Returning to Catholicism

[Jack89]

After being an atheist most of my adult life, I find myself believing in God.  It’s strange to say that out loud, or write it down, but there it is.

I think my 6 months of walking in the woods last year had a lot do with changing my world view, but it wasn’t until about a month ago that I came to the realization, or as many of you will think, delusion, that God is real. 
It started with a thought experiment that substituted God with “goodness itself” and grew from there.  I gained a new perspective and applied it to what I knew of Aquinas, Chesterton, Lewis, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  It fit pretty well, especially after admitting that I think morality is is not only objective, but necessary for human well-being. 
So I dug up my Catholic roots and started attending Mass and classes at the local Parish.  I’m struggling with some of the mystical concepts, but I see a lot of subtlety and practical application in the doctrine.  I think I was 11 years old last time I seriously looked at them.  That was 40 years ago.

I suppose another religion would fit, I quite like Judaism, but as the Dalai Lama has often advised, it’s best to stick with the tradition you grew up with. 

Well, there it is.  Reggie would be so disappointed:)

[GSOgymrat]

Catholicism seems to deeply affect people who grew up in that faith and I have seen Catholics leave the church only to return years later. I believe in inherent moral values but I think they evolved as part of being a human and are not prescribed by a diety. Recently I have learned more about the psychological benefits of many religious practices, although sometimes you have to believe in the magic in order for it to work. Good luck on your spiritual path!

[aitm]

There is a great deal of comfort that comes with conformity among fellows, not to mention the benefit of self-assurance that comes when everyone agrees with the premise. A bit cyclical, but you get that.

I wish you well.

[kilodelta]

Just make sure you let your fellow Catholics know that we atheists are not that bad. Well, I mean most of us aren't that bad...

[Solomon Zorn]

  That way leads to the DARK SIDE, Anakin.       

[Sargon The Grape]

The skeptic in me really wants to know what led you to this conclusion. Based on your posting history, I have a hard time believing that a thought experiment is all it took to get you started back down that path. In any case, I hope you find what you're looking for.

That way leads to the DARK SIDE, Anakin.       

Aren't we always joking about atheism being the Dark Side?

[mauricio]

After being an atheist most of my adult life, I find myself believing in God.  It’s strange to say that out loud, or write it down, but there it is.

I think my 6 months of walking in the woods last year had a lot do with changing my world view, but it wasn’t until about a month ago that I came to the realization, or as many of you will think, delusion, that God is real. 
It started with a thought experiment that substituted God with “goodness itself” and grew from there.  I gained a new perspective and applied it to what I knew of Aquinas, Chesterton, Lewis, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.  It fit pretty well, especially after admitting that I think morality is is not only objective, but necessary for human well-being. 
So I dug up my Catholic roots and started attending Mass and classes at the local Parish.  I’m struggling with some of the mystical concepts, but I see a lot of subtlety and practical application in the doctrine.  I think I was 11 years old last time I seriously looked at them.  That was 40 years ago.

I suppose another religion would fit, I quite like Judaism, but as the Dalai Lama has often advised, it’s best to stick with the tradition you grew up with. 

Well, there it is.  Reggie would be so disappointed:)

Im a pretty hardcore skeptic and refuse to believe in supernatural stuff with no evidence. But frankly in order to survive in this meaningless world i have hopeful believes in what may just be pretty lies like pretty much everyone else. Where do you think all this utopic ideologies, all this ethical theories that give meaning, all this hero tales that make you think that magic is real (at least in the sense baruch talks about which is similar to how it is portrayed in LOTR) come from. If it is not an organized religion then it is a subjective collection of hopeful pretty thoughts.

[Jack89]

Catholicism seems to deeply affect people who grew up in that faith and I have seen Catholics leave the church only to return years later. I believe in inherent moral values but I think they evolved as part of being a human and are not prescribed by a diety. Recently I have learned more about the psychological benefits of many religious practices, although sometimes you have to believe in the magic in order for it to work. Good luck on your spiritual path!

I believe moral values evolved as well, and don't see a contradiction.  I don't think the Catholic church does either.  They're on board with the big bang, abiogenesis, evolution, and science in general. 
BTW, I appreciate your kind response, and everyone elses.

[mauricio]

In the end the main thing that matters is that you find the path that gives meaning to your existence. Otherwise everything else would be hopeless and you might as well just curl up and die.

[Mike Cl]

Don't know you all that well, Jack, but I guess if it makes you get through life better, then go for it.

