I really really need help, I'm 16 yrs old, Catholic vs Born Again, PLEASE help me I'm ASKING YOU?
June 22nd, 2009I've come down to see my dad for 3 weeks and its been a crazy ride, i've met his friends all christians and i had to go to a "revival" they are all born again christians, i am catholic. these two missionaries were telling me that homosexuality is devilish and wrong and not right, and that since i'm catholic i am going to hell.
they say all the catholic traditions are bull crap the sign of the cross etc is all man made which i do think is true as well, since i don't see how that does anything, and then this happened…
i was pointed out of the group of people 20+ in the home that god was calling "the missionary women to be" to ask me straight up if i wanted to be saved.. i was like HUH what the heck does that mean. I did not know what i was doing or commiting to, so i asked just for prayer.
everything they kept telling me about made sense and stuff but for them to tell me DO you believe or do you not, do you accept your lord god at this moment and that catholics are basically getting a ticket to hell because they do not KNOW jesus at a personal and spiritual level. like how dare they bombard me and stuff me with all of this intense un-needed at the time information?????
I have also noticed that they ONLY listen to christian music and that the rest is JUNK and same with TV. They told me that once I open my heart to Jesus, God will show me what HE wants me to do with my life and direct me with WHAT HE has planned, not what I have planned. To be honest, I have noticed that my dad etc are living somewhat sh*t lives with following what Gods plan is, if "it really is" his plan. I don't understand what is happening with me…
I also told them about my vision when there was cotton pickers in the south, on a prarie and a year later I found out who those two women were and they were whites helping the slaves and they supported Abraham Lincoln, and the missionaries and my dad and step mom told me that means I am to be a captive for the slaves trying to find God…??? Like WHAT?!
Those "christians" are actually wolves in sheep's clothing trying to snatch you from the flock which is the Church that Jesus founded. Those fundies will spread lies against Catjolics in their effort to take you away from the true Church.
lupo said:
Sounds like a God awful nightmare!?
Well, follow your heart.
I'm sure that God will help you.
Verily, there be none so blind as will not see.
They are truly blind in that they think that see the work of God in doing that, but, they are blinded in their convictions. Pity.
All the best.
References :
SwizzleStick said:
Those people are nuts! You should stay away from them and believe what you want to believe. Think about it. Why is their brand of christianity better than yours? Sounds like they are trying to fear you into believing. Does that sound kosher to you? Run away from them. Fast.
References :
Follows Jesus said:
so whats the question?
References :
HereIAm said:
What do you expect from a bunch of wacked fundies? Stay away from people like that.
References :
Fundies, the reason I support euthanasia for the mentally afflicted.
Salome Said said:
Reject both? Catholicism is the biggest, most powerful tangible evil in this world. That born again crap is just sensationalism. Find what you find, and what you know, know. If you believe in nothing, believe nothing. If you believe something, believe it, whatever it is. Harm no one, but harbor beliefs even if they are harmful. If you believe it, you just do. Let it come to you.
In short - organized religious communities? A trap. Belief, even in a structured system - not a trap, but should be a choice.
References :
reme_1 said:
save yourself from the craziness.
If I understood you right, you said you're gay.
Call the gay center or pflag.org and ask for a gay friendly church. I personally don't understand how that works: one church says we're damned, another church welcomes us. (????) ANyway, it's time for you to choose where you want to live and to feel safe and secure. Living with your dad's people isn't going to work for you. Reach out to the gay community for help. (lesbian and atheist)
References :
JP said:
the catholic nobody knows i don't believe in that i dont agree with some of the catholic religion but say them automatically going to hell thats weird.
References :
sparky said:
Some Christians are misguided. Catholics can be Christians also. You do not need a Priest to talk to God though. Jesus took care of that one for you. It sounds like those people are harsh and not very Christian like. They are trying to earn their salvation. Your relationship with Christ is your own and not theirs to force. They should be examples of his love. The sound kind of Cultish to me but may be just misguided and well intentioned. Just tell your dad that you love him but do not feel comfortable with them. Talk to a preacher about it. Careful of one thing though. Being Catholic does not mean that you are saved as that comes from Christ and you and not a Church. Religion does not save but is a vehicle to find Jesus. If not find a real Christian Church. God loves you but you need to ask him to come into your heart and forgive you . You will immediately feel his love. Remember a boat can sit on a car lot and still not be a car. You can sit in a church and still not be a Christian. It is only through choice and free will.
References :
lifelover said:
I have an uncle that thinks everyone that doesn't believe as he does is going to hell. If you feel there is a God, do you also feel that there would be a place like hell? Hell is what different churches use to keep their followers from going elsewhere. How sad it would be, if you thought people went to such a place? You have nothing to worry about. Just try and be polite and get through it as best as you can.
References :
smegmakid8677 said:
Those "christians" are actually wolves in sheep's clothing trying to snatch you from the flock which is the Church that Jesus founded. Those fundies will spread lies against Catjolics in their effort to take you away from the true Church.
References :
Ice Cream said:
No, Catholics won't go to Hell if they believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God.
You won't go to Hell either since you believe in Christ.
All have different views in the way a person should worship God the right way. What is there to contend? Who can say theirs is the right way? Is it not Christ, the author of His creation?
Follow Christ.
References :
billy d said:
They remind me of deluded zombies, brainless.
References :
Avonlea said:
Relax, calm yourself down. You have heard so much information in a little bit of time and it is all a jumble in your mind.
You are saved and just rest in that.
Let God speak to you and bring peace to your emotions. All is well.
Don't fret about it.
No you are not a captive slave to God.
Just forget that stuff.
