I'm Not Catholic . . . But I'd Like to Know More

Well, you've come to the right place. As the old saying goes, there's no such thing as a dumb question.

The Catholics Come Home web site is dedicated to providing good, solid answers to your questions. And let's face it; many people these days have questions about the Catholic Church. Happily, there are compelling answers to those questions.

The good news is that the path to a fuller understanding of the Church and Her teachings is not very difficult or time-consuming, but it may require a willingness on your part to consider things from a different perspective.

It's like the stained-glass windows in an old cathedral. From the outside, they might appear dim and dark, and it's hard to tell what they symbolize. But once you venture inside and see the windows with the light streaming through them, then you can begin to appreciate their beauty and understand the meaning of the lessons they teach through images.

The same is true of understanding Catholic teachings. Sometimes we must put aside our pre-conceived ideas long enough to try to understand not just what the Church teaches, but why.

Many people are happily surprised when they discover that what they once thought the Catholic Church teaches was different from what she actually teaches.

The late Archbishop Fulton Sheen once remarked that "There are not even 100 people in this country who hate the Catholic Church, but there are millions who hate what they think the Catholic Church to be."

Perhaps the best place to begin your journey of discovering Catholic teaching and getting answers to your questions is the Catechism of the Catholic Church, available inexpensively online at your local Catholic or secular bookstore. We recommend you get a copy and use it as a practical guide to understanding Catholic beliefs and practices.

Don't forget that sometimes, the answers to our questions are not what we expect them to be! But that's okay, because the truth often lies in a direction we didn't expect.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD"
(Isaiah 55:8; RSV).

The Lord wants us to know and understand the truth so that we can embrace it wholeheartedly and live according to it, even when the truth may be startling to us. After all, He declared that "The truth shall make you free" (John 8:32). Amazing Scripture Facts!)

Maybe you're wondering about why the Catholic Church claims to be the One, True, Church established by Jesus Christ. You may have questions such as,

• Who Founded Your Church?  Who founded the Catholic Church?  
• Why does the Catholic Church believe that St. Peter was the first pope?
  
• Why does the Catholic Church include Tradition as part of its authority instead of going by the Bible alone, the way Protestants do?
  
• Does the Catholic Church really teach that one must "earn" salvation?
  
• What is Mary's role in Salvation history?

Or maybe you have other questions about Catholic teaching and practice. Do any of these statements reflect your questions about the Catholic Church?

• How can I know there's a God?
• Why are some Catholics hypocritical?
• Can I be "pro-choice" and Catholic?
• Why doesn't God answer my prayers?
• I've done some bad things. Can I really be forgiven?
• I believe in God, but why should I believe that Jesus Christ is God?

Okay! Let's get started.

Christian Church History

Why Do Catholics Do That?

In this section, you'll find answers to several common questions about the Catholic Church's teachings and practices, such as the Eucharist, Mary, and the saints. We also address some difficult issues such as abortion, and the priest scandals.

What Does the Church Really Teach?

This section will give you a broad overview of Catholic doctrines, allowing you to “dig deeper” into whatever area interests you. Among the many topics you'll find information about the Bible and tradition, the One True Church established by Jesus Christ, the nature of God, creation, salvation, heaven and hell, purgatory, and much more.

What does God Say about Morality?

Are your questions about the Catholic Church's moral teachings on important issues such as war, abortion, contraception, homosexuality, adultery, pornography, masturbation or fetal stem cell research? This section provides valuable information about those issues.

What Will Happen To Me When I Die?

In the end, death will come for each of us. But for Christians, death does not have to be as frightening or difficult as it will be for those who do not believe in the Lord and seek to follow His teachings and commandments. This section of Catholics Come Home will provide you with some spiritual and practical resources to help you with end of life issues and the process of grieving for a loved one you've lost through death.

Why Confess to a Priest?

THE LORD ESTABLISHED THE SACRAMENT OF RECONCILIATION

Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained” (John 20:21-23).

As the Bible reminds us very pointedly, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9).

RCIA – Traveling the Path to the Catholic Church

Here's a helpful page from the U.S. Catholic Bishops on what the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults (RCIA) is, how it works, and how you can find out more about attending RCIA classes at a parish near you.

Index of Catholic Resources

You may have heard some accusations against the Catholic Church concerning Church history, including such things as the Inquisition, the Galileo Affair, the Crusades, the Catholic missionary efforts, or the "bad popes". This section includes links to information about all those issues as well as a comprehensive index of Catholic Church teachings and resources about a wide variety of important issues including: war, abortion, contraception, homosexuality, adultery, pornography, masturbation, fetal stem cell research, and how the Catholic Church built Western Civilization.

Remember what Jesus Christ promised . . .

"Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you" (Matt. 7:7)

It's alright to have questions. God created us to having inquiring minds and, as the saying goes, "inquiring minds want to know!" So, don't think that the Catholic Church isn't interested in your questions – whatever they may be, no matter how tough they are. You deserve good, solid answers to your questions. And this web site is dedicated to providing them for you.

Keep in mind that the Catholic Church has been around for just about 2000 years now, and over the years, there have been an untold number of questions and objections raised about her teachings and practices. The answers are there.

And if it happens that you have a question about the Catholic Church that isn't directly answered here at Catholics Come Home, don't worry. Here are some excellent resources where you can find the answer.

God bless you in your journey!