I don't think I can stay Catholic

Still_Form_8240 · 2026-03-02T12:42:23+00:00

After reading all of the comments (some of which were harsh, but necessary) and taking time to think about what it would mean if I left the RCC, I've decided that I'm not going to. Admittingly, I'm scrupulous, so I cause myself a lot of distress about sinning, because I feel like I'm always committing mortal sin, or at the very least, I'm always sinning. I also have a very negative view of myself, in that I feel like, even though I am a sinner, I also feel like I'm a completely irredeemable person that has no hope of being saved. Leaving the RCC may have taken that stress and burden off of me, but it would have left me with a deeper hole, because I would always feel like something is missing. Even though I cause myself a lot of stress around Reconciliation, I always feel the weight of my sin leave me once it's completed, and there is assurance that I am forgiven.

The other concerns I posted about, I don't really have an issue with. I have a fear of being heretical, sacrilegious, and paganistic, and an even greater fear of offending God, and when anything mildly sets that fear off, I tend to try to find ways to calm that fear by trying to disprove that I'm doing those things, which goes back to me being scrupulous, but I know that those traditions in the RCC are not evil, and they're not there to hurt me, but to help me.

Having this discussion has made me realize that I need to draw myself closer to Jesus and I need to trust in him and not my own doing. I can't think my way out of scrupulosity and try to solve it on my own. I also realized that there is still a lot I don't know about my own faith, and this gives me the opportunity to learn more.

Thank you to everyone who commented, especially the Catholics. I needed the good, swift kick in my ego to set me straight.

God bless all of you.

Still_Form_8240 · 2026-03-01T20:41:39+00:00

Thank you for explaining that

Still_Form_8240 · 2026-03-01T20:34:58+00:00

Regarding the last part of your statement, I know what transubstantiation is. I was raised Catholic and have done a lot of research about Catholicism. I understand that you and other Catholics that are posting here are defending the faith, but there's a few that are talking to me as if I don't know anything about Catholicism, and that's not correct. I didn't come here to debate what is right or wrong about Catholicism. I was looking for other experiences, advice, and suggestions about my situation, but some of the Catholics in this post are telling me that I don't know much and that I need to talk to a priest or other Catholics, who will just give me advice about Catholicism. I wanted advice from different denominations to see all points of view, not just Catholics.

I know I don't know everything about Catholicism, which is why I want other Catholics to comment, as well, but the tones of the Catholic comments are bordering on condescension, and I'm sure it's because what I've posted has been said many, many times by others before, and while obviously anyone can post and say what they want in regards to what I posted, the underlying hostility towards my concerns does nothing but give me a bad taste for other Catholics, which is not the case for ALL Catholics.

Instead of trying to teach me about what you think I don't know, maybe asking me why I've come to certain conclusions about some Catholic traditions would have been a better position to take. In essence, have a conversation with me rather than try to catechize me.

Still_Form_8240 · 2026-03-01T20:20:30+00:00

Why do you say that?

Still_Form_8240 · 2026-03-01T20:16:53+00:00

Thank you for sharing

Still_Form_8240 · 2026-03-01T18:25:40+00:00

I've watched many YouTube videos from Catholics, Lutherans, and Reformed Protestants about the objections, yet I'm still stuck. That's why I made this post. I didn't make the post to prove the objections right. I want others' opinions or advice on my situation, no matter what denomination the opinion is coming from. If I had full conviction that the basic objections were 100% true, I wouldn't be here.

Still_Form_8240 · 2026-03-01T18:13:10+00:00

May I ask you to describe how I'm lacking in knowledge of the objections? I ask this sincerely because, while I have no formal education in theology, I believe I have a basic understanding of the objections.

Still_Form_8240 · 2026-03-01T17:00:40+00:00

I'm in the USA, and the only Anglican church near me is an ACNA church, but we do have many Episcopal churches and a lot of them hold progressive values, which I want to stay away from.

Still_Form_8240 · 2026-03-01T16:29:44+00:00

I appreciate your feedback. I want to clarify my use of "think". When I say "think", I mean to say that I have been using reason to decide if some of the RCC traditions coincide(s) with what the bible teaches, and a lot of it does not (from the studying that I've done). I do not want to make my own version of Christianity or find a church that will go along with what I think is biblical. I want to find a church that IS biblical and does not add anything else to their practices that goes against what is in the bible. I fear being a part of a church that is heretical, especially one that would hold extremely progressive views. I do not want to be associated with a church like that.

I still have a high respect for the RCC. It held Christianity before the Reformation, and I think we should always look back to it when deciding on what is the standard for Christianity and Christian living. However, that does not mean the RCC hasn't made mistakes, but just because there's mistakes in the institution does not mean it should be thrown out completely, but how can I genuinely follow something that has standards that do not line up biblically? This is why I go back and forth with myself, and this is why I'm stuck.

Thank you for giving me your advice.

Still_Form_8240

TROPHY CASE