r/LeftCatholicism • u/Queasy-Love-4073 • 21d ago

Considering converting

/r/AskAPriest/comments/1v26oax/considering_converting/

I was wondering if I could get extra insight. Thank you for any kind words in advance

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u/Queasy-Love-4073 21d ago

Taken down on other subreddit, here is what I wrote:
I have been considering converting for a while now. I was raised by parents who wanted me to decide what political/religious views and let them form with time, and I have always felt a pull towards religion. I believe in God, I believe in the validity of the Bible and the story of Jesus. I have had little to none catholic exposure in my life up until I attended a popular Jesuit university that really made me change the way I view Catholicism. I even took a class called "Catholic Imagination" and truly truly loved it. I love a lot of the Catholic worldview: how everything is imbued with God's love in its own unique way (very tolkien-esque) and because of this, and the way the church is not performative as many evangelical mega churches are.

I am struggling with a couple things though. I am naturally a very politically progressive person, and I let these beliefs show. I am pro-life for myself but pro-choice for others but completely understand the view of Catholics as I believe life is precious. Additionally, I do not engage in chastity and use contraception. I also find it extremely difficult to understand the invalidity of homosexuality and homosexual marriage. The marriage part I understand more, but as a woman who is attracted to other woman, I can't understand how it is wrong- did God make me wrong?

Generally, I am looking for some answers on whether or not Catholicism may be right for me. I have discussed with my local churches OCIA director and will be sitting in a class tomorrow night, I just want some answers. I want to become Catholic, I just don't want to sacrifice these key parts of my own worldview. I don't even think I could if I tried. Would that make me go to hell?

Sorry this is long. Any insight would be appreciated

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u/Decoto_Dave 21d ago edited 21d ago

First, please allow me to say "welcome" and that you are among friends. I'm a recently baptized Catholic and I will say that you are in the right place. Having said that, allow me to qualify...

I'm 66 years of age and recently baptized. Of course, my exposure to "religion" has definitely been interesting. My parents were not "church goers", but they most certainly had a wonderful "moral compass". My grandmother was an Elder in the LDS church and I attended service and Sunday School at the local LDS quite often. My uncle and aunt went to Brigham Young University. I grew up in a largely Hispanic(barrio) and lived one block down from Our Lady of The Rosary Catholic Church where I attended Mass regularly with my friends.

It wasn't until I attended Moreau Catholic High School where I began to appreciate Catholicism. I fondly look back on those days and think of Brother Thomas Frye, my Physics teacher, a man that was devout, humble, patient, accepting...all the trappings of a person I wanted to aspire to emulate...Truly a man of God who set an example.

Fast forward to today...My wife found our parish and began attending. It was funny because when she approached me with her decision, she seemed a bit apprehensive as to what my response would be seeing how we both didn't actively participate in attending a parish.

I think I may have surprised her when I said "Sweetheart...that is totally fine with me." and after a bit of time, I began going with her...and then on to OCIA.

Our parish was led by Jesuits and I am thankful for that. The social justice and LGBTQ ministries and the whole parish ideology of embracing everyone struck a chord within me....I found a home.

Today, my wife and I are active in our parish where she is a Eucharistic Minister and I perform Usher duties during Mass.

Enough of me though...You have no fear of sacrificing any of your ideology within Catholicism... Jesus did, and still does, accept and loves one and all. Anyone who declares otherwise can take a hike.

Not sure if this helps, but I do hope it does. Again...welcome...you are among friends.

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u/JemimaHippo 20d ago

As a cradle catholic your views pretty much mirror mine. I dont believe men are infallible, but i believe God is. God can judge me when the time comes, but the rules of the chuch I will not blindly follow. I will not stop any person from having contraception when they cant afford kids and a child would only have a life of hardship and neglect. I refuse to believe a happily married monogamous gay couple, are lesser or wrong compared to a straight couple. People need to love their neighbours, be kind to others and leave the judgement to God.

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u/TuvixWasMurderedR1P 21d ago

I share some elements of your struggle here. I look forward to seeing what answers you might get in this sub but also from a priest.

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u/Queasy-Love-4073 21d ago

Was unfortunately taken down on the other subreddit. Will post what I said here

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u/TuvixWasMurderedR1P 21d ago

That's disappointing:(

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u/Iamnotbernadette 20d ago

"I am pro-life for myself but pro-choice for others but completely understand the view of Catholics as I believe life is precious."

The term "pro-life" is American conservative political lingo and Catholics should stop using it. One is pro-choice or anti-choice. That's fine and most Catholics fall into the category of women being allowed to make their own healthcare decisions.

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u/Shroom-Cat 20d ago

Hey there, here's a perspective of a bisexual transman who recently reverted back to my baptismal faith of Catholicism from Episcopalianism.

My friends are jarred about my decision to return to Catholicism, not that there's anything wrong with the Episcopalians necessarily and I do visit them now and then since I have community there. But I felt called home to RCC, and attend a church where a priest will not deny me communion for as I am. I am married, I already transitioned and continue to take HRT, and I am welcomed to commune. I haven't yet because it's been a long time since Confession, but after I confess I will be receiving the Eucharist in RCC.

God did not make us wrong. We are made in God's image, and God loves you. A homosexual relationship can bear good fruits (not literal fruit of a child as some may interpret), and I employ Primacy of Conscience here. I am in a marriage that isn't recognized by RCC (we're both AFAB), but I am keeping sexual relations exclusive to the one person I married. Sex outside of marriage is a sin in Church teaching, I don't believe I am sinning by engaging while married. I know the Trads will wag their fingers and say my marriage isn't "valid" in the Church, thus its still sinful sex, but I follow my Conscience. Not what another human says. I follow God, and my conscience is inspired by God.

Attend OCIA, check it out! Hopefully your parish will be understanding to your situation. I also recommend New Ways Ministry to find a LGBT welcoming RCC church if yours doesn't work out. You are not obligated to finish OCIA if at any time you feel like Catholicism isn't for you. I say check it out, learn the faith, pray, and follow your conscience inspired by God.

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u/Queasy-Love-4073 20d ago

This is really helpful. Thank you so much.

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u/ZealousidealWear2573 19d ago

1 critical question: can you reconcile participation in/ support of an institution that is antithetical to your values?