Hi everyone. I am new here on the forum, and to the “one true faith”.
At no time is it ever my intention to be rude, disrespectful, condescending, or any other way hurtful to other people. Please know I am only seeking the truth and very wary of being led astray (in part due to my ignorance).
For those who would feel like saying for me to go study, this is exactly what I am doing here...studying.
For now, I wish to get a feel for the forum in order to know better how to pose the innumerable questions I have (many of which will probably get me flamed).
Again my true intent is to learn the faith, not so much the details that don’t affect my soul being reunited with God (if I may put it this way for lack of better phrasing).
I thank you all in advance for the help, and yes, I enjoy snarky and challenging responses.
Welcome to this forum friend, just spotted your post and do not worry about asking any question you like, no matter what it may sound like. I do hope you will continue viewing your thread and ask questions
You see friend, Catholicism has an answer to any question a human being can think of. I doubt very much whether any other religion can do that. We also have books written about the foundation of our faith that started around 2000 years ago. Try as they did and do, no error has been shown to exist in Catholicism's Bible. There also exists miraculously uncorrupt Catholic saints' bodies to give witness to our religion as of divine origin. Bet no other religion has such evidence. Then there are countless miracles recorded, especially that of Fatima, witnessed by 70,000 people and reported in Portuguese newspapers. No other religion can claim such miracles.
Most of us here were born into Catholicism which makes our being Catholic easy. I remain Catholic because my religion tells me God will keep giving me the grace to believe as long as it is my will to believe. If I begin to doubt He will remove those graces and I will soon lose the Faith. I have seen most of my childhood friends lose their Faith.
To be honest fear of Hell is one big reason to keep the Catholic Faith, more so that the thought of Heaven. I ask my lapsed friends if they still have life-insurance, medical insurance, house insurance, car insurance. When they say yes, I tell them then why not eternity insurance, as if the Faith is true, then they will have to spend eternity in heaven or hell. 'No point in finding out when you die, is it, it will be too late then.'
The teachings of Catholicism are all for the good of human beings. 'love your neighbour,' do not steal from him, hurt him, and help him if necessary. God teaches us how to behave in a manner that will keep the human race happy with Him. What is wrong with that?
For me, His creation is the greatest witness to an almighty God, described in the Book of Genesis. 'God can be known for certainty by the things that He made.' is the first dogma of the Catholic faith. Every early pagan race knew God exists. Before Jesus revealed Himself the Pagans saw God or gods usually in the universe. Abraham came to the knowledge of the true God in contemplating on the stars. When Christianity went out among the Pagans of the world many races, because they already knew God exists converted by the grace of God to Catholicism.
I have no idea what it must be like to convert to Catholicism as an adult, but recently I have spoken to at least four who have converted and now go to Mass on Sunday as a Catholic should. Indeed I was there when they were taken into the Church in a wonderful ceremony.
Now we do not know from where to start as you may be an atheist, agnostic or of a different religion altogether. So dear friend, I think it is time for you to start asking specific questions before the thread drops oput of sight.