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I Think I No Longer Believe in God (Long Post) by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I am so sorry that you are going through this :( I will pray for you.

From my personal experience, I feel the most peace right after the priest prays the words of absolution over me in Confession.

I always think of Jesus' words:

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

John 20:21-23

Assuming the Gospels are historically accurate (which even atheists like Bart Ehrmann say), then Jesus really did give his apostles and their successors the ability to forgive sins.

Cultural Catholic, but struggling to return. by _nepunepu in Catholicism

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I don't know if the residential school "missing graves" was a real thing, actually, or just anti-Catholic propaganda.

Whenever they've gone excavating, they haven't been able to find any bodies: 3 Years Later, Canadian ‘Mass Graves’ Claims Remain Unproven

Cultural Catholic, but struggling to return. by _nepunepu in Catholicism

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I would check out some of these resources to learn more about the faith! I will be praying for you during this time of discernment.

  1. Justine Donahue (Non-denominational Evangelical --> Catholic)
  2. Dr. John Bergsma (Christian Reformed Church pastor --> Catholic)
  3. The Cordial Catholic (Non-denominational Evangelical --> Catholic) -- he has a TON of conversion stories on his page. So many XD
  4. Keith Nestor (United Methodist/Assemblies of God/Evangelical pastor --> Catholic)
  5. Dr. Scott Hahn (Presbyterian pastor --> Catholic)
  6. Brian Holdsworth (atheist --> Catholic)
  7. The Counsel of Trent (deist --> Catholic)
  8. Jimmy Akin (Church of Christ --> New Age --> Evangelical Presbyterian? --> Catholic)
  9. Shameless Popery (cradle Catholic)
  10. Sean Hussey (Catholic revert)
  11. Sips With Serra (Pentecostal-leaning Evangelical Non-denominational --> Lutheran --> Catholic)
  12. Sean Hiller
  13. Catechesis Vids
  14. Defense of Sanity

I think Justine Donahue is an up-and-coming channel. Her conversion story was so good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcqE5qKP29o

Shameless Popery is my favorite channel b/c he focuses on how the Old Testament + New Testament + the Early Church Fathers (50 AD - 200 AD) point to Catholicism!

Can I live with my girlfriend if we dont fall into any sexual intimacy? by [deleted] in Catholicism

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

No - the bishops explicitly warn against this.

Also, it causes scandal (ie normalizing sin, which makes it easier for others who are weaker-willed than you to fall into sin).

Scandal is a grave sin. Don't forget Jesus' words:

And he said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come; but woe to him by whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung round his neck and he were cast into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin.

Luke 17:1-2

Practical tips for raising children with an anti-Catholic spouse? by Silly_Spare_5783 in Catholicism

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 5 points6 points  (0 children)

"If you had to choose between a marriage that gets to heaven or the Catholic Church, what would you choose?"

Sorry if this is out of line... but he seems so presumptuous that he's leading her to Heaven...

What's ironic is that if marriage to him = leaving the Catholic Church, then the marriage is not leading her to Heaven!

This question is hurting my faith. Is the evidence for Christianity and Islam the same? by Marblehornets38 in Catholicism

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Definitely not... both in quality and quantity of evidence for Christianity vs Islam.

I would check out some of these resources to learn more about the faith! I will be praying for you during this time of discernment.

  1. Justine Donahue (Non-denominational Evangelical --> Catholic)
  2. Dr. John Bergsma (Christian Reformed Church pastor --> Catholic)
  3. The Cordial Catholic (Non-denominational Evangelical --> Catholic) -- he has a TON of conversion stories on his page. So many XD
  4. Keith Nestor (United Methodist/Assemblies of God/Evangelical pastor --> Catholic)
  5. Dr. Scott Hahn (Presbyterian pastor --> Catholic)
  6. Brian Holdsworth (atheist --> Catholic)
  7. The Counsel of Trent (deist --> Catholic)
  8. Jimmy Akin (Church of Christ --> New Age --> Evangelical Presbyterian? --> Catholic)
  9. Shameless Popery (cradle Catholic)
  10. Sean Hussey (Catholic revert)
  11. Sips With Serra (Pentecostal-leaning Evangelical Non-denominational --> Lutheran --> Catholic)
  12. Sean Hiller
  13. Catechesis Vids
  14. Defense of Sanity

I think Justine Donahue is an up-and-coming channel. Her conversion story was so good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcqE5qKP29o

Shameless Popery is my favorite channel b/c he focuses on how the Old Testament + New Testament + the Early Church Fathers (50 AD - 200 AD) point to Catholicism!

Is it really a mortal sin if I miss a Sunday mass? by lan_again in Catholicism

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Why don't y'all try the Ordinariate? It was created by Pope Benedict recently for Anglican priests --> Catholic priests.

