Religion

[Blazers46]

Thank you for sharing and I’m terribly sorry to hear about your niece and father.

At the end of the day, that’s my struggle. I WANT to believe that there is a heaven that I can spend eternity with loved ones. But for whatever reason, my brain looks at all the “evidence” and has a hard time getting there.

It’s hard for me not to think religion, god, the afterlife, was just man’s way of dealing with mortality.

Believe me, it’s also hard for me to imagine that the enormity of the universe came from…nothing? A singularity? An alternate universe?

I honestly struggle with the same stuff. I think we all do to some degree. Do I have this hope to cope or do I believe because I honestly believe? For me it’s easy to get to because I was born in it and saturated with it through family and friends. I came from a dark place and unsure where my mind might take me if I unbeleive… if that’s makes sense. I get it, totally.

 

[SDIrishFan]

I honestly struggle with the same stuff. I think we all do to some degree. Do I have this hope to cope or do I believe because I honestly believe? For me it’s easy to get to because I was born in it and saturated with it through family and friends. I came from a dark place and unsure where my mind might take me if I unbeleive… if that’s makes sense. I get it, totally.

I appreciate your candor and openness.

And full transparency, this is really the only place I feel comfortable talking about it. I tried to grace the subject with my wife once many years ago and left feeling totally rejected at the thought that I should even question it. I went through a very rough patch several years ago, made poor choices, contemplated suicide pretty heavily, really and truly felt lost. I even sought out advice from our pastor and posed many of the same questions and I felt even his answers felt unfulfilling.

I also understand the concept that there's a reason its called "faith".

I just try to be a good person, and a kind person, and a good father and husband and positive member of my little community and hope that leads me to wherever. In its simpleist form, I believe that is what Jesus taught.

 

[Valpodoc85]

A few years ago I did Christ Renews His Parish. It was great to be in a place with other men expressing their faith issues/experience. Was not catholic at the time did RCIA later. Faith is a journey. Many paths, same destination

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

If Adam and Eve are the first humans put on Earth by God, wouldn't Genesis pre-date all of these historical revelations, like Gobekli Tepe for example? Is it possible that the dating is wrong, but the story is true in that perhaps the ancient civilizations are post Adam but pre Noah's flood? Is it possible the world flood did happen but the story is told differently by different civilizations and so dates get misconstrued?

I'm not a world historian or a religious historian. I'm kind of overwhelmed at the thought of trying to grasp just a basic understanding of time in what seems like very contradicting viewpoints; science vs religion.

It's all an allegory. The bible was written by men, centuries after Christ died.

Literal creationism is hot garbage in that it undermines faith.

God creating the Universe and Time itself is entirely unbounded by the tiny minds of men. Anyone who tells you differently is questioning God.

Our concept of time is miniscule compared to a being that created Time.

 

[Blazers46]

It's all an allegory. The bible was written by men, centuries after Christ died.

Literal creationism is hot garbage in that it undermines faith.

God creating the Universe and Time itself is entirely unbounded by the tiny minds of men. Anyone who tells you differently is questioning God.

Our concept of time is miniscule compared to a being that created Time.

Hard to say “all”. The Bible (mainly New Testament) wasn’t “written” centuries after, it was copied and put in a book centuries after it was written during those times by people in those times. And I guess I’m speaking on the New Testament as opposed to the Old. The Old Testament I feel like it would be hard to argue with you. I believe there is a lot of literal stories but also a lot of parables and stories… like someone mentioned there are other cultures with variations of the same stories. Some might say it diminishes the Bible but I don’t think so. It might diminish people’s strong convictions that a collection of stories written by man (some stories passed down generations) and collected by man and chosen by man chosen on what will be included and no included in the Bible. I’ve always said that everything man touches is flawed.

I do agree. God, creation, time, space and everything beyond our own planet is probably something I’ll never understand.

What I do know is life is short. 40-50 work weeks are for the birds. American culture/work culture feels like a slave culture (to ourselves mostly). I pray and read scripture daily and try to find purpose and value to people daily. Family, friends, relationships, morals, values are important. After that a structured and rooted society to help support my family, friends, relationships… even morals and values. Sadly America has become less structured and becoming uprooted and with it its morals and values are being lost and trampled. Societies rise and fall and when Christians talk about “the fall” I can’t help but think of this great country and its fall.

 

[Irish du Nord]

It's all an allegory. The bible was written by men, centuries after Christ died.

Literal creationism is hot garbage in that it undermines faith.

God creating the Universe and Time itself is entirely unbounded by the tiny minds of men. Anyone who tells you differently is questioning God.

Our concept of time is miniscule compared to a being that created Time.

Someone read the Confessions! Love it!

