I'm a recently confirmed Episcopalian, but I'm not sure if I belong to the right church. For those of you who don't know the differences, the Episcopal church does not believe in the Pope as the head authority of the church and it does not believe in Purgatory. The Episcopal church is the closest to the Catholic church. So if you went to a mass from each, they would almost be the same. Anyways, my confirmation teacher was saying how the Episcopal church was 'more relaxed' then the Catholic church. This made me think. Do I really want to be in a church that doesn't take God's word to the full extent? When she said relaxed it made me think about teachers that let you break some school rules. She was talking about how Episcopalians generally accept things Catholics do not (abortion, gay marriage, divorce). Also, I believe a gay bishop or priest or something was admitted to a Episcopalian/Anglican church in New Hampshire or something, but I do not believe in any of those things, and I do not see why the Pope should not be the head of the church. Pope John Paul II was a great man and did great things while spreading the word of Christ, so why should I not follow him? The one issue I am stuck over is purgatory. I am not enitrely sure if I believe in it or not. I guess it is believable... but I'm just not sure. Anyways... does anyone think I should convert? Is it simply attending Catholic mass or do I have to do something like a communion/confirmation? Have any other Catholics or Episcopalians thought about this? Are there any other differences I missed?

actually episcopal and catholic are not the closest alike. Easter orthodox is closer to Catholicism. They used to be the same church split up because of 2 major things.

1.Eastern doesnt believe in purgatory.

2.Eastern believes that at communion it becomes the body and blood of Christ not just represents.

This seems like the perfect question

to ask god. If he cares he'll let

you know. If he doesn't answer,

he's probably taking a dump.

what is the procedure for converting to Catholicism?

Go to a local parish and ask.

I think you have to be baptized, receive first communion, and then be confirmed into the church.

I just converted and was confirmed on Easter Vigil. I'm 17. If you want to convert, you go the the RCIA program. The Rite of Christian Inititiation for Adults. You go to classes and learn about the faith. If you've already been baptized, you don't need to do it again. On Easter Vigil(the night before Easter) you get baptized if you're not, confirmed, and then you take communion. email me if you like matt.a.zimmerman@gmail.com

I studied long and hard so if you have any questions about the faith I could probably help, or find the answer for you.

Cool, Zman.

How was it ? Was it a spiritual experience ? How long did confirmation take ?

Amazing. I guess I was sort of nervous, but before and afterwards, it struck me with the amazingness of it...It was very spiritual....

It depends where you are on how long your study is before confirmation. My classes started in September and ended in March. Some places the program takes several years.

The confirmation for converts takes place during the Easter Vigil mass. The confirmation itself takes no time. The priest will put some oil on your forehead, and after he does that with all the converts, you all profess your faith in the Church in unison, and then you've been confirmed.

Do you feel different ? Spiritually speaking ?

I'm already a confirmed Episcopalian though, but I'm sure I could still convert because they wouldn't turn down new members. Do I have to be confirmed again, but this time as a Catholic?

Yeah, no one is gonna turn you down. I think you have to be confirmed again, though.

I didn't really have a change in what I felt right before and after confirmation. The change in how I feel spiritually has been taking place for a long time, and it was just sort of release and joy..you know what I mean? Maybe sort of like dating someone, falling in love with them, and finally getting married...

Catholics frighten me sometimes.

P.S. rhody fresh... Brian? Or are you Brian's friend who owns the farm?

I have no affiliation with the milk company but that is where I got my name from.

RHODY FRE$H

quote:Originally posted by Zman:



This is incredibly off topic, but do you by chance post on a Wake Forest site?

What's a wake forest website?

I'm guessing something to do with the college. Their basketball team maybe?

I saw someone with the name Zman on a Wake Forest site, and I remembered that name from totse.

Doesn't matter really.

no, not me..our last names are probably the same

Well, the Episcopals have a better batting lineup, but the Catholics have MECHA-NAZIPOPE, which puts them at a significant advantage in the outfield.

murder/suicide

I've heard the episcopal church described several times as "Catholicism without the guilt" (once from an Episcopalian priest or whatever they have; my friend's mother, who is gay. So they do accept gays).

I was baptised episcopal but I'm non-practising.

Without guilt? What's that supposed to mean

"Without guilt" could mean without the sin watching. Now, if you saw a juicy chick's sexy bits and yearningly popped a hard-on, that would be a "venial" sin. If you kinda reached down and lightly brushed on your bulging hard-on with your hand, that would be a "mortal" sin. The perception is that Episcopalians aren't all about avoiding sinful situations like the one I've just described. But I could be wrong.

Oh.

ZMan, I think the "guilt" reference was in regards to the hellfire and brimstone preaching a lot of Catholic priests use to scare people into repentence. Not all of them, but a lot of them.

Guilt certainly isn't a bad thing for a Christian, though...it is a good gauge for boundaries (when you have gone to far, when something becomes bondage to you, etc.)

The methodology is sometimes way off in Catholicism, but the same could be said of any religion, to include Episcopalian. I think it all comes down to what YOU, as a Christian, are comfy with.

Anyway, back to feeling something spiritual, I was wondering that because I didn't know if confirmation was alike to receiving salvation...you remember how THAT felt ? *shivers*

I wish we could become saved more than once....HEHEHEHE...if only for the intense spiritual affirmation that occurs.

Thanks for sharing your experience !

Well, yeah a lot of priests and nuns and stuff used fire and brimstone...but I think its even more prevalent among other denominations. At least nowadays. I think it has its place, though. Somewhere or other the Bibles says fear of God is the beginning of all wisdom.

Yeah, I remember what it was like to realize I was saved. I don't think there is anything quite like that.

I'm nervous in front of people, and confirmation was in front of a couple hundered. I think the whole thing should've been more "spiritual". It was I guess, just not when it was happening. When I got home, that's when it hit me. I guess it was sort of like realizing I was saved, with the spiritual affirmation. I have to always thank God for being blessed enough to be brought where I have.

quote:Originally posted by twista:

actually episcopal and catholic are not the closest alike. Easter orthodox is closer to Catholicism. They used to be the same church split up because of 2 major things.

1.Eastern doesnt believe in purgatory.

2.Eastern believes that at communion it becomes the body and blood of Christ not just represents.

Catholics actually believe its the body and blood...its called transubstantiation

Correct. Most of the stuff on either denomination here is wrong.