[nee18]

So, let me begin by saying that I'm not starting this post to start any debate or to question anyone's religious beliefs in any way. My DH is Catholic and we are strongly considering raising our DS as Catholic. I am not Catholic. I am struggling because I feel, ideally, our entire family should be the same religion. However, I'm a pretty liberal person and question if my liberal views would make me a hypocritical Catholic, if I were to convert. The basic religious beliefs I have no issues with (I was raised Lutheran, which is pretty similar in a lot of ways), but I do have issues with the Catholic church's stance on many areas (which I'm not stating here in order to avoid causing any heated debates). My DH is also pretty liberal and he believes that you can be Catholic while being liberal-that you don't have to agree with everything the Catholic church takes a stance on to be Catholic. Part of our issue too is that we live in a very conservative area in a very strict diocese, which doesn't help things for me when considering converting. What are your views on this? I really won't be offended if you feel that you need to be more conservative to be Catholic, I just wanted to get some outside perspective on this. Thanks!

[loveajax]

I am an extremely liberal Catholic (hey, I saw that the majority of Catholics voted for Obama). I went to Catholic school all my life, attended a Jesuit college, and did the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. I don't agree with the Church's "stance" on a number of issues, but that's OK, imo (others I'm sure will tell you it's not). I think everyone, no matter what their religion, has to examine their conscience/faith, etc. Anyway, we belong to a pretty "conservative" parish, and I am thinking of starting to go to Church in the city, etc. where hopefully we will find a more diverse community of Catholics. I know that before you "convert," there is a whole education program that you need to do....maybe someone can tell you about what is required. GOOD LUCK to you!

[lovemy2boys]

In order to convert, you have to go through RCIA classes (Rites of Christian Initiation for Adults).

They go over the basics of the Catholic faith, and then you are baptized (if you haven't already been baptized in another Christian faith), make your communion and make a profession of faith...

As far as being a liberal Catholic? Well, you've found another one...

I've been raised a Catholic...I go to Catholic church...I send my kids to Catholic school.

I love the rituals of Catholicism...I love the history and tradition. However, I don't agree with their stance on many things. There are things I agree with, and those I choose to disagree with.

I hope to raise my boys the way I was raised - with the love and respect of our faith, but with the free will God gave us to follow our own beliefs on typical Catholic issues.

Does that make me a "bad" Catholic in some people's eyes? Perhaps. But I am more bound to my faith in Jesus Christ than I am to the rules and regulations of my religion or the judgement others.

ETA - it DOES make election years interesting though - haha

[DancinBear63]

I was raised Baptist, and converted to Roman Catholicism 10 years ago. I love the rich history and tradition of the faith, and I am SO proud of the Church's stance on issues of social justice.

Are there issues that I still have trouble with? Absolutely. However, I believe that the spirit of those positions are not intended to be divisive, but to draw us closer as 'one body'. (And I am, for sure, a tree-loving liberal )

So, my advice is to educate yourself- read, pray, and ask lots of questions. You have to be comfortable with your decision. Peace.

[DPline]

One more liberal Catholic here. I don't think I can add anything beyond what the others have said, but to agree.

[joskids]

I'm also a liberal Catholic. I "love me some" Catholic church because it gives me strength. But there is much about the Catholic church where I beg to differ. I voted Obama, I am pro-choice, I don't condone priests molesting children and then the church telling me how much it values life. My husband and I both went to Catholic schools, he was educated by the Jesuits. Our children will receive all of the sacraments. When they are old enough to decide, we will back them on any religion they choose for themselves.

I just wanted to comment that, although you may be in a strict diocese, you can still search out churches that conform more to the way you want to worship. We are an interracial family. We do not feel that our most local church is right of our family, too conservative, the music puts me to sleep. We found an extra-ordinary majority black, Catholic church in the city with a Gospel choir, praise dancers and a congregation that has been like family to us. Our priest is very liberal and so is our deacon. Look around, ask around. I'm hoping you can find a church that suits all of your needs.

