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LittleC

Well for the past few years I have been confused about what I believe in concerning religion, creation, and all that mind boggling stuff. I have yet to inform my family on how I feel (that maybe the bible isn't accurate and is just stories w/morals and that I don't exactly believe in everything the catholic church says or other churches for that matter). I haven't told them b/c my parents grew up catholic, went to catholic school...basically it is what they believe. Plus, two years ago my sister almost died in a car accident and they all attribute her survival to people praying to God about it. My sister has had some issues since then...and I get this feeling that if she knew I might not believe everything that my family/church believes, it would break her heart b/c that is what she honestly believes saved her life. I think her personal strength and faith (in something...I do believe something more powerful is out there - a creator of some sort) and having her family around her during her accident is what saved her.

Anyways...back to the topic at hand. So I haven't told my family and I'm away at school and I've been to church once b/c I had to go for a baptism. my mom occassionally asks me when I'm going to find a church and stuff like that. The thing is that I don't want to be tied down to the catholic church or anything like that. But it's weird...sometimes I like going to church just b/c it gives me a nice feeling. Like there are all these people there who want to be better people (maybe not all of them) and the sermon will tell some story of bettering yourself or what not...I really like that. It's as if I like occassionally going to church b/c it's like a group of people getting together for a common belief and I respect that. And for some reason I only get this feeling in the Catholic church...I've been to other churches and didn't feel the same way. You may say that I'm biased b/c I grew up catholic but I've been exposed to more religions and ways of life than you probably would expect.

So here's my thing. I don't really want to be a member of the Catholic church (b/c I have some different beliefs), but I still want to be an occasional "visitor" just because, but I don't think my family will take this quite well. I don't want to tell my family this b/c I'd feel as if I was betraying them b/c we are such a close family and being catholic is apart of the family life (don't think they're strict catholics or anything...my family just works a ton and it usually happens that holy days and stuff are time we're actually able to spend time together or go to church together and stuff like that). However I don't want to not tell them b/c I'm not sure that would be right. But then their is also the issue of my telling them and them not accepting it and considering me a hypocrite b/c I just want to be a "visitor" to the Catholic church instead of an active member.

so any ideas or suggestion on how to handle this situation?

Thanks,
Little C

__________________
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Charon

I had almost the exact same dilema (spelling?) as you do now... Except it was with christianity... Well my mom is very strong believer and all and she wants the whole family to goto heaven.. takes bible classes and the whole nine yards...

Well, when I was younger, I had many questions about religion, and believed much of it was just morality issues that was written as a guide to help human civilization along.. What I have come to terms with is that, there are many religions, and many of them are many times older than todays modern religions...

So hows this help?? -- Well what I did much through out high school, Is that I studied all kinds of religions - from todays religions like Jewish faith, muslim, christian, chatolic, some indian religions includeing Inca, Aztek, Native Americans Etc... Also I studied the ancient religions: Ancient Egypt, Roman/Greek Mythology (where in fact I got my online name Charon), Multy-god cultures, and uni-god cultures...

Basically what I gathered Is that most of the religions that are in exsitance all have common grounds... Though there are many suttle differences, basicaly underlying princibles occur...

So whats my take now?? -- Well I consider my religion now to be study, and science - That all knowledge is tenative, and can be changed(so not to put me behind a wall)... I am open to all kinds of Ideas, and I respect all kinds of beliefs....

I no more concern myself with religious questions because I believe I have found my, for lack of good words, my inner-self, and I am happy with what I now believe...

Hope this was helpful..

Charon

ThaNarc

Just remember the whole earth is gods temple. You don't need to be at a certian place or at t certian time to worship god. God is everywhere.

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Strolling down the highway with my shoes in my hand, I don’t talk much I’m quite man. Beauty and silence both run deep, and I’m running like crazy while you are asleep. You got news for me, I got nothing for you. Don’t pen your blues on me, just go ahead and do whatever you wish to.
Excerpt from “Quite Man” by John Prine

SinsemilaStreet

Little C, I understand your frustration and curiousity about religion and life beyond the eucharist at mass and hope I can give some helpful advice to you as a Catholic and a cannabis connessiour.

Many times people have problems with Catholicism it is because they don't understand it. Catholicism is a complex, sometimes mystical and mysterious-- and full of traditions and rituals which make some love it and others hate it.

Unlike many traditional Catholics who are born into a Catholic family I married into one. You sound like someone born into the Church so I can see your frustration as you sometimes feel you had no choice.

As a complete outsider and knowing next to nothing about Catholicsm I thought the best course of action to learn my spouse's personal religious beliefs was to take what is called a RCIA (Religious Christian Initiation) class.

It is usually a seven to nine month crash course on church history, traditions, rituals and was very helpful and has broadened my knowledge of the Catholic faith and made Mass much more easier to understand. I would also like to suggest the 'Idiots Guide to Catholicsm'. It is an easy to understand and read, yet informative and witty book on the Church.

At least then you can make a good educated opinion and choice on whether you would like to continue on with the Catholic church or decide to sow your religious oats elsewhere.

Higher Logic

Damn, 7-9 months? I took a 5-week class on basic world religions and felt that was enough to answer any doubts I had about religion. We talked about Shinto, Jainism, Sikhism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, the Essenes, Native American religions, African religions, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism/Daoism, Confucianism, oral religions, and some others. Really made things clear as to why we have religion, how they develop, and the changes they went through.

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wisdomweed

Since there are people here that seem to know alot about religion, what is there to say about the Rastafarian religion. I'm really interested in it (not just the weed). I know a little bit about it (thats where I got the name from...wisdomweed).

PsYch0siS

I have some issues with Catholisim. First, confessing to a priest and having him hand out punishments is just bewlidering to me. It says in the Big Book of Instructions that we can pray directly to God and be forgiven by God.

Second, the saints. To me, prayer is a form of worship. I only pray to God. I only worship God.

Third, the Pope. Now, I've finally read something that explains him and his status. I need to do more personal research, but I've got no beef with the Pope (or his cool little car).

I'm a Christian. I'm not Catholic. Not Protestant. Not Baptist. Not Brotheren. If God does exist, then he is bigger than all religion combined.

On another side point, I've done some reading lately that has me wondering about the Bible. I believe that ancient Rome (and other cultures) have slightly perverted the book. For example, the King James version cuts out and changes entire sections, from what I've heard.

Other books that I've read put heavy emphasis on inner peace and enlightment.

The sum of all this is that I'm feeling good about myself. I'm doing what I thing is right, and in the end, whether I'm right or wrong, everything will be settled, and either I'll learn what I don't know, or it just won't matter any more.

Peace to you and yours.

~PsYch0siS