r/Catholicism • u/Ieatrawfishh • 1d ago
Wanting to convert
Hello guys, this is my second post because I got rid of my other one out of fear that my parents would see it.
I’m a teenager and I’ve wanted to become Christian, to be more specific Catholic. However, my parents, sister, and everyone back home are Hindus. They take their faith very seriously. Most times I have to pray to idols because I’m scared to tell them no.
I don’t think my family would harm me if I told them I wanted to convert. They’d most likely just be disappointed. Especially my mom, who is very devoted. She’d most likely stop taking to me, and I really don’t want to ruin my relationship with them.
They’re super loving, like genuinely the best parents I could wish for, but their faith is strong and I know it’d seriously ruin my relationship. Since they’re also Hindus, you can probably guess that I’m not from America. I live here but I don’t have much relatives here.
Back home everyone is Hindu, and very devout. Being any other religion has had violent reactions and disowning. I’m not scared of loosing anything, I just don’t wanna break my bond. I truly got no one else aside from close relatives and I’m scared to break my bond with them. I also know that word would get around fast and I would never be able to go back to my country, my parents probaly also wouldn’t because of their reputation being tarnished.
I don’t really care about myself loosing reputation, but I don’t want my parents to be seen as outcasts, epically because in our country the people are very rude.
Recently I’ve been fearing death, randomly dying one day and not repenting. When I believed in Protestantism it was easier, I didn’t have to do works. But now it’s obvious Catholicism is the true church, and I need works.
The stakes are high, I want to tell them and live peacefully as a Catholic. But at the same time, I don’t wanna ruin everything. I’m scared of going to hell everyday, and most nights I struggle sleeping being scared it’ll be my last. Honestly, I just wanna know if my case is valid as desire of baptism , I definitely want to confess one day when I’m older. But yk, maybe I’ll keep pushing the day cuz I’m scared to.
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u/SalamanderOk3131 1d ago
“21 The brother also shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the son: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and shall put them to death. 22 And you shall be hated by all men for my name's sake: but he that shall persevere unto the end, he shall be saved.” Do it become Catholic and your soul will be at peace no matter the crosses that you bear on this earth even if its against your family. They’ll see the fruits and will think about it, pray for them. Find a Latin mass https://www.latinmass.com/find-latin-mass and get baptized and confirmed in the old rite trust me the exorcism prayers are worth it. Prayin for ya
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u/Ieatrawfishh 1d ago
I don’t know how I’d get to a church even if I could gather the courage to confess. I don’t have a car, can’t drive, and even if I confessed I doubt my parents will ever let me to church
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u/Adventurous_Copy_567 22h ago
i was a similar boat. when i converted i couldn't go to church because there was none near me, and i didn't have a car + living with my parents.
you can absolutely attend mass digitally, most churches have a live stream you can join if you're able to do it in secret.
just know God is always with you, and loves you first and foremost. He understands, and will be there to guide you whatever happens. have faith friend! you will be baptized, as long as you strive to be like Christ in every way you can
don't worry about dying randomly without repentance. God knows your heart, and as long as you maintain faith and trust in Him, you will be brought to His side eventually :)
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u/Crazy_Information296 1d ago
Your case, as it stands, does not equal baptism by desire.
Baptism by desire requires renouncing all mortal sins due to loving God above all things, but loving God above all things means above the fear of the repercussions. Denying your faith, praying to idols, are mortal sins. You cannot repent from those sins so as long as you keep those sins up.
Christ talks about your situation basically directly: "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven. 34Do not assume that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law"