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Hello there, I am new to this forum and the study of the Catholic Faith. I myself am a Christian and I have come to what I see in my own life as a controversy. I have recently met a very nice Catholic girl who is very strong in her beliefs, I myself am also strong in mine. Despite this we get along tremendously and have never had a problem, discussing Christ with each other and have not yet come to an impass of which we disagree. My mother however is not so thrilled that I “like” her as what could potentially be more than a friend. I am not sure on the position of her parrents but I can imagine they are similar. This caused me to research deeply into the Catholic faith to try and see just what is it that makes us so different, and truthfully I cannot see a whole lot. Having read the Basis of Catholic Moral Teaching found on this site I was amazed at how similar it was to my own confession of faith. I found nothing written there that I disagreed with. Reading on to the faith and beliefs / prayer sections however was where I started seeing differences. However the differences only seemed to come on two levels.
1.) Prayer: There were set prayers and confessions but the Christian faith has some pre-set ones themselves ex ( The Sinners Prayer )
2.) Church: This was the only strong point of which was contradicting to what I myself believe. It was stated that Peter being the Rock (Head) of the church was to be the only one (along with his appointed sucessors) to be the head of the church. – Now I believe very much that God founded His church on Peter, And I believe that that is an important fact. Myself going to a Church that teaches almost identicaly what the Catholic Church teaches (As of the research I’ve done so far, I could be wrong) It seems to be the only major difference between the two faiths.
Now having said that, Would there be a large controversy / problem if I was to date / marry a Catholic while maintaining my beliefs, or would that be considered (Unequally Yolked) as stated in scriptures. Im really confused on this issue and I need some wisdom as to what to do.
Thanks a lot -Siberian
I am a member Of Willow Park Church…
Its been labled as a Menonite Brethren Church but its not like that at all..
Its not at all “Amish” its actually very liberal. The teachings and beliefs are from the Bible, the only difference being the Books not included in the Bible that Catholics teach from. Overal i guess its just under the Protestant category, although I hate to “classify” Christianity.Not that your church was entirely pertinent to what I will say in a moment, I was just asking out of curiosity.
” title=”Smile” />I don’t see why you couldn’t date/marry this nice Catholic girl.
In fact, my own faith story is somewhat similar to yours, except I was the Catholic.
While we were dating we made a commitment to seek the truth and understand each other’s religious traditions better (she was Evangelical).
In the meantime I learned a lot about my own faith, her faith and what the major discrepencies are. This website is partly a result of that work.
The whole point of seeking marriage or being married to someone is to bring that person closer to Christ (and procreation and all that too, but that’s another discussion).
Now, regarding some of your specific comments:
[quote:1w3r2d17]1.) Prayer: There were set prayers and confessions but the Christian faith has some pre-set ones themselves ex ( The Sinners Prayer ) [/quote:1w3r2d17]
These aren’t so much set prayers as they are prayers that have been used for centuries by hundreds of generations of Christians. Some of them became common (hence the title Common Catholic Prayers[/url:1w3r2d17])They are not required to pray or anything like that, but they are helpful to know so that the community can pray together.
[quote:1w3r2d17]2.) Church: This was the only strong point of which was contradicting to what I myself believe. It was stated that Peter being the Rock (Head) of the church was to be the only one (along with his appointed sucessors) to be the head of the church. – Now I believe very much that God founded His church on Peter, And I believe that that is an important fact. Myself going to a Church that teaches almost identicaly what the Catholic Church teaches (As of the research I’ve done so far, I could be wrong) It seems to be the only major difference between the two faiths. [/quote:1w3r2d17]
Hmmm…maybe if you could expand upon this. I’m not sure what you’re saying the discrepancy is.
Im sorry, What I was saying is…
Protestants do not attend a Church that is considered “Under” the Pope.
i.e. Not a direct sucessor of Peter whom God founded His Church. Thus from a Catholic standpoint I believe us to be a “Seperated Church” That was all I was talking about.And thank you so much for helping to clarify that point. I too will strive to seek truth while/if dating/marrying this girl. I dont care between the two, as long as its truth right? I would love to know if what im seeking/believing is off or not.
ps. Would you be able to send me a PM or an email regarding your wife’s decision to convert? What she saw in the Catholic Beliefs as opposed to the Evangelical Beliefs. That would help so much. Thanks.
[quote:vmp3gayb]ps. Would you be able to send me a PM or an email regarding your wife’s decision to convert? What she saw in the Catholic Beliefs as opposed to the Evangelical Beliefs. That would help so much. Thanks.[/quote:vmp3gayb]
Oh, I could just tell you right here. I never ended up marrying the girl because things didn’t work out, but she did become Catholic later on that year.In a nutshell I guess you could just say that Catholicism made more sense historically and doctrinally.
Right on. Thanks. Dont you just wish that sometimes the sky would crack open, big booms of noise and God just tell you the right way?
:” title=”Question” /> [quote:3euhfeu4]Dont you just wish that sometimes the sky would crack open, big booms of noise and God just tell you the right way?
:” title=”Question” /> [/quote:3euhfeu4]
Yes, lol, often.” title=”Very Happy” />
Good lol, At least Im not the only one.
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Same here.
” title=”Very Happy” />~Victor
Certainly don’t let slightly differing viewpoints bother you. I’m sure just about everyone on here (assuming most people on here are Catholics…) would love for you to convert but that is something you have to figure out.
If she’s nice and you’re nice and you both like each other, go for it. I would say that until a problem arises, there is no need to try and FIND one, although there are definitely differences between Catholicism and Protestantism which I am sure you will eventually encounter.
Personally, I think it’s a great way to grow in faith because you are confronted with it. It’s just right there in your face. It’s not everyday that you get challenged directly in your faith.
Absolutely… well tonights the big night… anyways, keep me in your prayers. Thanks for the advice guys.
[quote:2kivxzs2]Absolutely… well tonights the big night… anyways, keep me in your prayers. Thanks for the advice guys.[/quote:2kivxzs2]
big night for what?
Asking her out to grad… and….
SHE SAID YES… WHooT !!!
Well I go to a private school so its not a prom, but we are having a banquet to celebrate our graduation and then all the grads and their dates are having a houseparty at one of the parents houses. Its pretty sweet they got a pool hotub all overlookin the lake, its going to be sweet.
[quote:jpedcufa]Well I go to a private school so its not a prom, but we are having a banquet to celebrate our graduation and then all the grads and their dates are having a houseparty at one of the parents houses. Its pretty sweet they got a pool hotub all overlookin the lake, its going to be sweet.[/quote:jpedcufa]
When is this going to be?
June why?
hey man, i gotta tell you, it was like reading my own writing when i saw ur post. i’m in the EXACT same situation as you. i’m a non-catholic, my girlfriend’s catholic, nothing major’s come up yet, but i love her and want to marry her someday, but i’m sure discussions will come up between parents before that happens. feel free to let me know how things are going! o, and jon, if you have anything to add, i’m definitely interested.
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:” title=”Question” /> 
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