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Update:

I recently celebrated the Rite of Acceptance during mass last week. l also had quite the experience regarding the topic of the Eucharist.

Being raised Protestant, I've been really struggling with doubts regarding the Eucharist and transubstantiation. Well, about three weeks ago, I started listening to The Catechism in a Year podcast by Fr Mike Schmitz and really soaking up all I could regarding the Catholic faith. Two Sundays ago, my sponsor randomly asked me if I'd like to see Fr Mike live*. Totally out of the blue, as I had no idea he had chosen four cities to do a speaking event and Indy was one of them*. That speaking event was covering a very specific topic; The Eucharist.*.....what are the chances?! Prior to it beginning, I mentioned to my sponsor that I hoped to have some of my questions answered during Fr Mike's speech and not only was I not disappointed, but my doubts completely vanished.* Also, I've been watching The Chosen recently, and in what seemed to be a completely random moment, while mindlessly scrolling through YouTube videos, I came across Jonathan Roumie's speech at the National Eucharistic Congress (which was also in Indy*). His speech was on the Eucharist and he read (in his Jesus acting voice) directly from the Bible the same passages that Fr Mike had read to us, ultimately re-enforcing what I had just heard/learned.*

* My use of asterisks throughout this story was to point out the numerous "coincidences" that took place over the last couple of weeks. I don't believe these were coincidences at all. How could they be? The number one concern I had when entering into the Catholic church was the doubt I carried, wondering if I'd ever truly be able to accept transubstantiation. The avalanche of information on this topic cured my doubts.

Something happened to me about 6 months ago that I've only told my family about. I'll keep it to myself for the time being. But the bottom line is that it opened me up to Christ. And for the first time in my adult life, I've forcefully suppressed my doubts and have practiced openness to His love and His words. It changed my life. Every step I take, where doubt may enter the fold, I've been given an answer that fills me with peace and confidence that I'm on the right track and to continue my faith in Him. I haven't been the same since.

 

[domer13]

Update:

I recently celebrated the Rite of Acceptance during mass last week. l also had quite the experience regarding the topic of the Eucharist.

Being raised Protestant, I've been really struggling with doubts regarding the Eucharist and transubstantiation. Well, about three weeks ago, I started listening to The Catechism in a Year podcast by Fr Mike Schmitz and really soaking up all I could regarding the Catholic faith. Two Sundays ago, my sponsor randomly asked me if I'd like to see Fr Mike live*. Totally out of the blue, as I had no idea he had chosen four cities to do a speaking event and Indy was one of them*. That speaking event was covering a very specific topic; The Eucharist.*.....what are the chances?! Prior to it beginning, I mentioned to my sponsor that I hoped to have some of my questions answered during Fr Mike's speech and not only was I not disappointed, but my doubts completely vanished.* Also, I've been watching The Chosen recently, and in what seemed to be a completely random moment, while mindlessly scrolling through YouTube videos, I came across Jonathan Roumie's speech at the National Eucharistic Congress (which was also in Indy*). His speech was on the Eucharist and he read (in his Jesus acting voice) directly from the Bible the same passages that Fr Mike had read to us, ultimately re-enforcing what I had just heard/learned.*

* My use of asterisks throughout this story was to point out the numerous "coincidences" that took place over the last couple of weeks. I don't believe these were coincidences at all. How could they be? The number one concern I had when entering into the Catholic church was the doubt I carried, wondering if I'd ever truly be able to accept transubstantiation. The avalanche of information on this topic cured my doubts.

Something happened to me about 6 months ago that I've only told my family about. I'll keep it to myself for the time being. But the bottom line is that it opened me up to Christ. And for the first time in my adult life, I've forcefully suppressed my doubts and have practiced openness to His love and His words. It changed my life. Every step I take, where doubt may enter the fold, I've been given an answer that fills me with peace and confidence that I'm on the right track and to continue my faith in Him. I haven't been the same since.

Thanks be to God!

 

[ulukinatme]

Update:

I recently celebrated the Rite of Acceptance during mass last week. l also had quite the experience regarding the topic of the Eucharist.

