Christian OR Catholic?

[kittysandy]

Dear Cotters,
I am currently really confuse and do not know what to do.. I am currently a free thinker but I would love to go into a new faith.... I have been exposed to Christianity many many many years back, but at this point in time, i do not know which religon to choose and what is the difference between the two?
I would also like to know where are the churches that I can attend? I would appreciate if you cotters could recommend churches in the thomson area.
Your advise and recommendation is greatly appreciated

P.S: Please PM me.. Thanks!

[alba]

It's great to see that you are checking up before committing.

Take your time and pick the one that resonates a note in your heart.

Don't let anyone pressurize you into picking one out of blind faith.

All the best.

[kittysandy]

Thanks Alba, do you attend church?

[snowrunner]

Dear Cotters,
I am currently really confuse and do not know what to do.. I am currently a free thinker but I would love to go into a new faith.... I have been exposed to Christianity many many many years back, but at this point in time, i do not know which religon to choose and what is the difference between the two?
I would also like to know where are the churches that I can attend? I would appreciate if you cotters could recommend churches in the thomson area.
Your advise and recommendation is greatly appreciated

Sweetie, I think you'd better go hit the books more. Faith should be accompanied by understanding - if you don't understand it, then you shouldn't take it. Asking around on a fashion forum isn't enough.

[alba]

Thanks Alba, do you attend church?

Hi kittysandy,

I don't attend church. I did my fair share of shopping around afew religions before committing to one.

My teacher taught me to always question and experience religion instead of taking it blindly.
That suits and works very well for me.

Just take your time.

[Glossie]

I was shown this link when I expressed curiosity about Catholicism around Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ. Everything will seem new since you're not already a Catholic but I suppose you get an idea of what the faith's about:

http://www.americancatholic.org/News.../CU/ac0704.asp

[kittysandy]

Glossie Dear,
Many thanks to the recommendation of the website. I will go look into the website. I'm sure it would be very informative.
By the way, cathoics have extra books that they look into other then the bibile... what are the extra books??? Can you tell me?

[snowrunner]

I was shown this link when I expressed curiosity about Catholicism around Mel Gibson's Passion of the Christ. Everything will seem new since you're not already a Catholic but I suppose you get an idea of what the faith's about:

http://www.americancatholic.org/News.../CU/ac0704.asp

Passion of the Christ is a terrible way to introduce anyone to the faith -it's propaganda, and is anti-semitic to boot.. Mel Gibson is also a pre-Vatican II Catholic, which means that he belongs to the segment of the Christian faith that believes the Jews should be blamed for the death of Christ.

[Glossie]

I had no idea. Pardon my ignorance.

[kittysandy]

Thank you all you cotters for your advise and recommendations. Do feel free to provide me with more information... Many many thanks

[PrettyPanda]

I am currently a free thinker but I would love to go into a new faith.

Firstly you have to ask youself why you want to adopt a religion now. Are currently having problems? IMO the decision to have a religion should not come out of the blue, it's not an issue to be taken lightly.

None of us here can tell you which one should you choose. Seems to me that you are not yet familiar with either (and other religions if you are considering them too). Try to join their youth club, take an intro class (if available), or talk to their priests/pastors. If you have trusted friends in each religion (the ones that won't hardsell to you), ask them to bring you to join the mass. Then follow your heart.

[snowrunner]

I agree with Pretty Panda. Why do you feel the urge to join a religion?

I'm asking because I've seen a lot of young people who convert because they want to "belong" to a social group - they're not even very knowledgable about the faith, they just want to do it because many of their friends are doing it.

Take your time, and look up all the religions. And ask yourself why you feel the need to join any one faith.

[makeupmag]

Could I just add - Catholics are Christians because they believe in Christ. I think you mean 'Protestants or Catholics'?

[poochi]

kittysandy, there's great advice on this thread!

Perhaps I should share a little bit. I wasn't actively looking for a religion 3 years ago when I became Buddhist. It has given me a lot of spiritual solace these couple of years.

Prior to that I read up on other religions as well. Surprisingly, the library is actually a very good start for finding out more about a religion. There are many Christian scholars who have written many good books. I'm sure the cotters here have good recommendations! Some of my friends like CS Lewis.

Churches (like temples) also give out free literature which will introduce you to their faith.

Hope this helps!

[fornight]

My teacher taught me to always question and experience religion instead of taking it blindly.
That suits and works very well for me.

can you question the religion? I thought in Christianity, you can only believe in God's words.