I'm joining the Catholic Church next month. Advice/Books/Etc.?

[Ultra Sonic 007]

Hello fellow Freepers. I believe this is my first post on the Religion forum.

Over the past week or so, I put some thought into something I've been pondering for a while; my spiritual welfare. As it was, I had been part of the 'Sola Scriptua' school of thought (Evangelical Christian). By the Bible and only the Bible. Sounded good enough.

Well...what about before the Bible was put into word? It stuck in my head when reading an article earlier on FR concerning a deconstruction of Sola Scriptura and its inherent weaknesses as a foundation for one's faith.

This, combined with a genuine lack of churchgoing (as a family, we've been uncertain about going to various churches, given that top-down problems with Episcopal/Methodist/etc. churches and their increasing liberalization are a genuine problem for one's spiritual welfare), compelled me to make a decision.

I don't know if my family will follow me, persay, but I'm going to go ahead and take the plunge.

Next month, I'm going to the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle near my home, and I'm joining the Roman Catholic Church.

As is, I have a few volumes of the Magnificat pamphlet and the Catechism of the Catholic Church to read.

Any other pointers from other Catholic Freepers?

[papertyger]

Iffy. I am not certain grunthor would claim to be holding the flesh and blood in his hands. Perhaps, if he is lurking, we may have an answer. On the other hand: John 1: [1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

So you are saying the Bible is God, too. What more proof is needed?

[annalex]

Here's my library of conversions stories. It is also on my profile page, among other stuff, mostly of interest to Catholics.

Anti-Catholicism, Hypocrisy and Double Standards
Hauled Aboard the Ark
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part I: Darkness
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part II: Doubts
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part III: Tradition and Church
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part IV: Crucifix and Altar
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part V: The Catholics and the Pope
Why I Returned to the Catholic Church. Part VI: The Biblical Reality
His Open Arms Welcomed Me
Catholic Conversion Stories & Resources
My Personal Conversion Story
My (Imminent) Reception into the Roman Catholic Church
Catholics Come Home
My Journey of Faith
LOGIC AND THE FOUNDATIONS OF PROTESTANTISM
"What is Truth?" An Examination of Sola Scriptura
"Have you not read?" The Authority behind Biblical Interpretation
The Crisis of Authority in the Reformation
Our Journey Home
Our Lady’s Gentle Call to Peace
A story of conversion at the Lamb of God Shrine
Who is Mary of Nazareth?
Mary and the Problem of Christian Unity
Why I'm Catholic
A Convert's Response to Friends
My Story
Courage to Be Catholic
Finally Catholic! My Conversion to the Catholic Church
Southern Baptist Pastor Leaves Everything for the Eucharist
The Short Version (the Way International convert)
Shower of Roses-- An Independent, Fundamental Baptist Becomes Catholic Through Mary's Intecession
Confessions of a Catholic Convert
Alex Jones: the evangelical who became a Catholic deacon
A TRIUMPH AND A TRAGEDY
Women's Ordination Was Non-Negotiable
Catholic Mariology, Authority, and Various Other Qualms of Protestants Considering Conversion

Also see:
Sheep That Go Astray
Pope Benedict Goes to Washington Ecumenical Meeting at St. Joseph's Church, New York
Orthodox and Catholic Churches are allies, (Orthodox) Bishop Hilarion says
How to become a Catholic

[1000 silverlings]

Gosh, I was only asking for a scriptural reference, if you can’t provide one, just say so.

[ImaGraftedBranch]

I am Ultra’s father. I am amazed at the accusations against the kindest human being you’ve ever met.

My entire family has been praying for him to join the Church. Prayers are answered, and out come the wolves in sheep’s clothing.

Simply amazing.

[Running On Empty]

Yes, it is indeed amazing.

And very revealing.

May you, your family and your son be blessed in every way.

Pax Christi

ROE

[Mad Dawg]

Oh, I'd certainly agree that we've crossed into the pathological. I'm not disagreeing with that, I'm advocating my own pet diagnosis, that of a personality disorder.