References :
Bible Believing Christian
AW said:
On your own you can find yourself let nobody tell you what to believe. You I assume grew up in the church who do they think they are to tell you you are wrong. I am sure your father can't be reasoned with because he sounds like he got caught up with it. Have a talk with your mom about this. I have been hearing this for years about Catholics I have actually heard people say that Mother Theresa was going to hell because she was not born again dose this make sense? You go on with what you are doing and don't these people intimidate you.
References :
Sara the Slytherin said:
Mere Christianity, by CS Lewis.
This guy had a real knack for opening up people's eyes. His book won't tell you expressly WHAT to believe, but it will clarify some questions and offer a new perspective. Perhaps it will help with your questions… it's a popular book, your local library or Borders has it, I know.
References :
mae said:
ohhh my goodness….
i'm not exactly sure what you're asking but i'll do my best.
DO NOT listen to protestants talking about the Catholic Church, they do not know what they're talking about, I promise! They do not disagree with what the Catholic Church teaches, they disagree with what they THINK the Catholic Church teaches…Most of them do not know because they've never been Catholic and they're going off of their own ignorant assumptions.
You are not going to hell for being a Catholic I PROMISE. And anybody who tells you that you are going to hell or that you're not "saved" is full of it, and they're breaking a commandment:
Luke 6:36-38
"Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."
Nobody can judge another person's heart or determine the eternal destination of their soul.
This is why it's really important to know what the Church teaches because of people like this who will challenge you, if you know what the church teaches you will win these arguments every time.
Stick with the Catholic Church…seriously.
Hope this helps, God bless!
References :
Catholic
St.Bernadette said:
traditions are not something catholics made up for biblical text click here:http://www.womenpriests.org/gospels/trpaul.asp
ewtn is full of information for the catholic and you can listen to the radio from your computer. click here:
http://www.ewtn.com/
here's a faithful, holy , priest you can rely on for the truth, nothing watered down with fr. corapi:click here:http://www.fathercorapi.com/wwschedule.aspx
References :
the catholic church is the true church instituted by christ in 33AD. It has long standing historical place in history unlike all the protestant churches. It is all you'll ever need in life to make your journey home to Christ in heaven. Use the sacraments of confession, and the Eucharist, and you'll have the best "personal relationship" that anyone could ever obtain in this life.
pepgurli said:
I couldn't completely follow that but here is what i have to say. There is NOTHING WRONG WITH BEING CATHOLIC. Without Catholicism there wouldn't even be a Bible. You can have a personal relationship with God as a Catholic and that's when faith really comes alive. And who knows maybe they are living the life God intended for them but that doesn't mean that's what he has intended for you. if you trust in God and let him take control he'll give you a life better than you could imagine or dream of. just keep your eyes on God and he'll show the most thrilling plan for you in existance.
References :
http://www.bible-reviews.com said:
OK, my thoughts….
a) Tread carefully. Don't let anyone pressure you into a religious sect until you know more about it. Sounds like you've got this bit of advice down already.
b) Recognize that Roman Catholics can be "born again Christians". There's no rule against it, and the last pope wrote about his own experience as a "born again Christian". The terminology is unusual, but don't fret. That doesn't mean Roman Catholics can't be born again.
c) Just because your father is not leading a "good Christian life" does not mean that the blame rests on Roman Catholicism. There are many devoutly religious Roman Catholics - and many who are not. The same is true of very nearly every Christian sect. Some people follow God intently, some less intently, some just go through the motions or do the bare minimum.
d) Finally - and I say this from a Fundamentalist Christian perspective - just because you are Roman Catholic **does not mean** that you are going to Hell. I disagree with *many* of the Roman Catholic beliefs, but it is one thing to say "I disagree" and another to say, "Jesus would not allow that". I have read the entire Roman Catholic Catechism, I have read the bible very carefully more than once, and as far as I can determine, there is nothing that Roman Catholics believe that is **contrary** to the bible.
SO, it's OK to be Roman Catholic. I think that it's *better* to be Fundamentalist - but you have to be careful when selecting a Christian sect, as many of them believe some very definitely contrary-to-the-bible things. Don't abandon Roman Catholicism until you are entirely convinced that there is a better way - because Roman Catholicism, from what I know, is not such a bad way. It's sort of one of those things: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it.
Jim, http://www.bibleselector.com/rc_versions.html
References :
sparki777 said:
Wow, sorry.
Okay, here's the deal. I'll be honest with you. These are people with a very shallow, narrow view of God. They'd condemn their own mothers to hell for not doing things exactly according to their own plan. Which isn't in the Bible.
As you know, Catholics worship Christ. Most of the stuff these people are telling you about Catholicism is COMPLETELY inaccurate.
So you have one of two choices.
1. Out of respect for your dad, just smile politely and occasionally shrug your shoulders if they are being really whacked out. Don't feel like you have to answer any of their questions or follow their lead on anything. It might be helpful to develop one short sentence and just say it over and over and over again every time they come at you. For example, "I want to leave my salvation up to Jesus." If you say it often enough, they'll get it that you are trusting Christ and they won't have anything to argue with you about.
2. If you feel like you want to have a little fun with the — still being respectful and polite — every time they say something, ask them to show it to you in the Bible. When they say, "Don't you want to open your heart to Jesus?" Say, "Where in the Bible does it say to open your heart to Jesus?" (That phrase is NOT in the Bible, btw.) Then just smile when they try to justify themselves.
References :
Samuel said:
Please watch my video to understand what it means to be truly born again. This is a decision that all of us must make, in order to have a right relationship with God. Jesus died for each of us, and He is waiting for us to accept Him.
Religion has never saved anyone, and never will. Jesus Christ alone is the only way to have a right relationship with God. Please watch my video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLWCAXWx7ig
References :