Comments on: How I researched my way into Christianity http://www.conversiondiary.com/2009/12/how-i-researched-my-way-into-christianity-2.html Sun, 12 Feb 2012 04:43:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: 'Becca http://www.conversiondiary.com/2009/12/how-i-researched-my-way-into-christianity-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-18072 'Becca Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:40:33 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2009/12/how-i-researched-my-way-into-christianity-2.html#comment-18072 This whole post, but especially this sentence<br /><br /><i>What I realized, however, was that this religion does not claim that merely saying the words "I am a Christian" conjures up some magic spell that automatically makes someone an angel.</i><br /><br />gives me the impression that when you say "Christianity" or "this religion" you must mean Catholicism or "the subset of Christian denominations that I thought worthy of serious consideration" because, living in Texas, you must be aware of the many sects that believe people are saved by saying magic words and that their subsequent behavior has nothing to do with it! I was surrounded by that belief growing up in Oklahoma, and it was a big stumbling block for me as I approached the point of being able to say, "I am a Christian." 21 years after joining the Episcopal Church, I still find myself tempted to follow that statement with disclaimers: "I am a Christian, but not that magic words kind that think they're so saved they can be nasty to everyone."<br /><br />Did you really find it immediately clear that the belief in salvation through magic words is not a tenet of TRUE Christianity, or did you have some struggle with that which you've left out of this concise story? This whole post, but especially this sentence

What I realized, however, was that this religion does not claim that merely saying the words "I am a Christian" conjures up some magic spell that automatically makes someone an angel.

gives me the impression that when you say "Christianity" or "this religion" you must mean Catholicism or "the subset of Christian denominations that I thought worthy of serious consideration" because, living in Texas, you must be aware of the many sects that believe people are saved by saying magic words and that their subsequent behavior has nothing to do with it! I was surrounded by that belief growing up in Oklahoma, and it was a big stumbling block for me as I approached the point of being able to say, "I am a Christian." 21 years after joining the Episcopal Church, I still find myself tempted to follow that statement with disclaimers: "I am a Christian, but not that magic words kind that think they're so saved they can be nasty to everyone."

Did you really find it immediately clear that the belief in salvation through magic words is not a tenet of TRUE Christianity, or did you have some struggle with that which you've left out of this concise story?

]]> By: Genny http://www.conversiondiary.com/2009/12/how-i-researched-my-way-into-christianity-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-18017 Genny Thu, 10 Dec 2009 20:07:46 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2009/12/how-i-researched-my-way-into-christianity-2.html#comment-18017 Jennifer, <br />I love how you say God is not something you prove, but Someone you come to know. That has been so true for me. <br />Best,<br />Genny Jennifer,
I love how you say God is not something you prove, but Someone you come to know. That has been so true for me.
Best,
Genny

]]> By: Jason http://www.conversiondiary.com/2009/12/how-i-researched-my-way-into-christianity-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-18011 Jason Thu, 10 Dec 2009 04:02:38 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2009/12/how-i-researched-my-way-into-christianity-2.html#comment-18011 How did I miss this the first time you posted it? Because this is right in my kitchen. Love it. This is great to share with people who think that becoming a Christian means a shaft of light comes through the stained glass window and hits you in the face, making you want to hug everybody and cry all the time. It doesn't help that, too often, Christians themselves promote the idea that Christianity is a purely emotional state. But all good things come from God, including reason. How did I miss this the first time you posted it? Because this is right in my kitchen. Love it. This is great to share with people who think that becoming a Christian means a shaft of light comes through the stained glass window and hits you in the face, making you want to hug everybody and cry all the time. It doesn't help that, too often, Christians themselves promote the idea that Christianity is a purely emotional state. But all good things come from God, including reason.

]]> By: Michelle aka Catholic Lady http://www.conversiondiary.com/2009/12/how-i-researched-my-way-into-christianity-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-18009 Michelle aka Catholic Lady Wed, 09 Dec 2009 21:23:21 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2009/12/how-i-researched-my-way-into-christianity-2.html#comment-18009 Hi. I am new to your blog. I have seen that the authors of several blogs that I follow, follow you!<br /><br />I am completely mesmerized by your blog!<br /><br />I, myself, am a "Cradle Catholic". I fell away for a bit in my young adult life, but came roaring back when we had our first child baptized.<br /><br />I have SO much to read on this blog and I LOVE your style and LOVE your story.<br /><br />God has blessed you! Hi. I am new to your blog. I have seen that the authors of several blogs that I follow, follow you!

I am completely mesmerized by your blog!

I, myself, am a "Cradle Catholic". I fell away for a bit in my young adult life, but came roaring back when we had our first child baptized.

I have SO much to read on this blog and I LOVE your style and LOVE your story.

God has blessed you!

]]> By: Rebecca http://www.conversiondiary.com/2009/12/how-i-researched-my-way-into-christianity-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-17992 Rebecca Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:04:53 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2009/12/how-i-researched-my-way-into-christianity-2.html#comment-17992 Your last paragraph is perfect - and one I will pray on this evening. Thank-you for this post. Your last paragraph is perfect – and one I will pray on this evening. Thank-you for this post.

