Member Since: January 15, 2007
Answers: 2
Last Update: January 15, 2007
Visitors: 1205
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I'm a teenage girl (raised catholic) who has been atheist/agnostic/unsure since the summer. I have encountered several recent events in my life that have lead me to believe that there really is a God after all. All of my friends are really strong christians- but I just don't think that God is real.
I don't know if Christianity is right- or even real... but I'm feeling compelled to recommit my life to Christ. What does that mean anyway? How can you "commit your life" to someone who isn't even real? Who IS Jesus? I mean this whole thing makes no sense. How can there be a God when there are so many other religions like islam and such? My prayers never came true as a Christian.
Oh, by the way- I hate going to church and i don't see the point in doing it. It never even brought me closer to this so-called God. To be a true Christian (not a poser) do you HAVE to attend mass? What if I just want to have my OWN faith? I also don't believe in Bible verses and stuff- like I don't think that the people in it were real. Why can't we just have faith in GOD and not all the crap that goes along with it? (link)
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Since you have been baptized and raised Catholic you are very lucky. You have been brought up in the Truth. There are indeed many religions out there, and many different "spiritualities", but there is only one question which you need to ask, and that is, "What is the truth?" and your eternal life depends on what answer you come up with to that question. I fully, fully understand the uncertainty that comes with youth and it took me many years (until I was 40) to come full circle back to where I started, the Catholic Church.
If God is real, and he truly loves us, and he wants us to seek him out, then certainly, certainly he will answer the following prayer:
"Jesus, Help me to open my heart and mind to your truth. Give me the gifts of the Holy Spirit and help me to have faith, hope, and love."
Don't forget, that you are developing a relationship with God. Like any relationship, it takes time and effort. Your best friends are friends because you spend time with them. You love your family and you spend time with them. Same with God, you won't get to know him unless you spend time with him. Words are not always necessary. Simply direct your mind and heart towards God and he will respond in kind. But do it often!! And of course the Hail Mary and the Our Father are indispensible prayers. Don't give up! Open up the Bible and/or some good Catholic spiritual books - ask your parents for some suggestions - as spiritual reading is a must to grow with God.
Good luck, and be assured of my prayers.
Ruthie
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(14/f)
My boyfriend and I went on a daytrip the other day. It was a state thing so there was a lot of peolpe there. We were all in the parking lot ready to board this bus. We got talking to an older couple(60's-70's because they had gone the previous year. We talked about the cruise and where we went to school. We told him that we go to a catholic school. He said "Oh really? Then maybe you would like to have these." he pulled out 2 oval charms. They had what looked like Mary on them. There was also this saying around her, "regina sine labe originali concepta" what does that mean? (link)
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This is Latin for "Queen conceived with original sin", and probably has "ora pro nobis" - or "O.P.N." - which is Latin for "Pray for us". Usually in English this is translated "O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee"...
You have been given two Miraculous Medals. This is a popular Catholic devotion based on a vision of Mary the Blessed Mother to St. Catherine Laboure' from 1830. This is considered "private revelation", and although approved by the Church as a genuine vision from the Blessed Virgin, it is optional for Catholics to believe. (As opposed to public revelation - as was revealed by Jesus Christ and the apostles in the New Testament - which all Catholics are required to believe as true.)
All Catholics are encouraged to pray to Mary for her intercession as it will bring many graces from God.
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