Considering adding a spiritual side to my life...

DOLEMAN

Hey,

I am considering going to my local Catholic church a few times a week so I can think about things and I guess say some prayers.

I don't believe in the Catholic thing (Mary being a virgin, Jesus being the son of God) but I do believe in the idea of a church where you can have some alone time contemplating things and can speak to God (I believe in God.)

Do you think this will have a positive impact on my life, or would I be just wasting my time? Do Catholics think it is wrong if a non-believer uses their church?

Sorry if these are weird questions...

Thanks.

Sapien

Why Catholicism? Why religion? Why not sit in a darkened room with some soft music playing? Why not read some Aristotle?

DOLEMAN

I guess because I went to a Catholic school I can relate more to spiritual things in a church environment. TBH I'm not totally sure. The idea of a Catholic church does appeal though.

...

Nevyn

IF God made everything and God is everywhere why do you need a church setting to sit and pray ?

UU

Well, I guess sometimes it can be hard to find somewhere totally peaceful and relaxing especially if you share a house with others, etc. You can go if you want, nobody would know or care for that matter really. My uncle doesn't believe in the whole Catholic thing but likes to meditate in his local Catholic parish as he finds the environment relaxing and nice and nobody has ever said anything to him about it.

For me, I like to do Buddhist meditation in my bedroom with a pair of earplugs!

Cantab.

DOLEMAN wrote:

Hey,

I am considering going to my local Catholic church a few times a week so I can think about things and I guess say some prayers.

I don't believe in the Catholic thing (Mary being a virgin, Jesus being the son of God) but I do believe in the idea of a church where you can have some alone time contemplating things and can speak to God (I believe in God.)

Do you think this will have a positive impact on my life, or would I be just wasting my time? Do Catholics think it is wrong if a non-believer uses their church?

Sorry if these are weird questions...

Thanks.

Well if this is what you truly belive, you should not be receiving Holy Communion.

Talk to your local priest if you are serious about Catholicism. There's no point in being dishonest with the Church by being dishonest in your thoughts and actions - there's little to gain from being a Catholic if you don't believe in fundamental Catholic teachings about Jesus and Mary.

BrianCalgary

DOLEMAN wrote:

Hey,

I am considering going to my local Catholic church a few times a week so I can think about things and I guess say some prayers.

I don't believe in the Catholic thing (Mary being a virgin, Jesus being the son of God) but I do believe in the idea of a church where you can have some alone time contemplating things and can speak to God (I believe in God.)

Do you think this will have a positive impact on my life, or would I be just wasting my time? Do Catholics think it is wrong if a non-believer uses their church?

Sorry if these are weird questions...

Thanks.

Not weird at all. Europe has that over us in western Canada, old churches with atmosphere that exude quiet reflection on the awesomeness of God.

Thaedydal is correct in God's omniprescence making a church in a sense redundant. God says to find a quiet place to pray where He and you know and can carry on your conversation.

I don't think any pastor or priest would be miffed if you showed up daily to sit and pray. He may even invite you for tea.

I agree with Cantab on the communion bit. To not receive is a sign of respect of your current situation and the place of the other communicants.

My advice would be to have a peek at some other denominations. Seek Christ, find out who He is. (He knew Himself to be God, we can not make Him any less). If you'd like PM me and I can try and put you into touch with some churches in your area. Heck if you where in Calgary I'd treat you to a pint at Limericks and chat about Jesus.

God Bless
Brian

Asiaprod

Cantab. wrote:

There's no point in being dishonest with the Church by being dishonest in your thoughts and actions - there's little to gain from being a Catholic if you don't believe in fundamental Catholic teachings about Jesus and Mary.

One of the most interesting statements I have yet seen

mountainyman

There is no problem using the Church building. It would be quite appropriate to go to mass, the only thing that would potentially be disrespectful would be to receive communion. In my opinion your readiness to receive communion is a matter between you and God after all before the host is consecrated the congregation say:

'Lord I am not worthy to receive you
But only say the word and I shall be healed'

Certainly you could pray anywhere but to some people churches feel hallowed by other prayers and they are quiet and still spaces.

I don't believe you are wasting your time, nor is it necessary that you believe all that is said by the Church in order that you should benefit from praying and should you wish attending mass.

MM

robindch

> Do you think this will have a positive impact on my life, or would I be just
> wasting my time?

Yes, I think you'd be wasting your time. As Sapien suggests, if you want to be on your own for a while, why not curl up with a good book (Plato, not Aristotle!), or crank up some good music, go own and watch the sun set, go for a walk, phone a friend you've not spoken to for a while, have a glass of good wine and read a poem (etc, etc) then come back and share your happiness and relaxation with somebody.