]]> By: Nick http://www.conversiondiary.com/2009/12/how-i-researched-my-way-into-christianity-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-17985 Nick Tue, 08 Dec 2009 23:07:38 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2009/12/how-i-researched-my-way-into-christianity-2.html#comment-17985 I am sure the Immaculate Conception had a role in your conversion ;) I am sure the Immaculate Conception had a role in your conversion ;)

]]> By: in response to Meredith http://www.conversiondiary.com/2009/12/how-i-researched-my-way-into-christianity-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-17976 in response to Meredith Tue, 08 Dec 2009 03:00:27 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2009/12/how-i-researched-my-way-into-christianity-2.html#comment-17976 Meredith-- I am not sure if this is the "answer" you are looking for, but here goes nothing.<br />I think that when we think of God as coming to meet US, rather that our making our way toward HIM, everything changes. The pressure is off. We become free to go to Mass, expecting to encounter God (rather than out of some social expectation to do so, or a variety of other reasons).<br />You mentioned that you had an answer to prayer that prompted you to reconsider your views. This is another way to view God has having "come to you." In the Christian faith, this is what we believe: we believe that the grace to see God is always available, we just need his help in recognizing it sometimes.<br />Peace. Meredith– I am not sure if this is the "answer" you are looking for, but here goes nothing.
I think that when we think of God as coming to meet US, rather that our making our way toward HIM, everything changes. The pressure is off. We become free to go to Mass, expecting to encounter God (rather than out of some social expectation to do so, or a variety of other reasons).
You mentioned that you had an answer to prayer that prompted you to reconsider your views. This is another way to view God has having "come to you." In the Christian faith, this is what we believe: we believe that the grace to see God is always available, we just need his help in recognizing it sometimes.
Peace.

]]> By: Barbara C. http://www.conversiondiary.com/2009/12/how-i-researched-my-way-into-christianity-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-17975 Barbara C. Tue, 08 Dec 2009 01:12:55 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2009/12/how-i-researched-my-way-into-christianity-2.html#comment-17975 Another great post, Jen!!<br /><br />Meredith, part of what Jen is talking about is following all the teachings of the Church, especially the ones that seem really hard (like confession, throwing out artificial birth control). Those are things that seem like they should bring more strife and worry but they bring more peace. Some of it is about moving beyond rules and into a real relationship with God, understanding God as your parent (having kids yourself can really help you understand God in this way). And don't worry about "going through the motions" right now. Sometimes we all have to "fake it 'til we make it". And once you're able to feel God's love through the sacraments it will make it easier to love him back.<br /><br />2nd Anonymous, if a Catholic is going to confession and feeling God's love through the sacrament then they most certainly have repented their sins and continue to repent.<br /><br />3rd Anonymous, what Jen is saying is that in no other religion did the founder claim to be God incarnate. None of the Jewish Patriarchs ever claimed to be God, while Jesus did. Another great post, Jen!!

Meredith, part of what Jen is talking about is following all the teachings of the Church, especially the ones that seem really hard (like confession, throwing out artificial birth control). Those are things that seem like they should bring more strife and worry but they bring more peace. Some of it is about moving beyond rules and into a real relationship with God, understanding God as your parent (having kids yourself can really help you understand God in this way). And don't worry about "going through the motions" right now. Sometimes we all have to "fake it 'til we make it". And once you're able to feel God's love through the sacraments it will make it easier to love him back.

2nd Anonymous, if a Catholic is going to confession and feeling God's love through the sacrament then they most certainly have repented their sins and continue to repent.

3rd Anonymous, what Jen is saying is that in no other religion did the founder claim to be God incarnate. None of the Jewish Patriarchs ever claimed to be God, while Jesus did.

]]> By: Arkanabar T'verrick Ilarsadin http://www.conversiondiary.com/2009/12/how-i-researched-my-way-into-christianity-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-17974 Arkanabar T'verrick Ilarsadin Tue, 08 Dec 2009 00:23:55 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2009/12/how-i-researched-my-way-into-christianity-2.html#comment-17974 @Anonymous; <br /><br />Judaism's original leaders were Moses, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (aka Israel) more than any others. Those are the men that Jews typically hold up as exemplars. None of them claimed to be God. Christians follow and emulate Jesus, did. @Anonymous;

Judaism's original leaders were Moses, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (aka Israel) more than any others. Those are the men that Jews typically hold up as exemplars. None of them claimed to be God. Christians follow and emulate Jesus, did.

]]> By: Molly http://www.conversiondiary.com/2009/12/how-i-researched-my-way-into-christianity-2.html/comment-page-1#comment-17973 Molly Mon, 07 Dec 2009 21:02:05 +0000 http://gator1217.hostgator.com/~fulwiler/2009/12/how-i-researched-my-way-into-christianity-2.html#comment-17973 I'm in the same path right now... I started "researching" Catholicism because my husband and his family are Catholics and I wanted to understand, even though they don' expect me to convert. But the longer I study (on my own, no one is "teaching" me at the moment) the more I am drawn to it. It is an interesting path to be on. I'm in the same path right now… I started "researching" Catholicism because my husband and his family are Catholics and I wanted to understand, even though they don' expect me to convert. But the longer I study (on my own, no one is "teaching" me at the moment) the more I am drawn to it. It is an interesting path to be on.

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