I'm looking at the "dynamics" of the exchanges, whereas I think that OCD would sort of be more a game the sufferer can play by himself. Also I think OCD may have a genetic or neuro-chemical basis (and responds to meds), while I think Personality disorder are, in essence, learned behaviors arising out of persistent trauma in early development but continuing for a while I(and do not respond to meds).

OCD is about, well, obsessions (I think), and dealing with anxiety by doing some behavior. Personality disorders are about control (IMHO) and about dealing with anxiety by making other people behave in particular ways ways which share having people's reaction controlled by the sufferer. Any strong reaction is a "success" as long as it's directed toward the PD sufferer.

An OC person gets his comfort or "ease" from the behavior. As a gross generalization, a PD sufferer gets his comfort from the anger and feeling of being ripped off and so forth in others. OCD people are surrounded by people who are irritated, distressed, concerned, or fed up. PD people are surrounded by people who are angry.

GROSS generalizations, of course.

[Mad Dawg]

Cyprian of Carthage:

Quia salus extra ecclesiam non est.

[Marysecretary]

I do it after...LOL.

[ImaGraftedBranch]

I’ll say this, son. If this thread is any indication, somebody does NOT want you to join the Church. That’s about the best reason for doing it that I can think of!

[Marysecretary]

None of us get it right most of the time. I appreciate you, mom. I want you to know that.

[Marysecretary]

Amen.

[fetal heart beats by 21st day]

It is amazing, and foul, but to be expected.

I had hoped there would be more self-restraint, but...

Congratulations to you! God has graced your son, and will walk with Him.

Ultra has already had a taste of how much the evil one hates Catholics.

Why?

Because we have the very good fortune of being His brothers and sisters, of being members of His Church, and of being priviliged to receive Him in the Holy Eucharist, and to be privileged to receive His sanctifying graces.

Not even the angels can do that.

I highly recommend you both read about the life of Saint John Marie Vianney. The fury of Satan was greatest just before a soul returned or came to God via His church.
Tan Books is one supplier of it.

Pax Christi.

[annie laurie]

Ultra, the information that you just posted re: the ‘duplicate accounts’ could easily be researched by anyone who honestly wishes to know the truth. Kudos to you for standing up for yourself, however! :)

As for the rest, the first thread is indeed in News/Activism (just as you said), and your explanations regarding the other two are very plausible as far as I’m concerned.

Now, having said all that: you’re a Freeper of six years standing, and IMO, you don’t need to justify yourself to anyone ;-)

Best wishes to you from a non-Catholic, ‘mere Christian’ :)

P.S. “You’re the one who seems to be making a mountain out of a dustbunny” gets my vote for funniest line of the week! :)

[Grunthor]

On the other hand:

John 1:
[1] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

---

Hard to argue with the Word of God now, ain’t it?

[spudbelly]

DON’T DO IT!!!!!!!

[Iscool]

I do it after...LOL.

SSSHHHHHHHH... ;)

[Dr. Eckleburg]

you guys are not winning without us.

You're welcome to join the ranks of Bible-beleiving Christians who most certainly will win without the "vain jangling" of fables and the doctrines of men.

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." -- Philippeans 3:13-14

`

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Once upon a time, people bowed to their social superiors (in Japan, they still do). Nobody EVER confused that with worship. So stop pushing what you now know is a false idea.

I can understand that. What I can't understand is Judith Anne saying she "bows to only Christ" when she is a Catholic. Do you know any Catholic who doesn't bow to Mary or to a saint or two?

Do you bow to Mary?

You see it appears to many Protestants that Catholics contradict themselves -- they say they bow to Christ alone, and yet they still bow to Mary and the saints.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

Regardless of the reasons, it's against the rules of FR to have two open accounts. You need to delete one of them.

I'm just a 20-year-old who wanted some advice on good books or good websites to read as someone about to enter the Catholic Church.

Read "Institutes of the Christian Religion" by John Calvin.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

You post my quote, and then invoke Satan and his actions. I'm really disappointed in you.

If that kind of pathetic slander is all you have as rebuttal, you have zero.

But this is what we've come to realize makes up the bulk of the Catholic apologist's defense of their faith -- when faced with an obvious error on their part, they simply blame the other guy.