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Struggling with my Catholic faith update

(36 Posts)
Judy54 Mon 10-Feb-20 14:04:53

A few moths ago I posted a thread about struggling with my Catholic faith and the feelings of guilt in considering walking away. Here is an update for those of you who gave such kind and supportive advice. Well I took the plunge and started going to my local Anglican church and could not be happier. Everyone has made me so welcome and there is no pressure to attend services every Sunday. It is a very community orientated Parish with something for everyone including coffee mornings, Mum and toddler groups, Youth projects and a lunch club. The Vicar is lovely and understands my journey from Catholicism and is happy to chat to me anytime. It is still early days but my guilt has subsided and I am really enjoying being part of this beautiful church and worshiping God here.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 16-Jul-20 07:00:01

I am a humanist and very happy with my choice.

I was brought up a Christian and confirmed into the Church of England, but the contradictions, hypocrisy and history of Christianity was something to which I can never be reconciled as with all other Deity beliefs.

BlueBelle Thu 16-Jul-20 08:45:34

I struggle with the question what is a Christian???
I was christened does that make me a Christian ?
I don’t attend church so does that make me not a Christian
I try to behave towards others as I would want others to behave to me I try not to act outside the law of the land or outside of my own honest upbringing
So what am I ? I follow no particular church route
I ve never thought about the title humanist whitewave well
I ve never thought about a title at all but maybe that’s where my spirit lies I m just a nothing who tries to be as good as I can whilst knowing and accepting I ve often failed

Charleygirl5 Thu 16-Jul-20 09:01:25

The nuns did a very good job re my Catholic faith, telling me it is almost a mortal sin to enter a church other than a Catholic one. I have not entered any church apart from weddings and funerals and do not intend doing so. I have so much guilt after so many years.

So pleased you are happy Judy and with others, thanks for letting us know of your decision.

Luckygirl Thu 16-Jul-20 09:02:38

Religion and guilt - what a toxic combination!

Ditch the guilt - lead a good kind life and avoid the human-made, power-initiated accretions and aberrations that adhere to organised religion. The message of your religion is clear - kindness beats everything - so I am glad that you have found a church where this seems to be practised.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 16-Jul-20 09:02:56

BlueBelle

I struggle with the question what is a Christian???
I was christened does that make me a Christian ?
I don’t attend church so does that make me not a Christian
I try to behave towards others as I would want others to behave to me I try not to act outside the law of the land or outside of my own honest upbringing
So what am I ? I follow no particular church route
I ve never thought about the title humanist whitewave well
I ve never thought about a title at all but maybe that’s where my spirit lies I m just a nothing who tries to be as good as I can whilst knowing and accepting I ve often failed

Humanists believe in science and evidence and not a supernatural deity that can never be evidence based, but a faith that is built on superstition and tradition.

ladymuck Thu 16-Jul-20 09:47:32

When I was a child, I understood that the Catholic church banned its members from attending a Protestant service. Now we live in more enlightened times and people are free to make their own choices.
As an Anglican who married a Catholic, I can understand why a person would prefer our church. The emphasis is on the Christian teaching, not on dictating to people.

Judy54 Thu 16-Jul-20 16:53:44

How lovely that my thread has been picked up again. I am truly grateful for all the replies received. Our Vicar and Parishioners have kept in contact during lock down, we have had a Zoom/phone in Sunday Service. As yet the church has not re-opened, I suspect because a number of the Parishioners are elderly and the Vicar is reluctant to put them at risk. Our church has been a great source of comfort to us during this time and we look forward to worshiping there again soon.

Franbern Fri 16-Oct-20 09:32:02

Not having any religion or believing in any sort of god or gods, I do find it strange, that those that do. have not enough faith to believe that their god will protect them when they are in their temples.

Aldom Fri 16-Oct-20 10:20:18

Franbern Good post. Thought provoking. Made me chuckle too.

3nanny6 Mon 19-Oct-20 12:41:03

When the country went into lockdown it was a case of the churches had to close their doors, most of them did not want to but had to according to rules of the government sent out to the Diocese. All church services were online from the cathedral so easy to watch at home.

Many of the churches are open again for services. My
church also opens for 3 hours in the week one afternoon
and then another day for three hours later in the day. Parishioners can go in at these times for quiet prayer and reflection and it is always busy as they still social distance inside. Believers do believe that God will deliver us from this pandemic and he is with us at all times.