> Do Catholics think it is wrong if a non-believer uses their church?

I don't believe that they mind as long as you don't drop up for half-time refreshments. If you're in Dublin, I'd recommend Christchurch's 1100 service on Sunday mornings -- great music, comfortable seats and talkers who frequently concern themselves with the real world.

UU

If you're in Dublin, you could also try the Unitarian Church on Steven's Green. We allow anyone from any denomination to come along for our 11.00am service on Sunday. Or our lunchtime meditation service at 1.00pm on Wednesday. The one in Christchurch is lovely also. The crypt below is really amazing! The Buddhist centre in the Insicore area of Dublin is also nice. I went there once. It was different!

At the end of the day, do what suits you best for your spiritual wellbeing.

mountainyman

UU wrote:

Or our lunchtime meditation service at 1.00pm on Wednesday.

That's a good idea.

UU wrote:

At the end of the day, do what suits you best for your spiritual wellbeing.

The purpose of prayer is not to change God's mind but your own.

CathyMoran

Speaking as a liberal practicing Catholic I think that God is happy that you are using one of his places to think/pray/go to mass...I was very much a lapsed catholic for several years but I must admit that certain churches were wonderful places of contemplation for me. I do not think that God minds either about communion as long as you pray to God about it. I love going to St Theresa's just off Grafton street and lighting a few candles there, some of their masses are very moving and I have brought people there who were lapsed catholics but they still found the mass and the church very moving. The Jesuits are also a great place to start talking to if you do want to get more involved in the church again.

panda100

DOLEMAN wrote:

Do you think this will have a positive impact on my life, or would I be just wasting my time? Do Catholics think it is wrong if a non-believer uses their church?

I dont think you'd be wasting your time.If anything it will enrich you life. I am a bit like you.I dont really believe in the catholic church anymore or their teachings but I have a very deep spiritual side.

Last year I stopped going to mass completely and decided that I would do my own meditaions at home. However,I almost always ended up watching tv or getting diStracted bY something else.So know I make sure I go into a church at least once a week to get a bit of 'me' time.
Having time for yourself and by yourself to contemplate is something that everyone needs to do.I have tried doing this at home or sitting by a lake but the best place I find is going into a blessed sacrament chapel.Usually Il bring in some type of spirituality book with me to read and contemplate on.

Medina

Maybe this should be a new topic but the answers given to your question Doleman all imply the same thing, regardless of how you do it, (with religion or philosophy) take some 'me' time and try to do 'what suits you best'.

I am also a lapsed Catholic, and I would usually be of the same opinion as all the other posters on this thread but something just struck me as I was reading their answers.

I can understand your need to feel at peace with God, but aren't most of our attitudes here 'to do what suits you best' quite selfish?

You need God, and God has a law, so 'to do what suits you best' is a bit of a cop out I think..its playing by human rules..do what you like/need to do in other words...but shouldn't we be using the laws of religion to glorify God? Shouldn't all our spiritual sides be used not to make us feel better but to give thanks to our Creator? It is only by doing that , that we will attain what we need.

I think if you try to bring your life to God (not God into your life) you will get what you are looking for..spiritual peace and a closeness to God.

Davei141

Medina wrote:

Maybe this should be a new topic but the answers given to your question Doleman all imply the same thing, regardless of how you do it, (with religion or philosophy) take some 'me' time and try to do 'what suits you best'.

I am also a lapsed Catholic, and I would usually be of the same opinion as all the other posters on this thread but something just struck me as I was reading their answers.

I can understand your need to feel at peace with God, but aren't most of our attitudes here 'to do what suits you best' quite selfish?

You need God, and God has a law, so 'to do what suits you best' is a bit of a cop out I think..its playing by human rules..do what you like/need to do in other words...but shouldn't we be using the laws of religion to glorify God? Shouldn't all our spiritual sides be used not to make us feel better but to give thanks to our Creator? It is only by doing that , that we will attain what we need.

I think if you try to bring your life to God (not God into your life) you will get what you are looking for..spiritual peace and a closeness to God.

No more selfish than you looking to get into heaven, no?

Michael G

If Doleman is banned from this site presumably he or she can't read this. But yes of course he or she should go to the church and meditate or pray. It's not going to hurt Christ. If Dolman listens, Christ will show him (her?) where to go from there. But I strongly agree that Doleman (and everyone else) should not take the Blessed Sacrament unless they fully share in the faith of the Church.