Being raised Protestant, I've been really struggling with doubts regarding the Eucharist and transubstantiation. Well, about three weeks ago, I started listening to The Catechism in a Year podcast by Fr Mike Schmitz and really soaking up all I could regarding the Catholic faith. Two Sundays ago, my sponsor randomly asked me if I'd like to see Fr Mike live*. Totally out of the blue, as I had no idea he had chosen four cities to do a speaking event and Indy was one of them*. That speaking event was covering a very specific topic; The Eucharist.*.....what are the chances?! Prior to it beginning, I mentioned to my sponsor that I hoped to have some of my questions answered during Fr Mike's speech and not only was I not disappointed, but my doubts completely vanished.* Also, I've been watching The Chosen recently, and in what seemed to be a completely random moment, while mindlessly scrolling through YouTube videos, I came across Jonathan Roumie's speech at the National Eucharistic Congress (which was also in Indy*). His speech was on the Eucharist and he read (in his Jesus acting voice) directly from the Bible the same passages that Fr Mike had read to us, ultimately re-enforcing what I had just heard/learned.*

* My use of asterisks throughout this story was to point out the numerous "coincidences" that took place over the last couple of weeks. I don't believe these were coincidences at all. How could they be? The number one concern I had when entering into the Catholic church was the doubt I carried, wondering if I'd ever truly be able to accept transubstantiation. The avalanche of information on this topic cured my doubts.

Something happened to me about 6 months ago that I've only told my family about. I'll keep it to myself for the time being. But the bottom line is that it opened me up to Christ. And for the first time in my adult life, I've forcefully suppressed my doubts and have practiced openness to His love and His words. It changed my life. Every step I take, where doubt may enter the fold, I've been given an answer that fills me with peace and confidence that I'm on the right track and to continue my faith in Him. I haven't been the same since.

Just replying to say this is an awesome story, and God bless!

 

[Old Man Mike]

To BleedBlueGold: after you come down a little from this Gift of the Holy Spirit, I suggest that you ask whether there is a Cursillo movement in your diocese. You can give yourself a little time to ease into your parish and find a sponsor. The weekend is a special, kind of indescribable, experience of coming closer to Christ in the company of men who will be your Catholic brothers for your entire life (if you follow through and join a bunch for weekly get-togethers, like I have done for 50 years.) There is absolutely nothing cultish nor forced about it --- just good Catholic men supporting one another in their spiritual lives. My group always had weekly breakfasts together to share faith and troubles in our real lives, if any. I must warn you however, this might turn out to be the first time in your life when you get together with guys and talk about real spiritually important things, one another's lives, but not football .

 

[BleedBlueGold]

To BleedBlueGold: after you come down a little from this Gift of the Holy Spirit, I suggest that you ask whether there is a Cursillo movement in your diocese. You can give yourself a little time to ease into your parish and find a sponsor. The weekend is a special, kind of indescribable, experience of coming closer to Christ in the company of men who will be your Catholic brothers for your entire life (if you follow through and join a bunch for weekly get-togethers, like I have done for 50 years.) There is absolutely nothing cultish nor forced about it --- just good Catholic men supporting one another in their spiritual lives. My group always had weekly breakfasts together to share faith and troubles in our real lives, if any. I must warn you however, this might turn out to be the first time in your life when you get together with guys and talk about real spiritually important things, one another's lives, but not football .

Not even just a little football talk? I may need to draw a line there. Kidding. Thanks, Mike. I will look into this. I believe my son's godparent is in such a group now where they meet weekly, although I've never heard him mention Cursillo by name while doing retreats. I'll need to ask him.

Edit: I just looked online, and our church does two Cursillo retreats per year, men's and women's.

 

[LOVEMYIRISH]

Just went back to the beginning of this thread. Crazy to think how far it goes back. When nayers was a baby and we had Acamp changing his diapers.

 

[Chicago Domer]

I’m Catholic..

On a side note, the main difference between the Catholic faith and Protestants are that Catholic teaching, which most regular church going Catholics embrace, is that we receive the true body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist. There are also the other 6 sacraments.

 

[Blazers46]

Happy Easter to all!

 

[Valpodoc85]

Spread the love. I feel like Easter is God saying “hang with me I got this. Things are about get really good….

 

[BleedBlueGold]

Confirmed, first communion, marriage convalidation. Check, check, check. God is good!

 

[MacIrish75]

To me, I love the Easter/Christmas attendees. If I can’t get a seat in the service, fantastic. It’s like the gym after New Year’s—coming is the first step and at least they made an effort to get in the building. It’s what we do to accept them and welcome them that lots of times will get them back again the following week, and weeks thereafter. For a group who are called in the Great Commission to, “…go forth and make disciples of all nations,” we do a pretty crappy job of that sometimes.

 

[NDVirginia19]

To me, I love the Easter/Christmas attendees. If I can’t get a seat in the service, fantastic. It’s like the gym after New Year’s—coming is the first step and at least they made an effort to get in the building. It’s what we do to accept them and welcome them that lots of times will get them back again the following week, and weeks thereafter. For a group who are called in the Great Commission to, “…go forth and make disciples of all nations,” we do a pretty crappy job of that sometimes.

Great point. Same attitude I have towards people who complain about kids making noise in church. They're attending the mass! You need kids to keep the Church alive!