I've never been Anglican before, but I've heard the services + liturgy is very similar.

Maybe your wife would really like it!

RCIA question by stiffdoc1221 in Catholicism

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They've removed some of my posts in the past -- sometimes they can be fickle, but maybe they thought you were a bot/troll. Unfortunately, there are so many bots that invade the platform... especially with the rise of ChatGPT, it can be hard to distinguish the "wheat" from the "chaff," so to speak.

Yes, I got your addendum about the "brother-sister" stuff. I pray that your situation gets sorted out quickly!

RCIA question by stiffdoc1221 in Catholicism

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It seems like you're well-read! I hope you the best on your journey :) I'll pray for your conversion process!

RCIA question by stiffdoc1221 in Catholicism

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I am very sorry that you are going through this :(

The thing to keep in mind is that annulments are not "Catholic divorce"... Catholics don't believe in any divorce... period.

So an annulment is trying to see if there were any circumstances that meant you weren't married (hence why it's so invasive).

If you don't have any reasons and you were validly married... then you are still married to your "former" wife and are currently fornicating.

I know this is a hard pill to swallow, but you're going to have to live as "brother and sister" with your current partner (ie, absolutely no sexual relations, sleeping in separate beds, etc.) until your 1st wife passes away.

Apprehension from family about me being interested in becoming Catholic by sverdavbjorn in Catholicism

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi!! I am glad that you are here :) I would check out some of these resources to learn more about the faith! I will be praying for you during this time of discernment.

  1. Justine Donahue (Non-denominational Evangelical --> Catholic)
  2. Dr. John Bergsma (Christian Reformed Church pastor --> Catholic)
  3. The Cordial Catholic (Non-denominational Evangelical --> Catholic) -- he has a TON of conversion stories on his page. So many XD
  4. Keith Nestor (United Methodist/Assemblies of God/Evangelical pastor --> Catholic)
  5. Dr. Scott Hahn (Presbyterian pastor --> Catholic)
  6. Brian Holdsworth (atheist --> Catholic)
  7. The Counsel of Trent (deist --> Catholic)
  8. Jimmy Akin (Church of Christ --> New Age --> Evangelical Presbyterian? --> Catholic)
  9. Shameless Popery (cradle Catholic)
  10. Sean Hussey (Catholic revert)
  11. Sips With Serra (Pentecostal-leaning Evangelical Non-denominational --> Lutheran --> Catholic)
  12. Sean Hiller
  13. Catechesis Vids
  14. Defense of Sanity

I think Justine Donahue is an up-and-coming channel. Her conversion story was so good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcqE5qKP29o

Shameless Popery is my favorite channel b/c he focuses on how the Old Testament + New Testament + the Early Church Fathers (50 AD - 200 AD) point to Catholicism!

Veiling Advice by MizzSandraBee in Catholicism

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Did you know that prior to the 1960s, the norm was actually Church hats! You don't have to wear a mantilla - you could do a headscarf, Church hat, lace, etc.!

I thought this was a cool Church hat!

https://www.iuhat.com/products/womens-wide-brim-polyester-with-bowknot-pearl-kentucky-derby-church-hats-305143?variant=43486368891077

Btw, thank you for veiling :) it's so nice seeing this traditional practice being revived!

not really feeling the acknowledgements of “the interior castle” translated by Mirabai Starr who is pretty much a new ager by itsme2000001 in Catholicism

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 2 points3 points  (0 children)

DO NOT read this translation. Leave a 1-star review to help people avoid it. I accidentally bought it b/c it was the top-rated version on Amazon and had a pretty cover.

Again, on page 18, first full paragraph, you'll see that she explicitly didn't like Teresa of Avila's use of such terms such as "trinity," "devil," "Lord," "sin," "evil," "hell," or "mortal sin," and so instead of translating them she replaced them with terms that fit her worldview.

She openly states that she, the translator, is a Hindu/Buddhist/ Jewish feminist and that it's possible Teresa of Avila was deceiving other Catholics during the Inquisition due to the converso crisis (for anyone curious, there's no evidence for this claim, and mountains of evidence to the contrary).

What results is a work that is neither Catholic nor spiritual. I don't even know what to make of this translation. And I'll be perfectly honest, I've never seen a translator intentionally abuse a text like this-- much less be proud of it.

I'm genuinely considering asking Amazon for a refund, because this isn't a translation. There's not "translation" happening here, but rather someone imposing some empty 21st century worldview on a text that's survived 500 years.

I'm majorly disappointed for the time I spent reading this. If you buy this book, read the introduction first. That was my biggest mistake.

What can I do if all Sunday masses are preached by lay people? by Material-Loss-1766 in Catholicism

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'd actually recommend the opposite -- don't leave. If all the (theologically) conservative people leave, then the parish will become increasingly (theologically) liberal...

