[jaymo]

So, this is a question that I have been struggling with. I was raised Catholic but after a long conversation with my father (a Catholic deacon) I realized that I really can't, in good conscience, call myself Catholic .. there are just too many things that I do not see as "right" or in God's words ... this is not a bash against Catholics .. please do not take it as such, I am just searching for something to help my find the missing piece. I know that you have not steered my wrong in the past and wont now ... please help this lost soul!
Thanks in advance!
Maura.

[cmfayz]

How about Unitarian? I was also raised Catholic but I do not now consider myself Catholic. I have been looking into the Unitarian faith and I'm going to check out a nearby Unitarian church.

[SKL]

I wasn't raised Catholic, but I have been wondering too. My plan is to visit different churches in the area that are not clearly contrary to my beliefs. I don't think I'll start with just one or even just a few denominations. I feel it's more important that my kids and I feel comfortable and welcomed in whatever church I choose.

[ana-mom]

I was raised Lutheran and DH was raised Catholic. We go to a Lutheran church now. DH felt the same way as you but likes the Lutheran religion because it is close to Catholicism without all the 'ceremony and rhetoric' (as he says).

[JoshGuat]

I was catholic. All Christian religions are based on the Bible, use your discernment when you read God's word and follow what it says. We are going to face God one day and have to answer as to why we did not obey Him. His commandments are in the Bible. God's words is not a religion it is about a relationship. A relationship with God and Jesus. Paul talks about religions and how currupt some were. We are to listen to God's word not mans, no matter who the person is. Follow God's word and obey what He commands, that is what my advice is If you want further clarification, you can PM me. This is my favorite subject to talk about

[LivvysMommy]

Hi Maura,

The "missing piece" you're searching for is not in a "religion". It is found in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Religion is man's way of trying to be "good enough" to merit God's favor. God sacrificing his only son was His way of reaching down to us and the only responsibility we have is to trust, believe and accept Jesus without all the external laws & trappings that man has come up with over the centuries to make accessibility to God almost impossible. God wants all of us to have a close, personal relationship with him. Jesus is the answer.

You want to find a Bible believing, Bible teaching church. If you have any questions, please feel free to PM me and I would be happy to help you.

God bless you.

[LRA]

Sometimes the timing of questions on this board are funny/scary. My husband and I have been discussing this very topic. I went to church with my Grandmother to a non denominational church (at least I think that is what it was called) and sometimes went to a baptist church with my neighbors. I was married in a baptist church, but baptised in a Methodist church. My husband was raised Baptist and baptised Baptist, but we both like the Methodist church better, just not the one close to our house, that is almost cliqueish. Now we have also been looking into another church that meets at the middle school here in town and we have attended many children's functions that they have done and got a really good feeling from the people there. I wish I understood more about the different religions but I guess like JoshGuat said, it's all about relationship, not a name.

[kristibk]

Wow, my husband and I have been having this same conversation. We were both raised Catholic. My first marriage was not in the church but now that I am divorced and re-married, I don't feel comfortable in the Catholic church. My husband's mother was divorced and he always resented that his mother was not allowed to take communion while all of her children were. We both feel hypocritical going back to Catholocism. We want religion to be part of our lives and are also curious about other denominations.

[CaddoRose]

For us it was finding a church( meaning a group of like minded people) that embodied what we felt was important in a church. Everybody interprets the bible in a way that is right for them and so we went about finding people who thought the same as us.

Different denominations place importance on different things. In the end we hope that the most important thing in any church is that Jesus is the Son of God and only through Him can we have salvation. All the other stuff is how the church carries out the missions that Jesus gave us.

[luv2teach2]

Although I think having a personal relationship with Jesus is wonderful, it is not the answer for everyone and by no means is that the only way to define religion or to replace the missing piece. There are many other religions out there that provide that sense of belonging/belief in god

[becky]

We were raised Catholic. We raised our 3 oldest Catholic. Everyone attended Catholic schools, etc. We now have 3 college aged children who do not attend church and who say they do not believe in God.

We realized several years ago we needed to do something different with our 2 youngest. We set out to find a church that had the best youth programs around. Churches where the children and teens 'wanted' to go to church and wanted to be involved in their religion.

We tried several different churches and ended up at a very large 'non-denominational' Christian Church. It has the greatest kids programs. It took a little getting used to for me...I felt like I was going to a concert and a lecture...it was very different from going to Mass. But in the end we all found a place that we love and place where I feel certain my children will grow up with a strong Christian faith.

[CaddoRose]

luv2teach2- I completely agree. While we are members of a Christian church, we have a very wide belief system which includes other religions/traditions. It's not an easy thing to explain to anyone, but it's what works for us.

My comments were directed toward those who would want to remain within a Chrisitan church, which is what I think the OP was.

[kandesmurphy]

We have been struggling with this too. Both of us were raised Catholic and have practiced it until recently. But now with the prospect of raising a child in that church, we find there are too many things we disagree with to be able to feel comfortable there. We do like the routine and ceremony, though so we are planning on trying a local Episcopal church - many, many similarities but more liberal in its way of thinking and living. If we don't like it, I'm not sure what other churches we'll try - my husband is much more specific about where he will and will not go .
Kathy

[alreadylove2005]

I was raised Catholic, but got "kicked out" when my first marriage ended in divorce and I remarried. I know, I know, I'm not actually kicked out, but it feels like I'm a second class citizen who's "allowed" to do certain things and not others - just doesn't fit my feelings and love for an understanding God.

I attend a Evangelical Free Church. I asked the person who I think has the best relationship with God where she went to Church and tried it. The people there seem so kind, happy, caring. The only negative about it is that it is VERY large. A lot of people feel the same way that I do.

I'm torn now though, because I think I want Maya to go to a private school and the only one in the area is Catholic. Even though it's not necessary, I know that her school experience will be better if we are also members of the Church.

I agree with the previous posters that said it's about your personal relationship with God.

[angieandstever]

We are Catholic. I was baptized Catholic as an infant. I went to Catholic grade school, high school, and college. When I met my husband he was a non practicing Methodist and after being together for 6 years he decided to convert and become Catholic.

My husband's mom used to be Baptist and his dad Catholic but when they married they decided they should find a different religion together and became Methodist. After my husband converted to Catholicism, his mom decided to convert after attending masses to celebrate my husband's conversion. His dad also returned to the Catholic church. Gabbie was also baptized and will be raised Catholic. She may decide not to be one day but that will be her choice once she is an adult.

I don't necessarily agree with everything the Catholic Church preaches, and I seriously doubt I would find any church that I would agree with everything. My views are all over the board!! I do love the rituals and ceremonies though of the Catholic church!

You have to just go with what you feel comfortable. I do not believe there is any one religion/church that is the 'right' one. I would find the one that strengthens your relationship with God and makes you strive to be a better person. Good luck!!!