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I’ve seen this question in a lot of different places and a lot of different methods have been suggested.
When you see this question, how would you answer? What is your first thought?
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First Thought: Oh goody.
How would I respond: Find out what the person knows and has already done. Am I speaking to the unbaptized? A Protestant? An unconfirmed Catholic? I would suggest enrolling in RCIA and try to respond to any particular questions he might have.
Ok, the only reason I asked this is because many times I hear people answer in response “read the Catechism” or something like that. Personally, I think this is the wrong move to make.
I think one would want to start off with some spiritual discernment and a different book to read about Catholic beliefs than the Catechism. The Catechism was actually intended for the bishops to use as a teaching tool and guide to make their own catechism for their own diocese (i.e. the Baltimore Catechism).
Becoming a Catholic involves active participation in the liturgy, meditating on the Scriptures and being with other Catholics who will support you.
[quote:alrg52xh]First Thought: Oh goody. [/quote:alrg52xh]
Mine too.
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Hmm.. I would say start attending a Catholic mass, which would most likely produce questions about the parts of the mass, and things heard in the homily. Then I’d say take that with you, to an RCIA class and/or bible study class. Explore, ask, and become: live as you wish to live.
It might be beneficial to spend some time with active, practicing Catholic people in their daily lives as well (along with RCIA and going to mass)
Christ founded His Church on Peter, the Rock, vesting [u:2jx519ax]all[/u:2jx519ax] the divine power and authority He received from our Father in the Apostles. Jesus Christ said that to reject His servants was to reject the Father and Christ. Do what Jesus willed for us. Be taught of His servants who are under divine guidance.
Skirting around apostolic teaching authority by toe-dipping into Catholic stuff, or hanging around Catholics, isn’t what Christ mandated. Get the straight facts through every Catholic parish, which offers free instruction for those curious about Catholicism, the RCIA program, Rite of Christian Initiation.
Those who are baptized in the triune formula, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, will not have to be re-baptized excepting Mormons, whose baptism incorporates a deranged view of divinity, Mormons believe God is merely a Superman-type being, and that they themselves will become gods like the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Good point, nordskoven, but that’s only part of it. Being Catholic is not just about knowing doctrine. Knowing the essential doctrine of being a Christian is important, but it’s not all there is to being Catholic – one must live their faith too which includes active particiaption in the liturgy and being around Catholics.
I wasn’t suggesting merely toe-dipping, but an immersion of sorts in a Catholic community.
To me, it’s one part doctrine, one part participation.
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