HELP

[Godgivesmestrength]

I was raised Catholic all my life, I'm 18 now and beginning to see a lot of flaws in my church. For one, I don't understand why I need to confess my sins to a priest and not directly to God. I came to this website to find out about other dominations and there teachings. I want to switch to a Protestant church but fear what my family will think of me. It scares me what will happen if I do make the switch. My grandparents especially are devout Catholics and would look down on me for this. I can't help but feel lost and confused where I am in my faith. Someone please help lead me in the right direction.

 

[Violet24]

Godgivesmestrength, I just want to give you some encouragement in the Lord regarding your faith. I was raised a Catholic too & had very devout catholic parents. I know my parents loves the Lord dearly & truly had servants hearts. Jesus looks at the heart, when it comes to our denominations. For me personally, when I had grown into a young adult at 18 to 20 years old, I felt a stirring in my spirit that I needed to make a change to a different denomination. In my journey in life, I felt that a non-denominational church was the best fit for me, where there was contemporary Christian worship music & good fellowship & bible studies. My dad had a very difficult time with me deciding to leave the catholic church, but through prayer all things have fallen into place. My parents realized that when their children turn 18 years old, its now their decision to begin living as adults & making good choices in life. Your 18 years old & have a life long journey ahead of you. Its Ok to graciously make your own decisions in life regarding what church etc... sometimes it takes a while to find the right church body to be a part of, but keep your eyes on the Lord at all times & He will direct your steps. He knows the desires of your heart & the Lord will give you the clarity you need in your heart in knowing the truth in your faith. I have some good friends who are devout Catholic's & love the Lord & live the Christian life that they are called to. Just keep your eyes on the Lord & He will make all things right in your life, regarding your family, faith & future

 

[integerlost]

I was raised Catholic all my life, I'm 18 now and beginning to see a lot of flaws in my church. For one, I don't understand why I need to confess my sins to a priest and not directly to God. I came to this website to find out about other dominations and there teachings. I want to switch to a Protestant church but fear what my family will think of me. It scares me what will happen if I do make the switch. My grandparents especially are devout Catholics and would look down on me for this. I can't help but feel lost and confused where I am in my faith. Someone please help lead me in the right direction.

The right direction is zero.

 

[wwjd_kilden]

Hi
Maybe start by simply talking to God? Like you said, you can confess your sins directly to Him, but that's not all, you can share anything that's on your mind with Him. Study the bible, see what it says about our relationship with God.

Eventually, you will have to face them and let them know how you feel. Remember that God will be with you.
Pray that He will help give you the right words. The holy spirit intercedes on our behalf, whether we have the words to say them ourselves or not.

 

[chanchuinchoy]

The most effective and powerful way for your family to accept you is your new changed lives n Christ Jesus

 

[Depleted]

I was raised Catholic all my life, I'm 18 now and beginning to see a lot of flaws in my church. For one, I don't understand why I need to confess my sins to a priest and not directly to God. I came to this website to find out about other dominations and there teachings. I want to switch to a Protestant church but fear what my family will think of me. It scares me what will happen if I do make the switch. My grandparents especially are devout Catholics and would look down on me for this. I can't help but feel lost and confused where I am in my faith. Someone please help lead me in the right direction.

I was where you are now when I was 16 -- raised Catholic, became born again, and then hit in the face with "This is certainly the wrong church for me." Worse yet. I was my 5 year old brother's godmother, so I had promised to raise him in "the faith" (i.e. Catholicism), and Mom died right after making me promise to keep that vow.

I survived. God led me where I should go, and we didn't even have the Internet to research churches on our own.

I even remember the phone call from Gram a week before my wedding when I was 24. She wanted to know where I had lost my faith. I told her I hadn't. I lost the Catholic Church though.

When you grow up you'll figure out what to do. This isn't something anyone can teach you. It is something you must learn how to do with God helping you.

