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.