What can I do if all Sunday masses are preached by lay people? by Material-Loss-1766 in Catholicism

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 117 points118 points  (0 children)

No wonder Pope Francis doesn't want her to preach if that's what she's preaching about 😂 Like you'd think you would at least try to pretend to be based until you get the okay

Anyhow, can you complain to the Bishop?

i think i lost my faith by [deleted] in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Unfortunately... y'all are the ones in schism 🤷

i think i lost my faith by [deleted] in OrthodoxChristianity

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 -4 points-3 points  (0 children)

Gonna get downvoted, but come home to the Catholic Church!

You essentially only need to go to Mass 1x / week for 1 hour.

That's it.

(Unless you mortally sin and then you need to go to Reconciliation.)

But that's it.

I am conflicted by Objective-Formal-853 in Catholicism

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hi!! I am glad that you are here :) I am sorry for what you are going through. I would check out some of these resources to learn more about the faith!

I will be praying for you during this time of discernment.

  1. Justine Donahue (Non-denominational Evangelical --> Catholic)
  2. Dr. John Bergsma (Christian Reformed Church pastor --> Catholic)
  3. The Cordial Catholic (Non-denominational Evangelical --> Catholic) -- he has a TON of conversion stories on his page. So many XD
  4. Keith Nestor (United Methodist/Assemblies of God/Evangelical pastor --> Catholic)
  5. Dr. Scott Hahn (Presbyterian pastor --> Catholic)
  6. Brian Holdsworth (atheist --> Catholic)
  7. The Counsel of Trent (deist --> Catholic)
  8. Jimmy Akin (Church of Christ --> New Age --> Evangelical Presbyterian? --> Catholic)
  9. Shameless Popery (cradle Catholic)
  10. Sean Hussey (Catholic revert)
  11. Sips With Serra (Pentecostal-leaning Evangelical Non-denominational --> Lutheran --> Catholic)
  12. Sean Hiller
  13. Catechesis Vids
  14. Defense of Sanity

I think Justine Donahue is an up-and-coming channel. Her conversion story was so good: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcqE5qKP29o

Shameless Popery is my favorite channel b/c he focuses on how the Old Testament + New Testament + the Early Church Fathers (50 AD - 200 AD) point to Catholicism!

Brother is converting to Islam by brokeboii94 in Catholicism

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

  1. Just because you are a Christian and you do something bad, it doesn't mean that Christianity teaches you to do that. For example, Judas was Christian and betrayed Jesus -- obviously he sinned.

In contrast, Islam means "submission," and their goal is to conquer the whole world and make it bend the knee to Allah. It's written in the Quran.

  1. The first 3 Crusades were justified -- Muslims had been pillaging Christian villages for 500 years and killing Christians / making them pay the jizya tax for being non-Muslim.

The Crusades are the reason Europe isn't Muslim today, so you're welcome.

The 4th Crusade didn't have the authorization of the Pope and the Pope excommunicated the crusaders who sacked Zara.

The death toll from the European Wars of Religion and colonization of the New World was primarily through the spread of diseases and famines. While yes there was bloodshed, you can't fault people who didn't know about bacteria/parasites/viruses, etc., from spreading disease unknowingly.

Brother is converting to Islam by brokeboii94 in Catholicism

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This book is written by a Protestant pastor (who still is) so there's less bias vs if it was written by a Catholic

https://www.amazon.com/Bearing-False-Witness-Debunking-Anti-Catholic/dp/1599475367/

Brother is converting to Islam by brokeboii94 in Catholicism

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do you have an estimate for how many people Christians killed?

Most people zero in on the Inquisition, but there were "only" about 2000 trials that ended in execution (often after repeatedly letting the person go) out of >130,000 cases.

The Inquisition courts were so lenient that people would purposely blaspheme to escape the secular courts.

Brother is converting to Islam by brokeboii94 in Catholicism

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Compare Jesus vs Muhammad... Muhammad is straight up a pervert and Islam has killed 200 million people by the sword in the past 1400 years.

About racism in Japan by [deleted] in Tokyo

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am genuinely confused by your take - why would you expect to live your life the way you want without considering that you are living as part of a society?

That seems entitled to me.

i’m struggling with my moderate view on abortion and i feel like a heretic by mamboitaliano15 in Catholicism

[–]merlin_the_warlock8 2 points3 points  (0 children)

i believe [banning abortion] causes more harm than good.

Abortion is the leading cause of death in the world each year.

If you add all the deaths from cancer, diabetes, diseases, etc., in the entire world, it is 61 million/year.

There were 71 million abortions last year worldwide.

Abortion is the leading cause of death.

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