 

[IrishBryan77]

Naughty Catholic boy and proud!!! 😈

 

[BleedBlueGold]

RIP Pope Francis

 

[DomeFieldAdvantage]

Sad to hear of the passing of Pope Francis, especially after it seemed he was on the road to recovery. And right after Easter. Part of me wonders if he was just really trying to hold on to celebrate one more Easter and/or he really pushed himself too much for the state he was in with all the Holy Week and Easter appearances.

 

[Some Irish Bloke]

Great point. Same attitude I have towards people who complain about kids making noise in church. They're attending the mass! You need kids to keep the Church alive!

Very lucky that we belong to a congregation that actually embraces children. Our 6 mo. old is quite noisy, even if he isn't fussing, he likes to be vocal when he plays. We are pretty proactive in moving him to the back of church if he's being loud, particularly during the homily and/or the Liturgy of the Eucharist. But everyone comes up to us almost weekly to check on how he's doing, see Mom, etc. Definitely blessed. I've heard some horror stories from first time parents about some rude church goers, and it made them hesitant to go back to mass.

 

[forkbeard3777]

May he rest in peace. He gave a long career of service to the Church, whether or not we agreed with his views and decisions.

Can we agree on no more Jesuit Popes, however? The Catholic Church should steer back to its roots. More TLM; more traditional views.

 

[SeekNDestroy]

May he rest in peace. He gave a long career of service to the Church, whether or not we agreed with his views and decisions.

Can we agree on no more Jesuit Popes, however? The Catholic Church should steer back to its roots. More TLM; more traditional views.

Didn’t you attend Jesuit High School? What’s your problem with the Jesuits?

 

[BuaConstrictor]

Can we agree on no more Jesuit Popes, however? The Catholic Church should steer back to its roots. More TLM; more traditional views.

 

[NDVirginia19]

Didn’t you attend Jesuit High School? What’s your problem with the Jesuits?

What's the difference between Jesuits and Baptists? Baptists know they're not Catholics

I think the Jesuit order as a whole has done incredible good in the world. I think there are some highly visible Jesuit institutions that prioritized their secular beliefs over the teachings of the Church.

 

[forkbeard3777]

Didn’t you attend Jesuit High School? What’s your problem with the Jesuits?

Jesuit Blue Jay indeed. Some of the members of the Jesuit Order make we wonder if they're Catholic or Episcopalian. Piggybacking off of NDVirginia19, the Society of Jesus has done so many great things (education, for example), but some have been known to stray away from the teachings and dogma of the Catholic Church. Fr. Julio Fernández (Jesuit priest), stated that the current Society of Jesus “could perfectly be the view of the world of a secular think tank, with ties to a left-wing political party or a progressive NGO [nongovernmental organization].” Again, not all Jesuits' views should be massed together, but here are a few articles on the topic.

The Jesuits: What Went Wrong
Tracing the Jesuits' decline
Prominent Jesuit: The Society of Jesus is in "profound decline"

 

[Irish du Nord]

May he rest in peace. He gave a long career of service to the Church, whether or not we agreed with his views and decisions.

Can we agree on no more Jesuit Popes, however? The Catholic Church should steer back to its roots. More TLM; more traditional views.

There's a time and a place for this sort of commentary, I don't think today is a good time to express this view.

 

[ulukinatme]

May Francis rest in peace, but yes...wasn't a big fan either. He's critical of the US working to secure it's borders, and yet Vatican City has 36 foot tall walls, and you've got to go through security to get inside along with needing authorization/tickets. If you try to break into Vatican City? You'll spend time in their own jail and/or you get expelled for up to 15 years. Even the Israelites worked to protect their borders. That's just one item, but I would like to see a Pope that goes back to more traditional views. I'd like to see them revert the mass changes too from 2007, or whenever that took place, along with the changes to the Nicene Creed. Makes me cringe every time we say it.

 

[NDpendent]

May Francis rest in peace, but yes...wasn't a big fan either. He's critical of the US working to secure it's borders, and yet Vatican City has 36 foot tall walls, and you've got to go through security to get inside along with needing authorization/tickets. If you try to break into Vatican City? You'll spend time in their own jail and/or you get expelled for up to 15 years. Even the Israelites worked to protect their borders. That's just one item, but I would like to see a Pope that goes back to more traditional views. I'd like to see them revert the mass changes too from 2007, or whenever that took place, along with the changes to the Nicene Creed. Makes me cringe every time we say it.

Funny how you said you want the pope to go back to more traditional views and then criticize the newest translations of the mass and Nicene Creed which were made because those translations are more traditional and historically accurate translations and which were changed during Pope Benedict XVI who was the most conservative pope in modern history.