I was raised in a Christian household. Not overly in-your-face, but I knew it was there. We never prayed, except on major holidays before chowing down. We never went to Church. My Mom's feeling was that we didn't need to go to a building to talk to God. That we could talk to him whenever and wherever, not just on Sunday or in a Church. It made sense to me. Still does.
Something in me decided that around the age of 9 or so, that I was going to be a Catholic. I still to this day, do not know why I chose that path. But I was determined to get baptized and made my Mom take me to Bible Study once a week so that I could learn all about the Catholic religion. And she obliged ;) I was baptized and from that moment on, I became a Catholic.
When I met James, I knew he was Christian but didn't think much of the difference at the time. In fact, we attend a Christian church. And it is fine, but it feels informal to me and I struggle with feeling the authority or history of God. There is something to be said for attending mass and feeling that overwhelming spirit when you walk in. I love the pomp & circumstance of the Catholic church and long for it. I also struggle with wondering if my kid's will get to know both religions and still want to have them baptized.
Now as I get older, and I understand all the nuts & bolts about what each religion believes, I feel like I am even more confused now.
1 - Here's what I mean. I ABSOLUTELY do not believe in abortion. I believe that life starts at conception, and that no human should have the right to end that life due to an inconvenience. If you are old enough to have sex, than you are old enough to deal with all issues that come with that responsibility. It is even hard for me to agree with an abortion when a women has been raped. I know, I know. Put myself in that situation and would I feel differently? I really don't know, but can't know because I haven't been there. I think people really like to use the "women's right" thing as a get-out-jail free card. I think that law that just passed in Oklahoma, where a woman must undergo an ultrasound and hear a description of the fetus before getting an abortion, is absolutely the right thing. People need to understand, that this is a living breathing child. This is where I agree with the Catholic church.
2- I don't care if a gay or lesbian want to marry each other. I am for gay marriage. I believe that if you are in a loving relationship then there should be no reason why you cannot commit yourselves to each other. Seriously, what harm would happen if this were to be made legal? I also don't agree in promoting hate and it seems that is what happens with this subject. It feels more like bigotry to me, than people preaching what God wants us to do. I don't believe God would want us hating people. Just my feelings on it. This is where me and the Catholic church do not agree or the Christian church for that matter. Seriously, can't we all just get along and love each other?? If no one is hurting anyone, than who cares!
Those are just two examples of where my confusion lies. There are more where that came from, but those are the hottest issues. For me anyway.
So, where does this put me religiously? I have no idea!! How about you? Are your thoughts in line with your religious beliefs?
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Hi Jenn,
I certainly agree with you on the issue of abortion. I disagree with the redefinition of marriage and this view is supported biblically and historically. However, it wouldnt surprise me in the least if the homosexual agenda succeeds by continuing to couch sin in "rights" language and foisting straw man arguments like "hate" on those who disagree with them. Btw, i dont hate anyone, including homosexuals.
All that said, the differences between Catholicism and Protestsntism are significant. The reformers:
Salvation is by grace alone through faith, and not by our own good works.
The Bible alone is the authoritative Word of God for our lives—not church tradition or what church leaders say.
All believers are priests of God, anointed in Christ to serve him always, everywhere, in all they do.
God gave us two sacraments, baptism and communion, which are signs and seals of God’s promises.
A clergy’s blessing of the communion bread and wine do not really turn them into the actual body and blood of Christ.
The original sinful condition in which we are born as well as our actual sins are all fully washed away by Christ’s one sacrifice on the cross.
Prayer should be directed to God alone, not to saints or to Mary. In fact, all believers are both sinners needing God’s constant forgiveness and saints whom the Holy Spirit is already remaking to be like Jesus.
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