[nee18]

Thanks so much to all of you for the encouraging feedback. I think a lot of my problems with joining the Catholic church do stem from being in such a strict diocese and we are looking at attending a Catholic church in a bigger city nearby. I hope we can find a church as wonderful as what you seem to have found, Joskids, because we, too, are a transracial family. I don't want to rush anything because I do want to feel at peace with my decision if and when I decide to become Catholic, but, hearing your experiences being "liberal Catholics" definitely opens my eyes and heart to the idea, seeing that you all are able to value your religion and stay true to your other beliefs/values about the world as well. So, thanks!

[Butterflies2]

I would suggest getting the "Catechism of the Catholic Church", and looking up the church's teaching on what you are calling certain stances. They may or may not be issues of faith and morals held by the Catholic Church. Follow through on researching any references they give in that book, so that you can understand the teaching and how it is a part of the faith of the church (if indeed it is).

You can read and search the Catechism online at USCCB - Catechism of the Catholic Church

I hope that helps.

[nee18]

Thanks Butterflies. That's a great idea actually. I also think I probably should go to one of the RCIA (I think that's what it's called) classes for people considering joining the Catholic church just to learn more about the religion in general. I think there's a lot I just don't understand well enough (obviously ) to make a decision either way on what's best for me and my family. Thanks again.

[AndyH]

I think it is perfectly normal to be liberal and Catholic. I am currently going through RCIA (I was not born Catholic, but my wife was). There are aspects of Catholicism that I had difficulty reconciling, but, through careful study of the catechism, I have found that there is some room for differing opinions about the world we live in within catholicism. A major subject for debate is the issue of the right to life, and specifically, abortion. Depending on how liberal you are, this may be the biggest stumbling block. As a father of 4 daughters, allow me to share my perspective on this issue:

I feel that my role, as a (soon to be) Catholic and as a parent is to apply my faith by example and by teaching my children responsible behavior. I would hope that my kids, through our teaching, would choose to abstain from sex until they are married. I realize, however, that some kids make mistakes regardless of how well they are taught. Should one of my children become pregnant at a time that was less than optimal, I would encourage them to keep the baby, and would do all I could to support them in that effort. I fully feel that abortion is a sin, and would hope that my children would think likewise. I also believe, however, that it is not my place to impose my beliefs nor my judgment on others. This translates to my political stance on this controversial issue.

Many Catholics feel that I can't be a catholic if I "support" abortion. I have 2 separate but related answers to this statement. First, it is not any other Catholic's place to judge my fitness to be called a Catholic. Second, I don't support abortion, I simply feel that it is not my place to make this decision for another.
I will state that I oppose it in general; I will pray for those that seek it, in the hopes that they reconsider, and will pray for the soul of those that do it. That is my responsibility as a Christian and as a Catholic. The rest is up to God.

Have faith, you are not alone as a Liberal Christian, and/or Catholic.

[my someone]

Add me to the proud list!

I was raised Catholic and attended Catholic schools for 12 years. My high school years were guided by a group of extraordinary women - liberal nuns who taught justice, peace and careful, soulful consideration of every issue. Much of my life view was informed by their kind and thoughtful influence.

Regarding the conservative parish you are concerned about: we visited several different churches when we moved to our current home, until we found one that felt right. Our neighbors told us we "had to" register at the parish in our town, according to diocese rules (the one we chose was 10 miles from our subdivision). I made a call to our chosen parish and asked whether that was true. The receptionist quietly replied, "Well, Father K doesn't really adhere to that rule". That's all we needed to hear! We registered there right away and have found our spiritual home.

Let's all remember, Jesus is our founding liberal!

[Kat-L]

I'm Catholic. I'm sort of conservative. I agree with the church on many major issues. However, I did vote for Obama. I had to vote for the person who I truly thought would be the best president for our country. I did a lot of praying and soul searching because I'm very pro-life and Obama is so pro-choice. But.. anyway, I live in an area with lots of churches. The first church I visited was great but VERY liberal in their views. I then found another church that was very conservative. A little too old fashioned and not very diverse. It took a while to find a church that fit. I wanted a church that was conservative, diverse, active in the community, compassionate and welcoming. I found it. It took trips to about 7 or 8 churches, though, before I found it.

You will find a church that meets your needs. If you feel called to be Catholic, then God will also call you to the church that will help you grow in your faith.