And, yes. You're 18, so should be grown up enough already to figure this out, but you'll get there when you need to. Everything isn't a dire situation. Life will be easier on you once you figure that out.

 

[resurrection33]

I was raised Catholic all my life, I'm 18 now and beginning to see a lot of flaws in my church. For one, I don't understand why I need to confess my sins to a priest and not directly to God. I came to this website to find out about other dominations and there teachings. I want to switch to a Protestant church but fear what my family will think of me. It scares me what will happen if I do make the switch. My grandparents especially are devout Catholics and would look down on me for this. I can't help but feel lost and confused where I am in my faith. Someone please help lead me in the right direction.

There are no perfect churches. As far as confessing to a priest, the good thing about that, is that it puts pressure on a person not to sin, because who wants to confess their sins to another person?

I am not a Catholic – I’m a United Methodist – but I have a lot of respect for the Catholic Church. This is a matter between you and the Lord. There’s no rush. Just keep talking it over with the Lord until the two of you have agreed upon a course.

 

[Ultimatum77]

I was raised Catholic all my life, I'm 18 now and beginning to see a lot of flaws in my church. For one, I don't understand why I need to confess my sins to a priest and not directly to God. I came to this website to find out about other dominations and there teachings. I want to switch to a Protestant church but fear what my family will think of me. It scares me what will happen if I do make the switch. My grandparents especially are devout Catholics and would look down on me for this. I can't help but feel lost and confused where I am in my faith. Someone please help lead me in the right direction.

You are going the right direction in thinking for yourself and not accepting things taught to you as is....never lose that ability!

The RC church is mystery babylon and offers a false way of salvation through works and outside of Christ....
The pope wears a hat shaped like a fish's mouth which is what the priests of dagon the philistine god used as well..
The RC church is a christianized version of the mystery babylon pagan religion based on tamuz and semiramis which they christianized calling jesus and mother mary. It is serving semiramis the queen of heaven...please watch this documentary if you have time, it will answer most questions you may have and also inform you of why the RC church has it's specific rituals, practices, clothing etc...

[video=youtube;LL2fuuy2wTQ]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LL2fuuy2wTQ[/video]

If you have any question about the RC church feel free to PM me as I have studied extensively about it and will be willing to help you.

 

[NewWine]

I'm not Catholic, so I can't give you advice here other than to stop a while and let God do His thing in your heart. If you're meant to change, you will be given the courage to face your family and change. I'll keep you in prayer though,
Peace!!

 

[sealabeag]

Hi Godgivesmestrength! I'm Catholic too. Sorry to hear you're having doubts about things, maybe this site can help answer some of your questions: Catholic Answers
I've used that site many times to help me get answers to questions I had about Catholicism. There's a forum on there too where you can ask other users questions. Really helpful.

If you need to chat/ask me any questions, feel free. God bless you.

 

[NewWine]

Everything isn't a dire situation. Life will be easier on you once you figure that out.

That is the truth!! After raising teenagers (teen girls at that!), that simple truth became crystal clear to me.

 

[notuptome]

This is indeed a thorny issue. I find no redeeming qualities in the Roman Catholic church. I cannot say that they contribute to the Spiritual growth of believers. Believers in the RCC are an exception to not the product of their doctrine.

For the cause of Christ
Roger

 

[Marcelo]

Godgivesmestrengh, Violet24 has given you good advice:

*Jesus looks deep into your heart;
*Through prayer all things will fall into place;
*Sometimes it takes a while to find the right church.
*Keep your eyes on the Lord at all times & He will direct your steps.

It seems to me that God is already touching your heart. There's no such a thing as a perfect church and if you eventually move on to another church tell your Catholic brothers and sisters that you are serving the same God and the same Jesus. But have no hurry!

 

[Godgivesmestrength]

Thank you all so very much for your advice!!! I appreciate it and I know God thanks you for helping me. I will stay focused on the lord and speak to him about this. I know he will always lead me where I need to go. God bless you all!!!