some degree it still does today.  Yet, I feel that : it is time to look again at the church that I grew up in. I don’t : understand what is compelling me to do this. I have absolutely no : relationship with God and it was only through idle curiosity that I : found this news group. Having read some of its messages, the bickering : and insults that are traded show me that nothing has changed. My only : hope is that this message will find its way to someone who can help me : in my quest. : So, if you know how I can find out about the church and what it : teaches today then please email me. I can’t say that I will return to : Catholicism but I will say that I will approach it with an open mind : and an honest heart. : Sonny Take your heart Sonny and run like the wind.  No church will give you what you seek.  Better yet find someone who will give you a hug. — |God created Usenet on the eighth day and dialed up. Looking at one of my| |postes he replied.  "That David Voisine sure has a way with the Word.   |

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