But I have a hard time thinking nature lead you to god.  Nature is what lead me from any thoughts of their being a god.  I mean, look at nature.  It is not cruel--it is not kind--it just is.  It is truly a eat or be eaten world we live in, nature wise.  And the creatures here have no say about it.  To gather energy all creatures have to kill to get that energy.  Plants gather it directly from the sun.  So, why did god set it up that way?  Why not have all creatures get the energy needed to live from the sun so that we would not have to kill to gather the energy?  That alone makes me deeply doubt the existence of any sort of god.

[widdershins]

I apologize in advance, but this is just too good for me to pass on it.  Did you miss the priest you had growing up, AKA "the ex"?

Sorry!  I really am!  It's my last Catholic priest joke...in this thread...today...probably...

[Munch]

We're all able to make our own choices on what we follow in life, and we should never be strung up by what others tell us to believe in.

I would say though, in returning to your religious roots, take with you a more broader perspective of things, look at the religion itself, the people associated with it, and if you still wish to find some way to follow it, that is all for you to decide.

Best of luck.

[Baruch]

Congrats on taking a new wandering step on your own journey.  The Catholic Church provides a strong structure to support its parishioners ... and if you have an ethnic tie to it, then that can be a draw as well.  Another reason for choosing is where your spouse goes.  That can create integrity problems though, if your thinking drifts on its own.

Many of my ancestors are Irishmen, but I have no feeling for Ireland or for the insular Catholicism that goes with it.  I have a strong liking to Japanese religion, but I have no Japanese ancestry connection at all.  If I were to dress up as Japanese, it would only be as a burlesque Gaijin.  I can at least pass as Jewish, given that is what attracts me, but not orthodox, because of my freethinking and irreligion.  I don't fit in anywhere socially, but I can pursue my path individually.

[Solomon Zorn]

Here's a metered response.

After being an atheist most of my adult life, I find myself believing in God. It’s strange to say that out loud, or write it down, but there it is.

Emotional notion, friend. Let me respond in kind. Some of us will miss you, when you leave The Isle behind. Loss is mine.

I think my 6 months of walking in the woods last year had a lot do with changing my world view, but it wasn’t until about a month ago that I came to the realization, or as many of you will think, delusion, that God is real.

Emotional notion, friend. Let me respond in kind. Nature is magnificent, but not at all divine. Awe is mine.

It started with a thought experiment that substituted God with “goodness itself” and grew from there.

Emotional notion, friend. Let me respond in kind. Viciousness and tenderness are helplessly entwined. Pain is mine.

I gained a new perspective and applied it to what I knew of Aquinas, Chesterton, Lewis, and the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

Emotional notion, friend. Let me respond in kind. Mama told me mental masturbation makes you blind. Sight is mine.

It fit pretty well, especially after admitting that I think morality is is not only objective,...

Emotional notion, friend. Let me respond in kind. Subjectivity is just the limit of the mind. Choice is mine.

...but necessary for human well-being.

Emotional notion, friend. Let me respond in kind. Morals don't deter the ones destructively inclined. Love is mine.

I believe moral values evolved as well, and don't see a contradiction. I don't think the Catholic church does either.

Emotional notion, friend. Let me respond in kind.  Human beings grow, Catholicism's predefined. Change is mine.

So I dug up my Catholic roots and started attending Mass and classes at the local Parish. I’m struggling with some of the mystical concepts,

Emotional notion, friend. Let me respond in kind. Don't suppress your common sense, till sense is realigned. Conscience mine.

but I see a lot of subtlety and practical application in the doctrine.

Emotional notion, friend. Let me respond in kind. Normal human functions can be Biblically maligned. Lust is mine.

I think I was 11 years old last time I seriously looked at them. That was 40 years ago.

Emotional notion, friend. Let me respond in kind. Children go with ease, where full-grown men would feel confined. Age is mine.

I suppose another religion would fit, I quite like Judaism, but as the Dalai Lama has often advised, it’s best to stick with the tradition you grew up with.

Emotional notion, friend. Let me respond in kind. I''ll be waiting on The Isle, when your way back you find. Hope is mine.

[PickelledEggs]

Catholicism seems to deeply affect people who grew up in that faith and I have seen Catholics leave the church only to return years later.

I've seen this too in a lot of Catholics I know.


Anyway, Jack... Whatever makes you happy, is good enough for me. I know you're not an asshole and that's all that really matters in the end