I believe I've had what (self-described) "Born-again Christians" call a "born-again experience".
However, that isn't what I call it, because I think John 3 refers to baptism*. I call it "conversion of heart".
*There's an ambiguity in the Greek anyway; what people translate "born again" can just as easily be translated "born from above".
Why can't you just say yes or no?
How hard is that?
"...let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation." (James 5:12 KJV)
A. Have you found Jesus?
B. Are you "Born Again?"
Mt response to the first is "I didn't know He was lost?"
My answer to the second is that as a practicing Catholic, I've been in the Grace of God since my infant Baptism.
Campion: That's trickier.
No it's not. You probably forgot about this posting from a little over a year ago.
“Have you been born again?” the Fundamentalist at the door asks the unsuspecting Catholic. The question is usually a segue into a vast doctrinal campaign that leads many ill-instructed Catholics out of the Catholic Church. How? By making them think there is a conflict between the Bible and the Catholic Church over being “born again.”
To be honest, most Catholics probably do not understand the expression “born again.” Yes, they believe in Jesus. And yes, they try to live Christian lives. They probably have some vague awareness that Fundamentalists think being “born again” involves a religious experience or “accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior.” Many cradle Catholics, too, have had their moments of closeness to God, even of joy over God's love and mercy. They may even have had “conversion experiences” of sorts, committing themselves to take their faith seriously and to live more faithfully as disciples of Jesus. But the cradle Catholic probably cannot pinpoint any particular moment in his life when he dropped to his knees and “accepted Jesus” for the first time. As far back as he can recall, he has believed, trusted and loved Jesus as Savior and Lord. Does that prove he has never been “born again”?
Not “the Bible way,” says the Fundamentalist. But the Fundamentalist is wrong there. He misunderstands what the Bible says about being “born again.” Unfortunately, few Catholics understand the biblical use of the term, either. As a result, pastors, deacons, catechists, parents and others responsible for religious education have their work cut out for them. It would be helpful, then, to review the biblical — and Catholic — meaning of the term “born again.”